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Courtesy of Electronic Arts, the latest incarnation of the ever popular Madden series is now available.

Best-Selling Football Videogame, Madden NFL 2003, Launches on Six Platforms

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. - August 12, 2002 - Football season officially starts

today with the launch of Madden NFL(tm) 2003 from Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:

ERTS), the best-selling football videogame. The ship date was moved up a day

due to the high demand from consumers. Available on six platforms, the

PlayStation(r)2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo GameCube, the

Xbox(tm) video game system from Microsoft, the PlayStation console, Game

Boy(r) Advance and PC, the Madden NFL Football franchise enters into its

13th year as the undisputed leader in authentic NFL football simulation. In

its history, the franchise has sold more than 25 million copies including

more than four million copies of Madden NFL 2002

EA has also taken the effort to add some enticing modes that should propel Madden 2003 over it's previous version.

Two new modes will please everyone from the first-time Madden player to the

most hardcore Madden NFL 2003 football fans. The innovative Mini-Camp mode

allows players to join John Madden's Cruiser Bus traveling to all 32 NFL

cities to compete in fun and challenging mini-games. Gamers have the

opportunity to take controls of players in practice gear and become an

expert in eight positions while trying to earn unique Madden cards. The new

Create-a-Playbook mode allows you to customize receiver routes, player

formations and a team's entire playbook for both offense and defense;

allowing the gamer to create virtually any play imaginable and play it on

the field immediately.

Madden NFL 2003 includes the expansion Houston Texans, the new NFL

divisional alignment and new features in its signature franchise mode,

making it the deepest such mode available. Gamers will also find

dramatically improved graphics and presentation with new signature player

animations like sidearm throws, gang-tackles, new high-emotion celebrations

and cut scenes, more than 300 realistic player faces, animating 3D crowds

and completely redone stadiums and fields that provide the most realistic

playing environment possible. With new game play mechanics, the game speed

of Madden NFL 2003 is significantly faster and features tighter control with

quicker animations, an all-new interior running game and a more finely tuned

passing game.

Debuting in Madden NFL 2003, EA SPORTS TRAX, showcases new songs from

today's hottest bands with songs throughout the game from artists such as

Bon Jovi, Andrew W.K., Nappy Roots (featuring Marcos from P.O.D.), Good

Charlotte, OK GO, Audiovent, (hed) p.e., Seether and Quarashi. Many songs

from these artists can be heard in Madden NFL 2003 before their albums are

available.