Rave Reviews Nationwide Spark High Anticipation for God of War™ as the 2005 Must-Have Game on PlayStation®2

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced today the North American release of God of War™, available exclusively for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. Developed by Sony Computer Entertainment America's Santa Monica Studios and created by the director of the multi-million selling Twisted Metal® franchise, God of War is a single-player action-adventure game based on the dark brutal world of Greek mythology. In God of War, players take the role of an ex-Spartan warrior named Kratos and embark on a merciless quest to destroy Ares, the God of War. Featuring a multi-million dollar national marketing campaign, God of War is targeted at various casual and enthusiast media outlets. God of War also features an original music score that is available, for a limited time only, for free download to all consumers who purchase the game at Sony Connect (www.connect.com/gow).

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Since its debut at E3 2004, media and consumer response to God of War has generated numerous high review scores, claiming it to be the must-have game on PlayStation 2:

God of War Review Scores

Game Informer Magazine -- 10/10 (May 2005); Electronic Gaming Monthly -- 10,9.5,10 (May 2005); IGN -- 9.8/10; Gamespot -- 9.3/10; GamePro Magazine -- 4.5/5; 1up.com -- 10/10; Playboy Magazine -- 3.5/4; MAXIM Magazine -- 5/5 Stars (April 2005); PLAY Magazine -- 9.5/10 (May 2005); PSM Magazine -- 9.5/10 (May 2005); Yahoo! Games Domain -- 9/10.

"God of War delivers on the 'back of the game box' promise of sending players on an amazing epic adventure and with the high review scores for the game, we strongly urge all our PlayStation 2 fans to add this game to your library," states David Jaffe, creative designer for God of War, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "From its deep storyline to fluid combat system, we've worked on this game for over three years to offer the player a gameplay experience that is both unique and groundbreaking for all types of players. Set in the brutal world of Greek mythology, God of War has the player experiencing tons of locations to explore, intense combat, unique puzzles, coupled with some of the darkest creatures like Medusas, Minotaurs, Cyclops. ... and it's all wrapped up in a plot that will blow your mind!"

Storyline/Gameplay Description For God of War

The storyline for God of War is based in ancient Greek mythology where players take the role of Kratos, an ex-Spartan warrior bent on military success and combat. Through the course of this epic adventure, which is told in flashback -- Kratos makes a pact with Ares, the God of War, in order to save his mortal life. The decision forever changes his destiny and sets in motion an irreversible series of events that drive Kratos mad and leads him down a path of revenge against Ares. Kratos will have to overcome adversity in the form of mythological monsters, legions of undead soldiers, and amazingly dangerous and brutal landscapes to find Pandora's box and defeat Ares.

In God of War, the gameplay involves various plot twists that take the player through explosive, aggressive action fused with traps, stunts and story-driven puzzles. Featuring up to an hour of cinematic sequences and a deep combat system built around the Blades of Chaos -- unique double chain blade weapons permanently strapped onto Kratos' forearms, God of War takes the player through various environments that has them fighting fierce enemies, swinging on ropes, scaling mountain cliffs, swimming through rivers and sliding down zip lines resulting in a one-of-a-kind action-packed Greek mythology adventure. For more information on God of War, please visit www.godofwar-thegame.com.

Additional features include an extensive combat system and innovative magic system (upgradeable to three levels for expansion of weapon power and range) where the player can use Medusa's head to freeze enemies or strike them with Zeus' thunderbolt. God of War also features a variety of challenging levels; players can brave deadly sandstorms, explore submerged ruins, and overcome the fiendish traps of a temple built on the back of a cursed giant.

For the North American release of God of War, Sony Computer Entertainment America will support it with a multi-million dollar advertising campaign that includes:

National Broadcast/Cable Advertising Campaign

The television campaign for God of War kicked off on March 15 and airs during various late-night cable and syndicated programming. A total of two different executions will air on networks such as SPIKE TV, MTV, Comedy Central, TNT, Sci-Fi Network, FOX Sports and ESPN 2, as well as G4 Network.

National Print Advertising Campaign

To support the mainstream appeal of God of War, a massive print advertising campaign running over five months will reach millions of readers through a wide variety of hardcore enthusiast and casual national consumer publications including (ie: FHM, STUFF, Rolling Stone, ESPN, and many more). Targeted enthusiast publications include leading gaming magazines such as Electronic Gaming Monthly, The Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine, Game Informer PSM, Game Pro, PLAY and more). In addition, an aggressive online advertising campaign will reach millions of readers through outlets such as Atom Films, IGN, Gamespot, Yahoo! Games and many more.

The independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has rated God of War "M" for Mature. For more information about the ERSB visit www.esrb.com.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one™ game console, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and the PSP™ (PlayStation® Portable). 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. PSP system is a new portable entertainment system that allows users to enjoy 3D games, with high-quality full-motion video, and high-fidelity stereo audio.

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, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and the PSP portable 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/ .

NOTE: PlayStation and the PlayStation logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. PSP is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

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SOURCE: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

CONTACT: Ryan Bowling, +1-650-655-3657, or
ryan_bowling@playstation.sony.com, or Ron Eagle, +1-858-824-5585, or
ron_eagle@playstation.sony.com, both of Sony Computer Entertainment America

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

Web site: http://www.connect.com/gow

Web site: http://www.godofwar-thegame.com/