Press release: 2003-09-02: ESPN Videogames Announces ESPN NFL Football Now Available at Retailers Across North America

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ESPN Videogames Announces ESPN NFL Football Now Available at Retailers Across North America; ``ESPN NFL Football Hits the Line With Breakthrough Features''.

SAN RAFAEL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 2, 2003

ESPN Videogames today announced that the highly anticipated ESPN NFL Football has shipped to major video game retailers across North America. The long-awaited sequel to the critically acclaimed "NFL 2K" series, ESPN NFL Football represents the highest standard of both football realism and video game entertainment. ESPN NFL Football and other ESPN Videogames titles are produced by Visual Concepts, SEGA's sports studio.

"ESPN NFL Football has truly been a labor of dedicated passion," stated Greg Thomas, president of Visual Concepts. "One area that I am particularly proud of is our online efforts. With online play available on both systems and our soon to be announced online league feature, sports gamers are going score this season!"

Added Rick Alessandri, senior vice president and general manager, ESPN Enterprises, "This is a truly exciting time for us as we realize our goal of presenting a fantastic sports video game for fans."

Available for both PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system and Microsoft(C) Xbox console, ESPN NFL Football delivers the exhilarating experience of professional football to hardcore pigskin fans and casual sports gamers alike. One of the most important steps in bridging the gap between the avid football gamer and the average pick-up player is bringing the ESPN presentation home. ESPN NFL Football blurs the line between a football video game and a Sunday Night Football telecast with ESPN overlays, television-style wipes, cut sequences of excited fans, and most of all, having the powerful presence of Chris Berman throughout the game.

Along with bringing the presentation style of The Worldwide Leader in Sports, ESPN NFL Football introduces a new standard to sports video games -- First Person Football. Players will see, hear and feel the virtual pigskin battle like never before, as they experience football through the eyes of each player on the field. First Person Football invites gamers to see the linemen clear a path from a running back's perspective, or feel the pressure from the quarterback's eyes when a 300-pound defensive end comes charging around the corner. In this mode users can take any role on the field and switch at the touch of a button. Add to this a brand new, user-friendly playcalling interface, thousands of unlockable items in The Crib(TM), and deep online play for both PlayStation(R) 2 computer entertainment system and Microsoft(C) Xbox console. ESPN NFL Football launches a superior standard of quality that consumers can expect with every ESPN Videogames title.

For more information, visit http://www.espnvideogames.com.

About Visual Concepts Entertainment

Visual Concepts Entertainment is the maker of the critically acclaimed 2K series of sports games. The company is responsible for the full development and marketing for all ESPN Videogames titles and is committed to delivering the best, fully integrated sports gaming experience for all consumers. Visual Concepts Entertainment is wholly owned by Japan-based SEGA Corporation.

About ESPN

ESPN, Inc., The Worldwide Leader in Sports, is a multinational, multimedia sports entertainment company featuring the broadest portfolio of multimedia assets in sports marketing with over 40 business entities. The company is comprised of seven domestic television networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes (launching the end of 2003), ESPN Now, ESPN Today), ESPN HD (a high-definition simulcast service of ESPN), ESPN Regional Television, ESPN International (25 international networks and syndication), ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN The Magazine, SportsTicker, ESPN Enterprises, ESPN Zones (sports-themed restaurants), and other growing new businesses including ESPN Broadband, ESPN Wireless, ESPN Video-on-Demand and ESPN Interactive. Based in Bristol, Conn., ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc, which is an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. The Hearst Corporation holds a 20 percent interest in ESPN.

NBA, NFL, NCAA, and NHL are trademarks of their respective owners and used with permission. "PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Xbox is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. (TM), (R), Game Boy Advance and the Nintendo GameCube are trademarks of Nintendo. ESPN is a registered trademark of ESPN, Inc. ESPN branded elements (C) Disney. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America

Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America markets the PlayStation(R) game console and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PlayStation game console and the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif., Sony Computer Entertainment America serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

About Xbox

Xbox (http://www.xbox.com/) is Microsoft's future-generation video game system that delivers the most powerful games experiences ever. Xbox empowers game artists by giving them the technology to fulfill their creative visions as never before, creating games that blur the lines between fantasy and reality. Xbox is now available in North America, Japan, Europe and Australia.

Xbox is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
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