The Pursuit is On as EA Releases Need For Speed Hot Pursuit 2

    REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--Oct. 8, 2002--Do you feel it? Do you feel the need for speed? Well, buckle up as EA announced today the North American release of Need For Speed(TM) Hot Pursuit 2 for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, Xbox(TM) video game system from Microsoft and Nintendo GameCube(TM). The PC version will shortly follow on Monday, Oct. 21.
    Staying true to the legendary "Need For Speed" franchise, Need For Speed Hot Pursuit 2 features the world's most sought after exotics ... with the added intensity of "Johnny Law" as similarly featured in the spiritual predecessor, Need For Speed III: Hot Pursuit. The cops are back, but bigger than ever! Players can jump behind the wheels of 23 vehicles and 10 police variations including the speedy Lamborghini Murcielago(TM) and the popular Ferrari 360 Spider(TM). Skilled drivers will need to push their RPMs all the way to the finish line within a variety of challenging tracks and detailed environments including National Forest and the 13-mile long Tropical Sunset track.
    Need For Speed Hot Pursuit 2 includes four gameplay modes: Quick Race, Single Challenge, Championship and Hot Pursuit. In Hot Pursuit mode, players must out-maneuver the cops and do their best to evade police pursuit tactics such as multiple cruisers, roadblocks, spike-strips and even armed helicopters ready to put an end to those law-breaking joyriders. All versions of Need For Speed Hot Pursuit 2 will also feature new multiplayer head-to-head racing and "cop versus speeder" mode.

    About the PlayStation2(R) version

    This version features 15 tracks (30 total variations) and two career event trees (62 events total) where players can unlock rewards including new vehicles and tracks. Revolutionary "zone cams" enhance the pursuit and absorb the players into the action. The PlayStation2 console version is developed by EA Black Box.

    About the Xbox(TM), Nintendo GameCube(TM) and PC versions

    These three versions feature 12 tracks (48 variations) and two career event trees, for a grand total of 66 events. After completing each event, players will be rewarded with points that can be used to unlock new vehicles and tracks. The PC version will support up to eight-player LAN/Internet racing. The Xbox, Nintendo GameCube and PC versions are developed by EA Seattle.
    Need For Speed Hot Pursuit 2 is rated "E" (Everyone) and carries an MSRP of $49.99. For more information, visit the official product website at: www.needforspeed.com. Additional information can be found on the press website at www.info.ea.com.

    ABOUT ELECTRONIC ARTS

    Electronic Arts , headquartered in Redwood City, Calif., is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, Electronic Arts posted revenues of more than $1.7 billion for fiscal 2002. The company is the leading software developer for video game systems including the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, the PlayStation(R), Nintendo GameCube(TM), Xbox(TM) video game system from Microsoft, personal computers and the Internet. The company publishes and distributes software worldwide. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS(TM), EA SPORTS BIG(TM), EA GAMES(TM) and EA.COM(SM).

    Electronic Arts, EA GAMES, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS BIG and Need For Speed are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. EA.COM is a service mark of EA.com Inc. Ferrari 360 Spider and Lamborghini Murcielago are trademarks of their respective owners and used under license. PlayStation is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Microsoft and Xbox are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries and are used under license from Microsoft. Nintendo GameCube is a trademark of Nintendo. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.