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ACCLAIM ENTERTAINMENT, INC. ANNOUNCES 'BURNOUT'' FOR PLAYSTATION®2 COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM
Criterion Games' Eagerly Anticipated Arcade Racing Title to Ship in November for Next Generation System
GLEN COVE, NY, August 8, 2001 -
Expanding upon the breadth and depth of its holiday lineup for the next
generation gaming platforms, Acclaim Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ.SC: AKLM) today
announced that it has entered into an exclusive global publishing agreement with
Criterion Games Limited for their eagerly anticipated arcade driving game,
Burnout(TM), for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. The title,
which has been in development with the UK-based developer for more than 18
months, will be released this November.
"Criterion possesses the technologies to harness the power of the
PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and deliver an immersive driving
game that is poised to take the genre to a new level," said Evan Stein,
Vice President of Brand. "With its high-speed action and dramatic crash
sequences, Burnout(TM) will be a 'must have' this holiday season for racing game
enthusiasts."
Burnout(TM) takes the white-knuckle, foot-to-the floor action often associated
with track racing, and brings it to major highways and densely populated city
streets. Inspired by some of the most memorable car chase scenes from the
greatest action films of all time, Burnout(TM) features an incredibly
sophisticated and intelligent traffic system, which challenges players to race
to the finish line at breakneck speeds through a myriad of checkpoints and
obstacles. With dramatic crashes possible with every turn of the wheel,
competing drivers are rewarded for pushing the envelope and their skills to the
extreme. Burnout(TM) also includes a simulated in-game heart monitor, which
rewards the player with incredible bursts of speed as they experience danger and
their pulse increases.
"We set out to create an exciting, rewarding and intuitive arcade racing
game that would appeal to the masses," added Fiona Sperry, Studio Head and
Vice President of Criterion Games Limited. "Burnout(TM) has already
generated excitement among the European media and was well received at E3, where
we demonstrated the product behind closed doors."
UK-based PSM2 magazine voted Burnout(TM) as the "best racer" shown at
the 2001 E3 show in Los Angeles. According to Computer and Video Games, "Burnout(TM)
is the first PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system game that'll make your
eyes water!"
In addition, Burnout(TM) will offer a broad array of features, including:
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Multiple cars to select, race and crash;
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Real-time vehicle crashes, highlighted by amazing slow motion instant replays that dramatically illustrate the massive damage that can be unleashed;
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Sixteen exciting courses, each filled with unique challenges and obstacles, including such locations as the United States, Europe and the Orient;
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Multiplayer split-screen action for head-to-head competition;
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More than 300 vehicles on each course to interact with;
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Intelligent traffic system, featuring three distinct types of driver behaviours;
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Dolby Digital surround sound technology;
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Dual-shock controller compatible, letting players feel every turn and crunch of the car!
Burnout(TM) will be supported with
an integrated marketing campaign and dedicated Web site at www.acclaim.com. The
game will be available in November for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment
system at a suggested retail price of $49.99.
Criterion Software and Criterion Games Background Information
Founded in 1993, Criterion Software is a rapidly expanding organization, which
currently employs over 160 people in its software technology and game
development divisions. The company is headquartered in Guildford UK, and has
offices in Tokyo, Austin, Paris and Derby. Criterion Games is dedicated to the
development of accessible and rewarding games for next-generation console
systems such as the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Microsoft's
Xbox' video game system and Nintendo's GAMECUBE'. Criterion Software is a wholly
owned subsidiary of Canon, Inc. Further information on Criterion Games can be
found at www.criteriongames.com.
About Acclaim Entertainment
Based in Glen Cove, N.Y., Acclaim Entertainment, Inc., is a leading worldwide
developer, publisher and mass marketer of software for use with interactive
entertainment game consoles including those manufactured by Nintendo, Sony
Computer Entertainment, Sega and Microsoft Corporation as well as personal
computer hardware systems. Acclaim owns and operates four studios located in the
United States and the United Kingdom, and publishes and distributes its software
directly in North America, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Australia
and the Pacific Rim. Acclaim also distributes entertainment software for other
publishers worldwide, publishes software gaming strategy guides and issues
"special edition" comic magazines from time to time to support its
time valued brands, Turok and Shadow Man. Acclaim's corporate headquarters are
in Glen Cove, New York and Acclaim's common stock is publicly traded on
NASDAQ.SC under the symbol AKLM. For more information please visit our website
at www.acclaim.com.
"PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered
trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

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