November 14^th, 2003 (12:00am) - Codemasters has released an in-depth storyline description for Dragon Empires, its revolutionary player versus player Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (MMORPG) for PC.

Set in the fictional world of Fortitude, Dragon Empires’ lore describes a historic, climactic battle between an opportunistic race known as the Ancient Masters and the native population of benevolent, guardian Dragons. One thousand years after the battle, the world of Fortitude sees another new arrival: the human race.

On a mission to establish a new home for themselves, the humans forged the world into five distinct Empires – Yellowback, Redwing, Greenwater, Blackfly and the Empire of the Lady – each one again dominated by a ruling dragon. It isn’t long before the humans feel the effects of Fortitude’s significant magical forces – both benign and malevolent.

Compelled by a lingering influence left behind by the Ancient Master race, the humans are pitched into a conflict that results in the near-destruction of the Blackfly Empire and the division of the humans into two new races. The divisions are the Dragonblood, hailing from the Empire of the Lady and a result of human experimentation, and the Shadow, wrought from interfering with the land’s ancient magic.

The war is over – for now – and Fortitude teems with life and possibilities. Players fight for city ownership, complete involving quests, craft fantastical items and explore dark dungeons under the watchful gaze of five unique dragons. Creatures abound, and trade, crime and adventure await in equal measure. But then so does something else: a power, awareness, an influence, a vestige of something past that even the Dragons won’t reveal….

Scheduled for release in summer 2004, Dragon Empires has already garnered a significant fan base absorbed by the game’s deep folklore, a storyline devised and inspired by renowned science fiction and fantasy author, Piers Anthony. Additional information and an in-depth description of the lore can be explored online at the Dragon Empires Web site: www.codemasters.com/dragonempires. The updated lore can be found in the “history” section of “library.”

Beta Testing for Dragon Empires will open for the general public later this year and has already attracted over 145,000 players who have signed up to take part. To help shape Dragon Empires, sign up online at: www.codemasters.com/dragonempires/beta_form.php. Fans can also follow the progress of the first live test phase on the game’s Web site at: www.codemasters.com/dragonempires.