EA’s NHL 2005 SKATES INTO STORES EVERYWHERE today

Top Selling Pro Hockey Franchise is THE Place to Play Hockey this Fall

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – Wednesday, September 22, 2004 – Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced that NHL® 2005, the best-selling professional hockey franchise has hit stores worldwide. Shipped under the EA SPORTS™ brand, NHL 2005 delivers top-shelf gameplay that captures the speed, flow and hard-hitting action of pro hockey. Online* gamers will enjoy enhanced features on the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and for the first time, Xbox Live™ support. NHL 2005 gives hockey fans a chance to play as their favorite teams and players while not able to watch them on TV.

New EA SPORTS Open Ice Control allows players to execute offensive plays such as Give-and-Go’s and breakaway passes or call for a defensive double team with the touch of a button. A completely overhauled skating engine captures both the explosive speed of offensive skating and the surgical precision of backwards defensive movement. The all-new face-off formations allow the user to be strategic before the puck is dropped.

EA SPORTS Dynasty Mode™ goes even deeper with a new, easier to navigate interface, and more interactive GM/owner relationships, including a deep new e-mail system. NHL 2005 also delivers all the action of the World Cup of Hockey™, with International teams and venues from North America and Europe. In addition to all 30 NHL teams, NHL 2005 includes 39 teams from the Swedish, Finnish and German Elite Leagues, as well as 21 International teams.

Developed by EA Canada in Vancouver, B.C., NHL 2005 is available for the PlayStation 2 console, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube and PC. The game is rated “E” (Everyone) by the ESRB. More information can be found on the game’s official website at www.nhl05.com.