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FEATURE...

Just In Time For The Holidays, The Hottest Game Of The Year Is

Now Available On Three Platforms

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 21, 2002

Dead to Rights(TM), Namco's first M-rated game and biggest US-developed project to date, is now available with all new features for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system and Nintendo GameCube(TM) video game console. Since the game's release in late August on the Xbox(TM) video game system by Microsoft, Dead to Rights has received rave reviews, has consistently been a top five rental, and is heralded as one of the most popular games of the year. Dead to Rights combines Hong Kong action movie special effects with the intense drama of crime thrillers and classic film noir style to create a first-ever "Action Noir" game genre.

Introducing new video game star Jack Slate, Dead to Rights takes place in Grant City, USA -- the hardest place on Earth. Slate is a good cop in a bad town, forced to be a fugitive after being framed for murder while investigating the mysterious death of his father.

New features on the PlayStation 2 and Nintendo GameCube versions include: faster and more furious attack combinations for Jack Slate; increased access to unlocking the game's wide array of over-the-top disarm sequences; invert camera options allow players to customize camera controls; mini-games are easier while some have been made optional; new skill levels provide a uniquely tuned experience for all gaming levels; and for the first time, cheat codes are accessible.

"The success of Dead to Rights is proof that gamers want a sophisticated, mature video game experience that keeps them challenged play after play," said Stacey Hirata, Marketing Director for Namco Hometek. "We are excited to offer Dead to Rights to PlayStation 2 and Nintendo GameCube players."

According to the Interactive Digital Software Association, about 145 million people in the U.S. play computer and video games, and the average age of a game player is 28 years old. Video games have become one of the most popular forms of entertainment. In fact, market research firm NPD, reported that in 2001, total U.S. sales of games and game related hardware reached $9.4 billion, compared to total domestic box office receipts for Hollywood movies of $8.4 billion.

Namco approached making Dead to Rights much like producing a movie, first enlisting screenwriter Flint Dille (G. I. Joe television show and Transformers television show and movie) to develop the plot and deliver the working script. For music, they recruited movie composer Kevin Manthei whose credits include Resident Evil and Scary Movie 2. For realistic sound effects and design, GDH Digital (Star Trek Babylon 5) and Weddington Productions (Raiders of the Lost Ark, Robocop) were brought in. Smashcut (The Matrix, Fight Club) was hired for motion capture effects and stunts.

Dead to Rights was in development for over two years, with a production team of more than 50 artists, designers and programmers. This team, constituting Namco's biggest U.S.-developed project to date, was passionate about proving that movie-quality action, a compelling storyline and an appealing hero can be made interactive in a mature video game.

"We wanted to create a video game like no other, infusing elements from our favorite movies and allowing players to make discoveries each time they play," said Andre Emerson, Namco senior producer. "Dead to Rights was designed with great depth and detail, and the result is an intense and adult experience that can't really be described within existing game genres."

About Namco Hometek Inc.

Namco Hometek Inc. is the U.S. consumer division of Namco Limited, a Tokyo-based world leader in the high-tech entertainment industry. Committed to providing the ultimate entertainment experience, Namco uses cutting-edge technology and advanced electronics to take their theme parks, arcades, and home video games far beyond traditional entertainment.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation(R) and PS one(TM) game console, and the PlayStation(R)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.

About Nintendo

As the worldwide leader and innovator in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co. Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its popular home video game systems. The systems include Game Boy(R), Nintendo(R) 64, Game Boy Advance and Nintendo GameCube(TM). Since the release of its first home video game system in 1983, Nintendo has sold more than 1.6 billion video games worldwide, creating enduring industry icons such as Mario(TM) and Donkey Kong(R) and launching such franchises as Zelda(TM) and Pokemon(R). As a wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in the Western Hemisphere.

About Xbox

Xbox (http://www.xbox.com/) is Microsoft's future-generation video game system that delivers the most powerful games experiences ever. Xbox empowers game artists by giving them the technology to fulfill their creative visions as never before, creating games that blur the lines between fantasy and reality. Xbox is now available in North America, Japan, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Mexico.

Xbox is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

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