All New and Redesigned NFL GameDay™ 2002 Now Available for Gridiron Action On the PlayStation®2 Computer Entertainment System

989 Sports'™ NFL GameDay 2002 Promises a Fully Immersive PlayStation 2 Football Experience Following a Ground-Up Off-Season Redesign

PRNewswire
FOSTER CITY, Calif.
12/04/2001

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced today that the all-new NFL GameDay™ 2002 from the 989 Sports™ development team is now available in stores, marking the debut of the popular football franchise following a ground-up off-season redesign. Sporting a new game engine and unprecedented technology, NFL GameDay 2002 features all-new gameplay, updated graphics utilizing revolutionary 3D player scanning technology and unparalleled realism through the use of exclusive multiple-player motion capture that combine for a fully immersive NFL experience.

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

NFL GameDay 2002 brings the true-to-life excitement and competition of the NFL to PlayStation®2. Revolutionary game physics produce authentic NFL action, allowing players to spin off would be tacklers, stiff-arm oncoming defenders or make spectacular one-handed catches. The unmatched gridiron action is further enhanced by completely new player models that promise undaunted realism as players from every position were scanned in full uniform to bring them to life like never before.

"989 Sports is proud to bring the all-new NFL GameDay 2002 to market, further emphasizing our dedication to the GameDay franchise and our commitment to offer one of the most authentic sports games available," said Ami Blaire, director, product marketing, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. "Following a ground-up redesign that incorporates a new game engine, revolutionary technology which creates unparalleled graphics and spectacular gameplay, NFL GameDay 2002 is made for fans as well as gamers who live for the competition of sports."

Highlighted by motion capture animation and game consultation from Philadelphia Eagles Pro Bowl quarterback and cover athlete Donovan McNabb, NFL GameDay 2002 provides the ultimate in NFL excitement. Featuring all-new commentary from the legendary Dick Enberg and color commentator Dan Fouts, NFL GameDay 2002 sports fully updated team rosters, team and individual player statistical tracking in 163 categories and impressive stadiums and playing environments so the football action is nonstop, whether honing your skills in Exhibition Mode, or trying to win it all in Season or General Manager Mode.

  NFL GameDay 2002 for PlayStation 2 New Features:

  -- Revolutionary 3D Player Scanning Technology - Using the latest 3D
     scanning equipment and cameras, the NFL players come to life like never
     before.  Portraits of faces, arms, torsos and legs have been scanned in
     full uniform to deliver incredibly lifelike facial features, skin color
     and uniform textures.  Every position has been photographed and scanned
     for maximum realism.
  -- Exclusive Multiple Player Motion Capture - All new technology
     translates into realism that captures the power and athleticism of the
     NFL in amazing detail.  For the first time ever, simultaneous motion
     capture sessions with two defenders trying to tackle a relentless ball
     carrier deliver sophisticated gang tackle sequences.  See drag downs,
     multiple player tackles, lineman battling for position, pass protection
     blocks and ankle tackles.  New catch animations include bobble catches,
     one handed grabs and diving two-handed snags.
  -- Awesome 3D-Physics Based Gameplay - Feel the smoothest and most
     responsive gameplay.  Each player occupies his own personal, 3D space
     that allows gamers to move around the field like a ball carrier during
     a NFL game.  State-of-the art physics allow gamers to spin off would be
     tacklers, stiff-arm oncoming defenders, push off defensive backs to
     make jumping, one handed catches and drag down or throw down ball
     carriers with authority.
  -- Next Generation Artificial Intelligence - See offensive lines perform
     trap blocks on bull rushing defensive linemen, receivers running
     underneath routes after reading a zone defense and quarterbacks
     executing screen passes to rattle blitzing defenses.  On defense, which
     is what put NFL GameDay on the charts, players communicate changes in
     coverage and alignment based on the offensive formations at the line of
     scrimmage.
  -- Donovan McNabb Motion Capture and Gameplay Consultation - Philadelphia
     Eagles Pro Bowl quarterback, Donovan McNabb, has been motion captured
     and consulted on gameplay to deliver a truly realistic football gaming
     experience.
  -- New Dan Fouts and Dick Enberg Commentary - Play-by-Play legend Dick
     Enberg and ABC Sports color commentator Dan Fouts have been recorded to
     recreate the ultimate TV style broadcast.  Innovative back and forth
     banter, key play analysis and player identification will keep gamers
     glued to the TV.

The independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rates NFL GameDay 2002 "E" for "Everyone." For more information about the ESRB visit http://www.esrb.org/.

About 989 Sports

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.

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: Jamie Tica of Sony Computer Entertainment America,
+1-858-824-5854, or jamie_tica@playstation.sony.com; or Rick Heineman for Sony
Computer Entertainment America, +1-310-274-7800, or rheineman@bncpr.com

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