RNS Number:8596W
Tornado Group PLC
9 January 2001


For Immediate Release                  Tuesday, 9 January 2001



                   TORNADO PARTNERS WITH EMPIRE INTERACTIVE


                            FOR PC GAME DOWNLOADS


9 January 2001 - Tornado Group PLC ("Tornado"), and Empire Interactive ("
Empire"), a leading international publisher of computer games, have signed an
agreement to provide commercial games downloads using Tornado's Digital Media
Distribution System "DMDS" via European retail websites.



Tornado's technology which can be applied to music, games, books, films,
images and all digital media supports multiple end-user platforms and will
enable Empire to test downloads of games via the internet and private networks
direct to a user's PC, mobile phone, PDA or in-store kiosk.  Tornado's system
enables games publishers to adopt new secure payment models such as
subscription, pay-per-play, limited time use and episodic games.



Empire has had a series of international hits, across many formats, including
the Pro Pinball series, Paul Gascoigne ("Gazza") Soccer,  Pipemania, The Enemy
Engaged series, International Cricket Captain (endorsed  by England Captain
Nasser Hussain) and more recently with Sheep and Rowan's  Battle of Britain.
Empire publish on all major platforms, including PC-CD  Rom & Sony Playstation
(R).  Empire has also been accredited as an official  Microsoft Xbox
developer.



On the deal, Tornado Managing Director, Ian Watson commented "A partnership
with Empire is great news for Tornado.  Empire operates on a truly global
basis and we are especially excited by their brand extension activity across
new platforms including I-DTV and wireless Internet.   In addition, the fact
that Empire are making a major commitment to the development of content
engineered specifically for downloads is of great benefit for Tornado and its
partners."



John Tweedy, Empire Business Development Director said: "We are delighted to
have entered into a partnership with Tornado. Digital delivery will play a key
role in Empire's growth plan over the next five years providing reach beyond
traditional distribution boundaries. Tornado is offering a great solution to
develop the Empire brand."



                                    -ENDS-



______________________________________________________________________

For further information contact:


Tornado                                       Tel:+44 (0) 1628 498 600

Ian Watson, Managing Director

Neil Ferris, Commercial Director
Buchanan Communications                       Tel:+44 (0) 207 466 5000

Tim Anderson / Nicola How
The Outside Organisation                      Tel:+44 (0) 207 436 3633

Stuart Bell or Rachel Silver,

www.outside-org.co.uk



About Tornado

Tornado Group PLC was founded in late 1999 and floated on AIM in March 2000.
Tornado provides a secure infrastructure for the storage and commercial
distribution of digital media giving content owners and retailers alike new
opportunities within the market for distribution of digital product. The
Tornado System will allow a consumer who visits a retailer (whether via a
website or in-store kiosk), to purchase and download a digitally stored
product such as music or games to multiple end user devices.  http://
www.tornadogroup.com



About Empire

Empire Interactive is a leading publisher of interactive entertainment
software that has been established for 13 years. The company floated on the
Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange in July 2000.
Headquartered in the UK, Empire also has offices in the US, Germany, Italy &
Spain.  The company develops and publishes a varied range of titles for the
Sony Playstation(R), Sony Playstation(R) 2 and multimedia PC markets in the
US, Europe and Asia.  Further information about Empire Interactive's products
can be found at: http://www.empire.co.uk