Ubi Soft today announced the development of a new game from The Settlers� series, by Ubi Soft's German studio Blue Byte. This fifth new episode is set for a worldwide release on PC-CD Rom, as well as bringing The Settlers to consoles for the first time.

Recognized for its detailed graphics, hand painted textures, bright and happy colors, The Settlers' universe presents a mixture of history and imagination, all spiced up with cartoon-like elements.

After having sold more than 3.5 million copies worldwide, The Settlers franchise is broadly recognized for its creative genre of built-up strategic simulation games. Soon enough, the new product standing as an independent title in the world of The Settlers will be supplied with an all new technology and innovative gaming principle, which will broaden the game's brand internationally.

"This new game from the cult series will undoubtedly widen The Settlers' audience" says Odile Limpach, Managing Director of Ubi Soft Entertainment GmbH and the Ubi Soft studio Blue Byte. "Our production team is currently focusing on innovative 3D-technology and absolutely new game features".

Benedikt Grindel, the project manager, is already working with a team of 25 people, which is set to grow as the game progresses towards production. Most of the project's artists bring their experience from working on the Settlers IV games.

Additionally, the development team will mainly concentrate on new strategic elements of the game, using Rubens and Vulcain engines for the animation and display systems. That means the main goal of the Ubi team is to create a truly evolved game, in order to establish the Settlers brand globally by developing a world class strategy game. To illustrate, conflict between the tribes are carried out in a totally original way. This 3D-technology is merely used as another tool to bring radical changes, which will create a truly innovative leap inside the Settlers' gameplay.