Electronic Arts and Looking Glass Studios Ship System Shock 2

Eagerly Anticipated Sequel to Legendary Sci-Fi/Horror RPG System Shock Hits Retailers Nationwide

Redwood City, Calif. August 11, 1999 - Prepare to be SHOCKed! Electronic Arts(TM) and Looking Glass Studios today shipped System Shock(TM) 2, a 3D science fiction/horror role-playing game (RPG) and sequel to System Shock, one of the most critically acclaimed computer games in history. The game, which again pits players against the evil artificial intelligence SHODAN, was co-developed by Looking Glass Studios and Irrational Games, and is being co-published by Looking Glass Studios and Electronic Arts. The title will begin hitting stores today and will be available nationwide by Friday, with a suggested retail price of $44.95. The initial shipment will be available in a limited edition package with chromium embossing.

"The wait is finally over for gamers who got hooked on Shock and have been looking forward to System Shock 2," said Paul Neurath, managing director of Looking Glass Studios. "When they come face to face with Shodan, they're going to feel like their worst enemy is back."

System Shock 2 takes place in the 22nd century on the Von Braun starship, where something has gone terribly wrong. The player must utilize a powerful arsenal of weapons and psionic powers to defeat a seemingly endless stream of monsters and mechanical enemies. Dozens of gadgets are also available to help the player upgrade weapons, research alien technology, neutralize enemies, heal wounds, crack computer systems, convert matter to energy and more.

System Shock 2 is based on a next-generation version of Looking Glass' proprietary 3D technology, the Dark Engine, which offers 16-bit graphics, colored lighting, and variable translucent objects. The game features ten playable levels and a rich science fiction action/role-playing game system, with detailed character generation and growth, inventory and equipping, and several groups of special traits unique to each character. A multiplayer patch will be offered online shortly.

Creative Labs' Environmental Audio Extensions (EAX) recreates real-world multi-dimensional audio in personal computers equipped with the Sound Blaster(R) Live! line of sound cards. For System Shock 2, it allows the sound engine to create audio effects that give the player a greater sense of space and realism. Throughout every mission, sound reverberation becomes a true function of room size and acoustic properties, and Creative's multi-speaker Environmental Audio system allows sound cues to come from left, right, in front, and behind.

System requirements for System Shock 2 include: Windows(R) 95 or 98, Pentium(R) 200 MHz, 32 MP RAM, 8x-speed CD-ROM, Direct 3D(TM) compatible 3D accelerator card, DirectX(TM) compatible sound card, Windows compatible mouse, keyboard and DirectX 6.0 or later. System Shock 2 carries an ESRB rating of M (Mature).

Looking Glass Studios is a leading developer of entertainment and simulation software distinguished by its expertise in 3D immersive technologies. Headquartered in Cambridge, Mass., the talented team at Looking Glass has created some of the best-selling and highly acclaimed titles in the interactive entertainment industry, including the Ultima(TM) Underworld(TM) series, System Shock(TM) , the Flight Unlimited(TM) series and Thief: The Dark Project(TM) .

Irrational Games is a Cambridge, Mass.-based computer game development house founded by three senior developers formerly with Looking Glass Studios. While at Looking Glass, these team members were key programmers and designers on projects including System Shock and Thief: The Dark Project.

Electronic Arts, headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, Electronic Arts posted revenues of more than $1.2 billion for fiscal 1999. The company develops, publishes and distributes software worldwide for personal computers and video game systems. Electronic Arts markets its products under seven brand names: Electronic Arts, EA SPORTS(TM) , Maxis(TM) , ORIGIN(TM) , Bullfrog(TM) Productions, Westwood Studios(TM) and Jane's(R) Combat Simulations. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://www.ea.com.