ELECTRONIC ARTS TO RELEASE EA SPORTS RUGBY FOR PLAYSTATION 2


Australia. - April 17, 2001 - Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), the world's largest developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment software, today announced that they are developing a second EA SPORTS™ Rugby title, once again featuring the Australian Wallabies. Utilizing the experience obtained with the development of EA SPORTS Rugby 2001 for PC, Electronic Arts have taken rugby to the next level – for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system.

EA's latest rugby game for the PlayStation 2 console, EA SPORTS RUGBY, will be launched in June. EA SPORTS RUGBY for the PlayStation 2 console will once again feature licensed content from the Australian Rugby Union, and from a number of other bodies including the New Zealand Rugby Union, South African rugby Football Union, the Rugby Football Union, Federation Francaise de Rugby and Scottish Rugby Union.

"Developing EA SPORTS Rugby for the PlayStation 2 brings us one step closer in our efforts to expand our market share through the rapidly growing sport of rugby in this country, rather than just focusing on US sports and soccer. With the technology now available we are truly able to capture the essence of Rugby”, said Andrew Wilson, Business Development Manager for EA's Australian studio, Studio Oz.

"This product captures all the essential elements of international rugby. Fast paced and quick thinking. Rugby fans will enjoy the challenge, while seasoned game-players will get a close-up interactive feel for our game", said Brian Thorburn, General Manager of Australian Rugby.

EA SPORTS Rugby for PlayStation 2 console combines stunning graphics, sophisticated physics models and AI (artificial intelligence) that immerses gamers into the big hitting fast paced world of international rugby. PlayStation 2 gamers will enjoy the depth of gameplay, team management and unparalleled graphic presentation of the rugby franchise.

To master EA SPORTS Rugby, with hopes of winning the Tri-Nations Series, the Bledisloe Cup, the Six Nations and other international tournaments, gamers will have to become intimately familiar with their squads of players, and the types of set plays they operate against different opposition...selecting certain players for certain games. With 600 players in all, this will be a challenging yet fun task. The game features 25 faithfully modeled international stadiums, including Twickenham, Murrayfield and Ellis Park, along with expert play-by-play commentary by the voice of rugby, Bill McLaren, to update you at every moment.


Developed by The Creative Assembly Ltd., in the United Kingdom, EA SPORTS Rugby is the culmination of three years research and development. EA SPORTS, using motion capture technology, was able to capture all the real rugby player moves by attaching reflective balls to actual professional players. The reflective balls signal back to a computer the data necessary to recreate these actions in the video game. The team at The Creative Assembly have captured player motions that have enhanced the game with greater realism. Running, passing, tackling, jumping for the ball and packing into scrums all show a great level of detail and animation. Casual gamers and rugby fanatics will appreciate the level of detail captured from the subtle animations right through to the in-humane tackles!

Larkham, Herbet, Kefu and Gregan are featured in packaging and marketing materials in for the Play Station 2 version….Available soon at a store near you!



THIS IS SO REAL IT HURTS!


EA SPORTS, (www.easports.com), is the leading interactive sports software brand in the world. Its top-selling franchises and titles include FIFA Soccer, John Madden Football™, NHL® Hockey, Knockout Kings™, NBA LIVE Basketball, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® Golf, Triple Play Baseball™ and NASCAR® 2000.

Electronic Arts (Nasdaq: ERTS), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world’s leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, Electronic Arts (EA) posted revenues of more than $1.4 billion for fiscal 2000. The company develops, publishes and distributes software worldwide for the Internet, personal computers and video game systems. Electronic Arts markets its products under three brand names: EA SPORTS™, EA GAMES™ and EA.COMSM. More information about EA’s products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://www.ea.com.
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Electronic Arts, EA SPORTS, John Madden Football, Knockout Kings and Triple Play Baseball are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. EA.COM is a service mark of EA.com Inc. The SRU logo is the copyright of Scottish Rugby Union plc. The SRU logo and "Murrayfield" are trademarks of Scottish Rugby Union plc. The FFR and the XV France logos are trademarks of Federation Francaise de Rugby. The Silver Fern Device, ALL BLACKS and ALL BLACK are trade marks owned by the NZRFU and are used under license from NZRFU. The Australian Rugby and Wallaby logos are trademarks owned by Australian Rugby Union Ltd., and are used under license. The SA Rugby logo is a trademark of the South African Rugby Football Union and is used under exclusive license. The England Rose, alone and used in conjunction with the England Rugby logo and or "Twickenham" are trademarks of the Rugby Football Union Ltd. Exclusively licensed to and published by Electronic Arts. PlayStation is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.