Paradox Interactive acquires Europa Universalis

Stockholm, July 14, 2005 –  Global publisher and developer
Paradox Interactive AB announced today that is has acquired the Europa
Universalis brand and all associated intellectual property rights.

Recognized for their stronghold on the strategy niche, Paradox has two
successful Europa Universalis games behind them. The latest, Europa Universalis
II, was awarded "Editor’s Choice" awards by sites such as IGN, Firing Squad and
Strategy Gaming Online, and gamers are still playing it years after its
release. 

"It is with great satisfaction that we announce the acquisition of this brand,
especially since we have been working under a license for several years," says
Theodore Bergquist, CEO of Paradox Interactive. "Europa Universalis is one of
the strongest brands for strategy games on the PC, and our future plans include
sequels as well as add-ons like an online game."

The original Europa Universalis boardgame was designed by Philippe Thibaut and
published by Azure Wish Editions in 1992. This was the basis for Paradox
Interactive’s first, but certainly not last, conversion of a popular board game
to the PC.

"A successful component of our corporate strategy is to control the intellectual
property rights to our key brands. Europa Universalis and Hearts of Iron have
been our most successful franchises to date," concludes Bergquist. 

Paradox Interactive is currently working on the PC adaptation of Diplomacy, the
classic board game dealing with the power struggles of seven nations in 20th
century Europe, to be released later this fall.