metro3D Signs Licensing Agreement with Nintendo of America Inc.; Aggressive New Contender in Gaming to Develop and Publish Titles on Leading Platforms

Business Wire, April 27, 1999

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 27, 1999--

metro3D, inc., an aggressive new contender in console and PC gaming, today announced it has signed a strategic licensing agreement with Nintendo of America.

Under the terms of the deal, metro3D will develop and publish games in North America for Game Boy(R) Color as well as the Nintendo(R) 64.

Although a new company, metro3D boasts an accomplished executive team, including former Capcom heavyweights George Nakayama, president of metro3D, and Joe Morici, the company's vice president of sales and marketing, who managed Capcom's North American operations during its most profitable period.

The duo possesses extensive experience in bringing top-selling titles to market and were responsible for launching the Street Fighter II family of titles, which collectively sold over 13 million units, and the highly successful Megaman franchise. They were also instrumental in securing the first exclusive licensing agreement with the Walt Disney Company for interactive rights to key properties, prior to the formation of Disney Interactive. Some of these titles included The Little Mermaid, Mousecapades and Ducktales, among others.

At metro3D, Nakayama and Morici intend to leverage their game expertise in operations, sales, marketing and distribution, and couple it with metro3D's existing development talent, to build a successful publishing business. Console titles for the popular Nintendo platforms will be the cornerstone of their operation in 1999.

"As a new game company with tremendous potential, we recognize the strength of being a Nintendo third-party licensee right from the start," noted Morici. "Nintendo boasts a huge installed base and will enable us to bring our exciting line-up to as many gamers as possible. Our product line will consist of classic arcade favorites as well as original titles that are certain to resonate with Nintendo enthusiasts everywhere."

Taking full advantage of the Nintendo platforms, metro3D's 1999 titles will be introduced at the forthcoming Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) this May. These include Game Boy Color titles Chase HQ: The Secret Police, Puzzle Master, Bubble Bobble, Ninja, Armada, and The Cage. The company will also showcase a number of titles for other next generation systems.

"We're pleased to add metro3D to the Nintendo third-party roster," stated Howard Lincoln, chairman, Nintendo of America. "George and Joe have a deep understanding of the industry and know what it takes to bring great products to market. We're excited that the company's first titles will appear on the Nintendo platforms."

metro3D, inc. is a developer and publisher of game titles for all major platforms, including next generation consoles, PCs and popular handheld systems. Leveraging expertise in game development and publishing, content creation and digital effects, the company is poised to become an aggressive new contender in interactive entertainment. metro3D is based in San Jose, CA and can be reached on the Internet at: http://www.metro3d.com.