NHL FaceOff '99 Launches With All-New 3D Game Engine; 989 Sports Goes Into the Crease With New Hockey Videogame.

FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Oct. 1, 1998--989 Sports announced today that NHL FaceOff(tm) '99, the all-new version of the popular PlayStation(R) hockey videogame series, is now available.

NHL Face Off '99 delivers all the NHL teams and players, with hard-hitting, lightening-quick never-before-seen hockey action, which is sure to satisfy even the most discriminating hockey fans.

NHL FaceOff '99 boasts an all-new 3D game engine that uses an impressive polygonal graphic environment. With 25 percent more polygons per player and twice the amount of textures of last year's edition, NHL FaceOff '99 features 3D players with real texture mapped faces that capture the true appearances of hundreds of NHL stars.

NHL FaceOff '99 is also the first hockey videogame to have motion capture animations on ice, featuring moves from St. Louis winger Scott Young and past San Jose goaltender Kelly Hrudey. Every subtle and personalized move has been incorporated into the game with amazing detail, as wingers blast vicious slap-shots, defensemen dish out brutal checks and goalies make flashy butterfly saves.

"No one re-creates NHL hockey like the NHL FaceOff '99 development team," said Jeffrey Fox, vice president, marketing, 989 Studios. "The realism that a 3D polygonal environment adds to gameplay is unparalleled. Fans of the NHL FaceOff series will find that the action of this year's title is so quick and in-depth, they can't blink or they'll miss a great play."

Detailed arena models are created from actual blueprints with each arena's unique charm brought to life. A new TV-style presentation incorporates dramatic camera "zoom-ins" and "cut-aways" as well as commentary from renowned New Jersey Devil play-by-play man Mike Emrick and ESPN announcer Darren Pang.

Players can choose from all 27 NHL teams, with updated rosters and the ability to take their squad right through an entire season culminating with the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The all-new Authentic Hockey Intelligence(tm) and enhanced Icon Passing(tm) gives the game incredible realism and control, as players think and react just like they do in the NHL.

Players in NHL FaceOff '99 turn their head to receive a pass, lose and regain their balance, perform bone-crushing checks, powerful slap shots, and, fans even throw their hats on the ice to salute hat tricks.

NHL FaceOff '99 is a 989 Sports production, developed by Killer Game.

NHL FaceOff '99 Key Features -0-

--   Unrivaled 3D game engine with 20 percent more polygons and two
     times the textures of the '98 edition
--   Never-before-seen 3D player models deliver unique player sizes
     with specific faces
--   NHL arenas are derived from the actual blueprints and presented
     in lifelike detail. Each arena's characteristics are included,
     even the championship banners and Jumbotrons(tm)
--   Eye-popping TV-style presentation featuring two-man commentary,
     including the New Jersey Devils' acclaimed Mike Emrick and ESPN's
     Darren Pang
--   Stunning camera "zoom-ins" and "cut-aways"
--   Motion captured animation performed on ice provides the most
     realistic hockey action available. Players "captured" include the
     San Jose Sharks' goalie Kelly Hrudey and St. Louis Blues' winger
     Scott Young
--   New Authentic Hockey Intelligence(tm) makes players think and
     react just like they do in the NHL
--   Realistic goalie moves including glove, stick, blocker, kick,
     butterfly and stack-the-pads saves
--   Real offensive and defensive moves are featured with crossover
     and lean turns, backwards and forwards skating, hockey stops,
     violent slapshots and every brutal check imaginable
--   New Icon Switching(tm) on defense and a refined Icon Passing(tm)
     translate into the most realistic hockey control available
--   New on the fly strategy control lets you change your attack with
     the touch of a button
--   Every player and team is included -- even the expansion Nashville
     Predators
--   Complete roster management with player creation, trades and free
     agency
--   Full season and game statistics available in every offensive and
     defensive category

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989 Sports is the sports software brand of 989 Studios. Known for its top-selling sports franchise titles such as NFL GameDay(tm), MLB, NBA ShootOut(tm), NHL FaceOff and NCAA GameBreaker(tm), 989 Sports is committed to developing authentic and innovative sports games to appeal to both the professional athlete and hard-core sports videogame fan.

989 Studios, a Sony Computer Entertainment Group Company, is a wholly-owned division of Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. and the third-largest PlayStation(R) software publisher in North America. Headquartered in Foster City, with a second development studio in San Diego, 989 Studios develops software for the PlayStation game console, personal computer and online markets. 989 Studios is a recognized leader in the videogame industry, with top franchise titles such as NFL GameDay and Twisted Metal(tm).

Note to Editors: Visit us on the Web at http://www.989sports.com