Compulsive Development Announces First Computer Game; Austin Game Company Makes Its Mark.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 11, 2001

Compulsive Development(tm) today announced its entry into the PC game industry with the launch of its first product.

Bicycle(R) Casino Games is an addictive casino-style game where players deal into 17 of the most popular casino games at three glamorous Las Vegas resorts. It is being published by Microsoft(R), and is currently available in most retail channels.

Compulsive is already hard at work on the next version of Bicycle Casino, as well as a new addition to its stable of products, Bicycle(R) Card Games. Both new games are due out for the holiday season, 2002.

Three game industry veterans, Mike McShaffry, Joye McBurnett and Patrick Bradshaw, who met at Origin Systems(tm) in the 1990s, founded Compulsive Development in January 2001, on the premise of creating fun and addictive computer entertainment for casual gamers.

"There's nothing like seeing your product on the shelves," says Head of Studio Mike McShaffry. "It validates the studio's hard work, its skill, and its development process. Shipping product makes your team happy and your business successful at the same time. I think our future includes our logo on a lot of boxes and solid development teams that would never want to work anywhere else."

The addition of Bicycle Card Games to Compulsive's development schedule is a direct result of their performance on Bicycle Casino. "The strength and timely delivery of our first release convinced Microsoft of our proficiency. We're very excited that they have chosen us to work on this second line of products for them," says Joye McBurnett, Head of Product Development.

Compulsive's Founders

Mike McShaffry began his gaming career at Origin Systems in October of 1990. McShaffry contributed variously as a programmer, lead programmer and producer to titles like Martian Dreams(tm), Ultima(tm) VII, Ultima VIII, Ultima Ascension and Ultima Online(tm). His specialties include technology research, team building, design, and project management. He is the Head of Studio of Compulsive Development, responsible for all strategic aspects of programming and production. Mike holds a BS in Computer Science from the University of Houston.

Joye McBurnett started working in the computer game industry in 1991 at Origin Systems. Her design and management credits can be seen on such products as Wing Commander(tm) III (PC&3DO)(tm), Bioforge(tm), Ultima 7.5: Serpent Isle(tm), Ultima IX and Ultima Online. Most recently, McBurnett has been at Human Code(tm), where she served as Senior Producer of Online Development. She is now Compulsive's Head of Product Development. Joye is responsible for game design and production, tactical direction of projects and the happiness and well being of the Compulsive Development teams. Joye holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Trinity University in San Antonio.

Patrick Bradshaw began his work in computer games at Origin Systems in 1995, as a marketing manager on the Wing Commander, Ultima, Crusader(tm) and Jane's(tm) Combat Simulations lines. He is the President and General Manager of Compulsive Development. Patrick holds a BA in History and an MBA, both from the University of Texas at Austin.

About Compulsive Development

Compulsive Development, based in Austin, Texas, makes compelling and addictive entertainment for the PC. It is currently partnered non-exclusively with Microsoft to make the Bicycle Casino Games and Bicycle Card Games lines of computer game entertainment.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq:MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software -- any time, any place and on any device.