Capcom's Resident Evil tops a million units worldwide.

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 15, 1996--Capcom Entertainment Thursday announced that in less than six months, its best-selling video game Resident Evil has shipped more than a million units worldwide.

According to the latest TRSTS Report, Resident Evil has remained the number one selling PlayStation title since it was first released in March. A PlayStation exclusive, Resident Evil has been praised by many retailers for actually driving hardware sales and acclaimed by industry critics for captivating players with its suspense, drama and terror. It draws its inspiration from American films such as Aliens, Jaws, Psycho, The Birds with an homage to Alfred Hitchcock, the master of suspense.

"Every piece of commercial technology that comes along needs at least one `killer app' -- one reason why the public absolutely needs to own this particular piece of technology," said Greg Ballard, president of Capcom Entertainment.

"For the Sony PlayStation, it's Resident Evil. The day it shipped, PlayStation sales rose substantially and stayed there. Like a hand-full of other mega-hits in our industry, Resident Evil has already spurred clones and finds itself in the esteemed position of having other similar products described as `Resident Evil-like.' We couldn't be happier with its success."

"Resident Evil is the largest selling PlayStation title at Electronics Boutique," says Pete Roithmayr, director/senior buyer, Electronics Boutique. "It also holds the record for the largest first day sales, which tells you a lot about the title."

Indications from several major retailers are that sales on Resident Evil will continue to climb and that they haven't even reached their half-way mark. "We're reordering as many copies of Resident Evil for the Christmas season as we've sold-through to date," continued Roithmayr. "We expect our sales on this title to double."

In the May 4, 1996 issue of Video Store magazine, Roithmayr stated: "Great software is still the best way to move hardware, and right now, Capcom's Resident Evil is putting a lot of heat behind the PlayStation." In the same article, Mike Ribero, former executive vice president and general manager of Sega of America added his assessment of the title. "Resident Evil is what's motivating PSX sales."

Capcom anticipates Resident Evil to be one of a few `must-have' games for new and old PlayStation owners this holiday season. To continue to heighten awareness, additional marketing dollars have been put behind the product.

"The support and overwhelmingly positive reviews Resident Evil received from the major video gaming publications have extended into the mainstream press allowing us an awareness past our hardcore gamers and enthusiasts," said Simone Seydoux, product marketing manager at Capcom Entertainment.

"This audience will always remain our first priority but, since they are already incredibly knowledgeable about Resident Evil, our strategy for the holiday season is to continue the reach into the new and broader audience of gamers."

Seydoux continued, "Our intention is to focus more efforts at the retail level. When Resident Evil was released, we created a poster with a very compelling illustration on it for an in-store promotion.

"The poster was so popular people were actually taking them from the stores. Consequently, we're planning on printing more posters for promotional use, as well as provide retailers with a special video for in-store play. We've also created t-shirts with this same illustration for promotional use and for purchase direct from Capcom."

A new ad with a new focus on press quotes will start running in general consumer publications in November. Special promotions are planned with participating retailers for strategy guide bundles and dollar-off coupons. Through December, Capcom will sponsor several on-line contests on their own web page, provide Resident Evil-specific giveaways on other web sites, and host conferences on CompuServe and America On-Line.

David Winding, president of Dimension Publishing and publisher of the Official Resident Evil Strategy Guide adds, "We're pleased to say that sales of the Strategy Guide have superseded original forecast. It is currently the number one selling strategy guide. We knew this was going to be a popular product, but even our best estimations have been proven wrong. We'll take being wrong like this any time."

Capcom, a wholly owned subsidiary of Capcom Co., Ltd., is a leading force in the multi-billion dollar interactive entertainment industry. The company develops, markets, and distributes both coin-operated and home video games for the Super Nintendo, Sega Saturn and Sony PlayStation. Capcom Entertainment, Inc. is based in Sunnyvale, Calif.

CONTACT: Capcom Entertainment

Melinda Mongelluzzo/Chris Kramer, 408/774-0500