Electronic Arts' and ORIGIN's Wing Commander is First Original Computer Game Series Brought to Silver Screen; ``Wing Commander'' Movie Set for Nationwide Launch on March 12th

Business Wire, March 11, 1999

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 11, 1999--ORIGIN Systems(TM), an Electronic Arts(TM) (Nasdaq:ERTS) company, will claim a first in the computer gaming industry this week with the release of the "Wing Commander"(TM) movie. The science fiction adventure film, set for release March 12th from Twentieth Century Fox, will become the first feature film ever released that is based on an original computer game series. The film marks another first as the director, Chris Roberts, is also the creator of the Wing Commander game series.

"The Wing Commander franchise has always broken new ground in the interactive entertainment industry," said Neil Young, senior vice president product development at ORIGIN Systems. "There have been previous movies based on games before, but these were video games created primarily for consoles. This release marks a first for the PC computer game industry and yet another first for the Wing Commander franchise."

"This is a significant event in the PC gaming industry," said David Cole, an industry analyst with DFC Intelligence in San Diego. "The fact that Hollywood is releasing a film based on a successful computer game signals that these games have reached a critical mass market appeal. It certainly has the potential to drive more sales for PC game products like Wing Commander."

The "Wing Commander" movie combines state-of-the-art science fiction special effects and settings with the story and creative elements of a grand adventure film. Based on ORIGIN Systems' legendary computer game series of the same name, the film follows the exploits of rebellious space pilot Christopher Blair, played by Freddie Prinze, Jr. ("She's All That"). Carrying an encoded message about an invasion from an alien race, Blair, his fellow maverick pilot Maniac, played by Matthew Lillard ("She's All That", "Scream") and their beautiful superior officer, Deveraux, played by Saffron Burrows ("Circle of Friends"), mobilize to evade and ultimately repel the alien attack.

"Wing Commander" also stars Tcheky Karyo, David Suchet, David Warner, Ginny Holder and Jurgen Prochnow.

"Wing Commander" is a No Prisoners/Digital Anvil production in association with ORIGIN Systems and Carousel Picture Company, with Todd Moyer of No Prisoners serving as producer and Jean-Martial LeFranc and Romain Schroeder as executive producers. Chris Roberts, CEO of Digital Anvil(TM), co-wrote the script with Kevin Droney and Mike Finch. In December of 1997, Digital Anvil acquired from ORIGIN the live action television and film rights to the first four installments of the Wing Commander game series. "Wing Commander" is rated PG-13. More information on the movie is available on the Internet at http://www.wcmovie.com.

Since the 1990 launch of the first title, the Wing Commander series has spawned four full sequels and numerous derivative products combining to generate sales of more than five million units worldwide. In that time, the Wing Commander series has consistently broken new ground. Wing Commander III was one of the first interactive movies and marked the first extensive use of full-motion video in a computer game. Wing Commander IV was the first game to use 35-millimeter film for its linear narrative. ORIGIN released Wing Commander: Prophecy, the fifth installment in the series, to critical acclaim in 1997.

Wing Commander: Prophecy Gold Edition is currently available at stores with an expected retail price of US$39.95. It can also be purchased directly from Electronic Arts Direct Sales at 800/245-4525 or through the EA Store located at http://www.eastore.ea.com. More information on the game and the movie can be found at the Wing Commander home site on the World Wide Web located at http://www.wingcommander.com.

ORIGIN Systems

ORIGIN Systems develops and publishes state-of-the-art entertainment software. To date, the company has released more than 50 titles, including the award-winning Ultima(TM), Wing Commander, Privateer(TM) and Crusader series of games. ORIGIN also develops titles under the Jane's(R) Combat Simulations brand. ORIGIN is based in Austin, Texas, with additional offices in Hunt Valley, Maryland, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Electronic Arts. More information on ORIGIN products can be found on the Internet at http://www.origin.ea.com.

Twentieth Century Fox

Twentieth Century Fox is a unit of Fox Filmed Entertainment, a unit of Fox Entertainment Group.

No Prisoners

No Prisoners is a production and visual effects company specializing in producing visual effects driven, cutting-edge motion pictures. Todd Moyer serves as President of No Prisoners Productions and CEO of No Prisoners 3DFX. Moyer is a long-standing entertainment executive and film producer. Next up for No Prisoners is "Battlestar Galactica," which is scheduled for a late summer start in Luxembourg. Moyer is also producing the high-concept action/adventure update of "Jason and the Argonauts" for DreamWorks Pictures. Also on the No Prisoners slate is a motion-picture adaptation of Philip K. Dick's "A Scanner Darkly," which Moyer is producing with Jersey Films for Universal Pictures. No Prisoners 3DFX, who provided the stunning visual effects for "Wing Commander," is presently providing the special visual effects for the upcoming "Fortress II."