Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment Announces New Interactive Marketing Initiatives

Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment (SPDE) announced that the leading online gaming division, Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (SOE), will host a mini-site at The Station ( http://www.station.com/ ) for the Sony Screen Gem's film "Resident Evil." With the film set for release on March 15, 2002, this collaborative effort marks the first time that SOE and SPDE's recently launched online marketing division, Sony Pictures Integrated Network (SPIN), have worked together to promote a film property from the studio.

"This campaign is a perfect illustration of how we are truly integrating our efforts and working together across all our businesses to deliver a thoroughly satisfying experience for our consumers" said Yair Landau, president of Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment. 'Resident Evil' is an exciting property for us to first utilize the combined strength of SOE's unparalleled gaming expertise with SPIN's marketing and promotional power."

Sony Online Entertainment will be working with Sony Pictures Integrated Network to cross-promote the best in motion picture entertainment at http://www.station.com/ beginning with "Resident Evil." Movie buffs and game players will enjoy a "Resident Evil"-themed Confetti™ game, sweepstakes, a gallery of movie images, behind-the-scenes film footage, the latest scoop on the movie's stars, a live chat, and a direct link to the official movie site at http://www.resident-evil-the-movie.com/ .

"The 'Resident Evil' property has a unique convergence of loyal game enthusiasts and adventure-seeking movie-goers," said Valerie Van Galder, executive vice president of marketing, Sony Screen Gems. "Being able to give fans a full range of opportunities to become immersed in the excitement of 'Resident Evil' is a great opportunity for us to work with SPDE. The mini-site really answers the demands of a multi-layered audience looking to be engaged."

"The 'Resident Evil' movie is yet another testament to the growing popularity of video games as serious entertainment," said Scott McDaniel, vice president of marketing, Sony Online Entertainment. "Leveraging new mediums such as film, television and the Internet, video games are not only reaching vastly larger audiences than ever before, but creating an expanding global community of gamers through online gameplay, chat rooms and related news and information."

In addition to the "Resident Evil" mini-site, The Station offers players over 40 games to enjoy, from popular favorites such as Jeopardy! Online, Wheel of Fortune Online, The Dating Game Online and the recently launched Rick O'Shea, to the world's most successful massively multiplayer online game, EverQuest®. Community features including news, shopping and chat have helped create one of the most cohesive gaming communities online with more than 12 million registered users.

About Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment

Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment (SPDE), an operating unit of Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE), oversees the activities of SPE's digital production and online assets including Sony Pictures Imageworks, Sony Online Entertainment, the Digital Networks Division which includes SoapCity and Screenblast, and SPIN, which represents the studio's online promotional presence. SPDE focuses on three areas: 1) producing and developing visual effects and computer-generated imaging (CGI), digital character animation, and original content for motion picture, television, online and PlayStation audiences; 2) developing new forms of online content, games and interactive programming; and 3) leading SPE's efforts to provide online, open-access video-on-demand, interactive television and wireless entertainment.

About Sony Online Entertainment

Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (SOE), the online gaming division of Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment, is a worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online gaming. Headquartered in San Diego, California, SOE develops, publishes and distributes entertainment for the PC and online markets. With more than 12 million registered users, SOE's award-winning website, The Station® ( http://www.station.com/ ) hosts a variety of entertaining games and player communities spanning all genres. In addition to blockbuster hits EverQuest® and Jeopardy! Online, SOE has an array of cutting-edge online games in development such as PlanetSide™, Star Wars® Galaxies™ and Sovereign™.

About Screen Gems

Screen Gems was established as a new marketing label under Sony Pictures Entertainment in December of 1998. Its most recent release is Mark Pellington's psychological thriller "The Mothman Prophecies." Screen Gems' upcoming releases include "Resident Evil," based on the best selling video game and starring Milla Jovovich and Michelle Rodriguez; "Formula 51" starring Samuel Jackson, Robert Carlyle and Emily Mortimer; "Lone Star State of Mind" starring Josh Jackson, James King, D.J. Qualls and Matt Davis and "Half Past Dead" starring Steven Seagal, Morris Chestnut and Ja Rule. Screen Gems' recently acquired domestic distribution rights to the Meg Ryan thriller, "In the Cut," which is slated to begin principal photography in the spring of 2002.

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SOURCE: Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment

Contact: Kristen Tarnol of Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment,
+1-310-482-4828, ktarnol@sonypictures.com; or Tamara Sanderson of Sony Online
Entertainment, +1-858-577-3362, tsanderson@soe.sony.com

Website: http://www.resident-evil-the-movie.com/

Website: http://www.station.com/