EA Jumps to an Early Lead On PlayStation 2; Six Games Available in Stores On October 26

Business Wire, Oct 17, 2000

Business Editors

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--October 17, 2000

Madden NFL 2001, SSX and NHL 2001 Poised to Become

"Killer Apps" that Define the New Console

Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS), the world's largest interactive entertainment publisher, today announced that six EA PlayStation(R)2 titles have rolled off the manufacturing line and are en route to retail stores nationwide. EA will have the largest number of PlayStation 2 games at the launch of Sony's next generation system on October 26, 2000. The company expects to have an additional 4-6 titles on store shelves in time for the holiday season.

"It's the software that will define the success of PlayStation 2," said Don Mattrick, president of EA Worldwide Studios. "Madden football and SSX snowboarding are the games that will show consumers what PlayStation 2 can do. Our studios have been working for over a year to ensure that consumers have the very best software when they buy a PlayStation 2. This is the strongest launch in EA's history - no other developer has this many AAA titles ready for PlayStation 2."

The following PlayStation 2 titles will be available at retail on October 26:

Madden NFL(TM) 2001 - Madden NFL 2001 has all the current teams and players, as well as hundreds of the greatest NFL warriors from the past. Three-dimensional digital face mapping technology is utilized for players and coaches alike to create an incredibly good looking and authentic game.

SSX - Based on the new extreme Boardercross sport, SSX combines high-speed snowboard racing with insane big-air tricks. SSX, which is drawing rave reviews from the game industry press, is predicted to be the first worldwide hit on PlayStation 2.

NHL(R)2001 - NHL 2001 brings fans out of the stands and onto the ice with incredibly realistic graphics and amazingly smooth gameplay. NHL 2001 features all the current NHL players and teams, including the Minnesota Wild and Columbus Blue Jackets as well as 20 International teams.

Kessen(TM) - This game is the first DVD title for the PlayStation 2. Kessen, which means "strategic battle," is a real-time strategy game based on the Warring States period of seventeenth century Japan.

XSquad(TM) - The first squad-based 3-D action shooter. Set in the year is 2037, the XSquad is ordered to investigate a terrorist attack at one of the government's secret military complexes and recover any and all secret material they seized.

Swing Away Golf - A role-playing golf game that isn't just about whether you can make par; it's a full-fledged fun golf experience. Players choose from seven distinct characters with varying golf skill levels, and a specific golf caddie loaded with different strategies depending on the caddie's personality and expertise.

EA Will Deliver a Wide Array of PlayStation 2 Titles Through March 2001

EA expects to ship an incredible lineup of games by March of 2001 (FY01). Some of those titles include:

FIFA 2001 - Another EA title that's expected to be a top-seller worldwide. FIFA 2001 Major League Soccer(TM) will include more than 50 National teams and 17 different leagues. The sights and sounds of the soccer environment come to life in FIFA 2001 Major League Soccer and define the interactive on-field soccer experience.

NBA(R) Live 2001 - This hoops game allows the player to control the post or fly high above the rim with many new moves and features. With all-new player reactions and bench sequences, redesigned commentary, and crowd animations, the stadium comes alive.

Tiger Woods PGA TOUR(R) 2001 - Will be the most realistic and graphically compelling interactive golf title on any console. Players don't just play golf, they live the experience in six competitive modes. Through a visually stunning 3-D game engine, authentic golf ball physics and real-time analog swing, game players can fully experience golf with all of its thrills and challenges. Players can compete as or against top PGA TOUR pros including Tiger Woods, Justin Leonard, Brad Faxon, Robert Damron, Stewart Cink and Mark Calcavecchia on the exclusively licensed Pebble Beach Golf Links(R).

Triple Play 2002 - Whether you step to the plate and face the computer-generated Artificial Intelligence or go head-to-head against your best friend, Triple Play 2002 will challenge and entertain from the first pitch to the final out. Major League Baseball(TM) (MLB(TM)) and MLBPA licenses give game players all the teams and players in the major leagues. Baseball's storied history comes alive with legendary players such as Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, and Ted Williams.

NASCAR(R)2001 - Dominate at Daytona in the toughest, most compelling racing game on PlayStation 2. Compete for the NASCAR championship against 34 NASCAR drivers who model real-life tendencies and abilities. Hit the track with full car damage, big wrecks, and fender-to-fender excitement.

Knockout Kings(TM)2001- Go toe-to-toe with legendary champions including Muhammad Ali, Lennox Lewis, Oscar De La Hoya, and Sugar Ray Leonard in the only real boxing game on PlayStation 2. Full body scanning replicates each boxer in unprecedented detail. Knockout Kings 2001 also features some of the best female boxers in the world along with current stars and legendary fighters.