Children uncover CD-ROM gem in Cloud 9 Interactive's new learning adventure "Wanna-Be A Dino Finder".

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 13, 1996--

Title features Saturday-morning quality animation, hours of

hands-on exploration in dig sites, hundreds of facts and tips

Kids interested in dinosaurs and paleontology will make no bones about how much they enjoy digging into Cloud 9 Interactive's new career adventure CD-ROM, "Wanna-Be a Dino Finder."

Targeting children ages 6 to 10, the title is the first in an exciting new learning adventure series which lets youngsters role play and explore what they "Wanna-Be" when they grow up.

Available in November, Cloud 9 Interactive's CD-ROM takes kids on an adventure-filled journey where they discover fossils and explore prehistoric paleoworlds by solving math, history and science puzzles.

"The `Wanna-Be' series gives children an entertaining and educational way to try-out and role play their career dreams," said Debra Streicker-Fine, president and chief executive officer, Cloud 9 Interactive. "We wanted to incorporate a `stealth learning' aspect into the titles -- children have so much fun playing the CD-ROM, they won't notice they are actually developing skills and absorbing valuable information."

"Wanna-Be a Dino Finder" was designed and created by educators, working with multimedia experts. The CD-ROM's intuitive, interactive foray into the world of paleontology provides players with a hands-on look at the tools of the profession and exposure to commonly used terms by archaeologists. As in real life, fossils, are hidden in realistic mud flats, cliffs and faults.

Throughout the learning adventure, children are accompanied on their dino-excursion by Rufus the Dog, Katie the Chameleon and Addie the Kangaroo, who appear to be mere stuffed animals in an attic hideaway until a magical sunbeam transforms them into delightful animated characters. The characters guide players into the fossil hunting base camp of the eminent paleontologist Dr. Rock Hound, resident expert, resource and referee for "Wanna-Be a Dino Finder."

The base camp tent is filled with fun information clickables which include wacky facts about dinosaurs and data about prehistoric periods. By clicking on a map posted inside the tent, players can start a fossil finding adventure.

They are offered a selection of six different locations around the world where they can help Dr. Rock discover missing dinosaur bones needed to complete a museum display. Players can also select an icon marked "Activity Center" which is filled with dinosaur games and challenging puzzles.

After selecting a location on the map, the child travels through prehistoric times to match the right bones to the right dinosaur. Along the way, they gather clues and solve puzzles and problems, using age-appropriate learning skills. Players are rewarded for completion and encouraged when they become stuck.

Each dig site contains a variety of activities and tools for unearthing fossils. Kids will find a jack hammer, a pick and brush for cleaning bones in their collection, and they will also find one of many surprises.

Once all the bones are recovered and cleaned, it's off to the Bone Build activity. There, kids assemble and skin their dinosaur. If they've put him together correctly, kids are awarded a certificate elevating them from a one-star Ditch Digger to a four-star Dino Finder.

By selecting the "Activity Center," children can pick from a variety of fun, educational games, each with different skill levels:

-- "Compass Capers" teaches children math and directional skills

while]helping Rufus uncover bones.

-- "Hidden Pictures" is a collage of 50 dinosaurs where kids must

correctly identify everything from a triceratops to a

dilophosarus.

-- "Creature Time Match" challenges the player to correctly place

each prehistoric friend in their corresponding time period whether

it be the Jurassic, Creataceous or Tertiary period.

-- In "Dino Diner," kids must feed each type of dinosaur the correct

food. Some dinos are herbivores, others are carnivores. If a

player feeds the dinosaur the wrong food, it may come back at

them.

-- In "Creature Maker," children create their own dinosaur and

assemble it with body parts, everything from a T-Rex to a

Brontosaurus.

-- With "Jurassic Jam," kids can rock 'n roll to a variety of music

genres including jazz, classical, country and even prehistoric

sounds. Kids can also control and adjust the instrument and

rhythm of the music.

-- In "Mix and Match," a concentration game, children uncover

different screens to match different dinosaurs to each other.

-- "Pangaea Puzzle" challenges kids to put together a puzzle map of

what the earth looked like millions of years ago.

-- "Dino Paint" lets kids create their own "Mesozoic Masterpiece" by

letting them choose their dino, its colors, its skin and a

colorful background. They can even print out their creations.

"Wanna-Be a Dino Finder" will be available in major retail outlet stores for both the Windows and Macintosh platforms at an estimated street price of $34.95.

Based in Los Angeles, Cloud 9 Interactive is a dynamic children's entertainment studio that publishes, distributes, develops and licenses high-quality children's characters and family content for use in all entertainment media.

Formed and staffed by industry-leading experts in the fields of multimedia, marketing, publishing and entertainment, the company is backed by leading venture capital firms. Cloud 9 Interactive's toll-free number is 888/ON-CLOUD9. -0- NOTE: Cloud 9 Interactive, "Wanna-Be" and "Wanna-Be a Dino Finder" are trademarks of Cloud 9 Interactive Inc. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective owners.

CONTACT: The Bohle Co.

Aimee Greenholtz/Wendy Zaas, 310/785-0515

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