It's Time for NBA Fans to Lace Up Their High Tops as 989 Sports™ Announces The Arrival of NBA Shootout 2001 for the Playstation®2 Computer Entertainment System

Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) Inc. announced today that NBA ShootOut 2001 from the 989 Sports™ development team is now available in stores, marking the first installment of the ShootOut franchise for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. Designed to provide gamers with the ultimate NBA basketball experience, NBA ShootOut 2001 features stunningly detailed graphics, exciting true-to-life gameplay and a revolutionary new network-quality game presentation that blurs the distinction between game and on-the-court basketball action. NBA ShootOut 2001 also comes complete with a variety of camera angles provided by twenty-two cameras, play-by-play commentary from New Jersey Nets broadcaster Ian Eagle, extensive rosters including veteran and rookie players from all 29 NBA teams, authentic NBA playbooks, real NBA arenas, and the ability to play in the NBA All-Star Game, Playoffs and NBA Finals.

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

NBA ShootOut 2001 for the PlayStation 2 takes a videogame franchise that has always been graphically impressive to new levels of realism. With a newly designed game engine that operates at 60 frames per second, gamers will be treated to state-of-the-art ball, rim and collision physics. Arenas are designed perfectly to mimic their real-life counterparts and, when combined with flawless floor graphics for every NBA team, NBA ShootOut 2001 presents an NBA environment that is unparalleled.

"Sony Computer Entertainment America is delighted to offer the most realistic pro basketball game on the market, NBA ShootOut 2001," said Ami Blaire, director of product marketing, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. "Working within the expansive capabilities of the PlayStation 2, the 989 Sports development team produced an amazing end-result. The detailed graphics and improved gameplay make the latest version of ShootOut the best yet and we are confident that fans of the franchise and new gamers will all agree."

To complement the enhancement of the game's graphical elements and contribute to the highest level of realism, controls have been made more intuitive in order to equip gamers with superior responsiveness and control. Franchise-exclusive features including Advanced Dribbling Control, Touch Shooting and Auto Defend put one-touch control at the gamer's fingertips, making it easier to maneuver players and execute special moves.

Leveraging the power of the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, NBA ShootOut 2001 also offers a significant hike in the volume of motion-captured animations. More than 1,000 authentic NBA moves and over 50 signature dunks have been motion-captured by incorporating the moves of NBA stars such as Jason Kidd of the Phoenix Suns. Player models have been designed with 18 times the clarity of their PlayStation counterparts, including height, weight, body style, texture-mapped faces, head shapes and skin tones. Team specific playbooks with over 450 plays have been created in cooperation with some of the NBA's top players, including Chris Webber, Charles "Bo" Outlaw and Jerry Stackhouse. Also, for the first time in the history of the NBA ShootOut franchise, animated referees will be calling the game from the floor.

  NBA ShootOut 2001 for the PlayStation 2 Key Features:

  -- Exclusive Match-Up & Deny, Read & React A.I. -- This means you'll need
     to "show up for the game".  The artificial opponent now knows how to
     better manage passing, fouls, timeouts and the clock
  -- Icon Passing -- Pick your passes and get the ball to a specific
     teammate.  Work the D or get the ball outside for the open three
  -- Touch Shooting -- Refine your touch by using the touch shooting meter
     to control the accuracy of your shot
  -- Advanced Dribbling Control -- Ball control is key -- new special moves
     include the spin, between the legs, crossover and behind the back
  -- Signature Dunks -- More than 50 signature dunks including the
     two-handed, between the legs, cradle, and tomahawk jams
  -- Hot Streaks -- Hit three in a row and you are in the zone.  Miss too
     many and you could struggle to make a lay-up
  -- Create Player -- Utilize player ratings to create an all-world talent
     or design a player to reflect your own characteristics
  -- Comprehensive Statistical Analysis -- Stats for teams, individuals,
     league leaders, standings, and comparison charts for teams and players
     help you to realize your strengths and weaknesses and let you know how
     you match up against the rest of the league
  -- Extensive Roster Management -- Edit your starting lineup, trade players
     or release and sign free agents to build your own power dynasty
  -- Six Game Modes -- Exhibition, Season or Playoffs in Simulation and
     Arcade modes, each with four levels of difficulty
  -- Extensive In-Game Options -- Control every aspect of the game from
     quarter length to fatigue, touch shooting, player ID, and auto replays

The independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rates NBA ShootOut 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™, SCEA's 989 Sports development team 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® 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 game console and PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system 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.

NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000510/SFW104-a

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SOURCE: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

Contact: Jamie Tica of Sony Computer Entertainment America,
858-824-5854, or jamie_tica@playstation.sony.com; or Scott Floyd of
Bragman Nyman Cafarelli, 310-205-8385, or sfloyd@bncpr.com, for Sony

Website: http://www.esrb.org/

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