Activision's Renowned Ninja Franchise to Make Debut on Xbox

Tenchu Set for Release in Spring 2004

Santa Monica, CA - July 25, 2003 - Authentic ninja action is set to strike on the Xbox video game system from Microsoft with Activision, Inc.'s (Nasdaq: ATVI) Tenchu: Return from Darkness. Building on the best-selling Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system, Tenchu: Return from Darkness boasts updated design and technical enhancements, new maps and features and support for Xbox(tm) Live. The title is being developed by K2, Ltd. in conjunction with Prosoft Corp. and is currently rated "RP" (Rating Pending) by the ESRB.

"We're excited to give Xbox gamers the opportunity to play the most authentic stealth based ninja game ever," said Larry Goldberg, executive vice president, Activision Worldwide Studios. "Tenchu: Return from Darkness takes the franchise to new heights with never before seen levels and enemies, enhanced maneuvers, more weapons and Xbox Live capabilities, making it the first Tenchu title to feature online gameplay."

Set in the late 1570's, one year after the original Tenchu, Tenchu: Return from Darkness allows players to assume the role of the ninjas Rikimaru, Ayame or the mysterious Tesshu as they battle the evil Tenrai and his six lords of darkness. As silent assassins, players must use cunning, strategy, deadly stealth and an arsenal of weapons to overcome dangerous missions and defend the Japanese countryside from Tenrai's armies.

Tenchu: Return from Darkness will feature three gameplay modes including single-player, two-player (versus and co-op) and Xbox Live. The title will also include 11 stages of gameplay in the story mode with two new single player maps, as well as six multiplayer levels. Additionally, the game will feature all new cut-scenes, enemy layouts and will allow players to hone their ninja skills before embarking on deadly missions in the new training mode.

The title will support Xbox Live, allowing for two-player co-op missions through all six multiplayer levels as well as voice chat functionality for those who choose to break the code of silence. Players can also engage in simultaneous stealth kills as the online ninjas make their way through each danger-filled stage.

Tenchu: Return from Darkness is scheduled for an early Spring 2004 release.

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 the continents of North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Xbox is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

About Xbox Live
Xbox Live, which launched in the United States Nov. 15, 2002, allows gamers to play multiplayer Xbox games with other gamers everywhere via a broadband connection. With a built-in hard drive and Ethernet port, the Xbox console is the only video game system built from the ground up for online gaming, negating the need to buy additional, costly peripherals or upgrades. Xbox Live enables gamers to easily find their friends; talk to other players during game play through the Xbox Communicator headset; download current statistics, new levels and characters to their Xbox hard drive; and play online-all exclusive features to Xbox Live.

About Activision
Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products. Founded in 1979, Activision posted net revenues of $864 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003.

Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, Australia, Scandinavia and the Netherlands. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company's World Wide Web site, which is located at www.activision.com.

 

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