Hip Games and L.S.P. to Publish and Distribute Dead to Rights PC in Europe

San Jose, Calif., June 24, 2003 – Leading video games publisher, Namco Hometek Inc. announced today that the company has signed a five-year exclusive licensing agreement with Hip Games for the rights to publish million unit-selling video game property, Dead to Rights for the PC.  Hip Games, the publishing arm of Canada’s leading provider of electronic entertainment, Hip Interactive Corp. (TSX: HP), will begin shipping Dead to Rights PC in North America in fall 2003.  Dead to Rights PC will launch in Europe in October 2003 and will be distributed by L.S.P.

“Dead to Rights is one of Namco’s most valuable video game properties,” said Garry Cole, senior vice president of sales, Namco Hometek, Inc.  “We look forward to working with Hip Games and L.S.P. to bring this great franchise to PC gamers throughout North America and Europe.”

Dead to Rights is an intense, action thriller that is currently available for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox® video game system from Microsoft, and Nintendo GameCube.  Dead to Rights features model Grant City officer, Jack Slate, who’s been framed for murder and seeks revenge on those who have killed his father and set him up. What Slate discovers during his journey sends him on a downward spiral into a labyrinth of corruption, betrayal and crime.  Best-selling, Dead to Rights has qualified for and is now selling as Platinum Hits for Xbox®.

“Namco’s Dead to Rights has definitely made its mark in the video game world,” said Arindra Singh, President and CEO of Hip Interactive.  “We look forward to Dead to Rights’ continued success on the PC and believe it will help our publishing unit, Hip Games, continue to strengthen its position in the market.”

“L.S.P is very pleased to bring PC Gamers in Europe one of the best action games of the year,” added Olivier Goulon, COO, L.S.P.  “Dead to Rights will adapt well to the PC platform, so gamers should expect some intense gunfights this fall.”

About Namco Hometek Inc.
Namco Hometek Inc. is the U.S. consumer division of Namco Limited, a Tokyo-based world leader in the high-tech entertainment industry. Committed to providing the ultimate entertainment experience, Namco uses cutting-edge technology and advanced electronics to take their theme parks, arcades, and home video games far beyond traditional entertainment.

About Hip Games
Hip Games provides Exclusive Distribution service and unique Publishing opportunities to publishers and developers from around the world, in both PC and console formats.  Large enough to reach almost every major North American retailer, and committed to working intimately with its Business Partners, Hip Games always comes to play.

About Hip Interactive
Hip Interactive ( www.hipinteractive.com ) is a leading North American provider of electronic entertainment products, including PC and video games, movies, video arcade games, and proprietary games, branded as Hip Games, and accessories, branded as Hip Gear.  The Company distributes all first party products, including Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo hardware, software and accessories, as well as third party licensed video game software and accessories.  Hip uses its distribution business to leverage into higher margin, higher growth areas of the electronic entertainment industry, such as licensing, publishing and the distribution of proprietary games and accessories.  Hip Interactive trades on The Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “HP” and has 56.6 million common shares issued and outstanding.

About L.S.P
Founded in 1999, L.S.P. is a publisher of video games and interactive products for the retail market. L.S.P. creates its own game universes and characters but also works in close collaboration with Hollywood majors to publish games based on popular and international licenses. L.S.P. has published more than 50 successful titles such as: Gremlins, Antz , ‘Gold and Glory: the Road to El Dorado’ , Inspector Gadget®, CT Special Forces, etc.  L.S.P. has its offices in Marseille, and its products are distributed throughout the world.
In 2003, L.S.P. will be present on most interactive leisure media: PC, Game Boy Advance, PlayStation®, PlayStation®2, and Xbox®. L.S.P. is currently working on such major franchises as Universal Studio’s hit TV Series The Mummy Animated and Sitting Ducks.

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© NAMCO LTD.
Dead to Rights & © 2002 NAMCO HOMETEK INC., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
, ® and Nintendo GameCube are trademarks of Nintendo. ” 2001 Nintendo.
Xbox is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
“PlayStation” and the “PS” Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

 

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