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Starting today, consumers can download the encrypted version of the game days before its release to retail outlets. Preloading Unreal Tournament 3 provides gamers instant access to unlock the game the minute it is released on Direct2Drive, scheduled at 12:01am EST on November 21 and start playing immediately.

Unreal Tournament 3 marks the return of the industry's premiere online first-person shooter franchise. In the latest installment of the award-winning Unreal franchise, players assume the role of a futuristic warrior engaged in contests of intense warfare against dedicated and skilled opponents, controlled either by human contestants online or by A.I. These brutal contests are fought with the most powerful military weapons and vehicles known to man. In Unreal Tournament 3, players can go face-to-face with devastating close quarters weapons like the flak cannon and rocket launcher, or pick off their enemies from a distance with a high-caliber sniper rifle. Players will also be able to fully access the universe's most capable and advanced set of vehicles in their quest to dominate and overwhelm opponents.

“Unreal Tournament 3 is one of the most anticipated games of the year, and Unreal Tournament is surely one of the greatest PC game franchises of all time,” said Jamie Berger, SVP consumer products and technology for IGN Entertainment. “By offering the
immediate preload of Unreal Tournament 3 today we can satisfy the many thousands of Unreal Tournament fans who want to be the first online to play this incredible game. Direct2Drive offers the broadest selection of AAA games for download anywhere, and adding the worldwide exclusive to preload Unreal Tournament 3 is a big win for our loyal customers.”

“We are pleased to add the latest AAA video game, Unreal Tournament 3, to Direct2Drive’s download lineup,” said Steve Allison, chief marketing officer, Midway. “Our working with Direct2Drive allows consumers the ability to pre-load the game via digital download and be ready to get online on day one, which is crucial to the core Unreal Tournament fan base.”

“When people see all the great mods that are going to be available for Unreal Tournament 3, they are going to want to get a copy of the game immediately,” said Mark Rein, vice president of Epic Games. “Offering instant access to our content through Direct2Drive is the perfect way to meet our customers’ needs.”

Since launching in October 2004, Direct2Drive has allowed gamers to conveniently purchase and download the latest premium games from the world’s top publishers. Consumers can download Unreal Tournament 3 today at http://www.direct2drive.com.

Unreal Tournament 3 for Windows PC is rated “M” by the ESRB and carries a suggested U.S. retail price of $49.95.

About Direct2Drive
Direct2Drive (D2D) is IGN Entertainment's digital download store (http://www.direct2drive.com). Launched in October 2004, D2D allows consumers to conveniently purchase and download the latest premium video games, feature films, popular TV shows and anime titles directly from the Web to their desktops. D2D's AAA roster of leading game publishers includes Atari, Activision, Blizzard Entertainment, Eidos, Electronic Arts, Namco, NCsoft, SEGA, Sony Online Entertainment, 2K Games, Ubisoft and Vivendi Universal Games. In addition, Twentieth Century Fox, Lionsgate and Starz Media are making blockbuster movies, TV shows, comics and top anime titles available to users directly via the D2D platform.