Don't Be Left Out In The Cold… It's Time To Go beZerk!; www.bezerk.com — Experience Why The Internet Will Never Be The Same Again!

Business Wire, Dec 3, 1996

BERKELEY, Calif--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 3, 1996--Berkeley Systems, Inc., a leader in the entertainment software market, today announced that beZerk, its free, premier online entertainment network featuring You Don't Know Jack the netshow, has officially gone live! After a tremendously successful three week long public pilot test period, beZerk is now available for access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year. The company also revealed plans to make the debut program, You Don't Know Jack the netshow available for Macintosh in early '97. So, what are you waiting for, go beZerk at www.bezerk.com!

"During the three week pilot period, we had nearly 25,000 people log onto beZerk and play You Don't Know Jack the netshow," stated Julie Wainwright, President and COO of Berkeley Systems. "The response beZerk has received is phenomenal -- it's clearly one of the most unique experiences available on the Internet today and it's totally FREE."

If the famous statue called the Aphrodite of Melos applied for a waitressing position at Hooters, what might prevent her from getting the job? (see end of release for answer)

beZerk's debut program, You Don't Know Jack the netshow, has already awarded $100 to 15 daily high-scorers, with one lucky gamer bagging the $5,000 grand prize for the highest cumulative score during beZerk's November pilot period. And, we've only just begun....

As if the Holidays weren't enough, this month we're doing it again, but with some special twists. If you play You Don't Know Jack the netshow and are the high scorer for the day, you get $100, but if it happens to be a Friday, you win BIG! You'll take home $500 for your turn at the keyboard (and just in time for the holidays too). When was the last time someone handed you $500 for being a smarty pants? You Don't Know Jack the netshow also features "Play Today and Win," three days in the month of December where you can score cool prizes just for playing. We will reward those players who satisfy certain requirements (i.e. living in Illinois and you're one of the first 25 to play). You Don't Know Jack the netshow is currently available for Windows 95, but don't worry, the Mac version is coming soon!

Based on her tendency to retain a lot of water, whose dress is going to be the tightest at the Plant Prom this weekend? (see end of release for answer)

It's not just the irreverent humor or the in-your-face audio track that makes beZerk so different, it's the advertising. That's right, the A D V E R T I S I N G. You Don't Know Jack the netshow contains the first true television-like commercials on the Internet today. By combining audio and animation with dynamic, full-screen ads, we've created an entirely new way of looking at advertising on the Internet. We've teamed-up with some of the hottest names in advertising, 7-Up, Cuervo Gold, Elektra Records, Naya Water, New Line Cinema, Plymouth, Request/Sam Goody, Saucony, Skechers, SuperCuts, and TVT Records, to bring you the hippest ads this side of the Milky Way.

"When we started out people looked at us like we were crazy. Well, they're not looking at us that way anymore," stated Steven Drace, Vice President of Advertising Sales. "During our pilot period, the response both from players and advertisers has been nothing but positive. In fact, players told us time and time again to put in more ads and make them longer !"

Through special arrangement, You Don't Know Jack the netshow is reachable through C/NET's DOWNLOAD.COM (http://download.com). DOWNLOAD.COM delivers the top free to download software titles -- including games, screen savers, Web browsers, utilities, plug-ins and more -- on an intuitive, cataloged format which makes finding and downloading software easier than ever before.

Founded in 1987, Berkeley Systems, Inc. develops and markets multimedia entertainment software for grown-ups. To date, the privately held Company has sold over five million units and is a leading innovator in the marketplace. Leveraging the success of its widely known After Dark screen saver franchise, Berkeley Systems established a second franchise with the irreverent pop-culture trivia game You Don't Know Jack. The Company recently announced plans to deliver breakthrough entertainment experiences on the Internet with beZerk (www.bezerk.com), the premier online entertainment network. With an eye on the future, Berkeley Systems continues to produce cutting-edge entertainment that offer unique experiences and take advantage of the latest technology and online advancements.

THE ANSWERS:

(1) If the famous statue called the Aphrodite of Melos applied for a waitressing position at Hooters, what might prevent her from getting the job?

She's shy about showing her skin.

Her breasts are too big.

She loses her head with the customers.

She can't carry a tray properly. --

(2) Based on her tendency to retain a lot of water, whose dress is going to be the tightest at the Plant Prom this weekend?

Miss Banana Tree

Miss Cactus --

Miss Passionflower