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SEGA SPORTS NHL 2K3 SHIPS FOR NINTENDO GAMECUBE

Deepest Hockey Simulation on the Market Offers ESPN Telecast-Style

Presentation, Lifelike Realism and Exclusive Features

SAN FRANCISCO - (December 10, 2002) - SEGA(R) of America, Inc. announced

today the release of "SEGA Sports(TM) NHL(R) 2K3" for the Nintendo

GameCube(TM). As the most true-to-life hockey simulation, "SEGA Sports NHL

2K3" successfully replicates the sport's details such as lifelike goalie

maneuvers, strategic line changes, battling for the puck against the boards

and extensive individual player and team attributes that result in

ultra-realistic play. Produced by Visual Concepts Entertainment, a SEGA

development studio, and developed by Treyarch LLC, "SEGA Sports NHL 2K3"

provides the features that hockey fans covet, from an in-depth Franchise

Mode and full lineup of NHL and International teams to its authentic ESPN

telecast-style presentation.

"'SEGA Sports NHL 2K3' gives players total control of all the intensity on

the ice and allows for full management of all the action off the ice,

granting them the most authentic hockey experience possible," said Greg

Thomas, president, Visual Concepts Entertainment.

"SEGA Sports NHL 2K3" uses an advanced physics-based gameplay system and

unprecedented Artificial Intelligence (AI) to more accurately simulate the

NHL. Unlike other hockey games that are based on percentages, the goalies,

players and the puck in "SEGA Sports NHL 2K3" are all governed by the game's

sophisticated physics engine, allowing for more realistic shooting,

checking, skating and goaltending. Melding flawlessly with the game's

physics is an adaptive AI system that allows each player to react to

hundreds of unique on-ice situations. When setting up for a save, goalies

will dynamically react to the puck and positioning of the opposing forwards,

while AI teams will execute realistic power-plays, forechecks, perform

odd-man breaks and line changes.

While other hockey games feature goalies without specific player attributes,

who attempt saves with limited movements, "SEGA Sports NHL 2K3" shows

goalies playing the position as it is meant to be played. In "NHL 2K3," the

new Reactive Goalie Positioning lets goalies move side-to-side, and from

dive to save, without ever having to return to a center or idle position,

allowing them to make save upon save with the most realistic maneuvers of

any hockey video game. Also new in "SEGA Sports NHL 2K3" is Complete Lines

Control, which gives gamers the ability to rotate offensive, defensive,

power play and penalty kill lines independently and set strategies for each

of these lines on the fly. Along with this ability is Board Pinning, where

gamers can pin players against the boards and dig for the puck with multiple

control options, bringing yet another level of realism to hockey video

games.

"SEGA Sports NHL 2K3" also gives gamers the choice of six different gameplay

modes, including Quick Game, Exhibition, Season, Playoffs, Tournament and

the brand new Franchise Mode. In the Franchise Mode gamers can select one

of the existing NHL teams or create their own custom team and develop it

into a dynasty. Users can sign, trade and release players and scout

upcoming rookies in the NHL entry draft. As they compete for the coveted

Stanley Cup over multiple seasons, players also have the opportunity to take

part in mid-season All-Star games and earn a myriad of postseason awards.

An ESPN telecast-style presentation, featuring the signature National Hockey

Night theme, TV-style player introductions, game highlights and replays

using a telestrator, wrap-up the stellar visual package.

"SEGA Sports NHL 2K3" is endorsed by the Philadelphia Flyers All-Star Center

Jeremy Roenick and is currently available for the Nintendo GameCube for a

suggested retail price of $49.95. "NHL 2K3" was released in November for

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

game system from Microsoft(R).