July 7^th, 2004 (12:00am) - Matrix Games and Destroyer Studios are pleased to release Starshatter, the culmination of a multi-year project to create the definitive 3-D space combat simulation from fighter combat to starship fleet operations.

Starshatter represents the next generation of space combat simulation games. Starshatter extends the gameplay concepts of the classic sims by combining fighter and starship combat in a single game. You begin the game as either a fighter pilot or the captain of a small Frigate-class starship. As you progress through the game, you can earn promotions and awards until you are commanding a massive fleet carrier with three wings of fighters and a complete escort of warships. Starshatter promotes airborne fighter combat to a first-class game component, allowing you to take-off and land at planetary bases, engage in aerial dogfights, and use air-to-ground missiles to destroy ground targets.

Starshatter also integrates elements of real-time-strategy games by allowing fleet commanders to direct the battle on a tactical level, launching fighters and directing destroyers to defend the fleet and annihilate enemy forces. You will arm fighters for patrol or strike missions. You will send orders to your escorting destroyers and frigates to engage enemy starships or defend the fleet from attack by enemy fighters. You are the admiral, and you decide how to employ all of your forces in battle. It is all up to you.

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said: “This is a completely new breed of space combat game. Gamers have been waiting for years for such a multi-dimensional flight strategy simulator. It’s not just an empty box with beautiful graphics; on the contrary, sci-fi flight sim fans and strategy gamers alike will enjoy the dynamic, intelligent play and will find an addictive and fulfilling game in Starshatter.”

For more information, check the Starshatter page at www.starshatter.com.