World War II Online Marks Milestones- Kicks Off Re-evaluation Program

Bedford, Texas. December 20, 2002 - Strategy First, Playnet.com and Cornered Rat Software have announced the “Welcome Back Soldier” promotion, a re-evaluation program targeting former account holders, providing an opportunity to experience the many updates and new features of the game.

The program, which provides free play time between December 13^th and January 11th for closed account holders, comes after the release of version 1.7 which included major gameplay changes like full combat attrition and a major graphics overhaul achieved through the migration to DirectX 8.1.

“The release of version 1.7 continues our commitment to improving and adding features to the game for our players- new and old,” says Al Corey, Playnet’s Marketing Manager. “The newest game features, vehicles, weapons and upgraded visuals are attracting new players in growing numbers and the addition of Mac players with our recent retail release is turning up the heat on the virtual battlefield.”

Starting Friday December 13th, closed account holders could simply log into the game and auto-update their software to version 1.7 and start playing. Once the free time ends on January 11th, account holders will be encouraged to re-activate their subscription to keep playing.

World War II Online has been getting positive press attention following recent updates including MASSIVE ONLINE GAMING who wrote, "...WWIIOL was not only the first but remains the only true virtual battlefield.” and PC PILOT who wrote “The feelings of camaraderie and sheer terror as the battle rages all around you are stunning.” WWII Online is the winner of the IGNs “Persistant World Game of 2001- Readers’ Choice” and GAMESPY’s “Gamers’ Choice Sim of the Year” (2001).

More details on the ‘Welcome Back Soldier’ re-evaluation program can be found at www.wwiionline.com .

About Playnet Inc:

Playnet Inc. is an Internet technologies company that specializes in design and development of massively multi-player online games (MMOG) at its in-house software development studio, Cornered Rat Software (CRS); and through its Playnet.com division operates an independent Internet-based online publishing center and interactive entertainment destination website, Playnet.com that offers dynamic and customizable global delivery of a channelized line up of e-content, games, and advertising products through its own web sites and dozens of affiliated game and content sites. Established in April of 1999 and located in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area of Texas, Playnet publishes online titles World War II Online, Wildcards and Furcadia.

About Strategy First

Strategy First Inc. is a leading developer and worldwide publisher of entertainment software for the PC.  Founded in 1990, the company has grown rapidly, publishing major games in the industry and simultaneously developing its own in-house titles such as O.R.B., Disciples II, Nexagon: The Pit and Zero-G Marines.  After winning numerous awards for games such as Disciples: Sacred Lands, Europa Universalis, Kohan: Immortal Sovereigns and Steel Beasts, Strategy First continues to push the gaming envelope with its own groundbreaking titles, while maintaining its reputation as a unique alternative for independent developers seeking to market their games to a worldwide audience