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SEGA LAUNCHES ITS ACCLAIMED PRO FOOTBALL SIM SEGA SPORTS NFL 2K3 ON NINTENDO

GAMECUBE

SEGA Sports NFL 2K Series Debuts on GameCube With Radical New Franchise

Mode, ESPN Telecast-Style Presentation and Intuitive Gameplay

SAN FRANCISCO - (August 20, 2002) - SEGA(R) of America, Inc. announced today

the release of "SEGA Sports(TM) NFL 2K3" for the Nintendo GameCube(TM).

Heralded as the "Best Sports Game" by the "Game Critics Awards: Best of E3

2002," "SEGA Sports NFL 2K3" is poised to redefine the standards of football

video games this season with ground-breaking Artificial Intelligence,

unparalleled lifelike animations, an ESPN telecast-style presentation and an

in-depth franchise mode featuring a revolutionary and easy-to-use visual

interface. Developed by Visual Concepts Entertainment, a SEGA development

studio, "SEGA Sports NFL 2K3" pushes the boundaries of realism and blurs the

line between a football video game and a real-life Sunday afternoon gridiron

battle.

"The innovative new features and enhancements in 'SEGA Sports NFL 2K3' help

deliver a truly engaging gameplay experience for Nintendo GameCube owners,"

said Tom Nichols, vice president of sports marketing, SEGA of America, Inc.

"The 'SEGA Sports NFL 2K' series has continued to challenge the conventions

of console football games and this new title brings that pioneering gameplay

to Nintendo GameCube for the first time."

"Delivering the most true-to-life football experience for Nintendo GameCube

users, 'SEGA Sports NFL 2K3' brings the player onto the field with

presentation elements such as new cut-scenes and camera angles, and gameplay

enhancements like on the fly audibles," said Greg Thomas, president of

Visual Concepts Entertainment, a SEGA development studio. "With 'SEGA Sports

NFL 2K3' we have taken a giant step forward in realizing our goal of

successfully capturing the subtle nuances of a real NFL game."

"SEGA Sports NFL 2K3" builds on its championship-caliber gameplay with a

variety of new additions and enhancements. More than 4,500 team-specific

plays and the ability to create custom playbooks ensure that each team

follows the exact play-calling tendencies they do in the real world.

Similarly, advanced individual player AI makes each athlete react uniquely

to the action around him on the field. From linebackers slowing down

crossing patterns by bumping receivers passing through their zones to AI

quarterbacks more realistically making formation and coverage reads before

making the throw, "SEGA Sports NFL 2K3" delivers both an exhilarating and

ultra-realistic gameplay experience.

"SEGA Sports NFL 2K3" delivers a new level of authenticity with an ESPN

telecast-style presentation. Everything from the trademark split-screen

player introductions and analysis, game highlights, scores and overlays to

the famous SportsCenter theme music, help create the look and feel of an

actual ESPN telecast of the National Football League. In "SEGA Sports NFL

2K3," weekly wrap-ups show actual game highlights from simulated games

around the league and a variety of post-season awards distinguish the best

of the best in the NFL.

Providing added value to the game's expansive list of features is the brand

new SEGA Sports Challenge. With this feature enabled, the seasoned "SEGA

Sports NFL 2K3" fan can compare stats accumulated during offline Exhibition

games against other players from around the country. In the SEGA Sports

Challenge, gamers track their stats in a multitude of categories to receive

a unique Challenge Code, which can then be entered and ranked against other

gamers on Segasports.com.

Joining the returning Exhibition, Tournament, Season and Practice Modes is a

brand new Situation Mode and the reconstructed Franchise Mode. The Franchise

Mode, which features an innovative visual interface and additional team

management options, arrives for the new season with an extensive overhaul.

As users step into the shoes of their favorite team's players, coaches and

general managers, they have the option of signing free agents, scouting and

drafting rookies, making trades and even drafting graduating seniors from

"SEGA Sports(TM) NCAA(R) College Football 2K3." The Situation Mode lets

players customize a variety of options to create their own unique in-game

scenario, from running two-minute drills to lining up for the game winning

field goal.

"SEGA Sports NFL 2K3" athletes have been remodeled using 3D scans of

prototype NFL body types to look more genuine and lifelike than ever. Player

body sizes now match the unique height, weight and girth for each of the

individual positions on the field. The 3D stadiums were also redesigned to

more accurately represent the size and magnitude of actual NFL stadiums. The

result is a game that is visually striking, capturing everything from the

cheap seats and crowded sidelines in the stadiums to the player's dramatic

facial expressions.

"SEGA Sports NFL 2K3," featuring Chicago Bears All-Pro linebacker Brian

Urlacher on the cover, is currently available for Nintendo GameCube for a

suggested retail price of $49.95. The game is also available for

PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system and Xbox(TM) video game system

from Microsoft(R).