VIVENDI UNIVERSAL GAMES ANNOUNCES WORLDWIDE RELEASE OF GROUND CONTROL(tm) II: OPERATION EXODUS

The Retail Assault Begins in Spring 2004

LOS ANGELES, CA (October 17, 2003) - Vivendi Universal Games announced today that Ground Control(tm) II: Operation Exodus, the sequel to the award-winning PC real-time strategy game, will ship to North American stores in the second quarter of 2004.

Ground Control II: Operation Exodus combines the fast-paced action and stunning graphics of an action game, with the tactical thinking of a real-time strategy game. In a departure from traditional RTS games, Ground Control II: Operation Exodus focuses on tactical combat with minimal time spent on resource management. Instead of harvesting resources and building bases, the game keeps the action hot and heavy by immediately rewarding players for accomplishing objectives. Additionally, the unique multiplayer drop-in mode allows players to instantly join an ongoing game at any time, for any length of time.

Ground Control II: Operation Exodus chronicles the ongoing conflict between the Northern Star Alliance and the Terran Empire. Having lost the war in space, the NSA retreats to their homeworld and forces the Terran Empire to engage in a savage war of attrition on the ground. As a commander in the field, players can command a task force consisting of infantry, tanks, artillery and aircraft alone in the single player campaign or with other players via LAN or Internet.

"New players, fans of the original game and action fans alike will find Ground Control II: Operation Exodus right up their alley," said Philip O'Neil, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Vivendi Universal Games. "We've made sure that casual gamers will be able to join an ongoing battle quickly and easily, while experienced fans will have more advanced gameplay options and powerful level editor at their disposal. With the intensely fast action and ground-breaking 3D graphics, first-person shooter fans will also feel right at home playing Ground Control II."

"By building on our experiences from the original Ground Control and listening carefully to our fans, we have designed an action-packed gaming experience that will surpass anything ever seen before on the PC. We can't wait to show gamers the end-result," said Martin Walfisz, CEO of Massive Entertainment.

Developed by Massive Entertainment, Ground Control II: Operation Exodus features the best 3D graphics engine in the RTS genre, allowing for outstanding graphics with incredible levels of detail. Ground Control II: Operation Exodus will be available in the second quarter of 2004 for the PC. For more information, log on to http://www.groundcontrol2.com .

About Massive Entertainment Massive Entertainment® is a leading developer of games and interactive entertainment products for a worldwide market. Its world acclaimed PC game 'Ground Control', launched in 2000, established Massive Entertainment as one of the most innovative developers in the real time strategy genre. In 2002 the company was acquired by Vivendi Universal Games (VUG) as one of only two development studios outside North-America. Together Massive Entertainment® and VUG are now working on the top entertainment titles of the future. The company is located in Malmö, Sweden.

About Vivendi Universal Games Headquartered in New York, Vivendi Universal Games (www.vugames.com) is a global leader in multi-platform interactive entertainment. A leading publisher of PC, console and online-based interactive content, Vivendi Universal Games' portfolio of development studios includes Black Label Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Coktel, Fox Interactive, Knowledge Adventure, Sierra Entertainment and Universal Interactive. Through its Partner Publishing Group, Vivendi Universal Games also co-publishes and/or distributes interactive products for a number of strategic partners, including Crave Entertainment, Interplay, Majesco, Mythic Entertainment and Simon & Schuster, among others.

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