LADYDRAGON.COM - PlayStation(R)2 Players Can Now Experience Online Gameplay First-Hand By Joining the World's Best Trained and Most Versatile Combat Forces In SOCOM: U.S. Navy seals Action Military Shooter Offers Players an Unparalleled Console Experience With Voice Recognition Technology in Online and Offline Gameplay

Tuesday August 27, 2002

PlayStation(R)2 Players Can Now Experience Online Gameplay First-Hand By Joining the World's Best Trained and Most Versatile Combat Forces In SOCOM: U.S. Navy seals Action Military Shooter Offers Players an Unparalleled Console Experience With Voice Recognition Technology in Online and Offline Gameplay

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced today the release of SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs. Developed exclusively for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system by Zipper Interactive, Inc. with Sony Computer Entertainment America's Foster City studio, SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs allows users to experience intense, military team combat action by becoming an elite SEAL commander trained to take down hostile forces throughout the world. As one of the first Sony Computer Entertainment America published entertainment titles to take advantage of the upcoming Network Adaptor (Ethernet/Modem) (for PlayStation(R)2), SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs will support up to 16-players per game via a broadband connection. In SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs, gamers will experience the technological capabilities of PlayStation 2 by playing in a thrilling simulation of the U.S. Navy SEAL experience, through both on- and offline gameplay.

As an elite SEAL commander, players must lead their fire-team on a mission, then actualize the mission through authoritative commands, involving intense strategic and tactical skills. Ambushes, reconnaissance and hostage rescues are among the missions that U.S. Navy SEALs will need to accomplish.

SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs offers players the ability to play and communicate with teammates in an intense military environment. Teamwork is crucial and commands can be communicated using voice chat over the Internet using broadband access via an included USB microphone/headset. In single-player mode, players will be able to use menus and/or voice commands when communicating with AI team members.

"SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs delivers an exciting mission-based single-player mode, as well as innovative team-based online gameplay that has its own mission locations and environments. Communicating with your teammates through the included SOCOM headset adds to the realism and intensifies the gameplay experience," said Ami Blaire, director, product marketing, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

"Working in association with Naval Special Warfare on such features as motion-captured animation, allowed us the opportunity to showcase the SEALs in simulated worldwide missions, as well as portraying the SEAL teamwork and ethics from a very authentic angle, resulting in a gripping gameplay experience."

As players take on the role of an elite SEAL commander, their team is asked to fight terrorists throughout numerous deadly missions within four richly detailed international locations. The missions will take place in both indoor and outdoor settings, in various weather conditions and during different times of the day. In SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs, there are two types of gameplay.

More specifically:

-- Single Player --

The single-player gameplay is a linear campaign through 12 globe-spanning combat missions. Each mission must be successfully completed before players can advance to the next level. Using voice commands through the SOCOM headset, you can verbally command your teammates to perform actions and they will respond back to you through your headset. A detailed list of commands and tactics is available for the player to use when directing their team. Intel from SOCOM (Special Operations Command) also comes through the headset to guide the players and provide crucial intelligence throughout the mission.

-- Online Gameplay --

The online gameplay can encompass up to 16 players (eight per team) taking the role of either SEALs or terrorists and then working with their fellow team members to defeat the other side. Multi-player missions are unique and are altered for different types of offensive and defensive tactical/strategic maneuvers. There are three types of missions within more than 10 multi-player maps. The SOCOM headset can be used to communicate verbally with fellow team members during online games.

Players can use sub-channels for team offense and defense to strategically plan their assaults. In addition to the separate gameplay modes, unique AI (Artificial Intelligence) reactions of enemies and teammates, and numerous weapon and equipment choices provide tons of replay value. No two missions use the same combination of challenges and required skills. Some require stealth and precision, while others require physical combat, endurance, cunning and demolition.

Single-player missions can be played multiple times with many varied results using a wide variety of stealth or overt tactics to complete the SEALs' objectives. Missions include ambushes, chases, hostage rescue, demolitions, reconnaissance, and other exciting combat situations. Each mission has multiple primary and secondary objectives that must be completed.

In online gameplay, players will be able to see how they compare with other SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs players worldwide. Each player will be ranked on the "SOCOM ranking ladder." Team-wins, number of kills, and successful missions will factor into a player's rankings. Players will also be able to create online teams and invite other players into their team or clan.

This allows them to display their team "tag" in matches and allows for teams to compete against other clans in special clan games.

For more information regarding the United States Navy SEALs visit www.seal.navy.mil and www.swcc.navy.mil.

The independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rated SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs "M" for Mature. For more information about the ESRB visit www.esrb.org.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation(R) and PS one(TM) game console, and the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system. The PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system is set to revolutionize the home entertainment market, offering the most compelling interactive content and the capability to be used as a network terminal in the coming broadband era.

Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one game console and the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system for the North American market.

Based in Foster City, Calif. Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.