Sony Computer Entertainment America Reinforces Commitment to Innovative Game Development With Acquisition of Incog Inc.

Developers of the Multi-Million-Unit Twisted Metal® Franchise Strengthen Company's Expansive Creative Team

PRNewswire
FOSTER CITY, Calif.
08/05/2002

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced today that it acquired Incog Inc. Entertainment, developers of the wildly popular Twisted Metal® franchise. The acquisition combines Incog's imaginative creativity with Sony Computer Entertainment America's leading-edge technology to further bolster PlayStation®2 as the world's leading computer entertainment system.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020701/SFM066LOGO )

As part of the acquisition, Incog becomes part of Sony Computer Entertainment America's Santa Monica studio group. Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, Incog will continue to be managed by Scott Campbell, the company's president and principal founder. Incog, which currently employs 51 people, will not move its current development facilities and no staffing or workforce changes are anticipated. The company plans to further build upon its successful reputation as one of the premier PlayStation development operations, and will continue to operate under the Incog corporate name. Financial terms of this arrangement are not available.

"We are thrilled to have the highly talented developers of the best-selling car combat series officially join the PlayStation family," said Shuhei Yoshida, vice president, product development, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "As our partnership has extended over a period of years, we are excited about the opportunity to have this top team join our ranks, and we welcome them whole-heartedly into our first party development operation."

"The Twisted Metal franchise is deeply anchored in the success of the PlayStation platforms," said Scott Campbell, president, Incog Inc. Entertainment. "Aligning our creative approach toward game development with Sony Computer Entertainment America's industry-leading platforms allows us to offer ground-breaking content to fans around the world. We are proud to be part of this organization."

To date, Incog has developed the best-selling Twisted Metal, Twisted Metal 2, TWISTED METAL® Small Brawl™ for the PlayStation and PS one™ consoles; Twisted Metal: Black™ for PlayStation 2; and Twisted Metal: Black Online, the group's first online title scheduled for release on August 27 in conjunction with the Network Adaptor (Ethernet/Modem) (for PlayStation®2). The company is currently working on War of the Monsters™ for PlayStation 2, scheduled for release in early 2003.

When the original Twisted Metal game was released in 1995, the development team was credited with creating and perfecting 3D car combat in next generation gaming. Overall, the Twisted Metal franchise has sold more than five million units in North America, making it the best-selling car combat series ever.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

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 PlayStation family of products 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.

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SOURCE: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

CONTACT: Molly Smith, +1-650-655-6044, or
molly_smith@playstation.sony.com, or Monica Wik, +1-650-655-5394, or
monica_wik@playstation.sony.com, both of Sony Computer Entertainment America

Web site: http://www.playstation.com/