Popular Franchise Introduces New Style of Gameplay as Jak X: Combat Racing Rips It Up Exclusively on PlayStation®2

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced today the Fall 2005 release of Jak X: Combat Racing, created exclusively for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. The award-winning Naughty Dog, Inc. continues to evolve the multi-million unit selling Jak and Daxter franchise with Jak X: Combat Racing, introducing head-to-head car combat and incorporating both multiplayer and online functionality to deliver a refreshingly new experience to fans of both the Jak and Daxter series and car combat gameplay.

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

"We are extremely pleased to take the Jak and Daxter franchise to a new level by providing players a competitive experience in a vehicular combat setting," said Grady Hunt, senior producer, product development, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "By enabling multiple players to compete against each other with the incorporation of online and multiplayer gameplay in Jak X: Combat Racing, Naughty Dog will deliver an intense and refreshing experience to the largest online gaming community."

After Jak stopped the Dark Maker menace in his last adventure, cities were rebuilt, people flourished and sports reemerged to fill the void. Combat Racing became the biggest sport of all, as the excitement of high-speed competition brought crowds to the track. Kras City led the way, with people flocking to the dangerous city of death and intrigue. When Jak and Daxter receive a mysterious invite to Kras City for the reading of Krew's Last Will and Testament, they find they have been joined by familiar faces such as Ashelin, Keira, Samos and Torn. When Krew reveals in his recording will that everyone present, including his daughter, Rayn, has been poisoned, everyone is shocked.

Krew gives everyone an ultimatum -- the only way to get the poison antidote in time is to race for him in the next Kras City Grand Championship, or they will all die. Now, Jak and his friends are forced into a high-speed contest for their lives, as they are swept up into a deadly plot to win the biggest racing event on the planet -- against the best drivers in the world. With a deadly objective ahead of them, Jak and his friends take to the treacherous terrain as they are thrown into the driver's seat and find themselves racing against time in order to save the world.

"It's Naughty Dog's goal to continue to technologically push the limits of the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system while delivering a new and challenging experience to our fans," said Evan Wells, co-president, Naughty Dog, Inc. "In Jak X: Combat Racing, we were able to create enormous tracks and wide open terrains featuring a high degree of detail, while utilizing Advanced Rigid Body Physics technology to deliver vehicles that feature unique and lively handling characteristics and damage levels."

As destructible objects, other racers and their ammunition and explosions careen by them, players will compete against each other at dangerous speeds as they participate in more than 100 events over the race season in Adventure mode. In addition, players will be tasked with a variety of missions spanning across other various play modes including Time Trial, Death Race and Arena Death Match as they rip up the terrain. To compete, six players can participate in head-to-head action utilizing a broadband connection, or two individuals can play against each other in multiplayer mode.

With more than a dozen customizable vehicles, featuring multiple segment "snap-ons" that include body parts, paint patterns and colors, and fun add-on accessories such as decals, bobble heads and antennae flags, each player can create their own vehicle to best reflect their personality. As many of the items are scarce and must be found through careful exploration, once players construct their car to their liking, they can then show off their finds online to their friends.

A diverse power-up system provides players multiple strategies for races and tasks, as players can pick up turbo, health and weapons as they complete their missions. The Eco power-up system is based on Jak's world with each color representing a turbo, projectile, special weapon, repair and more. Power-ups include projectile weapons, smart bombs, mines, catastrophic attacks, shields and turbos, and each helps to deliver a more destructive and challenging experience for players.

The independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has not yet rated Jak X: Combat Racing. For more information about the ESRB visit http://www.esrb.org/.

About Naughty Dog Inc.

Naughty Dog Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., develops cutting-edge technology, graphics and gameplay for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system. Additional information can be found on the company's web site at http://www.naughtydog.com/.

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, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and the PSP™ (PlayStation® Portable) handheld 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. PSP 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 handheld 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/

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000510/SFW104-a
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, 1-888-776-6555 or +1-212-782-2840

SOURCE: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

CONTACT: Jennifer Clark, +1-650-655-5994,
jennifer_clark@playstation.sony.com, or Tina Casalino, +1-650-655-8102,
tina_casalino@playstation.sony.com

Web site: http://www.us.playstation.com/
http://www.naughtydog.com/
http://www.esrb.org/