Sly 2: Band of Thieves™ Returns to the Scene of the Crime This Holiday Exclusively on Playstation®2

Sequel to the Critically Acclaimed Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus® Introduces Innovative Heist Gameplay, Interactive Environments and Spectacular Comic-Book Inspired Graphics

PRNewswire
FOSTER CITY, Calif.
09/14/2004

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced today the launch of Sly 2: Band of Thieves™, a comic crime, action-adventure designed exclusively for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. Created by Seattle-based developer, Sucker Punch Productions, Sly 2: Band of Thieves builds upon the worldwide million unit seller and "Greatest Hits" title Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus®, through team-based thievery, immersive storylines and highly interactive environments. With its unique cel-shaded illustrated rendering technology, innovative character designs and variety of gameplay, Sly 2: Band of Thieves is set to become a PlayStation 2 favorite this holiday season.

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

"Sly 2: Band of Thieves is a platforming masterpiece with addictive gameplay that is sophisticated yet accessible for PlayStation 2 fans of all ages" said Grady Hunt, senior producer, product development, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "We are thrilled to have this title as part of this year's premier PlayStation 2 holiday lineup as Sucker Punch has once again provided players with an innovative experience that looks and plays like an animated feature."

Word is out that Interpol has excavated the robotic remains of Clockwerk -- Sly's nemesis and sworn enemy of the Cooper clan. Sly and his gang discover the parts of Clockwerk are missing, and embark on a quest to ensure Clockwerk is never reassembled. The journey takes Sly and his crew to the far reaches of the globe, including Paris, Prague, India, the Canadian Wilderness and more, each with unique and diverse landscapes and environments all waiting to be explored. The deep and expansive story is filled with deceit, surprising plot twists and an exciting romantic triangle that will leave players wanting more.

Sly 2: Band of Thieves already has been receiving much critical-acclaim from the gaming press, recently receiving an IGN.com Editors Choice Award. "It's amazing what two years can do for a development company and it's clear from playing through Sly 2: Band of Thieves that the folks at Sucker Punch Studios have been putting their heart and soul into creating a game that is both fun and entertaining at the same time, said Ed Lewis, editor, IGN.com. "The amount of creativity that is packed into the different quests and the various characters is nothing short of amazing and it all combines to form an incredibly fun adventure."

Sly 2: Band of Thieves blends many gameplay elements together, including stealth, thievery, platform adventure, combat, strategy and exploration. Incorporating a creative new approach to team play, Sly and his crew are all playable and must work together to plan and pull off a series of big heists. With enhanced move sets, including pick-pocketing, vent crawls, rooftop chases and stealth attacks, Sly 2: Band of Thieves delivers a true thieving experience as players explore the open environments and must think on their feet to survive.

To prepare for this holiday season, Sly 2: Band of Thieves is receiving full marketing support in the following categories to extend consumer awareness for this genre-breaking title.

National Broadcast/Cable Advertising Campaign

The television campaign for Sly 2: Band of Thieves kicked off on July 19 with a tease campaign airing on kids and youth-oriented networks and continues during primetime programming. The spots will run in various time slots on broadcast, cable and syndicated programming continuing through the holiday season. A total of five different executions will air on primetime and late night including "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," "Last Call with Carson Daly," and "Mad TV." Targeted cable programming will also be utilized with spots running on Cartoon Network, MTV, ESPN, Fox, Sci-Fi, USA Network and Nickelodeon. Cartoon Network also will run an integrated on-air sweepstakes for Sly 2: Band of Thieves. This promotion will run in a two-week window on Cartoon Network on Saturday evenings. Cartoon Network will also create a custom mini-site for demos, sweepstakes, prizing information and a game review.

National Print Advertising Campaign

To support the mainstream appeal of Sly 2: Band of Thieves, a massive print advertising campaign, running over five months, will reach more than 42.2 million readers through a wide variety of national consumer publications including People, Entertainment Weekly, Family Fun and many more. Targeted publications also include leading gaming magazines such as Electronic Gaming Monthly, The Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine, GameNow, Game Informer, PSM, Game Pro, Tips and Tricks, PLAY and PSE2. In addition, an aggressive online advertising campaign will reach over 47 million readers through outlets such as Google key word searches, rich media and e-cards on Yahooligans, IGN.com, Disney.com and many more.

The independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has rated Sly 2: Band of Thieves "E" for Everyone. For more information about the ESRB visit www.esrb.org.

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.

Visit us on the Web at www.us.playstation.com.

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SOURCE: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

CONTACT: Jennifer Clark, +1-650-655-5994, or
jennifer_clark@playstation.sony.com; or Alyssa Casella, +1-650-655-3617, or
alyssa_casella@playstation.sony.com, both of Sony Computer Entertainment
America Inc.

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