ESPN NHL Hockey Gives Gamers Chance to Show Off Skills in True NHL Style

"Skills Competition" Feature in ESPN NHL Hockey to Make an All-Star Debut

SAN RAFAEL, California - (July 29, 2003) - Faceoff! Sega(R), Visual Concepts Entertainment, maker of the acclaimed '2K' sports series, and ESPN, the Worldwide Leader in Sports, today announced details about their new "Skills Competition" mode which will be available exclusively in the upcoming video game release of "ESPN NHL(R) Hockey."

The "Skills Competition" mode in "ESPN NHL Hockey" gives gamers a chance to put their skills to the test in six separate events. Players will put themselves on the line in contests like Fastest Skater, Hardest Shot, Puck Control and Accuracy Shooting. Team skills are then tested in events like Breakaway Relay. The more gamers practice and play in the "Skills Competition" mode, the better their hockey gaming skills will be as they have the choice to participate in single drills or in larger progressive mini-game versions of these drills.

"Sports gamers want a strong sense of competitiveness with an equal amount of fun," said Greg Thomas, president of Visual Concepts Entertainment. "The 'Skills Competition' will challenge them, help make them better players - allowing them to have the MOST competitive hockey experience when they bring their game against another player."

Hockey fans, both old and new, will be brought together this September on the virtual pond with "ESPN NHL Hockey" as the visual splendor on ice is captured right down to the finest details. Whether it's the stunning player resemblances or the innovative particle effects on the ice, "ESPN NHL Hockey" delivers unrivaled graphic quality. In addition, this game features brand new commentary from ESPN announcers Bill Clement and Gary Thorne.

The "Skills Competition" mode is modeled after the NHL's highly competitive event, which takes place before the NHL All-Star Game each season. Historically, the best in the NHL take home bragging rights after competing in the "Skills Competition" and "ESPN NHL Hockey" cover athlete Jeremy Roenick is no exception. Roenick's ability to shoot with precision won him the "shot accuracy" title in 2003.

"ESPN NHL Hockey" will be available at retailers nationwide in early September for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system and the Xbox(TM) videogame system from Microsoft.

About Visual Concepts Entertainment

Visual Concepts Entertainment is the maker of the critically acclaimed 2K series of sports games. The company is responsible for the full development and marketing for all ESPN Videogames titles and is committed to delivering the best, fully integrated sports gaming experience for all consumers.

Visual Concepts Entertainment is wholly owned by Japan-based SEGA Corporation.

About ESPN

ESPN, Inc., The Worldwide Leader in Sports, is a multinational, multimedia sports entertainment company featuring the broadest portfolio of multimedia assets in sports marketing with over 40 business entities. The company is comprised of seven domestic television networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes (launching the end of 2003), ESPN Now, ESPN Today), ESPN HD (a high-definition simulcast service of ESPN), ESPN Regional Television, ESPN International (25 international networks and syndication), ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN The Magazine, SportsTicker, ESPN Enterprises, ESPN Zones (sports-themed restaurants), and other growing new businesses including ESPN Broadband, ESPN Wireless, ESPN Video-on-Demand and ESPN Interactive. Based in Bristol, Ct., ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc, which is an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. The Hearst Corporation holds a 20 percent interest in ESPN.

NHL and the NHL Shield are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League. All NHL logos and marks and team logos and marks depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. (c) 2003. All rights reserved. (c) NHLPA. ESPN NHL Hockey is an Officially Licensed Product of the NHLPA. NHLPA, National Hockey League Players' Association and the NHLPA logo are trademarks of the NHLPA and are used under license by SEGA of America, Inc.

"PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Xbox is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. ESPN is a registered trademark of ESPN, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America
Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America markets the PlayStation(R) game console and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PlayStation game console and the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif., Sony Computer Entertainment America serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.