Ubisoft Y D'ni, Nota de Prensa... confusa [ Outline ] · Standard · Linear+

[CoolWind]

Ubisoft acaba de publicar esta nota de prensa. Si alguien saca algo en claro que lo diga...

GAME PUBLISHER CONTRIBUTES TO MASSIVE UNDERGROUND RESTORATION EFFORT

San Francisco, CA – November 7, 2003 - Ubisoft, one of the world's largest
video game publishers, has announced today its intent to fund the extensive
restoration effort of D'ni, an ancient archaeological site recently
discovered in New Mexico. Though unknown to many, the D'ni civilization
existed for thousands of years beneath the surface of the Earth and was the
impetus and historical foundation for the popular CD-ROM games Myst and
Riven created by Cyan Worlds, Inc.

“As the publisher of the Myst series, we felt it was imperative to
contribute to the effort to restore and preserve this culturally significant
site. D'ni made a huge impact on those who have experienced its wondrous
beauty through the games that honor its story," said Gilles Langourieux,
General Manager of ubi.com worldwide. "This restoration is both a smart
investment in the Myst franchise and provides our customers with a place to
visit that is unlike anything they have ever seen."

Since 1997, the restoration of D'ni has been led by the D'ni Restoration
Council (DRC) thanks in large part to its generous benefactor Elias Zandi.
While portions of the underground city and Books of D'ni have already been
made available to certain visitors, the DRC plans to open the city and allow
many explorers before year’s end; a task that requires significant new
funding.

Due to this new relationship, the DRC will be more directly linked with
Ubisoft and the company’s Myst products. These links will exist not only on
its website (www.drcsite.org) but possibly through other locations in the
future, including D'ni itself. “It is no secret that the council has been
looking for a way to fund the great cost of restoration and we are thrilled
to have Ubisoft as a partner enabling us to focus on the areas where we
excel: rebuilding a lost city and allowing people to see its beauty again,"
said chairman of the DRC, Dr. Richard Watson.

Though very different organizations, both Ubisoft and the DRC share the same
vision for the future of D'ni. Both look forward to the day when thousands
of visitors will walk its streets and learn of its great history and
culture. Whether people are visiting the city’s museums or traveling to new
Ages via the inexplicable Linking Books, people will be astounded.

Rand Miller, CEO of Cyan Worlds agrees. "I've been making trips to D'ni for
quite a while now. I can't wait for future trips and I look forward to
meeting new explorers and watching them become intrigued with the beauty and
wonder of D’ni. I truly hope that one day everyone is able to visit."

Based on the ancient D'ni word meaning "city", the effort has been dubbed
Uru Live. While exciting, it is also a task filled with risks. "We truly do
hope the Uru lives again. At the same time, we are not naïve. Linking to a
new Age through a Book is not only dangerous, but in some people's eyes
reckless. D'ni is a dangerous place. However, the safety of everyone who
comes to D'ni will be of utmost concern, and for this reason we are thankful
to have the funding to help us," added Dr. Watson.

"One day at a time," said Ubisoft’s Langourieux. "With this partnership we
soon hope to make D'ni a place where everyone can go."

Look for further announcements regarding the Uru Live project from both
Ubisoft and the D'ni Restoration Council in the near future.

About Cyan Worlds, Inc.
Cyan Worlds, Inc., located in Spokane, Washington, is best known for Myst
and Riven which received numerous awards, critical acclaim and broad
popularity. Cyan has been designing and building immersive, interactive
worlds since 1987. They currently employ over 40 designers, programmers and
artists. For more information about Cyan Worlds, visit www.cyanworlds.com.

About Ubisoft
Ubisoft Entertainment is an international producer, publisher and
distributor of interactive entertainment products. A leading company in the
multimedia industry, Ubisoft's strong and diversified line-up has grown
considerably, as has Ubisoft itself. As well as steadfastly continuing to
partner with several high-profile companies, Ubisoft has also confirmed its
presence on the global market by developing its own exceptional properties.
Founded in 1986 in France, Ubisoft is now present on every continent, both
through offices in 22 different countries including the United States,
Morocco, Germany and China and through sales of products in over 50
countries. The group is dedicated to delivering high-quality, cutting-edge
video game titles to consumers around the world. Ubisoft generated a
turnover of 453 million euros for the 2002/2003 fiscal year, up 23% over the
previous fiscal year. To learn more, visit www.ubi.com

About the D'ni Restoration Council
The DRC was started in 1997 thanks, in large part, to a generous grant from
Elias Zandi whose vision was to see D'ni alive again someday. While the
Council has grown and new members have been added, the DRC remains focused
on that vision to this day. The DRC is made up individuals from a variety of
backgrounds and with a wide array of skills enabling the restoration of D'ni
in a safe and expedient manner. The council is currently headed by Dr. Marie
Sutherland, Dr. Ikuro Kodama, Victor Laxman, and Michael Engberg with Dr.
Richard Watson as chair. There are also numerous volunteers and paid
employees who currently serve in a variety of support roles. To learn more,
visit www.drcsite.org.

[Icarus]

Es curioso que digan que la historia de la civilización D'ni haya sido la impulsora de la creación de el juego de Myst, cuando yo en alguna parte (creo que en el Prólogo de la novela de El Libro de Atrus) leí que Rand y Robyn Miller, de jóvenes, se divertían "creando Eras" que imaginaban, y que en eso se inspiraron más tarde para crear el juego, y luego, toda la saga...

Seguramente ellos ya "intuían" la existencia de esta civilización (antes de descubrir un "sito arqueológico" en Nuevo México)... No, mejor aún, ellos son D'ni... lo llevan en las venas...

En fin, lo que es el marketing...

PD: Qué rabia me da que digan que hay un "antiguo lugar arqueológico" en Nuevo México... Marketing, bah...