PlayStation®2 Computer Entertainment System Makes Its North American Consumer Debut on the Playstation 2 Touring Attraction

Sony Computer Entertainment America announced today that its completely refurbished PlayStation®2 Touring Attraction will make its debut at the Hard Rock Cafe Rockfest presented by Oldsmobile Alero on Saturday, July 22 at the Chicago Motor Speedway. The PlayStation 2 Touring Attraction, a 68-foot custom-designed tractor-trailer, will provide fans the first opportunity for an exclusive, hands-on experience with the revolutionary computer entertainment system to be released in the fall.

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Inside the climate-controlled trailer environment, more than 60 participants at a time can play yet-to-be released PlayStation 2 game titles including Namco's Tekken Tag Tournament™ and Ridge Racer® V, Take Two Interactive's Smuggler's Run™, Agetec's Armored Core®2 and more. For head-to-head competition, the vehicle's layout converts into a championship arena where players can compete on an 80-inch big screen. Additionally, four 40-inch screens and twenty-six 20-inch screens, ensure quality entertainment will be accessible for all fans.

"We are extremely proud to present the U.S. consumer debut of the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system this summer, providing loyal PlayStation fans across the nation with the ultimate computer entertainment experience through our customized touring vehicle," said Andrew House, vice president, marketing, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "The sheer power and revolutionary gameplay of the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system are best understood when experiencing the system first hand. The PlayStation 2 Touring Attraction allows our consumers the exclusive pre-launch opportunity to be among very first to sample the awesome strength of the product."

The PlayStation 2 Touring Attraction is the most technologically advanced touring vehicle ever designed by the company. The unit is designed to offer a variety of gameplay situations and is capable of adapting to a variety of situations, including light and weather conditions. During daytime appearances the vehicle offers two enclosed environments that cater to playing excitement; a general gaming area and a championship arena. At night, when weather conditions allow, the PlayStation 2 Touring Attraction transforms and literally opens up, allowing the general public to view players in PlayStation 2 videogame action, while still controlling the level of light on-board for optimum gameplay.

The PlayStation 2 Touring Attraction offers a full range of both audio and video capabilities to expand the trailer into a complete entertainment destination. Real-time televised sporting events will be broadcast on board via a custom satellite system and can be viewed on several monitors throughout the vehicle. During occasions when a major televised sporting event is not scheduled, music videos by popular artists will be shown, as well as recent DVD movie releases.

Consumers can look forward to a wide range of entertainment software encompassing all genres when the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system launches in North America on October 26, 2000.

Rockfest is the first of stop on a summer tour, during which the PlayStation 2 truck will hit the 2000 Target Grand Prix, Chicago (July 28 - 30) and Musikfest 2000, Bethlehem, PA (August 4-13) reaching millions of fans. Tickets to Hard Rock Cafe Rockfest presented by Oldsmobile Alero are available through Ticketmaster or at the Chicago Motor Speedway box office at the cost of $65.

The festival will feature an unique, sponsor-branded entertainment zone complete with sports demonstrations, interactive activities, lifestyle and cultural exhibits, a variety of vendors and an onsite Hard Rock Cafe. This year's Hard Rock Cafe Rockfest presented by Oldsmobile Alero lineup includes live performances by Metallica, Kid Rock, Stone Temple Pilots, Third Eye Blind, The Tragically Hip, Veruca Salt, Tonic and Barenaked Ladies and others.

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® game console and the upcoming 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 game console and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PlayStation game console and the upcoming 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

Contact: Stephanie Iwamasa, 650-655-6083, or
stephanie_iwamasa@playstation.sony.com, or Sonya Conway, 213-489-8207, or
conways@fleishman.com, both of Sony Computer Entertainment

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