Eidos Updates VideoStudio Digital Video Compression Tool for QuickTime 3.0; Newest Version Integrates Wintel and Macintosh Platform Support into Single Solution

Business Wire, March 30, 1998

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 30, 1998--Eidos Technologies, a leading software developer for digital video solutions, today reinforced its development commitment for standards-compliant creative software tools by releasing ESCAPE VideoStudio Version 2.1 with QuickTime 3.0 support.

ESCAPE VideoStudio enables multimedia and CD-ROM game developers to compress digital video, animation and graphical effects for full-motion and full-screen playback on personal computers.

ESCAPE VideoStudio is a software-based video compression/decompression (codec) tool that allows content developers to produce production-quality video sequences that can be played back on personal computers without the need for dedicated, specialized hardware. ESCAPE VideoStudio is the compression engine behind numerous multimedia titles, enhanced CDs and games, including Tomb Raider and Tomb Raider II. The product is equally suited for corporate environments developing multimedia applications and presentations.

"ESCAPE VideoStudio 2.1 complements the range of codecs available under QuickTime," said Jeremy Baldwin, head of marketing at Eidos Technologies. "It is likely to be the codec of choice for those developers who seek high-resolution, full-screen, full-motion video playback for the CD-ROM format, regardless of platform."

Earlier releases of ESCAPE VideoStudio provided separate support for QuickTime and Microsoft DirectX media capabilities on both Macintosh and Wintel/PC platforms. The new version of ESCAPE integrates support for QuickTime 3.0 and DirectX media into a single release and provides high-quality playback on either platform eliminating the need for separate versions.

QuickTime is Apple Computer's multi-platform, industry-standard, multimedia software architecture. It is used by software developers, hardware manufacturers, and content creators to author and publish synchronized graphics, sound, video, text, music, virtual reality sequences and 3D media.

"QuickTime 3.0 empowers content creators to do even more with QuickTime tools," said Mitchell Weinstock, senior QuickTime product manager, Apple Computer. "Eidos' ESCAPE VideoStudio version 2.1 is another example of how developers can concentrate on their unique value, trusting QuickTime to provide a comprehensive range of tools, functions and platform capabilities."

ESCAPE VideoStudio 2.1, including DirectX media and Replay functionality, is priced at $499. A down-loadable QuickTime-only version is currently available from the Eidos Technologies website at www.eidostechnologies.com for $249.

About Eidos Technologies

Eidos Technologies is an emerging worldwide leader in the digital video market. With headquarters in the United Kingdom, Eidos Technologies provides creative, standards-based, digital video software solutions for broadcast professionals, multimedia developers and video enthusiasts throughout Europe and North America. Products include tools for video editing, video compression and video communications.

Established in 1990, Eidos Technologies is a division of Eidos plc, where synergies among operating divisions address the needs of games publishing, video post production, music publishing, Internet and CD-ROM design. Other divisions of Eidos plc include: Eidos Interactive, one of the world's largest CD-ROM publishers best known for its ever popular Tomb Raider game titles; and Glassworks Productions Ltd., a leading renowned digital effects studio.

Eidos plc is a publicly-held company, traded on the London Stock Exchange as EID, and in the U.S. under the NASDAQ symbol EIDSY.

CONTACT: Eidos Technologies

Jeremy Baldwin, 44 181 636 3000

jjb@eidos.co.uk

or

The Benjamin Group Inc.

Allyson Willoughby, 408/559-6090

awillough@sv.tbgi.com