DALLAS, June 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Merit Software Inc. (Nasdaq: MRITP 4 percent Cumulative Convertible Preferred) today announced that Zeppelin Games Ltd., Durham, England, was awarded a commendation "In Recognition of an Outstanding Enterprise" by the Vision in Business Enterprise (VIBE) council in a ceremony last evening in Sunderland, England.  The VIBE is supported by the local governments, universities, Chambers of Commerce and local businesses in the area. The award is given annually to companies in the Northeast of England that bring recognition to the area, exhibit outstanding growth and offer opportunities for employment.
    Merit announced earlier this week that Zeppelin Games had agreed to be acquired by Merit and become a wholly owned subsidiary of Merit. Merit was ranked No. 21 in the fastest growing technology companies of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in 1992 by the Dallas Business Journal and Arthur Andersen & Co., (The FastTech 50).
    In addition, Merit also announced today its summer and fall product release line-up containing, what the company believes will be several potential mega-hits in the fast growing CD-ROM multimedia category that will significantly impact the company's revenue and profit for 1994. According to Merit Software President, Bill Graham, the new product roll out is by far the most spectacular in the history of the company.
    "We're very pleased to announce our summer and fall line-up of new products, especially the CD-ROM multimedia products.  We've searched diligently to locate and sign up the finest games developers to bring bold, exciting state-of-the-art breakthrough titles to market.  We believe we have done just that.  These new hits, along with the company's excellent established distribution and presence on the retail shelves across North America, and now the U.K. and Europe with the acquisition of Zeppelin Games, we believe, will put Merit up with the elite of entertainment software publishers."
    Among the new titles, several of which have been previously announced, is "Sink or Swim," a puzzle game developed by Merit's soon- to-be, wholly owned subsidiary, Zeppelin Games.  The release of "Sink or Swim," which began shipping in May, marks Merit's official entry into the CD-ROM segment of the computer game industry.
    "Harvester," developed by Future Vision Inc., and scheduled for late summer release, is another previously announced CD-ROM title. "Harvester" is an intense psychological thriller with a compelling story line, hours of interactive dialogue, numerous eccentric characters and over 100 captivating 3D animated cinematic sequences.  "Harvester" has received international recognition from the computer gaming press as one of the industry's expected hottest Adventure/Role-playing games of the year and is already generating considerable consumer demand at the retail level.
    Another CD-ROM title, also previously announced, is "CyberJudas," from D.C. True Inc.  "CyberJudas" is the sequel to D.C. True's successful and widely acclaimed 1992 release, "Shadow President."  In the game, through sophisticated artificial intelligence programming, you function as president of the United States, using information from the actual CIA World Fact Book to influence world politics, economics and public opinion.  Only there is a problem.  Your advisors all are biased toward their own agendas and one is out to get you.  You are literally "The President and the Prey!"  The game is being developed on powerful Silicon Graphics computers using Wave-Front Technologies software similar to that used to generate the special effects in the movie "Jurassic Park."
    "The Fortress of Dr. Radiaki," from Future Vision Inc., and Maelstrom Software, a company formed from programmers, artists and designers who previously worked at Origin Systems, is another CD-ROM multimedia product featuring exciting new 3D graphics similar, but better, than those used in the mega-hit Id Software product "Doom(TM)." "Dr. Radiaki" is an arcade game of immense proportions involving multiple levels of play, scores of high-tech bad guys with interesting personalities, and the fastest 3D graphics engine on the market today.
    "Fighter Wing," from Gemsoft Inc., is a new breed of flight combat simulation games featuring multiple player capability (up to 16 on a Local Area Network), a state-of-the-art 3D engine with real-time terrain generation and actual video footage from "FirePower(TM)," the highly acclaimed weekly series currently running on the Discovery Channel cable television.  This flight simulator, also a CD-ROM product, will provide players with a "sit and shoot" experience.
    "The Psychotron," from The Multimedia Store Inc., is a CD-ROM interactive video movie, with more than an hour of Windows AVI motion video and dozens of highly detailed 3D animation sequences to draw players (1 to 4) into the story.  The plot is complex, interactive and entertaining.  The video was shot using professional actors in numerous environments.  "Psychotron" will also be available on the emerging MPEG full motion video format.
    Merit Software will also be releasing new versions, upgrades or sequels to three of its successful products.  "Starship: The Rogarina Agenda," will be a sequel to Merit's "Command Adventures: Starship." The new product will feature multiple mission requirements written by award winning designer G.P. Austin; "Tom Landry Strategy Football Deluxe Edition" will be upgraded to include all 1994 rule changes, statistics from the 1993 season, and offered as a Macintosh title for the first time; and "Maelstrom," Merit's 1992 hit product from Epicenter and PAS Systems, will be offered in a new CD-ROM version.
    "Tunnel Rat," from Rainmaker Software, developer of Merit's 1993 release:  "Isle of the Dead," is a 3D arcade game that takes place in the tunnels of Vietnam.
    Additionally, the company has two Future Vision Inc., front-line titles under development for release in late 1994 to early 1995 tentatively titled:  "Enclave and Cyber II."  "G-NOME," a CD-ROM adventure/role playing product from KOP Media, another new company formed by previous Origin Systems employees, is scheduled for release during the first quarter of 1995.  Also, Zeppelin Games has several budget and intermediate line products that Merit will release in North America in the near future.
    To date, this brings Merit Software's Summer/Fall product line-up to a total of 11 products which the company estimates will contribute between $7 to $9 million in revenue for 1994.  The company anticipates releasing 12 to 15 titles in 1994.
    Merit Software Inc., publishes and distributes personal computer software products aimed primarily at the entertainment and educational markets.  The company currently offers over 50 titles including: strategy, adventure and arcade games that typically employ sophisticated graphics, and audio and user interface technology.  The consumer entertainment and education software market is expected to exceed $1.5 billion during 1994 and is growing at 20 percent per annum.
    -0-                        6/3/94
    /CONTACT:  Andrea Van Leeuwen, investor relations, of Carl Thompson Associates, 303-494-5472; or Tim Williams, marketing, of Merit Software, 800-238-4277/
    (MRITP) CO:  Merit Software Inc.; Zeppelin Games Ltd. ST:  Texas IN:  CPR LEI SU: