Blue Fang Games Celebrates Sales Milestone for Popular ``Zoo Tycoon'' Franchise.

WALTHAM, Mass. -- Developer Set to Take Franchise to the Next Level With "Zoo Tycoon 2"

Blue Fang Games(TM), developer of the leading games for Windows(R) franchise "Zoo Tycoon(TM)," recently celebrated surpassing the 2 million unit mark in U.S. retail sales according to The NPD Group.(1) Published by Microsoft Game Studios, the "Zoo Tycoon" franchise has sold more than 4 million units worldwide and has become one of the most popular franchises in PC gaming history.(1) Blue Fang will build on their previous success with the fall release of the eagerly anticipated sequel, "Zoo Tycoon 2."

The original "Zoo Tycoon" was launched in 2001 and has been a perennial top-10 game according to NPD sales rankings and is one of the 15 best selling PC games of all time in the United States.(1) The success of the original "Zoo Tycoon" was followed in 2002 with the release of two best-selling expansion packs, "Dinosaur Digs" and "Marine Mania(R)." In 2003, Microsoft Game Studios released the compilation "Zoo Tycoon: Complete Collection," which was a top-5 game this past holiday season.(1)

"Zoo Tycoon" has won numerous awards and accolades for its addictive gameplay and family-friendly content. Most recently, "Zoo Tycoon: Complete Collection" was awarded an Interactive Achievement Award for Family Title of the Year from the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences. "Zoo Tycoon: Complete Collection" also received the Parents' Choice Foundation Gold Award and the original "Zoo Tycoon" received the prestigious Bologna New Media Prize.

Through the success of "Zoo Tycoon," Blue Fang Games has achieved 80 percent revenue growth each year for the past two years. Blue Fang is currently completing "Zoo Tycoon 2," which will be released this fall from Microsoft Game Studios. "Zoo Tycoon 2" features stunning new 3-D graphics that allow players to get up close to their zoo animals, keep a closer eye on the action and craft more creative zoos. The game will feature 30 animals in incredible detail with more fun animations and a dazzling array of building tools and objects.

"We are thrilled at the level of success of our 'Zoo Tycoon' franchise and its enormous fan base among enthusiastic gamers of all ages," said Hank Howie, president of Blue Fang. "Blue Fang has hit some significant financial milestones in the last two years, and we are excited to deliver 'Zoo Tycoon 2' this fall to its fans, and build on our accomplishments as a leading developer in PC gaming."

About "Zoo Tycoon"

"Zoo Tycoon" has been the top-selling "Tycoon" game title in dollars since its launch in 2001.(1) Simple to play yet challenging to master, "Zoo Tycoon" offers engaging gameplay for animal lovers and simulation game fans of all ages. The captivating imagery, clever gameplay and interactive tutorials in the vibrant and appealing "Zoo Tycoon" make it easy to play right out of the box. "Zoo Tycoon" has something for everyone, stimulating creativity and imagination as players respond to the needs of the animals and guests. Additional information is available at http://www.zootycoon.com/.

About Microsoft Game Studios

Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of games for the Xbox(R) video game system and Windows and online platforms. Comprising a network of top developers, Microsoft Game Studios is committed to creating innovative and diverse games for Windows (http://www.microsoft.com/games/), including such franchises as "Age of Empires(R)," "Flight Simulator" and "Zoo Tycoon"; Xbox (http://www.xbox.com/), including such franchises as "Halo(R)," "Project Gotham Racing(R)" "MechAssault(R)"; and Zone.com (http://www.zone.com/), the official games channel for the MSN(R) network and home to such hits as "Bejeweled" and "OutSmart(R)."

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

About Blue Fang Games

Blue Fang Games develops high quality, award winning PC games. Founded in 1998 by veterans of Papyrus Design Group, Blue Fang is dedicated to delivering high quality, interactive computer game titles to consumers around the world. Blue Fang's "Zoo Tycoon" franchise, published by Microsoft Game Studios, has consistently been in the top 10 sales for PC games in the United States and sold over 4 million units worldwide. Blue Fang's experienced team of game developers and designers prides itself on its proprietary project management system that delivers high quality games that are on time and on budget. Blue Fang is now hard at work developing "Zoo Tycoon 2," which will hit stores in Fall 2004.

(1) NPD Group(SM). Based on total U.S. retail sales.

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