Diamond Multimedia Releases New Monster 3D Driver With Support for the Latest 3D Gaming Application Programming Interfaces

Business Wire, Nov 14, 1997

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 14, 1997--

Diamond Website Offers New Driver

and a Chance to Win a Next-Generation Monster 3D Accelerator

Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:DIMD), a leader in Internet multimedia acceleration, today announced the release of an enhanced software driver for the award-winning Monster 3D gaming accelerator.

The new driver incorporates support for Microsoft's DirectX 5.0 application programming interface (API) and the latest version (v. 2.34) of the Glide API. The majority of today's games support the Microsoft Direct3D and Glide APIs. With this latest driver enhancement, the Diamond Monster 3D can provide acceleration for the newest 3D games.

Monster 3D customers can download the new driver, version 1.09, directly from the Diamond Multimedia website at www.diamondmm.com . Additionally, visitors to the Diamond website can enter a sweepstakes to win a next-generation Monster 3D accelerator.

"Direct3D and Glide, two of the most popular 3D gaming APIs, enable game developers to incorporate more advanced 3D features and special effects into their games," said Scott Vouri, general manager of Diamond Multimedia's core graphics business unit. "The Monster 3D provides enhanced visual quality, awesome performance and allows customers to get the most out of these games."

Diamond Monster 3D

According to a recent PC Data report, the Diamond Monster 3D has been the best-selling gaming accelerator available at retail for three months in a row(a). Additionally, the Monster 3D has received top awards from industry publications including boot, Computer Gaming World, ComputerLife, Family PC and PC Computing. Priced at $199.95 estimated retail price, the Diamond Monster 3D accelerator comes with 4MB of memory and a generous software bundle of popular gaming titles.

Quake II Online Promotion

The Diamond Monster 3D is currently offered as the top prize in a Quake II online contest sponsored by Activision, Inc. and 3Dfx Interactive. Consumers can visit http://www.idsoftware.com/quake2/contest/index.html to enter the contest that is scheduled to run through January 2, 1998.

Every week for 10 weeks, a Diamond Monster 3D is being awarded to a grand prize winner. Additionally, contestants who correctly answer a series of id-related trivia questions will be able to download a $20.00 rebate coupon for the combined purchase of a Monster 3D accelerator and Quake II game (purchases must be made by December 31, 1997).

News about Next-Generation Monster 3D

Diamond Multimedia recently announced plans to launch a next-generation Monster 3D gaming accelerator. Based on the 3Dfx Voodoo 2 graphics engine, the new Monster 3D delivers two to five times the performance of the current Monster 3D. Visitors to the Diamond website can register now to receive secret facts about this next-generation product.

In addition, ten lucky registrants will be selected to be among the first in the world to receive a free next-generation Monster 3D. The new Monster 3D is expected to be available at retail in mid-to-late first quarter of 1998. Demonstrations of the next-generation Monster 3D technology will be available in Diamond Multimedia's booth (No. L202) at Fall Comdex next week in Las Vegas.

Diamond Multimedia

Diamond Multimedia is driving the Internet multimedia market by providing interactivity and connectivity solutions for home, business and professional desktop computer users, enabling them to create, access and experience compelling new media content from their desktops and through the Internet.

Diamond accelerates multimedia from the Internet to the hard drive with products that include the Stealth and Viper(R) series of media accelerators, the Monster series of entertainment 3D and sound accelerators, the Fire series of professional 3D and SCSI accelerators, and the Supra(R) series of modems.

Diamond also markets DVD and video phone kits. Diamond's common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol DIMD, and its web site address is www.diamondmm.com .

How to Contact Diamond Multimedia

There are many ways to reach Diamond for sales support, technical assistance, driver updates and general information:

Internet Web Site: http://www.diamondmm.com Diamond Multimedia's Headquarters and Multimedia Division: 408/325-7000; Fax: 408/325-7070 Communications Division (Supra brand modems) Main Phone Number: 360/604-1400; Fax: 360/604-1401 European Division (Germany): 49-8151-266-0; (UK): 44-1189-444400; (France) 33-1-47561157 Korean Office (Seoul): 82-2-551-2700; Fax: 82-2-551-2710 Japanese Office (Tokyo): 81-3-5695-8401; Fax: 81-3-5695-8403 ASEAN Office (Singapore): 65-353-9511; Fax: 65-353-9510 Hong Kong Office: 852-2375-9023; Fax: 852-2375-9021 Support Information Line for Communications: 800/774-4965 Product Support (Voice), Multimedia: 408/325-7100; Communications: 541/967-2450; Europe (Germany) 49-8151-266-330; Europe (UK) 44-1189-444444; ISDN Support Center 408/325-7110; Fire GL Support Center 408/325-7120; TDD/TTY Support 541/967-2451 Product Support (Fax), Multimedia: 408/325-7171; Communications: 541/967-2401; Europe (Germany) 49-8151-266-331; Europe (UK): 44-1189-444445; (France) 33-1-47561139 Pre-sales Information, Multimedia: 800/468-5846; Communications: 800/727-8772 Investor Relations: 408/325-7476; 888/474-3463 (U.S. and Canada) 24-Hour Fax-On-Demand Service, All Products: 800/380-0030 FTP sites: ftp.diamondmm.com; or Supra: ftp.supra.com BBS: 541/967-2444 (to 33.6 Kbps) or 408/383-0551 (ISDN); Europe (Germany) BBS at 49-8151-266333 (to 28.8 Kbps) or 49-8151-266334 (ISDN); Europe (UK) at 44-1189-444415 (to 33.6 Kbps)