The Gathering of Developers announced Tuesday that it will publish Darkstone, an action RPG developed by Delphine Software International, licensed by Rockstar Games, and to be distributed by Jack of All Games, a division of Take-Two Interactive.

　　Recently The Gathering expanded on its copublishing and distribution deal with Take-Two, allowing The Gathering to receive better exposure in overseas markets, experience in the console market, and to receive more funding from Take-Two.

　　"Darkstone impressed The Gathering's developer board, and we are happy to have it as the first title from our new partnership with Rockstar Games," said Mike Wilson, CEO of The Gathering. "Delphine is an outstanding developer, and this title fits well into The Gathering's lineup with its intense gameplay and cutting-edge technology."

　　Delphine Software previously has developed Fade to Black, Relentless, and the Moto Racer series. Darkstone should be available in the spring for the PC; Take-Two will publish a PlayStation version through Rockstar Games in the fall.

　　In a related announcement, Take-Two said that its value distribution and budget publishing subsidiary - Jack of All Games - will be expanded to include sales and distribution offices in New York City, London, Paris, and Sydney. The expansion comes as Take-Two expects over 33 percent growth in its domestic value-added distribution and budget publishing business for the first quarter in the fiscal year.

　　"The expansion of the Jack of All Games name through its application to our existing value-added distribution businesses in Europe and Australia was a logical next step for Take-Two," said Kelly Summer, president of Take-Two Interactive Software Europe Ltd. "The Company has enjoyed much success as a unique one-stop-shopping source for US-based retailers, and we hope to duplicate that success within Take-Two's international operations."