Jane's Combat Simulations' F/A-18 Simulator Now Available in Stores; F/A-18 Captures the Excitement of Flying the World's Most Powerful Carrier Strike Fighter.

Business Editors & High-tech/Multimedia Writers

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 10, 2000

Electronic Arts (Nasdaq:ERTS), the world's leading interactive entertainment software company, today announced that Jane's(R) Combat Simulations' F/A-18, featuring the Navy's newest front-line carrier strike fighter, the F/A-18E Super Hornet, is available at retail stores nationwide.

F/A-18 realistically captures all the emotion and heart-pounding glory of commanding the world's most powerful carrier strike fighter.

Published by Electronic Arts' Jane's Combat Simulations brand and developed by Electronic Arts' studio in Baltimore by the team that created F-15, F/A-18 brings the experience of being a U.S. Navy pilot to life with adrenaline-pumping precision. In the spirit of F-15, F/A-18 takes the single-aircraft "study sim" to new levels of realism by recreating every detail; including superb physics-based flight models and painstaking simulations of the F/A-18's complete avionics and weapons suites.

Hold on as the steam catapult propels the Super Hornet from zero to 150 knots in just two seconds. F/A-18 delivers intense carrier operations as players "call the ball" just like U.S. Navy pilots and put the 46,000-pound bird down on the rocking and rolling carrier deck. Just like in the real jet, the players have to catch the third wire with the tail hook and slam to a halt from 100 knots to zero in the span of only 150 feet.

F/A-18 also features a fully interactive 3D cockpit that more than meets the needs of the virtual pilot. From the novice player to the most seasoned veteran, this clickable cockpit will create the feeling of flying the Navy's most prized aircraft. All the virtual pilot has to do is point and click on any of the instruments at any time and they work just like the real thing, making in-game flight adjustments a thing of ease.

In addition to the interactive cockpit, F/A-18 delivers panoramic canopy views, thorough training missions, detailed briefings and debriefings, and in-flight objectives. These features provide the player the highest level of situational awareness available in a PC simulation.

To complement its exceptionally realistic gameplay, F/A-18 offers breathtaking graphical realism. A new terrain-rendering system developed explicitly for the game shows explosive pyrotechnics, glints of sun off the 3D cockpit, shimmering water and ground clutter to give the player a sense of being there. Full dynamic lighting, gorgeous 3D clouds, full weather effects and constantly changing sea states create a breath taking environment as the player flies over the mountainous terrain of Northern Russia.

Another feature of F/A-18 is a complete air campaign based on the latest Jane's global intelligence information. The player will experience a modern conflict against a state-of-the-art air force in and around the waterways of the Murmansk area of Northern Russia. The campaign allows players to conduct operations in alliance with Russian powers, and against breakaway Russian factions in control of highly advanced weapons. The campaign design is semi-dynamic, keeping players in the middle of the intense action without the predictability of scripted missions.

Jane's Combat.net (http://www.janescombat.net) allows players to fly online with as many as seven human foes or allies. Solid multiplayer action allows players to share the F/A-18 combat experience cooperatively, or go head to head with up to seven other players via LAN or modem.

F/A-18 is available now for a suggested retail price of U.S. $39.99 or by direct order from the EA Store(SM) at http://www.eastore.ea.com or by calling 800/245-4525. More information on F/A-18 can be found on the Internet at the Jane's Combat Simulations Web Site located at http://www.janes.ea.com.

System Requirements - Operating System: Windows(R) 95 or Windows 98, CPU: Pentium(R) 266 MHz or higher, Hard Drive Space: 250 MB for program (additional space required for DirectX(TM) 6 installation), Memory: 32 MB RAM, Graphics: 3-D graphic accelerator compatible with Direct3-D(TM), Sound Card: DirectSound(TM) compatible sound card, CD-ROM Drive: 4x-speed or faster, Input Device: Mouse, Keyboard, Windows 95/98 supported joystick (Force Feedback DirectX compatible).

Required for Multiplayer - LAN Network: TCP/IP/Internet connection, IPX compliant network (2-8 players, one CD per player), Modem: 100% Hayes-compatible 28.8kbps connection speed or better, high-speed serial port, Serial Play: null modem cable, high-speed serial port.

Electronic Arts, headquartered in Redwood City, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, Electronic Arts posted revenues of more than $1.2 billion for fiscal 1999. The company develops, publishes and distributes software worldwide for personal computers and video game systems. Electronic Arts markets its products under eight brand names: Electronic Arts(TM), EA SPORTS(TM), Maxis(TM), ORIGIN(TM), Bullfrog(TM) Productions, Westwood Studios(TM), Gonzo Games(TM) and Jane's Combat Simulations. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://www.ea.com. Neither the Department of the Navy nor any other component of the Department of Defense has approved, endorsed, or authorized this product.

Note to Editors: Electronic Arts, EA SPORTS, Maxis, ORIGIN, Bullfrog, Westwood Studios, Gonzo Games and EA STORE are trademarks or registered trademarks or service marks of Electronic Arts in the U.S. and/or other countries. Jane's is a registered trademark of Jane's Information Group Ltd. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.