EA Brings EA SPORTS Rugby 2005 to the Pitch; Newest EA SPORTS Game to

    Business Editors/Sports Editors/Entertainment Editors/Video Game
    Writers

    REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 7, 2005--Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:ERTS) today announced that EA SPORTS(TM) Rugby 2005 is under development as the newest ongoing franchise in the EA SPORTS(TM) lineup, heralding the sport's emergence as a global phenomenon. The game, which features a host of gameplay and graphical upgrades, will deliver an authentic rugby experience and is scheduled for release in spring 2005 for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox(R) videogame system from Microsoft, and the PC.
    "EA SPORTS is committed to making the most complete and authentic rugby game possible," said Andrew Wilson, producer of the game. "By leveraging our sports technology and experience to create EA SPORTS Rugby 2005, we feel we can grow a successful interactive franchise for one of the fastest growing sports in the world."
    EA SPORTS Rugby 2005 incorporates all the major Rugby teams, players, and tournaments, including the Tri-Nations, Super 12 and many more authentic and prestigious events from the world of Rugby. The game incorporates a completely upgraded graphical engine with individually differentiated players, realistic motion-captured player animations, dramatic lighting and cameras, and stadiums that are accurate with details such as crowd reactions, songs, and chants. EA SPORTS Rugby 2005 plays realistically with on-the-fly play-calling, right analog stick controls for fakes and crushing hits and improved kicking control. The game also features a 'Rugby 101' training mode outlining the rules, controls, and tactics of the sport through videos and interactive challenges.
    EA SPORTS Rugby 2005 is being produced by EA Canada where such hit franchises as FIFA Soccer, NBA LIVE and NHL are made. EA SPORTS Rugby 2005 is being developed by HB Studios. The game has not yet been rated by the ESRB.

    About EA SPORTS

    EA SPORTS is the leading interactive sports software brand in the world. Its top-selling titles and franchises include Madden NFL(TM) Football, FIFA Soccer, NHL(R), NBA LIVE basketball, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR(R), MVP Baseball(TM), NCAA(R) Football, EA SPORTS Fight Night boxing, and NASCAR(R) racing. The EA SPORTS home page is www.easports.com.

    About Electronic Arts

    Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, EA posted revenues of $2.96 billion for fiscal 2004. The company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers and the Internet. In 2003, EA had 27 titles that sold more than one million copies. Electronic Arts markets its products under three brand names: EA SPORTS(TM), EA GAMES(TM), and EA SPORTS BIG(TM). EA's homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.

    Electronic Arts, EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS BIG, EA GAMES, John Madden Football, and MVP Baseball are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. NBA, NCAA, NASCAR, NHL, MLB, Tiger Woods, PGA TOUR and FIFA are trademarks of their respective owners. PlayStation is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Xbox is either a trademark or registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries used under license from Microsoft. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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CONTACT: Electronic Arts Amanda Hatton, 604-456-4386 ahatton@ea.com Robin Chandler, 650-628-3610 rchandler@ea.com

KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT ELECTRONIC GAMES/MULTIMEDIA SOFTWARE PRODUCT SOURCE: Electronic Arts

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