SOCOM II: U.S. Navy SEALs Breaks Online Console Penetration Records in First Two Days of Release

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced today that SOCOM II: U.S. Navy SEALs, the sequel to the number one online console game and "Greatest Hit" title, SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs, set a new standard for online console gaming in its first two days of release, even before the title was in full retail distribution. Expanding on the success of the original, which has sold more than two million units worldwide, the highly anticipated sequel, released on November 4th, quickly bumped its predecessor from the number one online console game spot. On November 4th, the two titles in the SOCOM franchise ranked as the number one and number two online console games in terms of simultaneous players, and the user base is quickly growing.

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Developed exclusively for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system by Zipper Interactive, Inc., and produced by Sony Computer Entertainment America's Foster City Studio, SOCOM II: U.S. Navy SEALs sets the standard for online console gameplay. Revolutionizing the online gameplay experience with extensive online community support, LAN support, customizable friends and ignore lists, spectator mode and clan and ladder rankings, SOCOM II: U.S. Navy SEALs is the most thoroughly designed online experience available to date.

"With SOCOM II: U.S. Navy SEALs, we have created one of the most intense and complete online experiences available on any console or personal computer," said Seth Luisi, senior producer, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "SOCOM II raises the bar for online gaming, and we are thrilled about the amazing consumer adoption in the first two days."

Supporting up to 16 players per game with player communication (voice and text chat) including voice alteration, SOCOM II: U.S. Navy SEALs is one of the most interactive and dynamic team-based games ever created. Players can join clans and battle it out for the ultimate rank of 'Admiral', and see exactly where their clan ranks in the SOCOM universe. With detailed player statistics that track everything from a player's hit percentage to hostages rescued, the title offers a detailed look at what it is like to be a real Navy SEAL.

In addition to enhanced and updated versions of the original multi-player missions, SOCOM II: U.S. Navy SEALs has twelve new online operations that take place in Brazil, Russia, Albania and Algeria. Two new online mission types of 'Breach' and 'Escort' add to the highly popular game modes of Demolition, Extraction and Suppression.

In online mode via broadband or LAN gameplay, up to 16 players (eight per team) can join the fight to take down hostile forces in 22 different online missions with five different mission types. Using the USB headset (for PlayStation®2), also released on November 4th, or the original SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs USB headset (each sold separately), enhanced online communication enables team members to more easily communicate either in-game or in the game lobby while viewing the new "who's talking" display, as well as use voice alteration and sub-channels for offensive and defensive gameplay strategy. Players can also utilize the friends list to find fellow gamers online or conversely take advantage of an ignore list to deny communication with others. Players can create customized games and match sets or join one according to their rank, assuring compatible skill-level in online play. Featuring interactive environments, the ability to call in air strikes and supporting artillery fire capabilities, detailed player stat tracking, a spectator mode where up to eight players can observe the action, the online gameplay in SOCOM II: U.S. Navy SEALs is more intense than ever.

Sony Computer Entertainment America recently announced at Gamers' Day 2003, that SOCOM II: U.S. Navy SEALs will be among the first titles to utilize the Internal Hard Disk Drive (40GB)(for PlayStation®2) with new content for consumers to download.

The original SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs, which has sold more than two million copies worldwide, has the largest online console gaming community in North America. During peak times, the original SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs supports 11,000-14,500 simultaneous players and between 50,000 and 60,000 people are playing every day at an average of three hours per session. Between 110,000 - 150,000 gameplay hours are logged everyday, and there are more than 66,000 active clans registered with SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs. In September, Sony Computer Entertainment America announced that SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs had become a PlayStation 2 "Greatest Hits" title, as it proved to be a force in driving software sales and a demand factor that lead to the largest online console gaming audience.

The independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has rated SOCOM II: U.S. Navy SEALs "M" for "Mature." For more information about the ESRB visit www.esrb.org.

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.us.playstation.com/.

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SOURCE: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

CONTACT: Patrick Seybold, +1-650-655-5904, or
patrick_seybold@playstation.sony.com, or Heather Sorensen, +1-650-655-5234, or
heather_sorensen@playstation.sony.com, both of Sony Computer Entertainment
America Inc.

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