Berkeley Systems Ships First Teen Pop-Culture Trivia Game HeadRush; Graphics, Soundtrack and Timely Trivia Tailored for the Next Generation.

BERKELEY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 31, 1998--Berkeley Systems, Inc., a Sierra company, today shipped HeadRush(TM), the first pop-culture trivia game tailored for the next generation.

Introduced at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in May, HeadRush builds on the tremendous critical and retail success of YOU DON'T KNOW JACK(R), the quiz show party game for grown-ups created by the award-winning team of Jellyvision, Inc. and Berkeley Systems. From South Park to Shakespeare and the X-Files to X-Men, HeadRush's timely trivia, graphics and coolness factor was created with todays teenagers in mind. Shipping with a total of more than 550 questions, HeadRush is available for Windows 95, Windows 98 and Macintosh for a street price of $29.95.

"Teenage guys and girls can relate to HeadRush's hilarious content and enjoy its incredible graphics, cool music and party game show format," said Lori Ludington, Product Marketing Manager for HeadRush. "It's a pioneering product in the teen software category."

"We knew that kids loved to play Jack but couldn't relate to the crusty old 70s trivia and corny puns so we created a game just for them," stated Michelle Gorchow, creative director of HeadRush for Jellyvision. "We also cranked up the animation and sound effects so, basically, the only thing you can't do with HeadRush is scratch and sniff it....and we're working on that," said Andy Poland, the host and co-director.

HeadRush offers a jet-paced experience and features a variety of question types including twisted multiple choice, fill-in-the-blanks and buzz-ins. The hip host keeps the wise cracks flowing and is joined by special guest hosts like "Milan the Janitor" who poses grammatical questions. Each question is introduced by a colorful and humorous cartoon segue, and every game includes an animated commercial for such HeadRush "sponsors" as Puppy Farm and Humpy Cola. Players can "Bite Their Neighbor" and force another player to answer a question correctly or have their player icon chomped. Continuing in the YOU DON'T KNOW JACK tradition of party gaming, HeadRush accommodates up to three players at one time as well as offering tournament options such as high-score board and special scoring levels.

As part of a deal with Mercury Records, HeadRush will include three separate audio tracks from new Mercury acts on the CD-ROM. The hot new songs from Mercury artists Motorbaby, 2 Skinnee J's and Swirl 360 can be played off the HeadRush CD-ROM by using a traditional audio player or a personal computer. Part of this promotion will include package cross-stickering at retail.

Prospective players will be able to download a demo version of HeadRush by visiting http://www.headrush.com beginning September 3. The HeadRush web site will also feature downloadable icons and sounds from the game, message boards, and an "Ask Baby Diva" column featuring answers to visitor questions on topics ranging from music to friends to school.

The original YOU DON'T KNOW JACK, created by Jellyvision and Berkeley Systems, became an instant classic when it was launched in 1995. The series has garnered more than 35 awards and includes YOU DON'T KNOW JACK Volume 2, YOU DON'T KNOW JACK Volume 3, and the all new YOU DON'T KNOW JACK The Ride shipping in November. YOU DON'T KNOW JACK The Irreverent Collection combines the entire JACK series and will also be released this fall. YOU DON'T KNOW JACK The Ride has an estimated street price of $29.95 and YOU DON'T KNOW JACK The Irreverent Collection has an estimated retail price of $49.95. Both will be available for Windows 95, Windows 3.1, and Macintosh. In addition Berkeley Systems is offering After Dark(R) Games this fall, a set of 11 fun and challenging games featuring characters from the best-selling After Dark screen savers. After Dark Games will be available for Windows 95 and Macintosh in late October for an estimated street price of $29.95.

Based in Chicago, Jellyvision has a staff of 50 mostly writers, actors, comics, and editors. Jellyvision invented the original concept and design for YOU DON'T KNOW JACK and for HeadRush, the first trivia game just for teens. Creative production of these products continues to be directed by JVI, including writing the questions & dialogue, directing the music, performing the material and producing the audio. Jellyvision has its roots in creating educational products and three years ago began producing interactive programs. Jellyvision aspires to be a leader in the field of interactive television production.

Berkeley Systems, Inc., a division of Sierra, develops and markets multimedia entertainment software, such as After Dark and YOU DON'T KNOW JACK. Sierra is part of Cendant Software, one of the largest PC consumer software groups in the world, and a leader in entertainment and educational software. Cendant Software consolidates Cendant Corporations software divisions, which include Sierra(TM), Knowledge Adventure(R) and Blizzard Entertainment(R). Cendant is the world's premier provider of consumer and business services. Cendant operates in three principal segments: Alliance Marketing, Travel and Real Estate Services. Headquartered in Parsippany, NJ, the company has more than 40,000 employees, operates in over 100 countries and makes approximately 100 million customer contacts annually.

Note to Editors: Review copies, beta-SP video b-roll footage and screen shots are available upon request. For more information on HeadRush, please contact Cassie Roduner at 510/540-5535 ext. 772 or [e-mail].

For more information on Jellyvision, please contact Aaron Odland at 312/266-0606 ext. 100 or [e-mail].

    CONTACT: Berkeley Systems PR
              Cassie Roduner, 510/540-5535, ext. 772
              [e-mail]
              http://www.berkeleysystems.com