Midway Games Inc., a leading software industry publisher and developer, has announced
that Defender®, an all-new 3-D version of the popular
1980s arcade classic, has shipped for the Xboxâ„¢ video game system from Microsoft
and Nintendo GameCubeTM and will ship on Thursday, Nov. 7th for the Game
Boy® Advance. Defender is also currently available for the PlayStation®2
computer entertainment system.

Defender offers players the ultimate in next-generation
high-octane action with strategic elements that start where the original Defender
left off. In this all-new version, players must battle an onslaught of vicious
aliens as they assume the controls of next-generation combat-ready Defender
ships to strategically pilot through more than 20 challenging missions spanning
the solar system. Defender players execute dynamic tactical maneuvers such as
barrel rolls, 360-degree loops and spinning reversals to evade the enemy. .
.

“This all-new remake of the Defender classic will impress longtime Defender
fans as well as next-generation videogamers,” said Helene Sheeler, vice
president of marketing, Midway.

To add to the high-octane action, rhythmic sensation KMFDM contributed a track
entitled “Defender,” a remake of Richard Strauss’s “Also
Sprach Zarathustra,” prominently known as the theme song from the 1968
movie “2001: A Space Odyssey.” The band’s energetic live shows
and sound, which artfully incorporates a lot of explosive, metallic elements
into one mix, complements the exciting space combat-action gameplay found in
Defender. Black Black Records’ Trigger also recorded an original techno
song, “Vaunt,” for the game. The two-piece combo of Todd Crumn and
Janed Todd focus their music on a full, beat-driven sound that aims to conjure
a different mood, memory or idea.

In addition, Commander Mei Kyoto, a fledgling Defender pilot, is the voice
of renowned actress/singer Traci Elizabeth Lords. Lords is a dynamic performer
who has appeared in theatrical films such as “Blade,” John Waters’
“Cry-Baby” and “Serial Mom,” as well as in television
series “First Wave,” “Melrose Place” and the Stephen
King miniseries “The Tommyknockers.” Music from her acclaimed techno
CD “1000 Fires” has been featured on the soundtracks for “Mortal
Kombat®” and “Virtuosity.”

Featuring a new view perspective with a fully 3-D, third-person chase camera,
Defender drops players into the explosive action of an alien invasion where
they must combine strategic elements with speed and control to outwit the enemy.
Ship upgrades are also available with various power-ups including shields, advanced
weapons and hyperspace technology, which allows players to strategically relocate
the ship to one of several predetermined locations to aid in defeating the aliens.
Aliens can be taken head-on in single-player campaign mode or defeated with
a friend in the two-player, cooperative campaign mode as you deploy an arsenal
of weapons such as a grenade launcher, fast-lock missile launcher, fireball
launcher and gas launcher.

Defender’s DVD content offers a behind-the-scenes look into the making
of the game with in-depth interviews featuring project director/designer George
Collins and producer Matt Candler discussing their experiences remaking the
arcade classic for next-generation consoles. Also included is a narrated history
of Defender, from its arcade roots to the present, including an interview with
its original creator. Additionally, featured in the DVD are “Coming Soon”
trailers for Midway’s upcoming titles.

Filed under: Release Dates

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