Sierra On-Line - Press News - Coming Soon Magazine

CREATORS OF BABYLON 5 PRODUCE DEFINITIVE CD-ROM GUIDE TO EMMY AWARD-WINNING SHOW

Los Angeles, CA, November 18, 1997 -- Babylonian Productions announced today the CD-ROM release of The Official Guide to J. Michael Straczynski's Babylon 5, available in stores November 17. The CD-ROM (hybrid PC and Mac) Guide to the Emmy and Hugo Award-winning series, which premieres its 5th season on Turner Network Television (TNT) on January 21 at 10 p.m. (ET), was developed and produced by the creators of Babylon 5 to maintain the consistent tone and feel of the show.

"The CD-ROM gives you the feeling of being aboard Babylon 5," says show creator and executive producer J. Michael Straczynski, who recently set a precedent for American television by writing 60 straight episodes of Babylon 5. "Visitors experience the B5 universe from the moment they come into the jumpgate and go through customs, where they're assigned one of three tour guides. They can explore different locales, observe various species in action, check out the weapons shops and watch video clips."

"The Guide will help bring newcomers up to speed on the characters, players, politics, history and background of the B5 universe," explains John Copeland, producer of Babylon 5. "Current fans of the show will also benefit by accessing far more detailed text files on all aspects of the show."

And, in keeping with J. Michael Straczynski's interest in keeping his fans on their toes, buried somewhere in the CD-ROM is a sequence of dialogue form Babylon 5 that won't actually air until late in the 5th season as well as other hidden features throughout.

As a bonus, the Guide comes with "The Best of Babylon 5" enhanced music CD, including 15 tracks by show composer Christopher Franke, plus two original pieces composed for an upcoming Babylon 5 space-combat simulation game which Sierra On-Line's Oakhurst, California-based division will produce for distribution Fall 1998. The interactive CD also includes eight interviews with Straczynski and other personnel and cast.

The CD-ROM will be available to cyberfans via the Babylon 5 emporium on The Official Babylon 5 Fan Web Site. This is the only site on the Internet, among the hundreds frequented by fans, which allows direct access to producers, cast and crew. Computers on set are hooked up each day during filming to "thestation.com" chat rooms allowing the Babylon 5 cast and crew the opportunity to periodically chat with fans throughout the day.

Additionally, it can be purchased at www.sierra.com, or through Sierra's toll free number, 800-757-7707. A specially designed exclusive Babylon 5 trading card will be available only through Sierra's direct-order purchases.

Set in the 23rd century, Babylon 5 is a massive, self-sufficient space station that serves to bring together representatives from various races, both human and alien, to resolve their differences peacefully. But as the political climate deteriorates and Earth's government buckles under far-reaching corruption, the station and its inhabitants may prove to be the last best hope for maintaining peace throughout the galaxy. The series stars Bruce Boxleitner, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan and Tracy Scoggins.

Douglas Netter and J.Michael Straczynski are the executive producers and John Copeland is the producer of Babylon 5. Harlan Ellison serves as a conceptual consultant.

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Babylonian productions, Inc. is a 51%-owned subsidiary of Netter Digital Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: NETT), a company engaged in the acquisition, development and production of television series, made-for-television movies, documentaries, theatrical motion pictures and multimedia products. As an outgrowth of its core business, Netter has recently entered the business of providing digital media production services to outside clients.

Sierra On-line is one of the original developers and largest worldwide publishers of interactive entertainment, productivity and educational software. The company recently merged with CUC International, a technology-driven membership-services company that provides access to travel, shopping, auto, dining, home improvement, financial and other services to 70 million consumers worldwide. The company's common stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol CU. Sierra's corporate headquarters are located in Bellevue, WA.

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