Simon & Schuster Interactive to Publish Massive Multiplayer Online Game "EVE-ONLINE: THE SECOND GENESIS"; Movie and Television Opportunities Being Explored.

Business Editors

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 22, 2002

Simon & Schuster Interactive announced today it has obtained North American and European rights to "Eve Online: The Second Genesis," a space trading / combat, Massive Multiplayer Online Game (MMOG) for the PC (Windows(R) XP, ME, 98; Rated: "RP" by the ESRB). Developed by Crowd Control Productions (CCP) of Reykjavik, Iceland, EVE ONLINE will allow upwards of 100,000 gamers to compete simultaneously across a full 3D galaxy which includes 5000 solar systems.

EVE is one of the first of a new breed of computer games. Played online with thousands of other players, EVE draws people into what is essentially an alternate universe set some time far in the future in a place one can only dream of. While Simon & Schuster Interactive will initially be releasing this game on CD-ROM, the Company is actively pursuing the licensing and creation of print, film, TV and other media based on the EVE property.

"Eve is the only MMOG in the Simon & Schuster line-up, so we felt confident that it would get the kind of support it deserves," said Sigurdur Arnljotsson, chief executive officer of CCP Games commenting on why CCP chose Simon & Schuster Interactive as the publisher of this high profile title. "They're a strong partner, and share our vision of the game's massive potential."

Backstory

EVE is a world far away from mankind's original habitat, planet Earth. How far away, and where, no one knows. Humans got there through a natural wormhole, and gazing upon a sky never before seen, were completely unable to determine the whereabouts *of this new world. From the system of New Eden, where the gate of EVE that once led to the old world lies, humans expanded in all directions at a great pace, exploring and colonizing.

Then, seemingly out of the blue, the EVE gate collapsed in an apocalyptic catastrophe of a scale never before witnessed by the human race, ruining the New Eden system in the process. Thousands of small colonies were left in isolation to fend for themselves. For many millennia they endured on the brink of extinction and only a handful survived.

Of those surviving colonies, five were to rise up and become the major empires that hold between them the balance of power in the world of EVE today. These are: the Amarr Empire, the Gallente Federation, the Caldari State, the Minmatar Republic and the Jovian Empire, plus several small independent factions and states.

For more than a century the five empires have lived together in relative peace. They've strived hard to maintain this peace, as each of them realizes only too well the grave consequences of a massive inter-stellar war. Recent technological breakthroughs in FTL travel, and the ensuing increase in space travelers, has shaken, but not broken the fragile peace - at least not yet.

Gameplay

"EVE ONLINE is a unique title in that the game takes the best elements from the classic online game `Elite' and combines them with the sci-fi action of `Wing Commander,'" said Simon & Schuster Interactive Producer Mike Wallis.

Players begin EVE ONLINE by developing a character to control in this massive world. They can choose to be one of five races:

- Amarr - The largest of the empires in the world of EVE, Amarr spans 40% of
the inhabited solar systems.

- Jove - The most mysterious and elusive of all the peoples of EVE, the Jovians
number only a fraction of any of their neighbors, but their technological
superiority makes them powerful beyond all proportion.

- Caldari - A state built off corporate capitalism, the Caldari State is run by
a few mega-corporations which divide the state between them, controlling and
ruling every aspect of society.

- Minmatar - A tough, no nonsense race, the Minmatars are a determined and
independent people. Their home planet on Matar is a natural paradise, although
centuries of abuse have taken much from its beauty.

- Gallente - The Gallenteans are self-righteous, meddling, pompous and
tiresome, or virile libertarians and defenders of the free world. Love them or
hate them, you simply can't ignore them.

Additional details on each race can be found at the EVE ONLINE web site at: www.eve-online.com

Once a race is chosen, players select a profession (which vary by race). Professions range from bounty hunters, to pirates, space traders and the military. Each one provides a basic skill set from which to build a character's personality. Better players earn more money, and go further in the EVE universe.

Players can fully customize the look of their characters - all the way down to the tattoos they wear.

Gaming On a Massive Scale

EVE ONLINE: THE SECOND GENESIS will be the largest online game ever. The servers for this game will be capable of handling upwards of 100,000 gamers who can compete simultaneously across a fully 3-D galaxy which includes 5000 solar systems. Players can choose from more than 40 ships to pilot and customize them with missiles, lasers, particle accelerators, shields, power cores, sensors, armor, and engines.

EVE ONLINE is an ever-changing universe. Even after a player logs off the online world will continue to evolve and change as players from around the world are actively conducting business and fighting battles.

While playing online, gamers can converse with one another through an elaborate communications network including e-mail, instant messenger, and message boards. This communications system will also allow players to leave messages for those off-line via this unique e-mail system so that when they return to EVE, they will receive the message.

It's All About the Cash

Just like in the real world, money will be the commodity of choice. Players can earn cash by accepting work from Non-Player Characters (NPCs) who will reward gamers with cash which can be traded for goods or other items.

Also, gamers can earn money by working for a "corporation." These corporations are comprised of gamers who have pooled their resources and are working together to dominate the universe. A solo gamer can approach the head of a corporation for a job and can be paid in cash.

Established corporations will have a unique "stock exchange" in which gamers will be able to purchase stock in corporations. The stock exchange will go up and down as trades occur, just like the real world.

To date there are more than 80 corporations already established - even though EVE ONLINE has not yet been published. These corporations have elaborate web pages detailing infrastructure, location, business models, and mission statements.

News Flash!

Space is a busy place, and gamers will be able to keep tabs on events throughout their universe with a news update. Major events and business updates are provided on an regular basis. The news will be available on-demand by clicking a button on the display.

Online Beta Test

CCP, developers of EVE ONLINE will continue to offer beta tests of EVE ONLINE as development progresses. At present, more than 35,000 gamers have already signed up to beta test. Gamers interested in adding their name to the list can visit the EVE ONLINE web site at www.eve-online.com to register.

EVE ONLINE At E3 2002

EVE ONLINE: THE SECOND GENESIS will be on display at Simon & Schuster Interactive's booth at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) at the Los Angeles Convention Center. S&SI's booth is located in the West Hall lobby, in front of the entrance to the west hall.

EVE ONLINE Web Site

For very detailed information on EVE ONLINE: THE SECOND GENESIS, please visit the web site: www.eve-online.com

AVAILABILITY

EVE ONLINE: THE SECOND GENESIS will be available in Fall 2002.

ESRB Rating

EVE ONLINE: THE SECOND GENESIS will be rated by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). All advertising and promotional materials currently carry a "RP" or "Rating Pending" logo. More information on the ESRB and its rating system can be found at www.esrb.org.

Simon & Schuster Interactive (www.ssinteractive.com) is the digital entertainment unit of Simon & Schuster, Inc. Based in New York, S&SI publishes entertainment, education and reference titles for the PC, Macintosh, Pocket PC, Sony Playstation 2(R), Microsoft XBox(R), Nintendo Gameboy(R) Advance, and Gamecube(R).

Simon & Schuster, the publishing operation of Viacom Inc., is a global leader in the field of general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for consumers of all ages, across all printed and multimedia formats. Its divisions include Simon & Schuster Trade Publishing, Pocket Books, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, Simon & Schuster New Media, Simon & Schuster Online, Simon & Schuster U.K., and Simon & Schuster Australia. For more information about Simon & Schuster, visit our website at www.simonsays.com.

Viacom is a leading global media company, with preeminent positions in broadcast and cable television, radio, outdoor advertising, and online. With programming that appeals to audiences in every demographic category across virtually all media, the company is a leader in the creation, promotion, and distribution of entertainment, news, sports, and music. Viacom's well-known brands include CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, VH1, BET, Paramount Pictures, Viacom Outdoor, Infinity, UPN, TNN: The National Network, CMT: Country Music Television, Showtime, Blockbuster, and Simon & Schuster. More information about Viacom and its businesses is available at www.viacom.com.

CCP is a privately held company founded in 1997. It is created on strong vision of creating online games which focus on maximizing player interaction, and on utilizing the new, unexplored possibilities created by having thousands of players interacting in the same game world.