989 Sports® Steps Up to the Plate and Slams a Home Run With Launch of MLB™ 2004

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced today that MLB™ 2004 from the 989 Sports® group is now available in stores, marking the first time this critically acclaimed PlayStation® baseball franchise hits the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system.

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

Developed exclusively for PlayStation 2 and PlayStation, MLB 2004 brings unprecedented baseball action to the top-selling videogame system on the market. Combining more than 1,500 personalized pitching and batting animations with head scans from every Major League Baseball® player, MLB 2004 has created a new standard for realism. The game features authentic gameplay, putting gamers in control both on the mound and in the batter's box. Players control pitch type, location, and velocity while facing scalable strike zones dependent on each hitter's size and stance. At the plate, gamers can attempt to hit for contact or power, guess pitch type and location, and see their hitting zone affected by hot and cold streaks. In addition, enhanced Artificial Intelligence (AI), developed with input from numerous Major League all-stars including cover athlete, Shawn Green of the Los Angeles Dodgers, has been incorporated into the game. Throw in authentic stadium recreations and the voice of Hall-of-Famer Vin Scully, and MLB 2004 promises to be the must-have game for true baseball enthusiasts.

"We are very proud to introduce our MLB franchise to the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system," said Ami Blaire, director, product marketing, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. "The MLB franchise has been recognized in the past as one of the most authentic baseball simulations available, and this release of MLB 2004 from 989 Sports will continue that tradition. Combining incredible graphics and animations, authentic baseball action, and numerous gameplay options, with an engine that optimizes the power of PlayStation 2, MLB 2004 is sure to be one of the best baseball games ever produced for PlayStation 2. In fact, with no clear-cut leader in this genre of sports games, we are confident that MLB 2004 will come out on top as the best baseball game available this season."

Not only does MLB 2004 encompass all aspects of baseball, but also it offers more than 10 gameplay modes, giving baseball fans an endless supply of hardball action. An all-new Career Mode enables gamers to create a player and attempt to develop him into a Hall-of-Famer, and the all-new Franchise Mode allows users to build their own team of superstars by winning games and accomplishing set goals in an attempt to win points and sign top players. Other modes include Spring Training™ Mode, in which gamers create a player and try to impress the manager in order to win a spot on the Big League roster and Season Mode, giving users the opportunity to lead their favorite team to the World Series® as they track the year with more than 100 statistical categories.

Marketing efforts for MLB 2004 will include aggressive TV advertising with three spots featuring Adam Dunn, Shawn Green, and a tribute to America's National Pastime. The television campaign will air across national, cable and syndication as well as national print, online and viral advertising campaigns. In addition, the multi-million dollar campaign will include full promotional support, dedicated point-of-purchase displays and merchandising support, broadbased public relations support, an immersive and interactive website and featured coverage in the PlayStation Underground CD Magazine.

The independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rates MLB 2004 "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.

Visit us on the Web at http://www.989sports.com/

NOTE: Major League Baseball Trademarks and Copyrights are used with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. Visit Major League Baseball on the Web at MLB.com.

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SOURCE: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

CONTACT: Ron Eagle, +1-858-824-5585, or ron_eagle@playstation.sony.com,
or Ben Schechter, +1-858-824-5689, or ben_schechter@playstation.sony.com, or
Rick Heineman, +1-310-274-7800, or rheineman@bncpr.com, all of Sony Computer
Entertainment America Inc.

Web site: http://www.esrb.org/

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

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