Matrix Games (www.matrixgames.com) is proud to announce the signing of ApeZone's (www.apezone.com) Starships Unlimited III. Matrix Games published the previous game in the acclaimed space strategy game series under the title Starships Unlimited: Divided Galaxies, which was well received by gamers and the press alike.

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said, "Years after the release of Starships Unlimited: Divided Galaxies, many of us remain addicted to its unique and elegant take on 4X space strategy. We're looking forward to working with ApeZone again to bring the sequel, Starships Unlimited III, to fans of Divided Galaxies as well as introducing it to a new audience."

Starships Unlimited III will be familiar to fans of the original, but with significant improvements. For starters, exploration has been expanded to four ages of exploration rather than one, with planets revealing more of their secrets as your ability to explore them improves. The focus of exploration is now more peaceful and scientific and allows all races to eventually reach new technology ages through exploration and diligent research. Espionage now includes different types of spies and additional missions, while making the process of recruiting and monitoring your spies easier to manage. New technologies abound as well, including new freighter and colony ship types, larger starships, deathray weapons, hyper drive and defensive fighter flak. Finances are now more challenging and based on skilled labor costs and games can now be limited to a range of technological ages. Finally, the user interface and graphics have been revamped and the computer opponents have been made more challenging, including more possible skill level settings so that you can adjust them to your desired difficulty.

Starships Unlimited III is a space exploration and conquest game where you control every aspect of dominating the universe. Every ship you construct may be customized from around 200 different technologies. From the weapons to the shields and hull, the decision is yours. The potential designs are unlimited and the number of star systems you fight in can range from just a few to an entire galaxy. Conquer space through might of arms, diplomacy, or maybe a little subterfuge. The methods are unlimited but only one race will dominate!

Starships Unlimited III will be available in Fall, 2005.