"Before Halo, before Modern Warfare, and before Battlefield, there was Tribes." Those words echoed from Hi-Rez Studios COO Todd Harris yesterday as the developer unveiled a new Tribes title, Tribes: Ascend. Hi-Rez Studios has unveiled new details about a new upcoming title yesterday and proclaimed the return of the popular sci-fi, online shooter franchise as they served up some juicy new details at PAX East 2011.

Tribes: Ascend is intended to be the successor to Tribes 2 and reintroduce the franchise to the gaming world. The game is being developed with the Unreal 3 engine and will be available for the PC and Xbox 360 via digital download in late 2011.

Hi-Rez Studios is also currently developing an online persistent world game based on Tribes titled Tribes Universe. Check out the official press release and trailer after the break for additional details.

Hi-Rez Studios Unveils the Next Tribes ®

ATLANTA - March 11, 2011 - Today at the PAX East game festival, Hi-Rez Studios released an announcement trailer for Tribes: Ascend™, proclaiming the return of the sci-fi, online multi-player shooter franchise Tribes.

The Tribes collection of games have been played by well over 1 million people.

Tribes: Ascend, developed using the Unreal 3 engine, is being positioned as the multi-player successor to the much lauded Tribes 2 and a re-introduction of the franchise to the gaming world.

Hi-Rez Studios acquired Tribes in October, 2010 and revealed plans to develop a massive scale, persistent world shooter called Tribes Universe. Today's announcement confirms that long-term franchise strategy, but Hi-Rez has chosen to first deliver the single-purchase, digital download Tribes: Ascend this calendar year.

"Before Halo, before Modern Warfare, and before Battlefield, there was Tribes.", says Todd Harris, Hi-Rez Studios COO. "Tribes fans appreciate the game's essence - athletic FPS combat combined with teamwork and strategy. As we began development of Tribes Universe, we focused first on capturing that essence - refining and modernizing iconic elements like jetpacks, skiing, and vehicles. We’ve had tremendous fun play-testing and realized the potential of a multiplayer focused title ahead of Tribes Universe. The community has been waiting for a multi-player shooter that is the modern successor to T2. Tribes: Ascend is that game."

Tribes: Ascend is targeted for release in late 2011 as a digital download on Windows PC and the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. Additional platforms are currently under consideration as well.

For more information:

Website - www.TribesAscend.com

Facebook - www.facebook.com/TribesAscend

About Hi-Rez Studios
Hi-Rez Studios, Inc, located just outside of Atlanta GA, was established in 2005 to create exceptional online interactive entertainment. In February 2010 the company released the squad-based Shooter-MMO Global Agenda. Hi-Rez is currently developing other competitive online games including Tribes: Ascend. For more information, visit www.hirezstudios.com

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