Date: Wed, 19 Apr 2000 19:48:19 +0200
From: Michaela Geuthner 
To: lwn@lwn.net
Subject:  "Loki´s new Linux game, HEAVY GEAR II is now available at SuSE"


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Loki´s new Linux game, "Heavy Gear II" is now available at SuSE!


With "Heavy Gear II" Loki Entertainment is opening the door to new
dimensions in the Linux world: with  3D audio effects and joystick support,
a further step has been taken towards the acceptance of Linux by the home
user. 


Linux, once just an insider tip for computer professionals, is on the best
way to becoming the operating system of choice for home users as well.
After its overwhelming success on the server market and its increasing use
in companies of all kinds, the ground has been prepared for the all-round
use of Linux, with beginner-friendly installation routines, intuitive
desktops and application software such as office packets and games. 

With the release of the first "big" Linux game, Civilization:
Call To Power  (distinguished by the Linux Journal with the  "Best End User
Product of 1999" award), Loki Entertainment had already made a name for
itself. Just like its successors, this makes optimal use of the qualities
of Linux in the network, whereby multi-player games based on rounds, or
real-time, are possible.  Due to its success, it is no surprise that around
a dozen more titles are planned on being ported to Linux for the year 2000.


Loki is currently placing its main emphasis on 3D sound support by means of
OpenAL: "OpenAL represents a milestone for Linux", realizes Scott Draeker,
president of Loki Entertainment. Until now, 3D audio features in games were
reserved for users of other platforms. This has all changed now." 

OpenAL, entirely in the tradition of the Open Source community, is issued
under the LPGL license (GNU Library Public License).


Dirk Hohndel, CTO of SuSE Linux AG, is also aware of the chances offered by
this:  "Linux games play a significant role in the success of the
desktop market. Through the common efforts of the Linux community,
most recently  with OpenAL and the XFree86 version 4.0, ensuring enhanced 3D
graphics card support, decisive steps forward have been taken."

For more information about this product please have a look at 
http://www.suse.de/en/produkte/software/index.html


About Loki Entertainment Software 

Loki Entertainment Software A privately held company, Loki Entertainment
Software has headquarters in Orange County, California and was established
in 1998. Loki meets a pent-up need in the Linux community by providing
fully-supported, shrink-wrapped games for sale through traditional retail
channels worldwide. Loki's first Linux title, Civilization: Call to Power
was awarded Linux Journal's award for Best End User Product of 1999. Loki
released 7 front-line Linux game titles in 1999, and plans 16 titles for
2000. For more information, visit www.lokigames.com.


About SuSE

With more than 340 employees, SuSE Linux AG is one of the world's largest
Linux specialists. Thanks to its stability and quality, SuSE Linux is
currently being employed by over one million private users and more than
50,000 business customers around the world. The development and sales
center in Nuremberg is backed up by branches in Oakland/USA, London, Prague
and Marano sul Panaro/Italy, dedicated to the further development and
dissemination of SuSE Linux. For the efficient deployment of Linux within
the corporate sphere, SuSE backs up its commercial Linux software and
complete Linux systems with a comprehensive range of qualified consulting
and support services.  The SuSE Labs are making a major contribution to the
development of Linux, especially in the areas of Linux-Kernel, glibc,
XFree86, KDE, ISDN4Linux,  ALSA (Advanced Linux Sound Architecture) and USB
(Universal Serial Bus), as well as high availability and Multiplatform
Support.
SuSE received the award for "Best Linux Distribution" at LinuxWorld Expo
2000 in New York. 
More information is available at http://www.suse/de/en/


Contact:
Michaela Geuthner
International Marketing
SuSE GmbH                       
Schanzaeckerstr. 10             
D-90443 Nuernberg  
E-Mail: mg@suse.de
Phone: +49-911-74053-196
FAX:   +49-911-74053-479

Scott Draeker
Loki Entertainment Software
Telephone: 714.505.8915 x12
Facsimile: 714.505.3247
E-mail:press@lokigames.com