Videogame Industry to Raise Upwards of $2 Million for ESA Foundation Through Release of Holiday Game Pack

Sony Computer Entertainment America, in conjunction with its industry trade association, Entertainment Software Association (ESA), today announced the release of a limited-edition charity game pack for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system just in time for the holiday selling season. Available now through retail outlets nationwide while supplies last, the ESA Charity Game Pack is a multi-disc box set that includes three of the top-selling PlayStation 2 games for a $19.95 suggested retail price: ATV Offroad Fury™ 2 from Sony Computer Entertainment America; Splashdown®: Rides Gone Wild from THQ; and Need for Speed™ Hot Pursuit 2 from Electronic Arts. Proceeds from the sale of the ESA Charity Game Pack will be donated to the ESA Foundation to support positive programs for America's youth.

  (Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000510/SFW104-a
   Photo:  NewsCom:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051108/SFTU031 )

A first of its kind for the U.S. videogame industry, the ESA Charity Game pack is the culmination of the work and efforts of various partners that demonstrated their commitment to this project by donating services free of charge and/or waiving associated monetary fees and royalties. The contributors include the following companies, listed in alphabetical order:

  -- American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
  -- Bombardier, Inc.
  -- CMB Design
  -- Electronic Arts
  -- Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.
  -- Rainbow Studios
  -- Shorewood Packaging
  -- Sony Computer Entertainment America
  -- Sony DADC
  -- THQ, Inc.

"We are thrilled and gratified that so many in the video game community, including Sony Computer Entertainment America, Electronic Arts, and THQ, Inc., have come together to create this terrific limited-edition game pack that we hope will raise several million dollars for the ESA Foundation to donate to organizations working to improve the health, safety, and welfare of America's young people," said Douglas Lowenstein, president of the ESA, the trade association that represents U.S. computer and video game publishers. "The proceeds from this game pack will make a real difference in the lives of many, many children. We'd like to thank all those involved, and urge all holiday shoppers to take advantage of this truly unique opportunity to get some great video games and help worthy causes at the same time."

"Throughout the years, the ESA has demonstrated both its dedication to our burgeoning industry and to the youth of America through the various programs it develops, executes and supports," said Kaz Hirai, president and chief executive officer, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. "In bringing the ESA Charity Game Pack to life, we are pleased to support a vehicle that helps us give back to our loyal PlayStation audience, and are very appreciative of all the work and effort our partners contributed to make this happen."

About the ESA Foundation

The ESA Foundation was created by the American interactive entertainment software industry to support and provide opportunities that can make a difference in the lives of America's youth. The Foundation is fully supported by proceeds from "A Nite to Unite-for Kids," its annual fund-raiser that has raised more than more than $6.7 million in the last six years. The Foundation provided grants to support: Boys and Girls Clubs of America; Delinquency Prevention Initiative - Year three, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Web Wise Kids, Just Think Foundation, YouthVision Challenge, Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) project, the expansion of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland Computer Learning Center, Starlight Starbright Foundation, PAX, Inc, Association of Hole in the Wall Camps and Work Achievement, Values and Education (WAVE). For more information, please visit www.theESA.com/foundation.

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) 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 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
NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051108/SFTU031
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

SOURCE: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

CONTACT: Woodrow Mosqueda of Sony Computer Entertainment America,
+1-650-655-5240, or Woodrow_mosqueda@playstation.sony.com; or Dan Hewitt,
office, +1-202-223-2400, or cell, +1-202-277-3972, for ESA

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