EA Sports Ships NASCAR 2001 For The Playstation 2

REDWOOD CITY, CA -- (INTERNET WIRE) -- 11/07/00 -- Slide into the driver's seat of your favorite NASCAR(R) ride and take to the track in hopes of a Cup Series Championship, or focus on making the elusive trip down victory lane at the Daytona 500(R). Electronic Arts (EA) today announced the release of NASCAR 2001 for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system.

Daytona International Speedway(R) is the latest addition to the NASCAR franchise and allows gamers to take on hallowed grounds and dominate at Daytona(R) for the first time in a PlayStation 2 game.

"EA SPORTS captures the heart of NASCAR with all the elements that make NASCAR great," said Tony Stewart, 1999 Rookie of the Year and 2000 five-time race winner. "The only way I know to give a more exciting driving experience than NASCAR 2001 for the PlayStation 2 is to have them ride shotgun in the #20 car at the Daytona 500."

NASCAR 2001 for the PlayStation 2 takes full advantage of the console's graphic horsepower and the game features the best graphics in EA SPORTS NASCAR franchise history. Improved car physics and computer driver AI allows EA SPORTS to add greater depth to real-life driver tendencies in the game. Each driver is rated in five categories that translate his real-life abilities and tendencies onto the 'living racetrack' that exists in each game session. Thus, all 19 of the computer drivers that compete with the player's car in a given race have an independent AI model making constant decisions: Draft behind the player's car and try to get to the front? Fake high and then dive low? Bump the driver who spun him the lap before? Because of the AI model's complexity, the computer drivers may work with or against the human player and other computer drivers at different times in the race, even causing wrecks with each other.

Adetailed 12-point damage model brings to life the car deformations that occur when drivers collide within the confines of the track. Each of the 12 damage points will also differentiate between a light rubbing, bump, or full impact between two cars and where the damage occurs on the car. Damage modes are user-selectable and can be turned of for novice racers still learning the ropes, while veteran gamers will have to hit the pits for damage relief. Other environmental effects include, sparks, oil fires, wheel marks on car bodies, wall marks, and car part debris that become obstacles on the track.

"This isn't just the best NASCAR game we have ever made," said David DeMartini, executive producer in charge of NASCAR production. "NASCAR 2001 for the PlayStation 2 is positioned to be the best race game for the platform. We are excited to bring in fans from all racing genres to enjoy a great racing experience, NASCAR style."

The game includes 34 active drivers and cars updated for the 2000 season. Drivers include notables such as: Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart, Dale Jarrett, Bobby Labonte, Mark Martin, Terry Labonte, Jeff Burton, Jeremy Mayfield, Rusty Wallace, Matt Kenseth, Mike Skinner, Ricky Rudd, John Andretti, Kyle Petty, Jerry Nadeau, Kenny Wallace, Ken Schrader, Darrell Waltrip, Michael Waltrip, Bill Elliott, Sterling Marlin, Jimmy Spencer, Bobby Hamilton, Ward Burton, Steve Park, Geoffrey Bodine, Wally Dallenbach, Chad Little, Kevin Lepage, Elliott Sadler, Scott Pruett, and Joe Nemechek. Also included are non-active drivers such as, "the King" Richard Petty, Adam Petty, and Kenny Irwin Jr.

Twelve official NASCAR tracks are in the game, including Daytona International Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway(TM), The California Speedway(R), Lowe's Motor Speedway(TM), Bristol Motor Speedway(TM), Darlington Raceway(R), Indianapolis Motor Speedway(TM), Martinsville Speedway(TM), Richmond International Raceway(R), Sears Point Raceway(TM), Talledega Superspeedway(R), and Watkins Glen International(R). Night racing is available on tracks where NASCAR races at night including Lowe's, Bristol and Richmond.

NASCAR 2001 for the PlayStation 2 is rated "E" (Everyone) by the ESRB. Consumers may purchase the game directly by going online at (www.eastore.ea.com) or by calling toll free at 877-EA GAMES (877-324-2637). The game has a suggested retail price of $49.95.

Electronic Arts (Nasdaq: ERTS), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, Electronic Arts posted revenues of more than $1.4 billion for fiscal 2000. The company develops, publishes and distributes software worldwide for the Internet, personal computers and video game systems. Electronic Arts markets its products under three brand names: EA SPORTS(TM), EA GAMES(TM) and EA.COMSM. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at retailsupport.ea.com/press.

Electronic Arts, EA SPORTS, EA GAMES, are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. EA.com is a service mark of EA.com Inc. PlayStation is a registered trademark Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. NASCAR is a registered trademark of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. All other car, team, track names, trademarks, and other intellectual property are used under license from their respective owners.