Two Unique SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Games Release on November 7 to Stores Nationwide

Sony Computer Entertainment America Continues Commitment to Best-Selling Franchise With SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Combined Assault for PlayStation®2 and SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 2 for PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) System

PRNewswire-FirstCall
FOSTER CITY, Calif.
11/07/2006

Sony Computer Entertainment America announced today the launch of two unique, stand-alone blockbuster titles, SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Combined Assault exclusively for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 2 exclusively for the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020701/SFM066LOGO )

Developed by Zipper Interactive, Inc., in association with U.S. Naval Special Warfare Command, these two unique titles continue the SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs' franchise legacy by offering the most realistic SEAL gameplay and most comprehensive teamwork mechanics in the military shooter genre. Established and new fans of the franchise will find that both titles build on the strength of their multi-million unit selling predecessors to create the best single-player experience and most innovative multiplayer gameplay yet.

"We are very excited by what we were able to accomplish with SOCOM: Combined Assault and SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 2," said Seth Luisi, Director of Development, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "Both titles offer entirely unique gameplay experiences but also share a common thread and interact through 'Crosstalk' which is an innovation only available on the PlayStation platforms. We feel strongly that established and new SOCOM fans alike will find that these two unique titles deliver the best single and multiplayer military action experiences to-date."

First introduced in 2005's SOCOM 3: U.S. Navy SEALs and SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo, "Crosstalk" functionality between SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Combined Assault and SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 2 is enhanced greatly to combine the efforts of both games' SEAL teams. By completing "Crosstalk Objectives," players can sync their PSP system up to their PlayStation 2 system via a USB cable and transfer Crosstalk data, allowing their efforts in one game to affect events and progress in the other, as well as unlocking items and features.

SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 2 for PSP

Players will command a secret two-man team subset of the most elite and deadly fighting force on the planet through new non-linear mission progression, over 40 authentic real world weapons and a huge area of operation spanning multiple terrain types and environments seen from a unique vantage on this PSP system game. As the SEAL commander, SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 2 players are supported by one AI teammate in executing traditional SOCOM team-based gameplay, as well as more stealthy and secretive operations than players will experience with SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs: Combined Assault's four-man team.

Additionally, two new economy systems track players' success throughout the SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 2 campaign. "Command Equity" rewards players through a points-based system as they complete mission goals discover bonus objectives, and rescue civilians. They can then use the points to add new weapons to their armory or purchase air strikes and supply drops. Secondly, "Local Influence" is a rating system that is affected by how players' interact with enemies and civilians and unlocks items such as black market weapons, as well as giving players access to advanced intelligence.

Building on SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo's success as the top online PSP title, players will again be able to form clans and take on their friends for team-based high-action gameplay via a Wi-Fi connection. Up to 16 players in close proximity in Ad Hoc mode and online in Infrastructure mode can compete wirelessly through 3 new game types across all new multiplayer maps and maps from the original SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo.

SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Combined Assault for PlayStation 2

SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Combined Assault builds on the strengths of the multimillion-selling SOCOM franchise to firmly establish both single-player and multiplayer as equally outstanding experiences. The game features all-new 4-player cooperative online play, improved enemy behavior and tactics for enhanced single player and multiplayer gameplay, new missions and maps, and new vehicles and weapons.

Additionally, players will have the option to select an individual tactical mission area that was previously completed, and play it as a customizable stand-alone, or "Instant Action," mission in 4-player online cooperative play or in single player mode for nearly endless replay.

SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Combined Assault also contains the full SOCOM 3: U.S. Navy SEALs competitive multiplayer online game with all maps and updates. SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Combined Assault players and SOCOM 3: U.S. Navy SEALs players will be able to play together on all SOCOM 3: U.S. Navy SEALs maps. The introduction of ten new competitive 32-player maps exclusive to SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Combined Assault adds even further to this top online franchise on the PlayStation 2.

Marketing/Advertising Campaign

The SOCOM advertising campaign presents the ability to lead normal, untouched lives, as owing to the U.S. Navy SEALs' quiet and stealthy fight for freedom. Utilizing the tagline, "The fight continues...so freedom can," TV spots will start airing today and will continue on air into December while the print, online, and viral campaigns started earlier in November and will run through February.

The independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has rated both these latest SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs titles "T" for "Teen." 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, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, and the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, and the upcoming, much-anticipated PLAYSTATION®3 system.

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/

NOTE: "PlayStation", "PLAYSTATION" and "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

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SOURCE: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

CONTACT: Sheila Bryson, +1-650-655-6093, or
Sheila_Bryson@playstation.sony.com, or Jennifer Clark, +1-650-655-5994, or
Jennifer_Clark@playstation.sony.com, both of Sony Computer Entertainment
America

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