Sacred 2: Fallen Angel Supported by Dell

Ascaron Entertainment issued a strange press release this morning announcing that Dell "will support the entire development" of Sacred 2.
SACRED 2 Fallen Angel: Ascaron and Dell join forces

ASCARON Entertainment, one of the leading European computer game developers, is proud to announce its cooperation with leading worldwide PC manufacturer Dell for the entire development cycle of the upcoming Action RPG SACRED 2 Fallen Angel.

Dell will support the entire development of SACRED 2 Fallen Angel until the title's release. Thanks to the all-new SACRED 2 game engine, the eagerly awaited sequel to one of the most successful Action RPGs of all time will introduce many new and exciting game elements.

A uniform hardware base enhances optimum quality, and the continued growth of SACRED 2's Xbox 360 version is testament to the quality of both the software and the hardware in use. At the beginning of 2007 Dell systems were implemented into the development of SACRED 2 Fallen Angel and have already produced decisive results. Consequently, the close cooperation of both companies was a logical step for both sides.

Georg Zedlacher, Desktop & Notebook Brand Manager at Dell stated, "To us, the development of gaming machines to fully satisfy the gaming community's high standards is a particularly attractive task. The close cooperation with Ascaron during the development phase is also very important for us, because this way we can ensure that our customers will enjoy the long awaited SACRED 2 even more."

"Dell's support of the development of SACRED 2 Fallen Angel has already had a positive impact," says Heiko tom Felde, Ascaron Publishing Director.

In addition, tom Felde goes on to say, "As with any development project, a unified hardware base leads to higher product quality on release. Coupled with a superb, experienced and successful development team, SACRED 2 Fallen Angel is ideally positioned to become one of the biggest hits of 2008."

General information on SACRED/SACRED 2:
Published exclusively for PC in 2004, SACRED sold more than 1.6 million copies, making it one of the most successful Action RPG's worldwide. The title was developed in-house by Ascaron with Take 2 Interactive acting as publisher and distributor. With SACRED 2 Ascaron currently has the official sequel to the best selling SACRED in development. Take 2 Interactive will once again publish and distribute the title.

General information on ASCARON Entertainment:
From Day One in 1989 Ascaron Entertainment has become one of the leading European "boutique" developers and Publishers of games for the PC, with many successful titles including Patrician, Port Royale, DarkStar One and SACRED.

Ascaron maintains development studios in Berlin, Gutersloh and Aachen (Germany), as well as an international department in Birmingham (UK). Ascaron currently markets its products in more than 40 countries and over 15 languages.

Ascaron Entertainment (UK) is an independent office and is highly regarded on a domestic and global scale. With a professional reputation, full-service product management, and a wealth of experience in the games industry, the UK operation manages the international releases of Ascaron's entire catalogue, whilst also providing a bespoke publishing, sales, PR and marketing function to selected affiliate label partners. Ascaron Entertainment (UK) continues to be responsible for successfully launching titles into the UK market from developers and publishers worldwide. Titles include the popular UFO, Panzers, Cossacks and Blitzkrieg series of games, as well as critically acclaimed hits such as Runaway: The Dream of the Turtle, Call of Juarez and TrackMania United.

General information on Dell:
Dell is one of the leading worldwide providers of products and services for creating complex internal IT and internet infrastructures. Based on its direct sales business model Dell develops, produces and configures its products and services to match clients' individual requirements and offers a comprehensive range of software and peripheral devices. Dell is ranked 34th on the Fortune 500 list. For more information on Dell and its products, please visit www.dell.com. At www.dell.com/conversations you may also contact Dell directly. Visit www.dell.com/RSS for Dell Lives News.

Does this mean that Dell is actually funding the sequel or are they just sponsoring the game for advertising purposes?