News Release


For Immediate Release

KRAZY IVAN™ BOASTS FIRST PERSON 3-D, OPEN AREA ROBOT COMBAT

Game from Psygnosis Introduced for Sony's PlayStation™

Game Console with PC CD-ROM to Follow

FOSTER CITY, Ca. -- February 23, 1996 -- Psygnosis, Inc. today announced the release of Krazy Ivan, a futuristic robot combat game that has been highly anticipated by avid PlayStation game console owners. A PC CD-ROM version of Krazy Ivan will released later in 1996.

In Krazy Ivan, players can experience open-arena, first-person 3D combat in this explosive battle of the giants, which pits a 40-foot battle-suit (containing the title character himself) against a deadly array of enemy robots. Combining all-out action with tongue-in-cheek cinematic cut scenes, the game is set to make a new cult hero out of Russia's deadliest secret weapon, the Soviet super-soldier known as Krazy Ivan.

As Ivan, you'll groove to the sounds of Chic's funk classic tune, “Le Freak” (this is no ordinary mech-robot game). You'll be blasted into hostile territory, with only a 40-foot battle suit for company. You'll be attacked from both land and air. You'll hit back with a brutal array of ballistic weaponry. You'll laugh in the face of danger, as you attempt to get the hostages out alive. You'll behave with a total disregard for your own safety. After all, they don't call you Krazy Ivan without good reason.

Krazy Ivan features an open arena environment, which allows for aerial attacks (unlike some other first-person, maze-based blasters), and full freedom of movement to match (the player can look and aim weapons -- up and down, as well as left and right). There are hostages to be rescued, weapon up-grades and a bizarre collection of power-ups (including the likes of the quirky “Schitzo” mode, which briefly reverses player controls).

Particularly remarkable are the mission briefings, which combine live action footage with amazing, photo-realistic computer animation, and have a distinctly humorous edge to them. These were created in part by animator/artist Jim Bowers, who has already won considerable acclaim for his work on Psygnosis' hit title WipeOut™ (available on PC CD-ROM and for PlayStation game console). Comments product manager Michelle Harris, “while gameplay is the paramount concern, these link-sequences help establish the 'krazy mentality' which runs through-out Krazy Ivan. Personality is one thing that tends to be lacking in robot based games - but this is a fun game and elements like this, 'Le Freak' by Chic and so on, all just add to that fun element.”