A Sandstorm has arrived, and all Global Agenda Agents should prepare to escape Dome City and explore the vast terrain of the Sonoran Desert.

Tomorrow, July 22, 2010, Hi-Rez Studios launches phase II of the Global Agenda:Sandstorm expansion, introducing the Sonoran Desert Open Zone, 10-Player Defense Raids, new Special Ops missions and much more. This release builds on the previous phase of Sandstorm, which brought a new loot system, over 30 new Epic Weapons, new PvE gamemodes, new PvP maps and gamemodes, and much more.

The Sandstorm expansion is free to all players of the game. Players are reminded that all content in Global Agenda is available to everyone that purchases the game, with NO MONTHLY FEES.

Major Highlights

• SONORAN DESERT ZONE: Players may step outside Dome City into the Sonoran Desert Open PvE zone. Designed primarily for those between Levels 5 and 15, players within the Zone may accept missions from NPC’s in order to progress a story-arc, learn more about the neighboring Desert Dweller and Recursive Colony factions, and earn loot and experience. Note that players must visit Dalton Bancroft inside Dome City (and run the Bancroft missions) before they can enter the Sonoran Desert Zone.

• 10-PLAYER DEFENSE RAIDS: Facilities around Dome City are key targets of the Recursive Colony faction. When the Recursive Colony attacks, alarms sound within Dome City and the RAIDS mission type will become activated on your MISSION screen. Join the Raid queue solo, or as a pre-made team of up to 10 players, to be matched into a ten-person defense team and transported to an area that needs to be defended. Note that these missions are designed to be difficult and are available only to players Level 30+.

• NEW SONORAN DESERT SPECIAL-OPS MISSIONS: New co-op PvE instances have been introduced for characters between Levels 5 and 19.  These missions are accessed thru the MISSION screen (Hotkey = “M”) under Team/Medium Difficulty.

• CONSUMABLES: Players may now craft Consumable items that can be used once while in a combat mission to give a short-term boost. Once used, that item is consumed. In order to equip a consumable, you must have a Consumable in your inventory, and fill the Consumable slot on your Equip screen. Only one consumable may be equipped at a time.

• SALVAGE: Weapons and Armor that you do not desire to keep may be salvaged by clicking the Salvage button while the item is selected on your Inventory menu. When a weapon or armor piece is salvaged, you will receive a component loot drop put into your inventory (many of the components gained through salvage are useful when crafting consumables).

• TOKENS: Major changes to the token system have been implemented. See TOKENS section below for more information.

• CREDITS: Credits are now at the player level instead of the character level. Existing credits have been rolled up to the player level based on the total credits owned by all of our characters.

All players are encouraged to read the FULL PATCH NOTES prior to play, as there are many other important changes.

Server and Feature Availability

• The Global Agenda Servers are expected to be down on THURSDAY, JULY 22 2010 from approximately 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM US Eastern (14:30 to 21:00 GMT) while the patch is deployed. Follow GAServerStatus on Twitter for up-to-date server availability information.
• The European and North American Agency-vs-Agency Zones will be closed on THURSDAY, JULY 22. The Zones will open as normal on FRIDAY, JULY 23.

Five Ways to Survive the Future

The recently released trailer  “Five Ways to Survive the Future” features footage from the Sandstorm expansion.

Hi-Rez Studios today released a new Developer Video Blog discussing 10-person Defense Raids in Global Agenda. Defense Raids  are part of the Sandstorm Phase 2 expansion, to be released later this month. Sandstorm is free to all players that have purchased the game, with no monthly fees.

Also arriving in the Sandstorm Phase 2 patch: The Sonoran Desert Open Zone, Consumable weapons, new Special Ops PvE missions, and much more. Stay tuned for more information in the coming days.

Take a look at our new video showing 5 Ways to Survive the Future. This includes gameplay footage from the Sonoran Desert Open Zone and our new 10-person Defense Missions – both coming in the Sandstorm Phase 2 update, due later this month.

Remember that Global Agenda now has no monthly fees, and that the Sandstorm expansion is free to all players that buy or have bought the game.

Global Agenda Version 1.35, dubbed “Sandstorm Phase Two”, has been released to the Public Test Server for initial testing over the weekend of July 2 through July 5.  Among many other great new features, this release introduces the Sonoran Desert Open PvE Zone, 10-Person Defense Raids, and Consumables.

Version 1.35 represents the second phase of major new features and content being added to Global Agenda as part of the free Sandstorm expansion. The first phase was released in early June.

Public Testing for Version 1.35 will unfold over multiple test weekends, with each weekend having specific test goals. The final date for live deployment of Version 1.35 will be determined based on Public Test Server results and feedback. For the full Version 1.35 Week One Public Test Server Guide, see the article on the Answer Center.

Once released, Version 1.35 will be free to all players that have purchased Global Agenda. Players should be reminded that Global Agenda no longer requires a subscription to access any game content. For those still considering a purchase of Global Agenda, the game is on sale through July 5 on Steam for 33% off.

Major Highlights

• SONORAN DESERT ZONE: Players may step outside Dome City into the Sonoran Desert open PvE zone. Designed primarily for those between Levels 5 and 15, players within the Zone may accept missions from NPC’s in order to progress a story-arc, learn more about the neighboring Desert Dweller and Recursive Colony factions, and earn loot and experience.

• 10-PERSON DEFENSE RAIDS: Facilities around Dome city are key targets of the Recursive Colony faction. When the Recursive Colony attacks, alarms sound within Dome City and the RAIDS mission type will become activated on your MISSION screen. Join the Raid queue solo, or as a pre-made team of up to 10 players, to be matched into a ten-person defense team and transported to an area that needs to be defended. Note that these missions are designed to be difficult and are available only to players Level 30+.

• CONSUMABLES: Players may now craft Consumable items that can be used once while in a combat mission to give a short-term boost. Once used, that item is consumed. In order to equip a consumable, you must have a Consumable in your inventory, and fill the Consumable slot on your Equip screen. Only one consumable may be equipped at a time.

• SALVAGE: Weapons and Armor that you do not desire to keep may be salvaged by clicking the Salvage button while the item is selected on your Inventory menu. When a weapon or armor piece is salvaged, you will receive a component loot drop put into your inventory (many of the components gained through salvage are useful when crafting consumables).

Additional Sandstorm features, such as PvP Tournaments and significant improvements to the token system, among others, will be in upcoming updates to the Public Test Server.

Single-Game Purchase Grants Access To All Current Content And Features Within Award-winning Shooter MMO

ATLANTA – June 25, 2010 – Hi-Rez Studios announced today that Global Agenda is now 100% subscription free.

Purchasers of Global Agenda can enjoy the game’s full current content, including all current Player-vs-Player combat, Player-vs-Environment solo and co-op content, and Agency-vs- Agency seasons, without a monthly subscription payment now or in the future.

Future content updates will be delivered via optional paid expansions. The first major expansion, Sandstorm, will be included for free to the entire Global Agenda community.

To celebrate this change, the game is being offered for 33% off on Steam from now through July 5, as part of Steam’s Summer Sale. To purchase, visit the Global Agenda Steam Page.

“Hi-Rez Studios is committed to delivering the best value in PC gaming”, said Todd Harris, Global Agenda Executive Producer. “In addition to including all of the game’s initial launch content for free inside the single-purchase price, we are bundling nearly 6 months worth of post-release content and features and including that within the single-purchase game. One purchase of Global Agenda lets you experience all of this content forever with no subscription.”

• Try For Free – Players can download Global Agenda and play until level 15 with no payment or credit card required.
• Buy Once - A single purchase enables you to play forever. Progress thru 50 character levels, access hundreds of weapons, and experience all current content and gametypes on our worldwide, hosted servers with no subscription required.
  
• Play What Suits You - Global Agenda offers a wide range of content including solo and co-op PvE, Mercenary PvP, Agency-vs-Agency, Arena PvP and more.

For more information, a FAQ has been prepared to answer the commonly asked questions regarding this change.

Developer gives first look at new Quest-Driven Open Zone gameplay

LOS ANGELES - June 13, 2010 - Hi-Rez Studios, independent developer of the award-winning Action-MMO Global Agenda unveils the game’s first expansion, called Sandstorm, at the 2010 Elecronic Entertainment Expo this week.  Sandstorm introduces new player weapons and armor, additional character customization, larger PvE Raids, ability to play PvE solo, new PvP and PvE content, updated User Interface, and enhanced Agency vs. Agency campaigns.
One of the more anticipated items being demonstrated is the Quest-Driven Open Zone gameplay.
“Sandstorm introduces players to two new NPC factions, new Bosses, new instanced missions, and story-driven quest lines within the Sonoran Desert outside Dome City”, says Executive Producer Todd Harris, “This expansion preserves our intense, shooter combat but adds story and immersion elements that we think players will really appreciate”

Hi-Rez Studios offers a unique pricing model for Global Agenda allowing players to experience much of the game’s content after a one-time purchase, without a recurring monthly fee. Players who choose to subscribe will receive the benefits of ongoing free expansions, additional game modes, the power to form agencies, and access to Agency vs. Agency gameplay on a persistent single-world map.

Sandstorm covers a large set of new features, content, and devices that will be added to Global Agenda throughout the summer of 2010 - all available at no extra cost to Global Agenda subscribers.

Hi-Rez Studios will be exhibiting Global Agenda: Sandstorm at the E3 Expo from June 15 - 17, 2010 at the Los Angeles Convention Center’s south hall in booth 747.

To make an appointment with the Hi-Rez team at the E3 Expo contact press@hirezstudios.com. For more information, please visit www.globalagendagame.com

Media Kit: www.globalagendagame.com/mediakit

Media Contact:  Michal Adam  |  Hi-Rez Studios Inc.  |  madam@hirezstudios.com

The wait is over! Version 1.3 of Global Agenda (Sandstorm Phase I) launches tomorrow, Thurs., June 3.

MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS

Version 1.3 contains:

• Over 30 New Weapons, including a Combat Jetpack (shoot while flying), new melee devices for each class and many more…
• A whole new loot, token, weapon and armor system adding thousands of unique device/stat combinations and improving the rewards for play.
• New Dome City Stores, including Weapon shops for each class, Cybercuts for hair customization and Genolab for facial reconstruction.
• Fully revamped Agency-vs-Agency gameplay, now with a single world map.
• More ways to experience Special Ops PvE, including a new Solo PvE mode, the ability to join matches with a teams from 2 to 4 players, and a new Ultra-Max Security level.
• New PvP maps
• New 10v10 Arena PvP, which allows pre-made teams of up to 10 players to compete.
• and much more.

All players are encouraged to read the FULL PATCH NOTES prior to play, as there are many important changes and conversion notes.

SERVER DOWNTIME

Please note that the the Global Agenda Servers are expected to be down on THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2010 from ~6:00 AM- 6:00 PM US Eastern (10:00 to 22:00 GMT) while the patch is deployed. Click here for launch details.

SPECIAL PRE-SUBSCRIBER BONUS

• For Sandstorm Phase I, players will be able to experience the full content of the game without a subscription. However, players that pre-enter their subscription information on the Global Agenda website will receive a special PRE-SUBSCRIBER bonus of 20 Mercenary Tokens and 4 Conquest Tokens daily, whether or not they login that day. 
• Subscriptions will NOT be charged until Sandstorm Phase II is introduced. Subscriptions may be canceled at any time.
• Please note that PAYPAL is expected to be added as a subscription payment option by the end of day on Friday, June 4.  A couple account management issues impacting the ability for some European customers to pre-subscribe are being investigated and should also be fixed by end of day on Friday, June 4. To pre-subscribe visit http://www.globalagendagame.com/subscribe

NEW EPIC WEAPONS

Eight new weapons have been added to the game for each class, including a Combat Jetpack, which allows you to use your weapons while flying, and new melee devices for each class.

In addition, weapons now carry a quality level and are acquired in different ways, by purchasing from a vendor in Dome city using Mercenary or Conquest tokens, or as loot from PvE or PvP missions.

Learn more in our latest Developer Video blog.

REVAMPED AvA: NOW WITH A SINGLE WORLD MAP

There is now a single AvA zone for the entire game world, open 23 hours a day. AvA seasons will now be a fixed number of days and at the end of the season, the Zone will be reset.

These are just a few of many huge changes in the AvA system. New seasons, new maps and no more taxes! Read the full patch notes for all the details.

MORE WAYS TO EXPERIENCE SPECIAL OPS PvE

Players may now join Special Ops PvE missions solo or in teams of less than 4 players.

In addition, an ULTRA MAX Security level has been added to the game, giving anincreased challenge and great loot for experienced teams.

The bot behavior within the Special Ops missions has also improved considerably, as well as a number of other general improvements to PvE.

MUCH MORE….

Read the full patch notes for the complete list of changes in Sandstorm Phase I.

LATER SANDSTORM PHASES

Sandstorm is the codename for a major set of new functionality to be added to Global Agenda over the Summer of 2010. More information on later phases of Sandstorm will be released soon.

Sandstorm is the codename for a major set of new functionality to be added to Global Agenda over the Summer of 2010. The first phase is in Public Testing now and will go live in early June. Phase I contains:

• A new system for acquiring weapons and armor through loot and tokens. 
• Over 30 new weapons (most for Levels 30+).
• New shops in Dome City, including CyberCuts, Facial Customization, and Weapon shops for each class.
• Ultra-Max Security PvE missions. 
• Ability to play Special Ops PvE solo or in groups of less than 4.
• Revamped Agency-vs-Agency format, now with a single world map.
• New PvP and AvA maps.
• Improved social features, including player inspection, new chat channels and more.
• DirectX 10 Support.
• And a lot more…

The Video Dev Blog below gives an overview of some of the new Epic weapons in Sandstorm Phase I, including the Combat Jetpack (shoot while flying!), and new melee devices for each class.

Like what you see? Buy the game on Steam before May 31st to receive 25% off, or download the free trial today.

Learn more about Sandstorm.

Plus, don’t miss GamesRadar’s overview of the upcoming Sandstorm patch:

The first phase of Global Agenda’s major new Sandstorm patch arrives shortly. Get prepared by buying the game on Steam for 25% off (that’s $29.99/₤18.74/€22.49).

Haarlem, The Netherlands – 22 April 2010 – A boxed version of Global Agenda, the award-winning Shooter/MMO from Atlanta-based Hi-Rez Studios, is coming to retail outlets in Europe later this year, courtesy of premier videogame publisher Iceberg Interactive.

After a highly successful digital-only  release on Steam in February 2010, Iceberg and Hi-Rez have decided to make the game available in stores throughout Europe.

The English-language European Retail release is planned for early September 2010, with a German release following shortly thereafter. The release will include Global Agenda’s upcoming Sandstorm expansion pack, as well as other previously unreleased content, introducing a wide array of new devices, weapons and content into the game, including Open PvE zones and a large-scale PvP Warzone featuring 64-player battles.

“We’ve been incredibly pleased with the amount of European interest in Global Agenda despite our digital-download-only distribution ,” says Todd Harris, Global Agenda’s Executive Producer. “Adding a boxed version available in retail stores, as well as expanding our available languages, is a key step to continuing our growth in Europe and worldwide, especially as we continue to increase the game’s marketing and visibility, and add more and more content to the game. Iceberg Interactive was the perfect partner to help us make this leap.”

“We‘re hugely excited to be publishing such a high profile title in Europe”, says Erik Schreuder, CEO of Iceberg Interactive. “Global Agenda has created a huge buzz as a digital download product and we are looking forward to repeating that success at retail. We’ve played it, we love it and we just know gamers will too. We’re also very impressed with Hi-Rez’s desire to keep adding extra content to the game, as this is this what gamers deserve, communities really appreciate and that we definitely want to be associated with.”

Global Agenda operates London-based servers today to support its European customers. The game’s unique single-shard server design allows all customers worldwide to compete inside the same game universe, with the ability to play with or against anyone, while at the same time having the freedom to choose a Region/Data Center (North America, Europe or Pacific Rim) from which to load mission instances. Players interested in buying the game through digital distribution may still do so through Steam.

About Hi Rez Studios

Hi-Rez Studios, Inc. was established in 2005 to create exceptional online interactive entertainment. It is located just outside of Atlanta, GA. For more information, visit www.hirezstudios.com.

About Iceberg Interactive

Iceberg Interactive is a premier videogame publisher set to make a splash in the interactive entertainment industry.  The company is staffed with a mix of industry veterans and upcoming young talent, has offices in key locations across Europe and has established partnerships all over the globe for both online and offline sales. Hence why Iceberg is a great alternative for developers looking to bring their products to a worldwide audience. The company has the licenses for several console platforms yet currently focuses foremost on PC gaming. Iceberg is among the market leaders for the following niche genres for PC: simulators, adventure and action games.

Don’t just play… play it cool.

For more information visit www.iceberg-interactive.com to keep up with the latest breaking news.

Iceberg Interactive
Angelique Houtveen
pr@iceberg-interactive.com

Tel: (+31)23-5430960