Dribble, Drive and Score With NBA Shootout 2004 Now Available on PlayStation®2

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced today that NBA ShootOut 2004 from the 989 Sports® development team is now available in stores, marking the latest release of the popular NBA videogame franchise and its premier on 989SportsOnline.com with revolutionary Voice Recognition (VR) features. Combining enhanced graphics and gameplay with exciting new modes including online and career, NBA ShootOut 2004 also brings 50 of the all-time greatest players in the NBA back to the court to make this one of the most exciting and authentic basketball game available. NBA ShootOut 2004 is available for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and PlayStation® game console.

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

Fronted by NBA All- Star and 2002 league leading scorer Tracy McGrady, NBA ShootOut 2004 will be compatible with the heralded 989SportsOnline.com, taking hoops to new levels by offering online gamers an array of features including the following: the ability to create a 64-man tournament to compete against the best players nationwide; to incorporate real-time roster updates and experience community building pillars like player rankings; message boards; a real-time sports ticker; and voice chat both in-game and in the 989SportsOnline lobby through state-of-the-art VOIP.

Exclusive to 989 Sports offerings, NBA ShootOut 2004 will feature extensive voice-over technology that will provide players with a unique and authentic gaming experience as they can voice chat both in-game and in the 989SportsOnline lobby via a PlayStation 2 compatible USB headset. And for the first time ever in a hoops videogame, NBA ShootOut 2004's Voice Recognition will also allow players to verbally control the action on the court through more than 40 voice commands for timeouts, screens, picks, cuts, double teams, presses, play calling, and more.

"For basketball fans everywhere, NBA ShootOut 2004 offers exciting above-the-rim action, exclusive voice recognition technology and real- time hoops via 989SportsOnline," said Ami Blaire, director, product marketing, Sony Computer Entertainment America, "The 989 Sports development team did a tremendous job completely redesigning the graphics and delivering fast-paced gameplay running at 60fps. In addition, hard-core hoops fans can enjoy for the first time, Team USA Basketball."

NBA ShootOut 2004 will also feature a unique and updated Career Mode, exclusive to the NBA ShootOut franchise. Gamers will once again have the opportunity to earn a spot in the NBA by working their way through the Summer Pro League and National Basketball Development League. NBA ShootOut 2004 allows gamers to create a player and attempt to develop him into an NBA All-Star. Starting out in the NBDL, the NBA's minor league, players will look to hone their skills and generate enough interest to garner a contract from a professional team, where they will have to work their way into the starting line-up and shoot for the top as an All-Star selection.

NBA ShootOut 2004 provides gamers with the ability to bring back to the court 50 of the all-time greatest players in the NBA. Players can unlock any of the 50 retired players who were/are the best to ever step on the court by accomplishing goals attributable to each of them. This will allow gamers to create their own "dream team" as they face off against the competition with the best of the best from years past.

For ultimate control in gameplay, NBA ShootOut 2004 utilizes the R3 analog joystick to give players complete control over their team, whether they are taking the ball to the rack or pulling up to hit from the three-point line. With more than 40 one-touch controls, gamers can also directly control everything from cross-over dribbles to behind the back spin moves with the push of one button. Along with the Career, Season, and Exhibition modes, NBA ShootOut 2004 also brings back the popular Create Dunk Mode allowing users to make the most imaginative dunks possible. Gamers can then implement these new dunks into the game using any of the authentic recreated NBA players.

To make the game even more genuine, over a dozen NBA players, including cover athlete Tracy McGrady, were consulted to help develop playbooks and ensure the most realistic gaming experience possible. The all-new, TV-style presentation combined with color commentary from Hall-of-Famer Bill Walton will only further enhance the player's experience resulting in the most enjoyable basketball experience available on the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation consoles.

The independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rates NBA ShootOut 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, +1-858-824-5585, or ron_eagle@playstation.sony.com,
or Carrie Altuvilla, +1-858-824-5684, or
carrie_altuvilla@playstation.sony.com, both of Sony Computer Entertainment
America; or Rick Heineman, +1-310-274-7800, or rheineman@bncpr.com, for Sony
Computer Entertainment America

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