Netscape and Criterion Co-operate on Integrating Rich 3D Graphics Into Netscape Software Platform; Netscape Licenses Criterion's RenderWare for Live3D Extensions; Agree co-operation in support of "Moving Worlds" VRML 2.0 proposal

Business Wire, Feb 21, 1996

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 21, 1996--Netscape Communications Corporation (NASDAQ:NSCP) and Criterion Software (Guildford, UK), a division of Canon, in a move that promises to bring interactive 3D worlds to millions of desktops, today announced an agreement that licenses Netscape to use RenderWare as the core real-time 3D rendering technology for Netscape's Live3D extensions for Netscape Navigator 2.0.

Netscape and Criterion have also agreed to co-operate in support of the "Moving Worlds" next generation VRML 2.0 proposal.

Criterion's RenderWare, the most widely supported interactive 3D graphics API for PCs, delivers stunning 3D graphics performance on out-of-the-box PCs without the need for 3D hardware acceleration and is poised to reach even higher levels of performance when used in conjunction with the low-cost 3D hardware accelerators that are just starting to reach the market. Through Live3D, RenderWare's world leading 3D graphics performance is now available to Netscape Navigator 2.0 users and developers.

Netscape Live3D extensions for Netscape Navigator 2.0, combine VRML viewing technology and powerful 3D extensions to Java, JavaScript and Netscape's plug-in application programming interfaces (APIs). Live3D, which brings 3D capabilities to the Netscape Navigator 2.0 client software, allows developers to write 3D applications immediately using the new APIs and enables Netscape Navigator users to experience live 3D Internet content. Netscape plans to integrate Live3D technology into future versions of its highly popular Netscape Navigator.

"Netscape's Live3D will transform the way users interact with the Internet by providing a real-time 3D visual environment that will raise the Internet experience to new levels of realism, comprehension and interactivity," said David Lau-Kee, President of Criterion Software. "With Live3D, a new approach has emerged which brings a fundamental qualitative improvement to the way people will use the Internet. We are proud to have contributed to this improvement."

"RenderWare's un-surpassed speed, robustness, functionality and quality makes it a perfect fit for Netscape" said Alex Edelstein, Netscape's Senior Product Manager for Netscape Navigator. "We're only interested in `best of breed' technologies for our products, and RenderWare fits the bill."

Netscape Communications Corporation is a premier provider of open software for linking people and information over enterprise networks and the Internet. The company offers a full line of Netscape Navigator clients, servers, development tools, and Netscape Internet Applications(TM) to create a complete platform for next-generation, live online applications. Traded on Nasdaq under the symbol "NSCP," Netscape Communications Corporation is based in Mountain View, California. Additional information on Netscape Communications Corporation is available on the Internet at http://home.netscape.com, by sending email to info@netscape.com or by calling 415-528-2555.

Criterion Software Ltd., a subsidiary of Canon Inc. (Tokyo, Japan), is the leader in interactive 3D graphics software tools for personal computers. Criterion develops, markets and supports computer software products and technologies that expand the interactive 3D graphics frontiers on the desktop. The company licenses its products and technology to major developers world-wide through its offices in Guildford England and Tokyo Japan. Additional information on Criterion Software is available on the Internet at http://www.csl.com/csl

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Note to Editors: Netscape Communications, the Netscape Communications logo, Netscape, Netscape Navigator, Netscape Live3D, Live3D and Netscape Internet Applications are trademarks of Netscape Communications Corporation. Criterion and the Criterion logo are trademarks of Criterion Software Ltd. RenderWare is a registered trademark of Canon Inc. All other names are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACTS: Netscape Communications Corporation

Rosanne Siino, 415-528-2619

rosanne@netscape.com

or

Criterion Software Ltd.

Maria Johnson, 44-1483-406221

mariaj@csl.com