LucasArts Announces Star Wars Galaxies as Online Game Series' Brand Name; To Launch Official Information Site With Sony Online Entertainment; www.starwarsgalaxies.com To Launch November 30

Business Wire, Nov 29, 2000

Business Editors/High Tech Writers

SAN RAFAEL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 29, 2000

LucasArts Entertainment Company LLC today announced Star Wars(R) Galaxies(TM) as the formal series brand name for their massively multiplayer online role-playing games. On November 30 LucasArts, in conjunction with Sony Online Entertainment Inc., will launch the game's official information site, www.starwarsgalaxies.com.

The Star Wars Galaxies Web site will debut with three active community relations message boards and a list of frequently asked questions fielded by the game's development team. Each message board will provide a forum for feedback to and from the Star Wars Galaxies' team in the following areas: A General Discussion Board for all game-related issues, a Developers Board for game development queries, and a Role Playing Board for "in character" discussion.

"We see this Web site as an important step toward building a strong community for the Star Wars Galaxies line of games," says Simon Jeffery, president of LucasArts. "We firmly believe that consistent and open communication with fans will be one of the keys to the success of the Star Wars Galaxies experience."

"We're thrilled to provide Star Wars fans and the Station's users with a forum that will generate enthusiasm for the game," says Kelly Flock, president of Sony Online Entertainment. "This is one way fans can be involved in the creative process of developing the highly anticipated Star Wars Galaxies online series of games."

The Star Wars Galaxies game series is being developed by Verant Interactive, a division of Sony Online Entertainment, and will be distributed and sold at retail by LucasArts and available for play exclusively online at The Station@sony.com ( www.station.sony.com ). The game is expected to go into first round testing in late 2001.

About LucasArts

LucasArts Entertainment Company LLC is a leading international developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software for a variety of computer and console platforms. Based in San Rafael, Calif., as well as on the Internet at www.lucasarts.com, LucasArts is one of five companies in the Lucas group which include Lucasfilm Ltd., Lucas Digital Ltd. LLC, Lucas Licensing Ltd., and Lucas Learning Ltd. Lucasfilm is one of the leading film and entertainment companies in the world. Lucasfilm's businesses include George Lucas' film and television production and distribution activities as well as the business activities of the THX Group. Lucas Digital, which consists of Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) and Skywalker Sound, provides visual effects and audio post-production services to the entertainment industry. Lucas Licensing is responsible for the merchandising of all Lucasfilm's film and television properties. Lucas Learning creates engaging interactive entertainment products that provide learning opportunities through exploration and discovery.

About Verant

Verant Interactive Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Online Entertainment Inc. Known for its best-selling massively multiplayer online role-playing game EverQuest(R), Verant is committed to developing cutting-edge online games and communities such as Tanarus(TM), Sovereign(TM), Infantry(TM) and Star Wars Galaxies(TM).

About Sony Online Entertainment

Continuing to deliver break-through interactive gaming, Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (SOE), a subsidiary of Sony Corporation and Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment, is a worldwide leader in providing online entertainment. With more than 8 million registered users www.station.com, SOE's web site features EverQuest(R), the top-selling online PC game title, and such popular attractions for non-paying, casual users as JEOPARDY! Online(TM), Wheel of Fortune Online(TM) and Trivial Pursuit(R) Online(TM). SOE distributes online entertainment from Sony Pictures Entertainment, Sony Computer Entertainment America, Verant Interactive and third-party developers. SOE is headquartered in San Diego, California, with additional development studios in St. Louis and Austin.