LADYDRAGON.COM - SLY COOPER AND THE THIEVIUS RACCOONUS(TM) BROADENS THE ACTION-PLATFORM GAMING EXPERIENCE WHILE STEALING GAMERS' HEARTS

Friday September 27, 2002

SLY COOPER AND THE THIEVIUS RACCOONUS(TM) BROADENS THE ACTION-PLATFORM GAMING EXPERIENCE WHILE STEALING GAMERS' HEARTS

CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED ACTION-PLATFORMER DELIVERS COMIC BOOK-INSPIRED GAMEPLAY EXCLUSIVELY FOR PLAYSTATION(R)2

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced today the release of the highly anticipated title, Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus(TM), created exclusively for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system. Created by Seattle-based developer, Sucker Punch Productions, and developed in collaboration with Sony Computer Entertainment America's Foster City Studio, Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus takes action-adventure platform gaming to new heights on PlayStation 2, showcasing a conceptually new type of character, extraordinary character designs, toon-shaded animations, innovative gameplay and spectacular graphics.

Inspired by the simple yet dynamic styling of comic books, Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus is designed with the look and feel of a traditional cartoon. The development team employed toon-shading technology to create characters that are simple in color and shape but have distinctive outlines, allowing them to pop clearly out of the richly painted background. The result is a beautiful gameplay environment filled with detailed worlds that provide a gaming experience reminiscent of a Saturday morning cartoon come to life.

"We are thrilled to have Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus as part of this season's premier PlayStation 2 lineup," said Ami Blaire, director, product marketing, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. "Sucker Punch has succeeded in blending realistic physics with a richly detailed, vibrant world to offer players a completely new and compelling action-adventure experience that looks and plays like an animated feature."

Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus follows the story of a charming and wry, charismatic thief, Sly Cooper. Born into a family of the world's greatest thieves, Sly, on his eighth birthday, was given the Thievius Raccoonus, a family heirloom passed down from generation to generation containing all of his ancestors' best-kept secrets and thieving techniques. That same evening, a gang of ruthless villains broke into his home, overpowering his father and stealing the Thievius Raccoonus, splitting it five ways and each taking a piece of the legacy with them.

Now, ten years later, Sly Cooper is ready to track down the bad guys and reclaim what is rightfully his. Players can choose from a variety of gameplay options including stealth, platform, vehicle races, boss arenas and mini-games. Stealth and smarts are required as gamers sneak through the day and night, engaging in rooftop chases, dodging security guards, jumping ninja-style through windows, doors and across buildings, and making narrow escapes through diverse landscapes.

The independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has rated Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus "E" for Everyone. For more information about the ESRB visit www.esrb.org.

About Sucker Punch

Sucker Punch Productions designs innovative games that feature the best in character design, gameplay and technology for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system. Sucker Punch's first title was the critically acclaimed, Rocket: Robot on Wheels. Since releasing Rocket, the Sucker Punch team has been committed to the development of a new title for PlayStation 2: Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus. Additional information can be found on the company's Web site at www.suckerpunch.com.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation(R) 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 game console and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PlayStation 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. www.playstation.com.

FACT SHEET

Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus(tm)

Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

Developer: Sucker Punch

Genre: Action-Adventure

Players: Single-player

Platform: PlayStationâ2 Computer Entertainment System

Peripherals: DUALSHOCK(tm) analog controller, standard digital controller, Memory Card (8MB) (for PlayStation 2)

Launch Date: September 24, 2002

Target Age: 8 +

Rating: Everyone

OVERVIEW

There's a new thief in town! Sly Cooper is all about taking chances and in this exciting new adventure, gamers will enjoy richly detailed, toon-shaded worlds, comically animated and amusing characters, brilliant gameplay and an action-packed caper that will have gamers sneaking around and proving they are the best thief ever! Created and developed by Sucker Punch, Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus has been in development for several years and is the team's first entertainment venture for PlayStation®2.

STORYLINE

Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus is a vibrantly animated caper starring the charming and wry, charismatic thief, Sly Cooper. Born into a family of the world's greatest thieves, Sly is given, on his eighth birthday, the Thievius Raccoonus, a family heirloom that is passed down from generation to generation containing all of their best-kept secrets and thieving techniques around. Later that evening, a gang of ruthless villains broke into his harmonious home. As Sly watched, the intruders overpowered his father, as they stole the Thievius Raccoonus splitting it five ways and each taking a piece of this legacy with them. Ten years later, Sly is out to steal the Thievius Raccoonus back and reclaim what is rightfully his. He enlists the help of his gadget genius pal Bentley, and his big eager friend Murray, and the trio embark on a quest to restore honor to his family's name.

KEY FEATURES

· A completely innovative and unique game adventure that blends realistic physics in richly detailed, animated worlds.

· A crafty and charming bandit determined to become the world's best thief, Sly Cooper the raccoon is a clever, colorful and witty new character for PlayStation 2.

· In addition to the charismatic Sly Cooper, gamers will meet an entire eye-popping family of loveable and not-so-nice characters all with fluid actions that will provide amusing entertainment for hours on end.

· A blend of realistic physics in richly detailed, toon-shaded worlds. As one of the world's greatest thieves, gamers will enjoy smooth, seamless gameplay and animations. Watch as this cartoon world comes to life with a depth and dimension unlike any other.

· Deep interactive environments using triple pass polygonal rendering for lighting and effects add mood and ambiance to a uniquely stylized look. Shadows, spot lights, building details and special effects take on a whole new look.

· Gamers can choose from a variety of gameplay options including stealth, platform, vehicle, boss and mini- games. Stealth and smarts are required as you sneak through the day and night...rooftop chases, narrow escapes, dodging security guards and ninja- like jumping...through windows, doors and across buildings.

· Multi-tiered gameplay including primary, secondary and tertiary objectives provide additional challenges for gamers.

· Sneak around in five unique hideouts while trying to recover the Thievius Racoonus, including Ice, Underwater, Bayou, Venice, and Industrial.