Harmonix, Acer, Rock Records and Intel Launch Internet Music Site

Business Wire, June 21, 1999

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 21, 1999--

Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., a company at the forefront of interactive music technologies and products, Acer Internet Services, Rock Records and Intel unveiled CDX(TM) MusicZone(TM) in Taipei on June 15th. The site at http:/www.intel.com was developed collaboratively by Harmonix, Acer and Rock and is being showcased in Intel's Web Outfitter Service for the next two months. CDX MusicZone is a preview of a forthcoming Internet music portal being developed for Asian music consumers.

"Acer is committed to creating the leading Internet sites and services for the global Asian community," said George Huang, Corporate General Controller of Acer. "MusicZone Asia is a step towards our goal of creating the premiere Internet music destination for Asian consumers."

CDX MusicZone offers a broad range of online music entertainment content, featuring the latest Internet multimedia and e-commerce technologies and applications. Consumers will have the opportunity to select from a variety of regional Internet radio and video-on-demand channels, explore artist showcases, send music e-cards to friends, purchase CDs, DVDs, VCDs, and CD-ROMs from CDX's online store or concert tickets from Acer Ticketing Network, and jam with their favorite artists on Harmonix's The Axe(R).

"Harmonix's goal is to redefine the way the world relates to music and the Internet is the place to make this happen," said Alex Rigopulos, president, CEO and co-founder of Harmonix. "Now music fans worldwide can go to CDXMusicZone and jam with the recent hit of a popular recording artist."

The Artist Showcase was created to provide music fans with a chance to interactively explore the life and music of leading musicians from around the world. Rock Records' recording artist Shunza will be June's featured artist. Fans will have the unique opportunity to jam along with Shunza's hit single Inspiration on The Axe, record their jam sessions, and email their performances to their friends or to the site for posting in The Axe Fan Showcase.

"CDX MusicZone was created to provide Rock Records' artists with a unique opportunity to communicate with their fans on a more intimate level," says Sunny Lin, President of Rock Records Entertainment Group. "It also serves as an excellent vehicle for marketing a variety of artist products directly to consumers.".

Single or two player versions of The Axe, including Inspiration and a custom Interactive Music Video, can be downloaded from http://www.cdx.com.tw/musiczone/creation in English or Chinese.

"With The Axe my fans can experience my music in a much deeper, participatory way.," says Shunza. "Harmonix's interactive music technology breaks down the barriers to musical expression."

The site also includes a videotaped interview with Shunza, the music video for her latest hit single Open Up, an interactive biography, an album showcase with song samples and retail links to CDX, and tour information with links to Acer Ticketing Network.

About the Acer Group

Since its founding in 1976, the Acer Group has grown to become a US$6.6 billion enterprise, designing, manufacturing and marketing personal computers, communications devices, and consumer electronics products. Acer is also quickly becoming a leading regional developer of Internet products and services. More than 28,000 employees and 120 enterprises are found worldwide in 37 countries, supporting dealers and distributors in over 100 countries. The Acer Group's turnover in 1998 was US$6.6 billion. In terms of computers alone, the company is now the world's third largest manufacturer of PC products and seventh largest brand according to Dataquest. According to Acer market research, the Acer brand is an established sales leader in 13 countries and a top-five player in more than 30 nations worldwide.

About Rock Records Group

Rock is one of Asia's leading independent music entertainment companies with offices in 13 countries across the continent. Recognized as Asia's "6th Major", Rock provides production, marketing, distribution and publishing services to many of Asia's leading musicians, songwriters, and producers. Rock also serves as the regional marketing and distribution partner for an international repertoire of over 40 recording labels.

In addition to recorded music, Rock produces music television programming through Rock Communications, Internet and multimedia content and services through Rock Entertainment Group, and publishes a variety of periodicals through Rock Publications.

About Intel Corporation

Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also the leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information on Intel is available at http://www.intel.com/pressroom.> About Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.

Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., is a leading creator of interactive music technologies and products for the consumer entertainment marketplace. Harmonix, an MIT Media Lab spin-off, is utilizing its patented interactive music technologies to create products with global Internet, game console, recorded music, toy, karaoke, theme park and location based entertainment companies. Harmonix's flagship product, The Axe(R), enables consumers to select from a variety of instruments and jam with their favorite artists and Interactive Music Videos on their PCs. Fans can jam along with dozens of top recording artists from No Doubt, Tonic, The Crystal Method, Reel Big Fish, Cassius, DJ Spooky, and Boom Boom Satellites to legends like The Who, The Grateful Dead and Stevie Wonder. Strategic investors include Softbank Group and Acer Group. Additional information on Harmonix is available at www.theaxe.com.