Virtual Music Entertainment in agreement with Sony Computer Entertainment of Japan; Software company to develop a series of interactive music titles for the new Sony Playstation video game system for distribution in Japan

Business Wire, Nov 29, 1995

BEDFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 29, 1995--Virtual Music Entertainment Inc., the developer and marketer of such revolutionary interactive multimedia products as the Virtual Guitar(R) and Virtual Pick(R), today announced it has formed a development and distribution agreement with Sony Computer Entertainment of Japan.

According to Virtual Music Entertainment Inc. president and chief executive officer Bradley J. Naples, the company will develop a series of interactive music titles for Sony's new Playstation(R) video game system. The titles will initially be distributed in Japan during 1996.

Virtual Music Entertainment is now adapting its popular Quest For Fame CD-ROM title, featuring America's premier rock band Aerosmith in an exciting and challenging rock and roll adventure game, to the Playstation format. Additional titles, featuring established artists, will follow, according to Naples.

"Quest For Fame," which is now being distributed as a CD-ROM title by IBM(R), casts the player in the role of an aspiring guitar hero. Using the revolutionary Virtual Pick that is packaged with the game, players can turn any personal computer into the ultimate air guitar -- and jam to some of Aerosmith's greatest hits. Players start out practicing alone in their bedroom. From here, as they progress, new opportunities unfold that allow them to join a garage band, play out in blues clubs and bars, lay down tracks in the studio and, finally, when they're good enough, take centerstage in front of thousands of screaming fans at a sold out Aerosmith stadium show.

Designed to look like an oversized guitar pick that can be strummed against any hard surface (tennis racket, baseball hat, tabletop, etc.), this Virtual Pick game controller picks up the resistance and, through proprietary internal switching technology, translates the signal into guitar sounds that are played back by the computer. Virtual Music Entertainment Inc. owns a patent on the original play-along technology that forms the heart of the company's product line. On February 28, 1995 the company was issued United States patent No. 5,393,926 covering 16 different claims. Since then, the company has substantially enhanced its real-time processing technology.

"The Sony Playstation format is already very well established in Japan as the next generation video game system of choice," Naples commented. "As a result, we expect that Quest For Fame will do very well in that market, producing significant new revenue for our future development efforts."

Headquartered in Bedford, Virtual Music Entertainment Inc. is a leading developer and marketer of interactive virtual music CD-ROMs and accessories for both multimedia PC and Macintosh personal computers. The company's entire virtual music product line is designed to provide musicians and non-musicians with the thrill of performing on stage through sophisicated real-time processing and high quality video, animation, and studio-like sounds. The privately held company was formed in 1993.

CONTACT: Griffin Public Relations & Marketing

Bob Griffin, 212/255-8491