989 Sports™ Delivers This Season's Only College Football Game For the PlayStation®2 Computer Entertainment System With NCAA® GameBreaker™ 2001

Franchise Makes its Next-Generation Debut with Stunning College Pigskin Realism

PRNewswire
FOSTER CITY, Calif.
12/19/2000

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced today that NCAA® GameBreaker™ 2001 from the 989 Sports™ development team is now available for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, marking the introduction of the 989 Sports college sports franchise to the new system. Featuring the most advanced graphics available for any college football title and lightning-fast gameplay, NCAA GameBreaker 2001 for the PlayStation®2 delivers 989 Sports' most comprehensive college sports title to date and also captures the college football spirit traditionally found in the GameBreaker series. In addition, legendary college football announcer Keith Jackson calls every bone-crushing hit, razor-sharp pass and game-breaking play for NCAA GameBreaker 2001.

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

NCAA GameBreaker 2001 re-creates Saturday afternoons with mirror-images of all 115 Division I-A football stadiums from Michigan's "Big House" to the Rose Bowl, all rendered in amazing detail that only the PlayStation 2 can produce. Gamers can navigate any of the 115 Division I-A programs through their conference races and into one of 20 bowl games while leading their star players in pursuit of the Heisman® Trophy™ and All-American status. Adding to the game's realism are more than 30 authentic fight songs and hundreds of motion-captured animations including new tackles, special moves and jukes. Just as in real college football, dangerous "GameBreakers" can change a game's complexion whenever they touch the ball.

"NCAA GameBreaker 2001 for the PlayStation captures the true spirit of college sports," said Ami Blaire, director, product marketing, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. "From its graphics and gameplay, the inclusion of realistic elements such as all 115 Division I-A programs, and the play-by-play call of broadcast icon Keith Jackson, NCAA GameBreaker 2001 transports gamers right into the college action, bringing them closer to the real thing than ever before."

989 Sports™ benefited from game consultation from last year's Heisman Trophy winner and former University of Wisconsin running back Ron Dayne, as well as University of Washington head coach Rick Neuheisel. Both Dayne, who finished his Badger career as college football's all-time rushing leader, and Neuheisel helped add to the game's authenticity through play calling strategies and play design.

NCAA GameBreaker 2001 features superior gameplay to accompany amazing visuals and true-to-life college football action. With Total Control Passing™, players can adjust to changing defenses by leading or under-throwing receivers so the ball is placed just where the receiver can catch it. Special moves allow "GameBreakers" to juke overmatched defenders, while a well-timed leap can tip the ball away from the outstretched hands of the intended receiver. A "Career Mode" allows a player to assume the duties of a head coach, coordinator or assistant in leading a run at the National Championship. Players can then progress up the coaching ladder, landing jobs at higher profile schools depending on the success of their squad.

NCAA GameBreaker 2001 allows gamers to take their best players to the next level. Gamers are able to save senior players from NCAA GameBreaker 2001 and draft them into the NFL by downloading them into 989 Sports' pro football release, NFL GameDay™ 2001 for the PlayStation 2.

NCAA GameBreaker 2001 for the PlayStation 2 Key Features:

-- All 115 NCAA Division I-A teams and stadiums, plus 64 classic teams from the past

-- Authentic college play formations and playbooks featuring more than 600 plays designed by college coaches such as the University of Washington's Rick Neuheisel and UCLA's Bob Toledo and by GameBreaker cover athlete Ron Dayne, the 1999 Heisman Trophy winner

-- Five gameplay modes: Scrimmage, Fantasy, Tournament, Bowl Season and Career

-- "Career Mode" enables the user to assume the duties of a head coach, coordinator or assistant in leading a run at the National Championship

-- TV-style presentation with extended analysis from legendary college football announcer Keith Jackson

-- NFL GameDay 2001 compatible -- users can save senior players from and import them into NFL GameDay 2001 for PlayStation 2

-- All-new gameplay animations include new tackles, special moves and jukes

-- All 3D polygonal players scaled to actual height and weight

-- Authentic college fight songs and drums provide the most realistic college football environment, while real audio enhances every juke, grunt and bone-crunching hit

-- "Blue Chip Recruiting" feature allows gamers to sign recruits and build powerhouse teams

-- Play in 21 different bowl games, including the Rose Bowl™, and individual players can compete for the Heisman Trophy, Sears National Championship Trophy, All American Team and Freshman of the Year Award

-- Utilizes more than 250 motion capture animations of former college standouts and current NFL Pros, including Akili Smith, Charles Woodson, Tim Brown, Chad Brown, Mike Alstott, Jason Sehorn, Hardy Nickerson, Christian Fauria, Jimmy Smith and Lamont Warren

-- True-to-life "GameBreakers" can change the outcome of a game with each touch of the ball

-- Supports the DUALSHOCK™ 2 analog controller for the ultra-realistic experience

-- Total Control Passing allows players to lead or under-throw receivers so the ball is placed out of the reach of greedy defenders

-- Wind, snow and rain all affect gameplay, while uniforms show mud and grass stains depending on field conditions

  -- Tracking of game and full season statistics in every major category
  -- Up to eight players with Multi Tap (for PlayStation®2)

The independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rates NCAA GameBreaker 2001 "E" for "Everyone." For more information about the ESRB visit http://www.esrb.org/.

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® 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 game console and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PlayStation 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: Jamie Tica of Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.,
858-824-5854, or jamie_tica@playstation.sony.com; or Chris Overholser,
213-489-8239, or overholc@fleishman.com, for Sony Computer Entertainment
America Inc.

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