Accolade Ships Test Drive 5 for Personal Computers; PC Gamers Can Now Race Through Exotic Real World Locations In Amazing Licensed Vehicles.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 18, 1998--Accolade, a leading software publisher and developer of video games, announced that its Test Drive 5 racing game begins shipping today for personal computers.

Pitting supercars of the present against muscle cars of the past, the game features more than 28 licensed cars, 18 courses in real world locations and branching technology, allowing for alternative paths. A version for the PlayStation(R) game console shipped in October of this year.

"We are confident that PC gamers will be pleased with Test Drive 5," said Chris Downend, executive producer of Test Drive 5. "The game has something for just about every sports car fan, a ton of incredible licensed cars, exciting tracks in great real world cities, and branching; all with a new game engine."

Test Drive 5 includes such licensed supercars as the 1998 Dodge(R) Viper, 1998 Chevrolet(R) Corvette(R), 1998 Aston Martin Vantage, 1998 TVR Cerbera, 1998 Jaguar XKR, 1998 Saleen Mustang S351-R, 1997 Chevrolet(R) Camaro(R) SS(tm) LT4(tm), and the 1998 Nissan(R) Skyline.

The muscle cars in Test Drive 5 include: the 1966 Shelby Cobra 427SC, 1967 Pontiac GTO, 1968 1/2 Ford Mustang 428CJ, 1969 Chevrolet(R) Camaro ZL-1(tm), 1969 Chevrolet(R) Corvette ZL-1(tm), 1970 Chevrolet(R) Chevelle(tm) SS LS-6, 1971 Plymouth Hemi Cuda and the 1969 Dodge(R) Charger. Additionally, 12 "super-charged enhanced" cars and "secret" cars are included in Test Drive 5, producing a total of 40 cars accessible to the player.

In Test Drive 5, users race through traffic in high-intensity police chases across exotic locations all over the world, such as Moscow, Russia; Honolulu, Hawaii; Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina; Tokyo, Japan; Edinburgh, Scotland; Sydney, Australia; Munich,Germany; Keswick, England; Kyoto, Japan; San Francisco, California; Washington, D.C.; and Bern, Switzerland.

Circuit track courses include: Cheddar Gorge, England; Newcastle, England; Maui, Hawaii; Jarash, Jordan; Montego Bay, Jamaica; and Courmayeur, Italy. Most of the game's 18 courses are reversible, producing a total of 31 unique driving experiences. A drag racing option is available to users as well. Players also have the ability to play as the police and race after speeding cars.

Test Drive 5 features a new 3D engine developed by driving game experts, The Pitbull Syndicate, that gives users a more lifelike feel of racing. MultiDynamic Environment Mapping(tm) recreates the look and feel of traveling under trees and bridges by adding multiple reflections and shadows to the vehicles. Branching technology is also included and allows multiple paths, off-course driving and short-cuts through streets and mountains.

The game's soundtrack features songs from Wax Trax! Records' industrial rock band KMFDM; gold-selling alternative band Gravity Kills of TVT Records; Geffen recording artist Pitchshifter; futuristic rock artist Fear Factory and Holland's mix-master Junkie XL, both of Roadrunner Records.

Both horizontal and vertical split screen modes are offered in Test Drive 5, allowing for exciting two-player action. Test Drive 5 includes multiplayer capabilities for up to six players via LAN. Minimum system requirements are: IBM or compatible with Windows(R) 95/98, Pentium 166, 32MB of RAM with a Direct 3D compatible 3D accelerator card and 150 MB of hard drive space. The game's new engine utilizes DirectX(tm) 6, including special support for 3Dfx.

Test Drive 5 is currently available at an estimated street price of $49.95.

Founded in 1984, Accolade, Inc. publishes and develops video games for game consoles and multimedia personal computers. Accolade titles include Test Drive(R), Test Drive Off-Road(tm), HardBall(R), Star Control(tm), Big Air(tm), and Slave Zero(tm). Distributed by Electronic Arts Distribution, Accolade games are available from major software specialty stores, computer superstores or direct from Accolade by calling 800/245-7744.

Accolade is privately held and based in San Jose. For more information, visit the company's web site at http://www.accolade.com