EA TAKES IT STRONG TO THE HOOP WITH NBA LIVE 2002 FOR THE XBOX

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – November 20, 2001 –EA (Nasdaq: ERTS) challenges gamers to experience life in the paint with NBA LIVE 2002 for the Xbox™ video game system from Microsoft, available on store shelves today.  NBA LIVE 2002, sold under the EA SPORTS™ brand, gives players a realistic sense of what it’s like to be on the court battling in the paint, or fighting through a screen and popping a game-winning jumper to win the NBA Championship.  NBA LIVE 2002 is available now for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and the PlayStation®.

NBA LIVE 2002, the first basketball title for the burgeoning Xbox, possesses numerous new features that will keep players going from the preseason through the NBA Finals.  In Franchise Mode, players manage an NBA franchise for up to 10 years and run the teams day-to-day operations including player drafts and trades with other teams.  Another key enhancement to NBA LIVE 2002 is redesigned gameplay.  NBA LIVE 2002 features unprecedented player control around the basket including various new post moves, lay-ups and dunks, as well as more control in relation to shot positioning and selection.  There are over 50 dunks and numerous all-new lay-ups, giving players additional scoring options around the hoop. 

NBA LIVE 2002 is proud to feature Steve Francis of the Houston Rockets as the cover athlete and as official spokesperson for the franchise.  Michael Jordan is also included in NBA LIVE 2002 wearing No. 23 for the Washington Wizards.  EA SPORTS has exclusive marketing rights for the greatest player of all-time and uses his image on back of pack as well as in print and television advertisements.

In NBA LIVE 2002, life-like bodies and heads make every cyber-player the spitting image of their real-life counterpart, including details such as afros, tattoos, player accessories, and over 50 styles of shoes.   Adding to that are new cutting-edge facial animations that show players tracking the ball, surveying the floor for an open man, discussing calls with the refs and celebrating big plays.

Adding to the NBA-like drama are cinematic pregame moments featuring scripted sequences, and new cameras with special effects like motion blur and letterboxing that capture emotional moments and replays them in stunning detail.

NBA LIVE 2002 is rated “E” (Everyone) by the ESRB and supports up to four players.  Consumers may purchase the game directly at the EA Store ^SM (http://www.eastore.ea.com), or by calling EA Direct Sales at 1.877.324.2637, for a suggested retail price of $49.95. 

ABOUT ELECTRONIC ARTS

Electronic Arts (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, Electronic Arts posted revenues of more than $1.3 billion for fiscal 2001. The company develops, publishes and distributes software worldwide for the Internet, personal computers and video game systems. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS^TM, EA GAMES^TM, EA SPORTS BIG™ and EA.COM^SM. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://www.info.ea.com.

© 2001 Electronic Arts Inc.  Electronic Arts, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS BIG, EA GAMES and EA Store are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries.  EA.COM is a service mark of EA.com Inc.  NBA is a trademark of NBA Properties, Inc. PlayStation is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.  Xbox and Microsoft are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.  All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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