989 Studios Unleashes an All New Concept in Racing Game Action With Running Wild for the PlayStation.

FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 30, 1998--989 Studios, formerly known as Sony Interactive Studios America, announced today that it is publishing the upcoming title Running Wild(TM) -- available late October, exclusively for the PlayStation(R) game console.

Created by Universal Interactive Studios Inc., the producers of the top-selling PlayStation game Crash Bandicoot(TM), Running Wild fuses the high-speed action of traditional racing-style games with whimsical animal characters who compete entirely on foot.

"We are pleased to add Running Wild to the stable of great titles 989 Studios is releasing for the PlayStation," said Jeffery Fox, vice president, marketing, 989 Studios. "Running Wild combines cartoon-style animal characters into a compelling racing environment. The result is a videogame experience which is perfect for gameplayers of all ages and skill levels; this is a family game."

A departure from traditional racing games, Running Wild features a cast of six zany, fast-running characters. Each character has a signature racing style and special attributes that add to their superior animal athleticism.

Running Wild challenges gameplayers to rocket through six courses of rigorous terrain, including hot lava fields, frozen rivers, drainage tunnels and winding city streets. In addition to the high-speed race, obstacle ridden game environments provide a challenging element to the gameplay.

"Running Wild is one of the first combination racing and character action games, which are the number one and number three most popular console video game genres," said Mark Cerny, president of Universal Interactive Studios. "The title offers a stunning 60 frames per second to support intense speed and action, and boasts excellent depth of play with mighty power-ups that let players really `run wild'."

Adding to Running Wild's appeal to gameplayers of all ages and skill levels is the option that allows gameplayers to decrease the game's level of difficulty. Difficulty levels can be adjusted by accessing the "Auto Run" option which automatically operates the accelerator button on the game pad, allowing gameplayers to focus on maneuvering the characters -- a helpful feature for younger gameplayers.

Featuring adjustable game modes, Running Wild roars at 60 frames per second in single player mode. Running Wild also features a multi-player mode that allows up to four players to compete simultaneously on a four-way split screen. -0-

Key Features

--   Auto Run: lowers difficulty settings and allows gameplayers of
     all ages to compete in the fast action race

--   Richly textured environments with crisp graphics and 3-D polygons
     creates an immersive game-playing experience

--   Viewing Modes: split-screen racing action in vertical, horizontal
     or letterbox

--   Control up to six fast and furious characters, including Brazz
     the zebra, Gwynne the rabbit, Boris the elephant, General the
     ram, Coronado the bull and Mei Ling the panda

--   Varying Racing Modes: challenge, circuit, time trials, practice
     race and power-ups

--   Six detailed worlds loaded with power-ups, hidden areas and
     menacing level bosses

--   Adding to the blistering racing action is the precision control
     feature which allows game characters to increase momentum and
     experience friction based on the terrain they are racing on

--   Supports analog and dual shock controllers

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Universal Interactive Studios Inc., (UIS), a subsidiary of Universal Studios New Media Group, creates videogames for console platforms from original concepts. Universal Studios New Media Group is responsible for the studio's efforts in the area of interactive entertainment. The division develops, produces and markets content for the Internet as well as the PC and videogame consoles.

Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com) is a unit of The Seagram Co. Ltd., a global beverage and entertainment company.

989 Studios, formerly known as Sony Interactive Studios America, is a wholly-owned division of Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. and the third-largest PlayStation(R) software publisher in North America.

Headquartered in Foster City, with a second development studio in San Diego, 989 Studios develops software for the PlayStation game console, personal computer and online markets. 989 Studios is a recognized leader in the videogame industry, with top franchise titles such as NFL GameDay(TM) and Twisted Metal(TM).

    CONTACT: 989 Studios
              Marcelyn Ditter, 650/655-3620
              [e-mail]
               or
              Kristina Kirk, 650/655-6084
              [e-mail]