EA Ships The Sims Online; The #1 PC Game of All Time Goes Online

Business Wire, Dec 17, 2002

Business & Entertainment Editors

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 17, 2002

Electronic Arts (Nasdaq:ERTS) today announced the release of its highly anticipated PC game, The Sims Online(TM). The Sims Online is the Internet, multi-player version of the top-selling PC game of all time, The Sims(TM). The Sims Online is a massive virtual world created and populated by thousands of players from around the world. In this never-ending alternative reality players can be themselves or "Be Somebody. Else(TM)."

"This is one of the most entertaining, engaging and flat out fun games that EA has ever produced," said Don Mattrick, president worldwide studios for Electronic Arts. "I predict that a lot of people are going to skip work to play The Sims Online."

In The Sims Online, players create and control the actions of a character known as a Sim. Players enter the world with a small amount of money to spend as they wish. They can purchase their own piece of land to do with as they please or they can join with other players to create shared homes and businesses or host wild events.

Players can explore the neighborhoods around them and meet scores of other Sims along the way. Players get to know other Sims through live text chat and secret instant messages. As players type, their messages appear in speech bubbles above their Sims' heads. Sims can also express themselves through hundreds of animations. A polka, pile drive, or a passionate kiss are just a few of the gestures available for Sims to use to convey exactly what's on their mind.

"It's very inspirational for me to see how the original game has evolved into a vibrant online community where players can create their own world," said Will Wright, creator of The Sims. "The Sims Online gives players tremendous possibilities to construct, customize and personalize a world with their imagination as their only limit."

The Sims Online carries a monthly subscription fee of $9.99 with the first month being free. A credit card is required to register and play. An Internet connection is also required. The Sims Online carries an ESRB rating of "T" for teen. It is available in stores now for a suggested retail price of US $49.99 or by direct order from the EA Store(SM) at http://www.ea.com or by calling 877-EA-GAMES (1-877-324-2637).

Important information on The Sims Online including terms of service and game availability can be found at http://www.thesimsonline.com.

The Sims skyrocketed to the top of the charts when it began shipping to stores in February 2000 and quickly became a universal gaming and cultural phenomenon. The Sims was the best selling PC game of both 2000 and 2001 and is now the best selling PC game of all time. Translated into 16 different languages, The Sims has inspired five expansion packs: The Sims Livin' Large, The Sims House Party, The Sims Hot Date, The Sims Vacation and The Sims Unleashed. Combined sales for the franchise have topped 20 million units life-to-date. For more information on The Sims franchise titles, visit http://www.thesims.com.

Electronic Arts, headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, Electronic Arts posted revenues of more than $1.7 billion for fiscal 2002. The company develops, publishes and distributes software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS(TM), EA GAMES(TM), EA SPORTS BIG(TM) and EA.COM(SM). More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://www.info.ea.com.

Electronic Arts, EA SPORTS, EA GAMES, EA SPORTS BIG, The Sims, The Sims Online, "Be Somebody. Else." and EA STORE are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. EA.COM is a service mark of EA.com Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.