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Online Auction Offers Gamers Exclusive Buying Opportunities; Online Auction on Amazon.com Kicks off Tomorrow, October 7

Business Wire, Oct 6, 2000

Business & Lifestyle Editors/Multimedia Writers

WASHINGTON, D.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 6, 2000

Beginning tomorrow, October 7th, computer and video game fans will have a unique opportunity to bid on games and products unavailable anywhere else, with proceeds going to Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the Interactive Digital Software Association (IDSA) announced today.

Consumers will find unique packages and hard-to-find products featured on "A Nite to Unite for Kids" national online auction, co-sponsored by Amazon.com. The online charity auction will run two weeks, October 7 - 20, at http://www.amazon.com/nite-to-unite-auction.> Presented by the Interactive Digital Software Association (IDSA), the trade association representing U.S. computer and video game publishers, "A Nite to Unite for Kids" is the premier charitable fundraising event for the interactive entertainment industry. Twenty-five leading computer and video game companies have come together to support this year's Nite to Unite benefit for children, providing a rare opportunity for gamers to get their hands on as-yet unreleased products and other unique items. Proceeds from this year's event will be donated to Boys & Girls Clubs of America, to underwrite a new delinquency prevention program.

Highlights of just a few of the exciting packages to be featured on this year's online auction include (more complete listing is available at the end of this article):


--   Gift certificate for PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system
     & upcoming PS2 games. Includes E-rated games: Madden NFL 2001,
     SSX, FIFA 2001, NHL 2001, NASCAR 2001, FI Championship Season
     2000. The winning bidder will be one of the first in North
     America to receive the highly anticipated PS2, shipped directly
     from Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.!

--   Tomb Raider Movie - Hollywood Premiere Package: Package includes
     two (2) tickets to the Hollywood Premiere of feature film "Tomb
     Raider" starring Angelina Jolie; domestic air transportation for
     two, hotel accommodations, limousine transportation to premiere,
     cast-signed movie poster and cast-signed movie script. To be held
     in Los Angeles in May or June 2001.

--   Gift certificate for one of the first of Nintendo's
     next-generation GameCube consoles and games -- shipped direct
     from Nintendo to the winning bidder!

--   NFL Blitz 2000 Gold Edition Arcade Machine.  Be the high bidder
     on an actual arcade game, delivered straight from Midway to your
     home (or office) and set up

--   Gift certificate for Microsoft's new Xbox Gaming System --
     certificate signed by Mr. Gates himself! Be among the first to
     own the hot new gaming console, sent directly from Microsoft to
     the winning bidders, as soon as they begin shipping in North
     America. We've got seven (7) certificates and they're sure to go
     fast!

--   Backstreet Boys' Autographed Game Boy Color -- with autographed
     photo. The popular quintet has signed 4 Game Boys -- one in each
     color! What could be a better gift for fans of both the
     pocket-sized game and the hot pop phenomenon?

--   Black leather "Xbox" jacket worn by Bill Gates when he announced
     the launch of Xbox! (An accompanying Newsweek article proves it!)
     The supple leather coat, autographed in silver by Mr. Gates, is
     from Banana Republic, size XL. Embroidered "X" on front left
     pocket and on back.

--   Michael Buffer of Midway's "Ready to Rumble" fame offers personal
     "Buffer" package. Ever wanted to have your Big Game narrated by a
     professional? How about an unusual twist for a birthday party? Be
     the winning bidder on this unique package to receive a
     personalized recording for your special occasion!

--   Be in an upcoming Video Game! -- How often does this opportunity
     present itself? The winning bidder gets to have his or her
     likeness in an upcoming video game!! Package includes signed copy
     of the game.

"We're very excited about being able to present this one of-a-kind auction featuring unique and hard-to-find game products, including a wide array of packages from IDSA members and others who want to help Boys & Girls Clubs of America," said IDSA President Douglas Lowenstein. "There will be something for everyone in this auction, and everyone wins with great products and proceeds helping America's kids."

The IDSA's third annual "Nite to Unite for Kids" charity event also features a black-tie-optional dinner and auction, on Tuesday, October 17, at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco. More than 800 interactive entertainment industry executives are expected to attend this year's benefit.

This year's event is co-chaired by Byron Cook of Midway, Tom Dusenberry of Hasbro Interactive/Games.com, and Kazuo Hirai of Sony Computer Entertainment America. Honored at this year's gala will be Joel Hochberg, president of Rare Inc., an industry veteran and active volunteer for children's charities in his native Miami.