News | Decipher and Worlds Apart Collaborate

September 4, 2002 Decipher and Worlds Apart Collaborate

For Immediate Release
For further information, contact:
Tracey Halliday, Decipher, 757.664.1102
Monica Jones, Decipher, 757.664.1146
Scott Martins, Worlds Apart Productions, press@worlds-apart.com

DECIPHER TEAMS UP WITH WORLDS APART PRODUCTIONS TO MANAGE ITS STAR TREK™ ONLINE CUSTOMIZABLE CARD GAME™
New System, Organized Play in Development

(NORFOLK, Va., September 4, 2002) - Decipher announced today it will be ending its distribution and development relationship with Digital Deck and working with a new developer to enhance its STAR TREK Online Customizable Card Game (CCG). The company - Worlds Apart Productions, based in Denver, Colorado - has been widely recognized for the creation of the critically acclaimed online roleplaying game "The Eternal City."

Decipher launched the STAR TREK Online Customizable Card Game in May 2001 experiencing tremendous success with the online version of its popular trading card game. Worlds Apart, which will manage the continued development of the online version of the game, has already begun work on redesigning the web site (decipher.com/onlineplay) and on creating new software for the product. The gameplay will retain its one-on-one format and allow players to compete with other players around the globe, but new features will eventually be incorporated into the site.

Decipher's Chairman and CEO Warren Holland said, "We are delighted to be working with Worlds Apart, an online game developer with an incredible reputation within the gaming industry. We plan to expand our online game offerings starting immediately and World Apart will be our key developer for these projects," Holland said.

"Decipher is the industry's leading innovator in TCG design and quality," said Scott Martins, president, Worlds Apart. "Our production team has just returned from meeting with the staff at Decipher, and the energy and enthusiasm across the board for this project is remarkable. We're very excited to be working with such a quality-minded company," Martins added.

The next big event for the STAR TREK CCG Online will be the Online Territorial Open Championship for the STAR TREK CCG on September 21. As previously announced on decipher.com, this will be one of the final opportunities to qualify for Day Two of the World Championships to be held at DecipherCon 2002, October 31-November 3.

About Decipher
Founded in 1983 by Warren Holland, Decipher Inc. is a worldwide leader in the collectible card game industry and fan club industry. The company's Trading Card Game Studio produces Star Trek™, Austin Powers™, and The Lord of the Rings™ trading card games. Decipher also offers digital versions of its Star Trek™ and, soon, its The Lord of the Rings™ Trading Card Games. Decipher's Fan Club Studio operates the official fan clubs for Star Trek™ and The Lord of the Rings,™ which includes publishing official fan magazines and managing online stores. Decipher's RPG (roleplaying games) & Miniatures Studio is responsible for the creation of the all-new Star Trek™ roleplaying games and The Lord of the Rings™ roleplaying games. Decipher's Games Studio produces leading party, card and board games such as How To Host A Murder®, How To Host A Teen Mystery™, Scratchees™ and more. Decipher also produces the popular Boy Crazy!™ brand for girls which includes a magazine, web site at boycrazy.com, trading cards, and various publishing and licensing ventures.

Visit decipher.com for additional information.

About Worlds Apart
Based in Denver, Colorado, Worlds Apart is a six-year-old company specializing in the development and operation of multiplayer online games. Its flagship product, THE ETERNAL CITY, was called "the consummate MUD" by Computer Gaming World magazine and has been praised for many of its innovative social gameplay features. Worlds Apart's latest title is GRENDEL'S REVENGE, a hybrid RPG/RTS in which players take on the roles of monsters.

For the latest STAR TREK news and information, visit the official Internet home of STAR TREK at www.startrek.com.

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