Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. Demonstrates Commitment to its 989 Sports™ Label With Acquisition of Red Zone Interactive, Inc.

In a strategic initiative to remain competitive in the sports category, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced today that it has acquired Red Zone Interactive, Inc., the software development house responsible for hit 989 Sports titles including the renowned NFL GameDay™ series.

(Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000510/SFW104-a )

As a result of the acquisition, Red Zone Interactive, Inc. becomes a division of Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.'s first party product development operation lead by Shuhei Yoshida, vice president, product development. Red Zone Interactive will continue to develop for and expand its sports catalog exclusively on the PS one™ console and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. Financial terms of this arrangement are not available.

Personnel from Sony Interactive Studios America, the defunct development studio division responsible for all of Sony Computer Entertainment America's in-house game development from 1995-1998, founded Red Zone Interactive, Inc. in December 1997. Based in San Diego, Calif., the company currently employs 65 people. Red Zone Interactive does not plan to move its development facilities or make staffing changes. Red Zone Interactive president Chris Whaley will report directly to Yoshida.

"We are excited about the opportunity to have one of the top sports game developers join our ranks, bringing colossal talent into the confines of the organization," said Shuhei Yoshida, vice president, product development, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. "Throughout the course of the year, we have expanded our internal development efforts considerably. And although we have enjoyed a tremendous working relationship with Red Zone Interactive to date, we now can concentrate on solidifying PlayStation and PlayStation 2 as the ultimate destination for sports game enthusiasts."

"The acquisition will provide Red Zone Interactive development teams greater access to the vast technical and operational resources of Sony Computer Entertainment America," said Chris Whaley, president, Red Zone Interactive, Inc. "We are proud to rejoin the company responsible for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, which we believe will revolutionize the future of not just videogaming, but also home entertainment."

989 Sports is the sports software brand of Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. Known for its top-selling sports franchise titles such as NFL GameDay™, MLB™, NBA ShootOut, NHL FaceOff™, NCAA® Final Four® and NCAA® GameBreaker™, 989 Sports is committed to developing authentic and innovative sports games to appeal to both the professional athlete and hard-core sports videogame fan.

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one™ game console and the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. The PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system is set to revolutionize the home entertainment market, offering the most compelling interactive content and the capability to be used as a network terminal in the coming broadband era.

Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PS one game console and PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one game console and the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif., Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000510/SFW104-a

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SOURCE: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

Contact: Molly Smith, 650-655-6044, or molly_smith@playstation.sony.com,
or Stephanie Iwamasa, 650-655-6083, or stephanie_iwamasa@playstation.sony.com,
both of Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

Website: http://www.playstation.com/

Website: http://www.989sports.com/