989 Sports® Kicks Off the Football Season with the Release of NFL GameDay™ 2004 for PlayStation®2

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced today that NFL GameDay™ 2004 from the 989 Sports® development team is now available in stores for the PlayStation® game console and the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. The latest pro football release from 989 Sports features new Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, the deepest Online Mode ever created for a sports game and all-new player models, presenting the deepest and most authentic gridiron gaming experience available. NFL GameDay 2004 offers football fans of all ages the excitement of true NFL action.

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

Fronted by All-Pro running back LaDainian Tomlinson, the latest version of the NFL GameDay franchise features the most comprehensive online gameplay opportunity for football fans. While challenging an opponent from anywhere across the country via in-home broadband or dial-up connection, revolutionary Voice Recognition (VR) technology allows the gamer to use any PlayStation 2 compatible USB headset to call audibles, put receivers in motion, change defensive coverages or simply call "timeout." With more than 50 VR commands, NFL GameDay 2004, provides gamers the unprecedented opportunity to create game action without the touch of a button.

Additionally, the USB headset allows chat via Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) in game or in the 989 Sports Online lobby, the central location for user or 989 Sports created tournaments, message boards, user mail and more. Updated rosters and sports news, a live sports score ticker and the ability to download real-time weather contribute to NFL GameDay 2004, through this integrated online environment, providing the ultimate football gaming experience.

NFL GameDay 2004 looks and plays better than ever before with enhanced motion-blending technology creating seamless animation transitions, truly capturing the power and grace of NFL football. Each NFL player has been recreated with precise detail to exactly replicate his real-life counterpart, from tattoos to dreadlocks. Stadium models have also been regenerated with new lighting, textures and highly interactive crowds to further create the ultimate football gaming experience.

In addition to having the look and feel of a champion, NFL GameDay 2004 brings to life true NFL authenticity like never before. As a result of consultation from more than 100 NFL players and over 400 hours of developers dissecting game film, NFL GameDay 2004 features intensified computer artificial intelligence on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, allowing the computer to accurately simulate how NFL players would react to formations, play calling tendencies, audibles and more. Furthermore, NFL GameDay 2004 playbooks have been redesigned for each team based on current personnel and coaches to allow gamers to run authentic formations, from the West Coast offense to the disguised 3-4 cover two blitz.

"As a kid, you dream about being in the game, but you never really think about being on the cover," said LaDainian Tomlinson, All-Pro running back, San Diego Chargers, during a visit to Chargers training camp on July 31, 2003. "989 Sports did a great job with the game, the graphics are realistic, everything from the players, the field, even the people in the stands. Awesome!"

"NFL GameDay 2004 delivers true-to-life gridiron action and we are proud of the franchise's developments this year," said Ami Blaire director, product marketing, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "The designers and production team have continued to innovate and the combination of brilliantly realistic graphics, fluid gameplay and the most feature rich Online Mode ever offered, will bring football fans across the country a true-to-life NFL experience from every great hit to every touchdown celebration."

Pressure sensitive controls are also included in this year's title, putting the game in the user's hands. These controls determine how quickly a juke, spin or other move is executed and determines the ball carriers timing. Each move and its corresponding animation has been redesigned to meet the challenge of defenders pursuing from different angles; the ball carrier will have to perform a move based on the angle of the attacking defender to advance the ball upfield as a result.

"NFL GameDay is the best looking football game I've seen this year, check me out!" said Derrick Brooks, All-Pro linebacker, 2002 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and 989 Sports spokesperson, from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a training camp visit on July 27, 2003. "This game is off the hook!"

The launch of NFL GameDay 2004 will be supported by a multimillion dollar national marketing push that will include an aggressive TV advertising campaign of four spots, with two featuring LaDainian Tomlinson or Derrick Brooks. The TV execution features a preseason flight, which kicked off on July 19, 2003 on CBS, two main product spots, and a fourth dedicated to the newly enhanced online gaming mode. This campaign will air across national, cable and syndication through January 2004. In addition to television advertising, the company will support NFL GameDay 2004 through national print, online and viral advertising, as well as consumer promotions, dedicated point- of-purchase displays and merchandising support, league-based sponsorships, 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 NFL GameDay 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/ .

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SOURCE: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

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

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

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