989 Sports® and NBA Shootout 2003 Join the NBA's Hottest Stars and Legends In Atlanta for NBA All-Star 2003

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. and 989 Sports® announced today its marketing programs for NBA All-Star 2003 to be held February 6-9 in Atlanta, Georgia. In an effort to enhance the NBA All-Star experience for the fans and players, the marketing programs will feature interactive events that include the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the 989 Sports brand and NBA ShootOut 2003. During NBA All-Star 2003, skills will be tested while fans have the opportunity to play NBA ShootOut 2003 at the NBA All-Star Jam Session and four NBA players will compete in the all new 989 Sports Skills Challenge during NBA All-Star Saturday Night.

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

The NBA All-Star Jam Session, a 350,000-square-foot interactive basketball theme park for fans of all ages, will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta and feature the 989 Sports Locker Room Challenge on Tour. The 989 Sports Locker Room Challenge on Tour is a 30-foot, state-of-the-art mobile vehicle featuring a big screen TV, a thunderous sound system, and a realistic "locker room" setting to provide the ultimate experience in sports gaming to more than 100,000 fans expected to attend the event. With 11 gaming stations featuring NBA ShootOut 2003, fans will be treated to daily competitions between other gamers as well as giveaways from the 989 Sports truck staff.

In addition, on Saturday, February 8 from 1:00 - 2:00 PM, Stephon Marbury and Amare Stoudemire will visit the 989 Sports Locker Room Challenge on Tour at the NBA All-Star Jam Session to compete against one another on NBA ShootOut 2003 with the winner going head-to-head against a fan.

During NBA All-Star Saturday Night at the Philips Arena, the first-ever 989 Sports Skills Challenge will feature four NBA players as they compete in a timed obstacle course that will test their skills in dribbling, passing and shooting.

"With the release of NBA Shootout 2003, we've strengthened our partnership with the NBA to execute a number of consumer-outreach initiatives to reach both new and existing PlayStation 2 fans," said Ami Blaire, director, product marketing, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "At NBA All-Star 2003, we have the 989 Sports Locker Room on Challenge Tour during the NBA All-Star Jam Session and the new 989 Sports Skills Challenge on NBA All-Star Saturday Night where consumers can experience, first hand, 989 Sports' NBA ShootOut 2003 and enjoy sports entertainment for PlayStation 2."

About NBA ShootOut 2003

NBA ShootOut 2003 features the latest, cutting-edge technology that includes four new gameplay modes to immerse gamers into the world of professional basketball. The new Career Mode heightens players involvement and allows them to put their own name and number on their jersey so that they may be a teammate to the pros. In Career Mode they will also have the opportunity test their skills against other NBA players and hopefuls in the Summer League and the National Basketball Development League. Practice Mode will allow gamers to fine tune their jumper from anywhere on the court and perfect their special moves with new right stick controls as they fake opponents out of their shoes. Whether allowing players to choreograph their own personal dunks in Create Dunk, using over 450 team specific plays, or showcasing new player models that include tattoos, head, wrist and armbands, gamers will find the level of detail needed to deliver fast-paced NBA action.

The independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rates NBA ShootOut 2003 "E" for "Everyone." For more information about the ESRB visit 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.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000510/SFW104-a
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SOURCE: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

CONTACT: Ryan Bowling, +1-650-655-3657, or
ryan_bowling@playstation.sony.com, or Carrie Altuvilla, +1-858-824-5684, or
carrie_altuvilla@playstation.sony.com, both of Sony Computer Entertainment
America Inc.

Web site: http://www.989sports.com/