ACTIVISION^®, SPARK AND CRITERION COMBINE EXPERTISE IN NEW RELATIONSHIP

RenderWare to support delivery of new Call of Duty^TM: Finest Hour^TM

May 12, 2003 - Criterion Software^®, the world's leading provider of game development solutions, has announced that leading video game publisher Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) and recently formed developer Spark have joined forces with RenderWare^® for their upcoming first person action title, Call of Duty: Finest Hour, which is being developed for PlayStation^® 2 computer entertainment system, NINTENDO GAMECUBE^TM and Xbox^TM video game system from Microsoft.

In Call of Duty: Finest Hour players will be able to experience the cinematic intensity and the chaos of battle as never before - through the eyes of ordinary soldiers fighting together as a squad through the epic moments of World War II. Featuring an immersive storyline, players will take on Nazi forces through a variety of squad-based missions set among WWII's legendary battlefields of Europe and beyond. Additionally, players will be able to experience the war from multiple perspectives, fighting as soldiers from an alliance of countries as they battle the Nazi regime and attempt to turn the tide of war.

Spark, a newly formed studio comprised of 28 of the individuals who developed titles in the Medal of Honor^TM console and PC series, including several of the production leads, will specifically be using RenderWare^® Studio and RenderWare^® Platform to help manage the complexity of multi-platform development; ensuring the team can meet technical needs and maximize the time and resources spent on developing awesome gameplay.

Working closely with both the Spark and Activision teams, Criterion's developer relations team will be providing comprehensive and dedicated technical support for the timely completion of the title.

"As a new game developer, with a group of incredibly strong designers, artists and animators, we needed a production solution that could allow everyone to start working right away," commented Craig Allen, CEO of Spark. "RenderWare Studio and the RenderWare Platform allowed our engineering group the ability to focus their skills on the unique challenges of our title, knowing that the rest of the team has the necessary tools and technology to start creating our game from day one. As a group that is focused on artistic excellence, we are excited to announce this partnership as the RenderWare system will allow us to provide a richer gaming experience for our audience while reducing the overall production risks and costs associated with core engine development."

"Spark's talent and vision coupled with RenderWare's developer-friendly technology will allow us to bring home the most authentic and fun WWII first-person action console game ever in Call of Duty: Finest Hour. Using the RenderWare Studio technology allows Spark to focus from the beginning on fun gameplay features and helps them to build very realistic detailed environments, rather than spending time creating the underlying engine," comments Mark Lamia, Vice President, North America Studios at Activision.

David Lau-Kee, CEO, Criterion Software comments, " We're delighted to be providing Spark with our technology and top tier support, and at the same time, strengthening our relationship with Activision. The combination of the three companies' unique expertise and a strong relationship built on true understanding of our audience is a powerful force, and we are looking forward to the game being completed and people enjoying the results of Spark's hard work and talent."
 

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