Sony Computer Entertainment America Announces Six Exclusive Titles For PlayStation®2

First-Party Software Titles Offer Wide Variety of Content to Consumers For the PlayStation 2 Computer Entertainment System

PRNewswire
FOSTER CITY, Calif.
12/04/2001

Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) Inc. announced today its first party software release calendar for the coming months for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. Over the course of the next four months, SCEA will release six exclusive first-party titles for PlayStation 2, encompassing a wide variety of genres.

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The lineup begins today with Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy™, the greatly anticipated action-adventure title from Naughty Dog, the creators of the Crash Bandicoot™ series, and NFL GameDay™ 2002, 989 Sports' intense football title. The new year will commence with the releases of Parappa The Rappa™ 2, the return of the original music-puzzle game and with Drakan: The Ancients' Gates™, the PlayStation 2 sequel to Surreal Software's 1999 hit PC game, both launching January 15, 2002. February kicks off with 989 Sports' new soccer title World Tour Soccer 2002™, followed by the latest addition to the best-selling golf series, Hot Shots Golf™ 3 in March.

"We are pleased to offer another six exclusive titles for the PlayStation 2 library, adding to the unparalleled breadth of content available to consumers on PlayStation 2 this holiday season and beyond," said Ami Blaire, director, product marketing. "Whether players are immersing themselves in the exciting world of Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy, or hitting the green with our signature comical characters in Hot Shots Golf 3, these titles are creating new paths in gameplay technology that will enhance the interactive entertainment experience in the home."

Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy (December 4, 2001)

Created and developed by Naughty Dog, Inc., Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy has been in development for three years and is the first new venture from Naughty Dog since the acclaimed Crash Bandicoot series, and, most recently, CTR (Crash Team Racing)™. Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy combines different genres, including action, platform, puzzles, adventure, strategy, racing and exploration into one enormous, epic fantasy. Unique and extraordinary gameplay mechanics, technological innovations, a cast of brilliant, new characters and huge, vibrant environments bring this amazing world to life. Delivering amazing animation, superior technology and absolutely stunning graphics, Jak and Daxter pushes the power of PlayStation 2, and offers an engaging, immersive entertainment experience that stretches the imagination.

NFL GameDay 2002 (December 4, 2001)

Continuing the tradition of PlayStation's original football franchise, NFL GameDay 2002 offers intense competitive football gameplay and unparalleled NFL realism. By using the latest 3D scanning equipment and cameras, 989 Sports brings amazing detail to players and stadiums like never seen before. NFL GameDay 2002 features a completely redesigned animation engine and exclusive multiple player motion-capture technology, translating into the most powerful and realistic tackle sequences. Play-by-play legend Dick Enberg and color commentator Dan Fouts provide innovative back-and-forth banter and key play analysis. In addition, Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro quarterback Donovan McNabb was motion captured and stars as cover athlete of NFL GameDay 2002.

Parappa The Rappa 2 (January 15, 2002)

In 1997, Parappa appeared on the PlayStation game console and started the music genre craze. Now he's back in Parappa the Rapper 2 with new hip-hop sounds and catchy lyrics produced by Masaya Matsuura, creator of the original Parappa the Rapper. Both new and familiar faces, from famed New York artist Rodney Greenblat, join Parappa on his quest to rid his town of the Evil Noodle Syndicate. The original rap star's back in the house ready for the new year!

Drakan: The Ancients' Gates (January 15, 2002)

In the ancient, decaying world of Drakan, the immortal Spirit Dragons are being held captive. Rynn, a brave female warrior, and Arohk, a fearless dragon, are called to save these spiritual leaders, as well as the last remnants of mankind. Embarking on an enchanted journey through eight vast, foreign environments, Rynn and Arohk cast magical spells, manage a variety of resources and utilize more than 50 powerful weapons in their quest to save civilization. With an immersive storyline, stunning graphics and intense battles, Surreal Software's Drakan: The Ancients' Gates places you within a world of magical creatures, mysterious lands and courageous conquests ... with the future of humanity at stake.

World Tour Soccer 2002 (February 2002)

Featuring more than 300 national and international club teams and over 5000 players from throughout the world, World Tour Soccer is poised to be the choice for fans and loyalists who truly know and love soccer. World Tour Soccer 2002 brings the fervor of the world's most popular sport to PlayStation 2 as teams battle for victory in an array of spectacular stadiums filled with loud, passionate fans boisterously supporting their team with electrifying chants while waving their team and country flags. With unparalleled depth of teams, players and gameplay, World Tour Soccer 2002 will kick off in February 2002.

Hot Shots Golf 3 (March 2002)

The award-winning gameplay of the Hot Shots Golf franchise makes its way onto PlayStation 2 in Hot Shots Golf 3. New and enhanced features provide the finest arcade-style for everyone. Play one of 15 off-the-wall characters each with their own personal style and trash-talking attitude. Not to mention the seven accompanying caddies with their hilarious antics. Tee off on six different courses that capture every graphical detail of tree-lined fairways, chest deep bunkers and manicured greens. Earn Hot Shots Points to upgrade your equipment and perform crushing 300+ yard drives, and "flaming" backspins.

The independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has rated

Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy "E" for Everyone; NFL Gameday has been rated "E" for Everyone; Parappa The Rappa 2 has not yet been rated; Drakan: The Ancients' Gates has been rated "M" for mature; Hot Shots Golf 3 has not yet been rated; World Tour Soccer 2002 has not yet been rated. For more information about the ESRB visit http://www.esrb.org/.

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 console and PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one 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.

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SOURCE: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

Contact: Charlotte Panther, +1-650-655-3542, or
charlotte_panther@playstation.sony.com, or Patrick Seybold, +1-650-655-5904,
or patrick_seybold@playstation.sony.com, both of Sony Computer Entertainment
America

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