Berkeley Systems Announces What's the Big Idea? Officially Live on Bezerk; Online Multiplayer Game Where Great Minds Think Alike On Air.

BERKELEY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 18, 1998--Berkeley Systems, Inc., a Sierra company, today announced What's the Big Idea?, the new multiplayer game where great minds think alike, is now officially live on Bezerk (www.bezerk.com) and the World Opponent Network (WON). After three weeks of successful public beta, What's the Big Idea? joins the award-winning Bezerk line-up that includes Acrophobia, YOU DON'T KNOW JACK (R) the netshow and YOU DON'T KNOW JACK Sports the netshow. What's the Big Idea? was recently named a finalist in the Best New Multiplayer Online Game category of the 1999 Software Publishers Association Codie Awards.

"The open beta period of What's the Big Idea? has been extremely successful," said Isa Stamos, producer for Berkeley Systems. "Thousands of people have already played the game and many of them have already written to let us know they find it positively addictive."

What's the Big Idea? questions are fun, thought provoking, and have no right or wrong answers. The better a player predicts how the other players will answer the faster he or she can climb up the pyramid. However, not all of the pyramid's steps are created equal. Players must tread carefully to avoid being stopped in their tracks on a Stun Step or losing a turn by hitting a Sticky Step. Other obstacles include the Mystery Step as well as fully animated Storms that can launch Meteors, Ions and Tornadoes towards the top of the pyramid and land a player right back where they started. Cautious players may be interested in purchasing the insurance available for protection against these sudden changes in the weather. When one of the players reaches the top of the pyramid a Blowout round will ensue with players competing for the chance to move multiple steps.

New questions will be continually introduced, ensuring that the same game is never played twice. The games will run 24 hours a day seven days a week and players will be able to chat in the What's the Big Idea? lobby before and after games. Cumulative player statistics and a Hall of Fame will be available for those eager to keep track of the competition.

Gamers can also sign up to receive BezerkNews, an email newsletter that offers the latest news and contest information on What's the Big Idea?, Acrophobia, and YOU DON'T KNOW JACK the netshow.

The World Opponent Network (WON), http://www.won.net, is a free online gaming environment launched earlier this year. WON offers a comprehensive variety of online games and content of industry-leading software developers and publishing companies such as Sierra, GT InterActive, EPG Multimedia, Kellogg Creek, GameSpot, Prima Publishing and other third party providers. Daily Game News, Reviews, Contests and Tournaments make the World Opponent Network a mega-gaming and entertainment site for new online gamers, as well as seasoned online gaming veterans. WON offers entertainment, information and online shopping convenience for all Internet users. The World Opponent Network's corporate headquarters is located in Bellevue, WA.

Berkeley Systems, Inc., a division of Sierra, develops and markets multimedia entertainment software, such as After Dark (R) and YOU DON'T KNOW JACK. Sierra, Inc. is one of the original developers and largest worldwide publishers of interactive entertainment and productivity software. Sierra is comprised of six brands, Sierra Attractions, Sierra FX, Sierra Home, Sierra Sports, Sierra Studios, and Dynamix, a Sierra Company. Sierra is part of Cendant Software, one of the largest PC consumer software groups in the world, and a leader in entertainment, productivity and educational software.