SEGA SPORTS NHL 2K3 SKATES ONTO XBOX AS THE ONLY CONSOLE HOCKEY VIDEO GAME WITH ONLINE PLAY

The Most Realistic Hockey Simulation Makes Its Debut on Xbox with Exclusive Features, ESPN Telecast-Style Presentation and Authentic Player Attributes

SAN FRANCISCO - (November 19, 2002) - SEGA(R) of America, Inc. announced today the release of "SEGA Sports(TM) NHL(R) 2K3" for the Xbox(TM) video game system from Microsoft(R). Delivering the most true-to-life hockey simulation, "SEGA Sports NHL 2K3" harnesses the power of Xbox to successfully replicate the sport's most intricate details such as lifelike goalie maneuvers, strategic line changes, battling for the puck against the boards and extensive individual player and team attributes. Produced by Visual Concepts Entertainment, a SEGA development studio, and developed by Treyarch LLC, "SEGA Sports NHL 2K3" is the only next generation console hockey game on the market that is playable online. "SEGA Sports NHL 2K3" also provides the features that hockey fans covet, from an in-depth Franchise Mode and full lineup of NHL and International teams to its authentic ESPN telecast-style prt inesentation.

"'SEGA Sports NHL 2K3' for Xbox gives gamers total control of all the action in the rink, allowing them to manage their entire gameplay experience both on and off the ice," said Tom Nichols, vice president of sports marketing, SEGA of America, Inc. "To add a notch of intensity to the competition, 'SEGA Sports NHL 2K3,' the most intense and authentic simulation of the sport, is the only console hockey game playable online via Xbox Live(TM) this season."

"SEGA Sports NHL 2K3" uses an advanced physics-based gameplay system and unprecedented Artificial Intelligence (AI) to more accurately simulate the NHL. Unlike other hockey games that are based on percentages, the goalies, players and the puck in "SEGA Sports NHL 2K3" are all governed by the game's sophisticated physics engine, allowing for more realistic shooting, checking, skating and goaltending. Melding flawlessly with the game's physics is an adaptive AI system that allows each player to react to hundreds of unique on-ice situations. When setting up for a save, goalies will dynamically react to the puck and positioning of the opposing forwards, while AI teams will execute realistic power-plays, forechecks, perform odd-man breaks and line changes.

While other hockey games feature goalies without specific player attributes, who attempt saves with limited movements, "SEGA Sports NHL 2K3" shows goalies playing the position as it is meant to be played. In "NHL 2K3," the new Reactive Goalie Positioning lets goalies move side-to-side, and from dive to save, without ever having to return to a center or idle position, allowing them to make save upon save with the most realistic maneuvers of any hockey video game. Also new in "SEGA Sports NHL 2K3" is Complete Lines Control, which gives gamers the ability to rotate offensive, defensive, power play and penalty kill lines independently and set strategies for each of these lines on the fly. Along with this ability is Board Pinning, where gamers can pin players against the boards and dig for the puck with multiple control options, bringing yet another level of realism to hockey video games.

"SEGA Sports NHL 2K3" also gives gamers the choice of six different gameplay modes, including Quick Game, Exhibition, Season, Playoffs, Tournament and the brand new Franchise Mode. In the Franchise Mode gamers can select one of the existing NHL teams or create their own custom team and develop it into a dynasty. Users can negotiate contracts, sign, trade and release players and scout upcoming rookies in the NHL entry draft. As they compete for the coveted Stanley Cup(R) over multiple seasons, players also have the opportunity to take part in mid-season All-Star games and earn a myriad of postseason awards. An ESPN telecast-style presentation, featuring the signature National Hockey Night theme, TV-style player introductions, game highlights and replays using a telestrator, wrap-up the stellar visual package.

Expanding upon the company's roster of online titles for the new next-generation consoles, "SEGA Sports NHL 2K3" marks the eighth online game that SEGA will deliver this year. With the most experience in online console gaming, SEGA will deliver more online console games than any other company in 2002.

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