BLACK LABEL GAMES RELEASES UPGRADE PATCH FOR CRITICALLY-ACCLAIMED "THE THING" ON PC

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., September 11, 2002—Black Label Games has released a patch for the PC version of its critically acclaimed game, "The Thing™," which has shipped to retailers nationwide.

About Black Label Games

Black Label Games is Vivendi Universal Games' (VU Games) most recent addition to its publishing group, and is focused on developing titles based on original intellectual properties, as well as content licensed from external strategic partners. During 2002 Black Label Games will publish 'The Thing," the highly anticipated action/survival-horror game, a sequel to John Carpenter's 1982 cult classic movie of the same name, and "Enclave" for the Xbox platform. The unit will also release games based on the greatest literary epic of the 20th century, J.R.R. Tolkien's worldwide best-selling saga "The Lord of the Rings," as part of Vivendi Universal Publishing's long-term agreement with Tolkien Enterprises.

About Vivendi Universal Publishing

Vivendi Universal Publishing, a division of the world's second largest communications group (Vivendi Universal), publishes content in four major languages and has strong local brands. As the world's third largest publisher, the Company's key content areas include literature, reference, school, college, kids, games and consumer press. Vivendi Universal Publishing is a global leader in multi-platform interactive entertainment. A leading publisher of PC, console and online-based interactive content, its portfolio of development studios includes Black Label Games, Blizzard Entertainment, NDA Productions, Sierra Entertainment and Universal Interactive. Through its subsidiary VU Games, it distributes worldwide its interactive contents and co-publishes and/or distributes products for a number of strategic partners. VU Publishing's digitization policy provides its content with a doorway to multi-platform international distribution giving the group a competitive edge in a changing market.