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Matt Burton 

TSI Communications Worldwide for Gathering of Developers 

212 320 2347 

mburton@tsicomm.com 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PopTop Software and Gathering of Developers Go Bananas Releasing Tropico Construction Information

3D Building, Strategy/Simulation Game to Feature More than 80 Structures

Dallas, TX, February 12, 2001 --- Game developer PopTop Software and developer-driven computer and video game publisher Gathering of Developers, both subsidiaries of Take-Two Interactive (NASDAQ: TTWO), today released information on the constructions featured in Tropico, the upcoming 3D building, strategy/simulation game for the PC and Mac. Following the addictive building-oriented gameplay of PopTop's hugely successful Railroad Tycoon II series, Tropico invites rulers of all ages to utilize more than 80 types of structures in the development of a remote Caribbean island. Tropico will be released in April for the PC, with a Mac version following in May.

"The massive popularity of Railroad Tycoon II and other simulation titles reaffirmed that there is a huge demand for more games in this genre," said Phil Steinmeyer, president and lead programmer of PopTop. "With Tropico, we are giving gamers the chance to live the life that only a chosen few are lucky enough to experience -- standing at the dictatorial helm of their very own banana republic."

Tropico lets players erect all types of structures and environments - everything from hotels and spas to banana groves and sugar plantations, with some rum distilleries and cigar factories thrown in for good measure! More than 80 structure types are available, including:

· Residential -- Housing provides shelter for the population and ensures citizens' happiness. 

· Industrial -- Factories employ workers, emit pollution and produce resources for local use and trade. 

· Agricultural -- Farms employ workers and produce food to keep the populace healthy and well fed. 

· Mining -- Mines employ workers and provide resources for local use and trade. 

· Tourism -- Resort hotels and spas boost the economy with tourists' money. 

· Governmental -- Government buildings express the authority of the dictator. · Trade -- Ports, airports and roadways allow trade and communication with the outside world.

Virtual dictators need to carefully consider all aspects of construction and regional development. For example, farms must be placed in areas with fertile soil, good rainfall, appropriate elevation and close proximity to existing towns, so that food may be grown and the population fed. Likewise, residential areas and roads must be built close to employment areas like factories and mines so workers can travel quickly to and from their businesses. If the ruler doesn't construct wisely and maintain the properties responsibly, two undesired building types will begin to sprout up without player intervention: tin shanties and rebel camps!

Tropico is based on an improved version of PopTop's proprietary S3D engine allowing for highly detailed 3D graphics and renderings. Railroad Tycoon II also used the S3D engine. The engine supports hardware acceleration, variable resolution support from 640 x 480 up to 1600 x 1200 and variable color depth support from 8-bit to 32-bit color. Screenshots can be found at http://www.poptop.com/tropico.htm.

Based in Fenton, MO, computer game developer PopTop Software was founded in 1993 by programmer and game designer Phil Steinmeyer. After working with New World Computing on three titles from 1993 through 1996, PopTop began developing Railroad Tycoon II in 1997. Released in November 1998, Railroad Tycoon II has received rave reviews from the press and the gaming industry and is a bestseller worldwide. In April 1999, Railroad Tycoon II: The Second Century, the expansion pack to the 1998 computer game hit, was released to stellar reviews. Railroad Tycoon II: Gold Edition, a complete collection of the Railroad Tycoon II series plus additional scenarios, was released in August 1999. The company is currently developing Tropico, a building-oriented strategy-simulation game. In July of 2000, PopTop Software became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc (NASDAQ: TTWO). http://www.poptop.com.

Founded in Dallas, TX in January 1998, Gathering of Developers is a developer-driven computer and video game publishing company, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc (NASDAQ: TTWO). The company's mission is to be the worldwide leader in the development and delivery of commercially successful computer and video game software designed for a range of platforms. The company's pioneering partners are industry leaders and proven hit makers 3D Realms, Epic Games, PopTop Software, Ritual Entertainment, Terminal Reality Inc and Edge of Reality. For more information visit Gathering of Developers Web site at http://www.godgames.com. 

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