Midway Sports Asylum Delivers Exclusive 4-On-4, Adrenaline-style Hockey Videogame NHL Hitz 20-02

Business Wire, June 5, 2001

Entertainment Editors and Technology Writers

CHICAGO--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--June 5, 2001

NHL(R) Hitz(TM) 20-02 Provides Realistic Hockey Action Combined with

Big Hits, Big Checks and Lightning-fast Gameplay

Midway Sports Asylum(TM), the sports brand of leading software industry publisher and developer Midway Games Inc. (NYSE:MWY), announced today that NHL(R) Hitz(TM) 20-02, an all-new adrenaline-style, 4-on-4 hockey videogame, is in development for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox(TM) videogame system from Microsoft and the Nintendo GameCube(TM).

Officially licensed by the NHL(R) and the NHLPA with real NHL(R) teams and players, NHL(R) Hitz 20-02 is scheduled to ship in Winter 2001.

Developed by the accomplished hockey development team Black Box Games, Ltd., NHL(R) Hitz 20-02 brings the realism of over-the-top hockey action to players in stunning detail, with rich animations and robust player models. NHL(R) Hitz 20-02 features lightning-fast gameplay, play-by-play commentary and a "never-before-seen" interactive 3D crowd that reacts based on the action on the ice -- crowds will bang on the glass, throw hats on ice and walk out on bad games. Gamers will definitely feel the burn of a 125MPH slap shot as the frenzied fans heckle them from the bleachers.

In true NHL(R) fashion, players skate full-speed into the boards to retrieve a loose puck, sacrifice their bodies by sliding in front of a 125MPH slapshot and throw down their gloves to defend their team. NHL(R) Hitz 20-02 also features Midway's classic "on-fire mode" where players will literally catch fire and become unstoppable.

"NHL(R) Hitz 20-02 will set the standard for hockey videogames on the next-generation platforms," said Helene Sheeler, vice president of marketing, Midway. "NHL(R) Hitz 20-02 has a great mix of frenetic gameplay, hockey realism and revolutionary features."

Players will have the chance to play as their favorite NHL(R) star presented in amazing detail with real player stats and attributes. Shatter the boards and slice through the net in 30 arenas with 32 unique and hidden fantasy rinks and unlockable secret players and teams.

Mini games with authentic NHL(R) super skills competitions help players hone their skills before games, while multiplayer hockey allows one to six gamers (PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and Xbox) to battle it out head-to-head. Gamers can also create the ultimate ice warrior with the Create-A-Player feature.

NHL(R) Hitz Key Features

-- Adrenaline-Style, Over-the-Top Gameplay -- Players leap, glide, check,
fight, pass and score on would be defenders

-- Outrageous, Over-the-Top Animations -- Watch out for the blistering "on
fire" puck

-- NHL(R) and NHLPA Licensed Product -- Play your favorite NHL(R) teams and
players

-- Classic Midway Sports Asylum On-Fire Mode -- Players and teams catch fire
and become almost unstoppable

-- Fully 3D Modeled Crowd -- First interactive 3D crowd in any sports videogame


-- Fantasy Stadiums, Hidden Teams and Players -- Secret arenas for every team
presented in a unique fantasy setting, as well as hidden teams and special
players to unlock along the way

-- Next Generation Graphics -- Photo-realistic graphics that deliver hockey
like never before

-- Big Players -- Huge player models with real player faces and expressions

-- Mini-Games -- Including skills competitions straight from the official
NHL(R) and NHLPA super skills competition

-- Create-A-Player -- Allows players to design their ultimate ice warrior

-- High Powered Play-by-Play -- Commentary to describe all of the outrageous
action

-- Big Hits -- Aggressive hits that break the glass, putting players over the
boards

-- Different Player Skill Sets -- Real player stats, abilities and attributes

-- Multiplayer Hockey -- One to six players

-- Ice Deterioration -- As the game progresses, the ice will show wear-and-tear

Midway Games Inc. is a leading developer, publisher and marketer of interactive software. Midway games are available for play on all major home game platforms, including the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system and PlayStation(R) game console, Nintendo(R) 64 and Game Boy(R) Color, and Sega Dreamcast(TM).

For more information about Midway Games visit www.midway.com.

NHL(R) Hitz(TM) 20-02 (c) 2001 Midway Home Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved. HITZ is a trademark of Midway Home Entertainment Inc. MIDWAY and the Midway logos are trademarks of Midway Amusement Games, LLC. Used by permission. All NHL logos and marks and team logos and marks depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. (c) 2001 NHL. All rights reserved. National Hockey League Player's Association, NHLPA and NHLPA Logo are trademarks of the NHLPA and are used, under license, by Midway Home Entertainment Inc. (c) NHLPA. NHL and NHL super skills are registered trademarks of the NHL.

"PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Xbox and Microsoft are trademarks of Microsoft Corp. Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo 64 and Game Boy Color are trademarks of Nintendo. All other trademarks are the property of their respective companies.