UNIVERSAL INTERACTIVE HEATS UP RETAIL OUTLETS WITH SPYRO: SEASON OF ICE FOR THE GAME BOY ADVANCE

Giant Dragon¹s Debut Adventure on Pint-Sized Platform

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., October 31, 2001 ­ Universal Interactive confirmed today that Spyro: Season of Ice has shipped to stores nationwide.  Appearing for the first time ever on a Nintendo³ handheld console and featuring an entirely new adventure, Spyro: Season of Ice for Game Boy³ Advance was developed by acclaimed studio Digital Eclipse Software, Inc.

Spyro¹s latest escapade begins when his vacation on Dragon Shores is abruptly interrupted by an urgent message informing him that Grendor the Rhynoc, a wicked wizard, has captured Zoe and frozen all the fairies throughout the Fairy Realms.  Determined to save his frozen friends, Spyro embarks on an action-packed adventure that propels him through 25 enchanted levels including the Lava Prairie, Hummingbird Village, Honey Marsh, Roman Holiday and Star Park.  Players control classic Spyro abilities such as gliding, flaming and hovering in vast, isometric 3D platform-jumping levels and fast-paced speedway rounds.  Sparx the Dragonfly is playable in arcade-style top-down levels and buzzes his way throughout the game at Spyro¹s side.  Filled with collectible gems, mini-games and all new bosses, Spyro: Season of Ice offers the complete Spyro gameplay experience.  

"Universal Interactive recognized the strong appeal of the Spyro the Dragon franchise for the handheld market and made a strategic decision to publish an all-new adventure for the Game Boy³ Advance," said Jim Wilson, president of Universal Interactive.  "Players will encounter lush environments, playful characters, unbelievably vivid colors, classic Spyro gameplay and just a touch of dragon humor!"

The Spyro the Dragon franchise has sold more than eight million units worldwide.  Rated E for Everyone, the new action/platform title, Spyro: Season of Ice, is designed for players of all ages and is available at a SRP of $39.99.

About Universal Interactive
Universal Interactive develops and publishes innovative interactive entertainment for next generation game consoles and PC platforms based on original content and Universal Studios character, movie, and television franchises.

About Vivendi Universal Publishing
Vivendi Universal Publishing (VU Publishing), the publishing division of the world's second largest communications group (Vivendi Universal), is an international leader in multi-platform publishing and content distribution.  As one of the top three players in the global publishing market and the only publisher with an international reach, the Company's key content areas include literature, reference, education, games and consumer press.  VU Publishing publishes content in four major languages, including English, French, Spanish and Portuguese, and has strong local publishing brands, including Anaya, Atica, Houghton Mifflin, Knowledge Adventure, Larousse, Nathan and Scipione.  In the games category, VU Publishing is a leading publisher of online, PC and console-based games.  Its studios include Blizzard Entertainment, Sierra On-Line and Universal Interactive.

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