The AOL Instant Messenger --AIM-- Service Brings Millions Who 'Ping and Play' within Game Developers' Reach.

DULLES, Va. -- Game Developers Can Now Easily Add the AOL(R) Messaging Network Directly into Their Games for the Ultimate Multi-Player Experience

America Online, Inc., the world's leading interactive services company, today announced a new program that gives online game developers instant access to more than 46 million potential players. This new AOL Messaging Software Developer Kit (SDK) gives online game developers the ability to add the AOL(R) Messaging Network, which includes the AOL(R) Instant Messenger(TM) (AIM(R)) and ICQ services and the AOL Buddy List(R) feature, directly into their games.

This new program follows on the success of the integration of the AIM service into The Matrix Online, a massively multi-player online game from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and SEGA, which gave players the ability to see the online presence of fellow gamers and communicate with them in real-time.

"The marriage of the AIM service with online games gives developers a unique opportunity to massively increase the popularity of their games," said Chamath Palihapitiya, Vice President and General Manager for the AIM and ICQ services, America Online, Inc. "The AOL Messaging Software Developer Kit offers online game developers the nation's largest instant messaging community to not only add new players to their games, but to enhance the overall player experience."

The AOL Messaging SDK is designed to help online game developers incorporate the benefits of instant messaging, such as the ability for users to see when their buddies are online and available to chat or play games. The AIM service also helps online gamers make new connections and easily "ping" their buddies while they are inside the game application for a fun and interactive experience.

The AOL Messaging SDK provides all the tools needed for seamless integration of AOL's instant messaging services into online games. Developers will maintain full control of their game, including release schedules and look and feel, and will be able to incorporate instant messaging into any new or existing games. The AOL Messaging SDK also ensures that developers have an efficient process for designing and incorporating the AIM and ICQ services into their games.

Features and Benefits of the AOL Messaging Software Developer Kit:

Customer Acquisition and Retention: By adding the AIM and ICQ services directly into games, developers have the opportunity to increase player acquisition, retention and enjoyment. Whether players are inside the game or outside the game, they always have access to their full AIM Buddy List(R) or ICQ(R) Contact List feature so they can easily "ping" their friends to join.

Your Name Space, Your Authorization: The AOL Messaging Network leverages game developer's name space, allowing their gamers to log into the AIM service using their character names and passwords. Game developers maintain full control over their name space, including creation, authentication and suspension.

Save on Bandwidth: While using the AIM or ICQ services, online gamers can use game specific Expressions, icons or sounds to view and send instant messages to their game buddies. They can also stay informed of game events and enjoy the community benefits of AOL's instant messaging services.

Reduce Demand of Customer Service: Game developers can develop game character Bots, Help Me Bots, Player interaction Bots, etc. to let gamers ask and receive responses in real-time without adding traffic to the customer service department.

For more information or any questions regarding the AOL Messaging Software Developer Kit, please send an e-mail to [e-mail].

About the AOL Instant Messenger Service

The AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) service (www.aim.com) is at the center of one of the largest and most active communities online, and is available for use on computers, mobile phones and other handheld devices. Supported by a network infrastructure that handles nearly two billion instant messages each day, the AIM service makes it possible for people from around the world to communicate with each other via text, audio or video in real time, and to engage in other shared activities, such as casual gaming, video instant messaging and picture-sharing.

About America Online, Inc.

America Online, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc. Based in Dulles, Virginia, America Online is the world's leader in interactive services, Web brands, Internet technologies and e-commerce services.

THE MATRIX ONLINE, characters, names and all related indicia are trademarks of and (C) Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.