989 Sports® Announces the Release of NCAA® Final Four® 2004 for PlayStation®2

The Franchise's Latest College Basketball Game Features Superior Graphics and a New Online Mode

PRNewswire
FOSTER CITY, Calif.
11/11/2003

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced today that NCAA® Final Four® 2004 from the 989 Sports® development team is now available in stores, marking the newest installment of the popular college basketball videogame franchise. A newly designed graphics engine presents college hoopsters in intricate and lifelike detail, while the deepest Online Mode in sports gaming allows gamers to challenge college rivals from around the country via dial-up or broadband connection. NCAA Final Four 2004 brings the most authentic college basketball action to your living room, only on the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system.

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

Fronted by NABC National Player of the Year and All-American Kansas star Nick Collison, NCAA Final Four 2004 is highlighted by brand new gameplay and revived artificial intelligence. Gamers can perform spin moves, drop steps and daze defenders with behind-the-back and crossover dribbling by using the right analog stick, bringing tighter player control than ever before in college hoops gaming. Players can have their own jam session with more than 30 new dunks, including tomahawk jams and reverse slams. Icons mark which player is the best shooter, quickest runner or star player for each of the 303 IA college teams, from conferences like the Big East, the ACC and the SEC. Furthering college basketball realism, upgraded artificial intelligence automatically double teams star players and provides additional defensive support when necessary.

"NCAA Final Four 2004 captures the unparalleled spirit and realism of college basketball," said Ami Blaire, director, of product marketing, for Sony Computer Entertainment America. "Combining a redesigned graphics engine with all new and superior online technology, NCAA Final Four 2004 is the most authentic and exciting college basketball game on PlayStation 2."

The popular Dynasty Mode returns in NCAA Final Four 2004, allowing gamers to coach their favorite college team over several seasons, recruiting freshmen and replacing graduating seniors, in an attempt to build a college basketball powerhouse that claims the ultimate prize, a National Championship. Another play option, Career Mode, is an opportunity to start out as an assistant coach at a small school and work up the career ladder to head coach at a major college program. Players can sharpen their three-point shot or two-handed jams in Practice Mode, play a full season or skip to the Big Dance™ in Tournament Mode. Various play options, along with new arenas, mascots, coaches and fights songs, bring the energy and feel of college basketball to your home like never before.

Furthermore, for the first time in franchise history, NCAA Final Four 2004 is online. Players can gather at 989SportsOnline.com, a central lobby that provides a plethora of online features for college basketball fans. Challenge friends and rivals from across the country, represent your favorite college hoops program, enter or set up user tournaments, check out message boards, user mail, buddy lists, and large-scale stat tracking. A real-time sports ticker scrolls the current scores so players never miss a beat.

The independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rates NCAA Final Four 2003 "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: Carrie Altuvilla, +1-858-824-5684, or
carrie_altuvilla@playstation.sony.com, or Ron Eagle, +1-858-824-5585, or
ron_eagle@playstation.sony.com, both of Sony Computer Entertainment America
Inc.

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

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

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