Looking Glass Technologies - Press News

Intermetrics and Looking Glass Technologies Merge Computer Game Operations to Form Multimedia Poserhouse

Leading-Edge "Mission Critical" Software Developer Teams with Preeminent Computer Game Studio

Burlington, MA, August 14, 1997 - Intermetrics, Inc., a 28 year old leading software developer, and Looking Glass Technologies, one of the computer gaming industry's foremost developers, today announced the merger of the two companies' gaming operations to form Intermetrics/Looking Glass Technologies, LLC. Through the shared strengths of the two entities, the new company is strategically positioned to be a major force in the computer game, console and online gaming industries.

Under terms of the agreement Paul Neurath, the founder of Looking Glass Technologies, and Erik Gloerson, Intermetrics' senior vice president of commercial marketing, both assume the title of managing director of the new company. All current operations and staff remains intact.

Intermetrics made its name in the 70's, 80's, and 90's developing languages and tools and participating as a major player in the space program and other high profile defense and government programs. Since Intermetrics (formerly IMET - NASDAQ) went from public to private in August 1995, its new ownership has advanced its presence in the interactive entertainment industry. The Company possesses extraordinary software engineering talent, a wide breadth of software experience, a "mission critical" approach to project management, and a reputation for high quality and performance.

Looking Glass is a preeminent developer of critically acclaimed titles including System Shock, Flight Unlimited, Terra Nova: Strike Force Centauri. The Company recently shipped British Open Championship Golf and is preparing to release Flight Unlimited II and The Dark Project in the coming months.

"Looking Glass Technologies immediately catapults Intermetrics into a leading position in the gaming industry by giving us additional credentials and assets to compete in the market", said Michael Alexander, chairman & CEO of Intermetrics. "Our business plan is to maintain and grow our core contract services business while at the same time leveraging our expertise and financial resources to be a major player in the booming interactive entertainment industry."

"It not only takes imagination, talent and creativity to be successful in the gaming industry, it takes savvy management, a top notch business development organization and a cost effective infrastructure," said Paul Neurath, founder of Looking Glass Technologies. "The merger with Intermetrics provides us with the needed components to continue as a major force in the gaming industry."

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Intermetrics' history in the gaming industry includes creating the backbone for the Engage online gaming network, porting numerous titles to new gaming platforms, and currently developing titles for the Nintendo 64. Intermetrics will work with Looking Glass' programming staff to create future PC titles and will use their strong Internet gaming experience to bring forthcoming Looking Glass titles online. Looking Glass gains access to Intermetrics large pool of over 500 talented programmers to help advance product development.

As the holiday season approaches, Looking Glass and Intermetrics are completing work on the eargerly anticipated Flight Unlimited II. The game, which was recently named "Best Non-Combat Sim" at the recent Electronic Entertainment Expo by GamePen, features over 11,000 square miles of photo-realistic, satellite-mapped scenery of the San Francisco Bay Area rendered to four meters per pixel, over 45 airports, and the most accurate air traffic control system ever created for a computer game.

The next title from Intermetrics and Looking Glass will be The Dark Project, a next-generation fantasy role-playing game scheduled to ship in Spring 1998. The game will introduce the next generation in 3D gaming engines and will feature Act/React technology to produce a uniquely immersive environment in which objects will react as you intuitively expect. Dynamic lighting, a realistic weapons interface, mission-based gameplay and an in-depth storyline all enhance the game experience.

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