Electronic Arts Ships NHL 98 for the PlayStation and PC; EA SPORTS' Top-Selling Interactive Hockey Game Features 3-D Polygonal Players, State-of-the-Art Motion Capture and Coaching Strategies from Stanley Cup Winning Coach Marc Crawford.

SAN MATEO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 24, 1997--Electronic Arts(TM) (NASDAQ:ERTS), a leading global interactive entertainment software company, today announced the shipment of NHL(R) 98 for the PlayStation(TM) and PC.

NHL 98 features fast, hard hitting gameplay and 3-D polygonal players that incorporate the use of state-of-the-art motion capture technology where real NHL players have been digitized into the game to provide authentic animations and player graphics. NHL 98 delivers more ways to forecheck, backcheck, execute breakouts, skate, make saves and shoot than any other hockey game on the market.

Motion captured player animations from Florida Panthers' All-Star goalie John Vanbiesbrouk include butterfly saves, stack pads, and numerous other goalie moves. Other NHL players were recorded to create hard hitting board and bench checks, wrist and slap shots, and in-your-face celebrations.

NHL 98 features all of the NHL teams, logos and over 700 players with the latest trades, statistics, and player ratings. Each player has his name and number on his uniform, including those that are made in the "create a player" mode. The role of general manager can also be assumed in the transactions mode in order to trade, create and release players.

NHL 98 has eight different camera angles and unlimited instant replay angles, allowing players to view the hockey action from down on the ice, in the press box or up in the rafters. Enhanced sound effects include chanting crowds, grinding blades against the ice, the slamming of the penalty box door and stadium-pounding organ music. Play-by-play commentary is provided by real life NHL broadcast announcers Jim Hughson and Daryl "The Razor" Reaugh.

In an effort to continuously raise the bar in realism, EA SPORTS enlisted the assistance of Stanley Cup winning Colorado Avalanche Coach Marc Crawford to direct the design of on-the-fly coaching strategies that were implemented into NHL 98. This feature allows game players to dynamically react to what is happening in the game, depending on a specific situation, and to shift strategies without stopping gameplay.

"When playing hockey, the keys to victory depend on how well teams change their offensive and defensive strategy depending on what type of situation they're up against," said Marc Crawford.

"Teams play a different strategy when they find themselves down by a goal, or up by a goal. For example, on the powerplay or when killing a penalty, teams have to recognize their opponent's strengths and weaknesses and take advantage of them. In working with the EA SPORTS development team, we have gotten NHL 98 to a point where it is now possible to have complete control over what type of strategy a team utilizes. It is amazing to think that interactive sports games have come so far as to simulate exactly what happens on the real ice and NHL 98 really hit that mark this year."

NHL 98 for the PC includes 3Dfx support, LAN and Modem gameplay. NHL 98 for both the PC and the PlayStation carry a suggested retail price of $49.95 per product.

EA SPORTS(TM) is the leading interactive sports software brand in the world. Its top-selling titles include FIFA Soccer, John Madden Football(TM), NHL(R) Hockey, NBA Live Basketball, PGA TOUR(R) Golf, Triple Play Baseball(TM), and Andretti Racing.

Electronic Arts ("EA"), headquartered in San Mateo, California, is a leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, EA posted revenues of $625 million for fiscal 1997.

The company develops, publishes and distributes software worldwide for personal computers and advanced entertainment systems such as the PlayStation(TM), Nintendo 64(R) and Sega Saturn(TM). Electronic Arts markets its products worldwide under six brand names: Electronic Arts, EA SPORTS(TM), Maxis(TM), Inc., ORIGIN Systems(TM) Inc., Bullfrog(TM) Productions Ltd. and Jane's(R) Combat Simulations.

EA has international subsidiaries in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. The Company has North American development operations in San Mateo and Walnut Creek, Calif.; Baltimore, Maryland; Austin, Texas; Seattle, Washington; and Vancouver, British Columbia. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://www.ea.com . -0-

Note to Editors: Electronic Arts, Origin Systems, Bullfrog, Maxis, EA SPORTS, John Madden Football, and Triple Bay Baseball are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts or its wholly-owned subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or other countries. FIFA Soccer is an official FIFA licensed product. NBA, NHL, NFL, FIFA and PGA TOUR are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners and are used under license.

Jane's is a registered trademark of Jane's Information Group Ltd. Nintendo and Nintendo 64 are trademarks of Nintendo of America Inc. PlayStation is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Sega Saturn is trademark of Sega Enterprises Ltd. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACTS: Electronic Arts/EA Sports

Charlie Scibetta, 650/513-7537

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