The Best Selling Basketball Series Of All-Time Takes Its Game To The Next Generation Console

INTERNET WIRE - January 23, 2001 - Electronic Arts ("EA") announced it is shipping NBA LIVE 2001 for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the first NBA title for the burgeoning video gaming platform. The seventh edition in the ultra-realistic series, EA SPORTS™ NBA LIVE 2001 allows gamers to command the post or operate above the rim with numerous new moves and features, all designed to take players out of the stands and onto the court.

"I am proud to be associated with a product like NBA LIVE 2001 and it's really nice to be featured on the cover, especially since it's the first NBA game for the PlayStation 2," said Minnesota Timberwolves star forward Kevin Garnett. "I've been playing this game since the beginning and I believe that 2001's off the hook gameplay combined with the PlayStation 2 graphics make NBA LIVE 2001for the PlayStation 2 the best basketball video game ever."

NBA LIVE 2001 features new post play that afford players the option of posting up and taking the ball strong to the hole with four strong new moves or kicking it out to a wing player for an open three. This all new inside game, with new animations and motion capture done by Kevin Garnett, gives players an authentic feeling of contact and battling for post position the likes never before available in console gaming. New post moves include spins, hook shots, fade away jumpers and the nearly impossible to defend "up and under" move, all giving you the chance show your mettle in the in the paint, banging around with the big boys.

"From the incredibly responsive gameplay to the life-like graphics, we believe that NBA LIVE 2001 for the PlayStation 2 is the most complete console basketball experience to date," said executive producer Stan Chow. "Every feature we put into this game, from post moves to life-like player models, are there because we felt like it would bring users one step closer to being on the court. In making LIVE 2001 we wanted to push the capabilities of the PlayStation 2, as well as deliver what users have come to expect over the years from the LIVE series. We believe we were successful in translating our ideas into a fun and realistic basketball experience."

NBA LIVE 2001 PlayStation® 2 Features:

New Transitions enhance in-game sequences and add to the on-court drama. There is never a dull moment as the gamer drops right into player introductions to experience the pregame emotion, followed by the handshakes at half-court to wish their opponent well before the opening tip. In addition, see player's personalities and emotions come out on the court as they talk with each other, encourage teammates, debate calls with the referees and celebrate huge plays. Improved speech and sound effects capture the essence of the interaction between the play-by-play and color commentators. Bob Elliott adds new in-depth play analysis and all new color commentary for more intelligent and relevant interaction with the game play-by-play done once again by NBA and NBA LIVE veteran Don Poier. New high-flying motion-captured dunks and post moves performed by NBA All-Star and Olympic gold medallist Kevin Garnett. A cutting-edge soundtrack with the widest array of hip-hop and rap songs ever available in the LIVE series, including Universal recording artist Montell Jordan who wrote and performed the games title track, "Unstoppable." More than 50 of the greatest NBA legends. Gamers can compete against five All-Star teams from the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's to find out exactly how well today's young superstars match-up against the stars of yesteryear. Users can also play one-on-one on an outdoor court using current NBA players or legendary players. The classic match-ups are endless. Create-a-Player allows gamers the ability to create custom players with individual features including player attributes, skill ratings and appearance.

NBA LIVE 2001 is rated "E" (Everyone) by the ESRB. NBA LIVE 2001 is analog controller compatible and supports up to eight players. Consumers may purchase the game directly at the EA Store(SM) (www.eastore.ea.com), or by calling EA Direct Sales at 1.877.324.2637, for a suggested retail price of $49.95. NBA LIVE 2001 is also available for the PlayStation® ($39.95)

EA SPORTS (www.easports.com) is the leading interactive sports software brand in the world. Its top-selling franchises and games include FIFA Soccer, John Madden Football™, NHL® Hockey, Knockout Kings™, NBA LIVE Basketball, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® Golf, Triple Play Baseball™ and NASCAR®.

Electronic Arts (Nasdaq: ERTS - news), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, Electronic Arts posted revenues of more than $1.4 billion for fiscal 2000. The company develops, publishes and distributes software worldwide for the Internet, personal computers and video game systems. Electronic Arts markets its products under three brand names: EA SPORTS™, EA GAMES™ and EA.COM(SM). More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at www.ea.com.

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