Sony Computer Entertainment America Adds Old-School Dance, More Rock And Hip-Hop to Amplitude for PlayStation®2

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced today that five additional major recording artists have agreed to provide music and video content for the upcoming rhythm-action game, Amplitude, exclusively for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. Adding to the mass-appealing music roster of Amplitude, newly signed acts include Herbie Hancock, Papa Roach, Baldwin Brothers, Production Club, and Manchild. These artists will join other major recording artists on the Amplitude roster that include blink 182, David Bowie, Dieselboy, Freezepop, Garbage, Logan 7, Mekon, Quarashi, and Weezer. Developed by Harmonix Music Systems, Amplitude allows players to become a rhythmical DJ and jam with more than 25 diverse songs in virtual, vibrant, interactive musical environments while mixing and remixing hit songs during offline and online gameplay.

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Taking advantage of the PlayStation 2 online capabilities through the Network Adaptor (Ethernet/modem) (for PlayStation®2), Amplitude allows players to challenge their friends online in multi-player and remix mode. Utilizing lobby-chat capabilities and other unique online features, such as a ladder-ranking system, players will be able to collaborate and compete with each other to form an online music community. During online gameplay, Amplitude supports both broadband and analog users.

Among the five newly signed acts, there is a custom remix provided by Herbie Hancock with his hit "Rockit" featuring Mixmaster Mike, DXT, Rob Swift, DJ Qbert, Babu Faust, and Shortee. Papa Roach's featured Amplitude track is on their latest album titled, 'lovehatetragedy,' which heralds the refining and refocusing of their sound as they shed some of their identification with rock-rap fusion and strip down to a purer, but equally high-impact rock attack.

"I'm stoked on the overall creativity in Amplitude," said Jacoby Shaddix, Papa Roach. "The graphics and intense competitions are insane."

"We are thrilled to offer a deeper and wider selection of artists to the Amplitude music roster," said Ami Blaire, director, product marketing, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "With additional tracks from Papa Roach, Baldwin Brothers, Production Club, Manchild, as well as Herbie Hancock, we've provided a unique forum for all of our PlayStation 2 fans, young and old, to enjoy music not just from their stereo but game console."

The additional new tracks include Baldwin Brothers with "Urban Tumbleweed," Production Club with "Rockstar" and Manchild with "Nitrogen Narcosis." Based in Chicago, the Baldwin Brothers create a rump-shaking jazz-funk stew mixing impeccably tight live instrumentation and stanky ol' Fender Rhodes grooves with whimsical samples, thick beats and turntable skills. The Production Club is the creation of producer Wally Gagel and "Rockstar" is the first full-length release for the group. Manchild are songwriting partners Max Odell & Brett Parker. Their critically acclaimed debut album "Untied States" is an exciting mixture of dance, rock & hip-hop.

Building upon the critically acclaimed PlayStation®2 title Frequency™, Amplitude presents a redesigned interface allowing gamers and music lovers to recreate their favorite songs from the ground up by triggering instruments such as drums, bass, vocals and guitars via their controller. Focusing on not only the thrill of creating and mixing music, Amplitude also provides a fast-paced competitive dynamic environment encouraging players of all skill levels to challenge and collaborate with each other both locally and online.

The independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rated Amplitude a "T" for Teen. For more information about the ERSB visit www.esrb.com.

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: Ryan Bowling, +1-650-655-3657, or
ryan_bowling@playstation.sony.com, or Heather Crosby, +1-650-655-5234, or
heather_crosby@playstation.sony, both of Sony

Web site: http://www.playstation.com/