Turbine Entertainment announced today that they will be partnering with Jolt Online Gaming to provide a better local service to European players.  Here is the official press release:

WESTWOOD, Mass. - Aug. 30, 2004 - Turbine Entertainment Software Corp., a premier provider of online subscription entertainment, announced today that it signed a deal with Jolt Online Gaming Ltd., Europe's largest independent online gaming network, to operate the company's critically acclaimed Asheron's Call® franchise games in Europe. Under the terms of the agreement, Jolt will hold the exclusive right to distribute, operate, and support Asheron's Call and Asheron's Call 2: Fallen Kings® online services in Europe. Jolt expects to complete the launch of Asheron's Call and Asheron's Call 2: Fallen Kings® in Europe in 2005. This relationship reaffirms Turbine's commitment to growing the franchise after acquiring the property from Microsoft earlier this year as well as expanding the company's operations overseas. "Online gaming continues to grow in Europe and we recognize the importance of Europe in our future," said Jeffrey Anderson, president and CEO, Turbine Entertainment Software. "Jolt is the best choice to provide European players with the same levels of access, connectivity, and customer support that our North American players enjoy." Asheron's Call is a critically acclaimed franchise that brings thousands of players together within dynamic, ever evolving online fantasy worlds. The original title and service launched in 1999 and since spawned two expansion packs, Dark Majesty in 2001 and Throne of DestinyTM , which is currently scheduled for launch in 2005. The graphically ground breaking Asheron's Call 2: Fallen Kings launched in 2002, marking the first sequel to a 3D MMORPG. The Asheron's Call franchise is best known for thriving online communities and rich episodic updates, produced by Turbine, that add new additional game features, dungeons, trophy items, hunting areas and storyline content to the games on a regular basis. "We're very excited about the prospect of handling the Asheron's Call and Fallen Kings operations in Europe," said Jolt's CEO, Dominic Silk. "With this deal we will strengthen and grow both of these great worlds in cooperation with Turbine." Jolt will be demonstrating both games at stand G9 in the main hall of Game Stars Live in London from Sept. 1-5.