ScanSoft's Speech Technology Selected by Sony Computer Entertainment America for Use in Latest PlayStation 2 Title, SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs

Business Wire, Oct 8, 2002

Business/Technology Editors

PEABODY, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 8, 2002

Advanced Speech Recognition Technology Provides Command and Control for SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs on the PlayStation 2, Adding New Dimension

and Interface to the Gaming Experience

ScanSoft, Inc. (Nasdaq: SSFT), the leading supplier of imaging, speech and language solutions, today announced that Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. (SCEA) has incorporated ScanSoft's speech recognition engine into its newest PlayStation(R) 2 release, SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs. With this agreement, SCEA has licensed ScanSoft's Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) 1600 speech engine to provide voice-enabled command and control for a variety of pivotal game actions and events in SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs, available exclusively for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system.

One of the industry's most anticipated games of the year, SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs provides multiple players with the ability to speak with one another, as well as interact through voice recognition with the game itself. Bundled with a Logitech(R) headset, SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs is the first in a new generation of games and applications that uses the power of speech recognition to provide advanced command and control of the gaming environment, as well as real-life interaction for gaming enthusiasts.

"ScanSoft has a great reputation for bringing the highest quality speech technology into new creative application areas. We are excited to launch SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs, the first entertainment title in the online PlayStation 2 line-up, with their technology," said Seth Luisi, Producer, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "In ScanSoft, we have found a new technology partner whose products are of the utmost quality, easy to integrate and ultimately provide a new element of fun and excitement to our games."

With technology and gaming strategies that have never been used before, SOCOM: US Navy SEALs is the first in a new category of games that incorporates the excitement and real-time capabilities of online gaming and interaction through a player's voice. By enabling real-time communication and realistic graphics, SOCOM: US Navy SEALs allows users to experience intense, military team combat action by becoming an elite SEAL commander trained to take down hostile forces throughout the world.

"Speech technology is at the forefront of changing trends for all types of industries," said Wayne Crandall, senior vice president for sales and business development for ScanSoft. "This partnership, and the resulting potential for revolutionizing and developing more advanced systems for the gaming environment, is a key initiative for ScanSoft, particularly within its speech technologies."

ScanSoft's ASR 1600 SDK enables computers and appliances to listen to human speech commands and interpret them into action, thus enhancing and optimizing the user's interaction with any application or device appliance. The ASR 1600 SDK offers PC and Multimedia desktop application developers a full suite of advanced speech recognition tools, featuring high accuracy, noise robustness, superior functionality and flexibility across many platforms. ASR 1600 allows continuous speech input, command and control and complex computer dialogs for numerous applications including:

-- Simplified access to the Web and Web-based applications

-- Total immersion and full interactions with a variety of gaming

applications

-- Vastly improved industrial and professional productivity by enabling hands-free operation

-- Efficient form-filling and easy access to business-critical information

-- Fully interactive language learning courses, enabling a real-world experience for language applications and education

About ScanSoft, Inc.

ScanSoft, Inc. is the leading supplier of imaging, speech and language solutions that are used to automate a wide range of manual processes--saving time, increasing worker productivity and improving customer service. For additional information on the company, please visit www.ScanSoft.com.

Trademark reference: ScanSoft and the ScanSoft logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of ScanSoft, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other company names and product names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

The statements in this press release that relate to future plans, events or performance are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with market trends, competitive factors, and other risks identified in ScanSoft's SEC filings. Actual results, events and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date hereof.