[2] NBA ShootOut 2000 Brings PlayStation Gamers Closer to the Court Than Ever Before; 989 Sports' All-New Basketball Videogame Recreates the Fun of NBA in Lifelike Detail.

Entertainment Editors

FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Dec. 20, 1999

989 Sports(TM) announced today that NBA ShootOut 2000, which is licensed by the NBA and features all of the NBA teams, players and new team-specific NBA playbooks, will be available for the PlayStation(R) game console Wednesday.

NBA ShootOut 2000 boasts all-new 3D player and arena graphics, advanced NBA-style gameplay, a revolutionary "Create Dunk" option, 300 new motion captured moves from eight NBA players and a TV-style presentation that includes commentary from New Jersey Nets broadcaster Ian Eagle.

"NBA ShootOut 2000 incorporates enhanced graphics and the latest technology, as well as all of the great 989 Sports' exclusive features that have made the NBA ShootOut series so fun to play," said Jeffrey Fox, vice president, marketing, 989 Studios.

"We have received rave reviews from NBA players who have tested and consulted on this year's game. No other PlayStation basketball videogame has the moves, look, feel, features and exciting gameplay of NBA ShootOut 2000."

Exclusive to NBA ShootOut 2000 is a proprietary high-tech game engine, all-new "Touch Shooting," "Advanced Dribbling Control," "Create Player" and "Create Dunk" options.

"Touch Shooting" lets the gameplayer control accuracy of the shot, while "Advanced Dribbling Control" allows cross over dribbles, dribbling between the legs, and around the back. The "Create Dunk" option customizes dunking style, and the "Create Player" feature lets the gamer build individual players with specific attributes.

Every subtle and personalized move of the NBA, including more than 40 signature dunks, has been motion captured to amazing detail with the help of NBA players such as the Phoenix Suns' Jason Kidd, the Cleveland Cavaliers' Brevin Knight and Trajan Langdon, the Orlando Magic's Charles "Bo" Outlaw, the Boston Celtics' Paul Pierce and the Los Angeles Lakers' Robert Horry.

More than 300 new player moves include drop steps from the post, one-handed bounce passes, turn around fade away shots, reverse lay ups and finger rolls -- just to name a few.

The gameplay control features -- "Read and React AI," "Matchup and Deny AI," Icon Cutting(TM), Icon Passing(TM) and Icon Switching(TM) -- give the gamer ultimate control and an authentic NBA feel.

With the press of one button, gamers can call plays on the fly from specific team playbooks or call for cutters, screens and double teams. NBA ShootOut 2000 also includes complete roster management, full season and game statistics, and a variety of different gameplay modes, from exhibition to the NBA Finals.

NBA ShootOut 2000 features the Phoenix Suns' All-Star point guard Jason Kidd on the package.

NBA ShootOut 2000 Key Features:

--   All-new, state-of-the-art game engine delivers new level of
     graphics and gameplay

--   300 new animations include fake around-the-back passes, reverse
     lay ups, finger rolls, no-look passes, spins and more than 40
     signature dunks

--   NBA style playbooks, designed specifically for each team's
     specific style of play

--   Revolutionary "Create Dunk" option lets gamers customize their
     own dunking style

--   All 29 NBA teams and updated player rosters

--   All-new large 3D polygonal players scaled to actual height and
     weight with exact player faces

--   New "Touch Shooting" lets gameplayer control the accuracy of the
     shot

--   "Advanced Dribbling Control" allows the player to change
     dribbling styles

--   Customize players with the "Create Player" feature, including
     physical attributes and playing ability

--   New motion capture animations from real NBA players, including
     the Phoenix Suns' Jason Kidd, the Cleveland Cavaliers' Brevin
     Knight and Trajan Langdon, the Orlando Magic's Charles "Bo"
     Outlaw, the Boston Celtics' Paul Pierce and the Los Angeles
     Lakers' Robert Horry

--   New TV-style presentation with play-by-play commentary from New
     Jersey Nets broadcaster Ian Eagle

--   All-new arenas with animated crowds and authentic arena music

--   "Read and React AI" lets the offense run plays that expose
     defensive weaknesses

--   "Matchup and Deny AI" lets the defense read and run the offense
     into disarray

--   Updated Icon Cutting, Icon Passing and Icon Switching

--   Complete roster management: create, trade, release, sign and
     draft players

--   Gameplay modes: Exhibition, Tournament, NBA All-Star Game,
     Playoffs and the NBA Finals

--   Full season and game statistics

--   Real NBA awards: MVP, scoring, rebounding, Defensive Player of
     the Year and Rookie of the Year

--   Up to eight players with Multi-tap adapter

989 Sports is the sports software brand of 989 Studios. Known for its top-selling sports franchise titles such as NFL GameDay(TM), NFL Xtreme(TM), NCAA(R) GameBreaker(TM), NCAA(R) Final Four(R), MLB(TM), NBA ShootOut and NHL FaceOff(TM), 989 Sports is committed to developing authentic and innovative sports games to appeal to both the professional athlete and sports videogame fan.

989 Studios, a Sony Computer Entertainment Group Company, is a wholly-owned division of Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. and is the third-largest PlayStation(R) software publisher in North America. Headquartered in Foster City, California, with additional development studios in San Diego and Santa Monica, 989 Studios develops software for the PlayStation game console and online markets.

989 Studios is a recognized leader in the videogame industry, with top franchise titles such as NFL GameDay(TM), Twisted Metal(R), Syphon Filter(TM), Jet Moto(R) and Cool Boarders(R).

Visit us on the Web at www.989sports.com