World's first massively multiplayer post apocalyptic car combat game blasts its way onto shelves April 13, with four-day head start for pre-order customers.

AUSTIN, Texas, March 22, 2005- NCsoft North America announced that Auto Assault has reached gold master status and will appear on retailers' shelves in both North America and Europe April 13. Also, customers whon purchase and register their Auto Assault pre-order boxes will receive the benefits of a special in-game weapon and loot bonus, plus a four-day head start for game play.

Auto Assault, the sixth major online game published by NCsoft, was developed by Colorado-based developer, NetDevil, LTD. The first massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) in a post apocalyptic setting, Auto Assault combines fast action with the depth of role-playing games and features fully destructible environments. The game is also expected to launch service simultaneously in North America and Europe on April 13. Pre-order customers may participate in the four-day head start beginning at 9 a.m. EST on April 9. Players who wish to participate in the head-start may purchase the Auto Assault pre-order box, currently available at retailers across North America, and register the product at www.PlayNC.com.

"Auto Assault is a dream come true for gamers who enjoy the depth of traditional online role-playing games but crave the fast, frenetic pace of action games," said Robert Garriott, CEO of NCsoft North America. "This title has everything you'd expect from a MMORPG - all at 100 miles per hour."

"We are very excited about the upcoming launch of Auto Assault, but this is just the beginning," said Scott Brown, president of NetDevil and project lead. "One of the reasons we partnered with NCsoft is that they provide the best value to their customers, with free content expansions in addition to other ways to grow their game worlds. Auto Assault customers will be able to enjoy new content for years to come."

In Auto Assault, players can choose to be a Human, Mutant or Biomek character and set out in a post apocalyptic land in personalized combat vehicles, fighting for the few resources left on a shattered Earth. Combat is extremely fast-paced and challenges abound as players blast through buildings, set fire to forests, and level entire settlements. Player avatars may own many different vehicles, specialize in several crafting disciplines to create truly unique items, and participate in player-versus-player battles both in arena combat and in contested outpost areas.

Auto Assault's standard edition box will be available at an expected retail price of US$49.99. The Limited Edition, which includes a headset to utilize the game's voice chat system, will be available for an expected retail price of US$59.99. Both the standard and Limited editions of the game include the first month of online game play. After the first month, players will be charged a monthly subscription fee of US$14.99. Sixty-day game time cards will also be available at many North American retailers for an expected retail price of US$29.99. The game is rated Teen by the Entertainment Software Rating Board.