TORRANCE, Calif., February 27, 2002 – Tecmo announced that it has shipped Fatal Frame™ for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system to retailers. Based on a true story, Fatal Frame has been called the "scariest game ever" by James Mielke, editor of Electronic Gaming Monthly, due to its overwhelmingly frightening atmosphere. This edgy survival horror game hits shelves this week guaranteeing chills and thrills as players follow the tale of Miku as she explores the haunted Himuro Mansion in search of her missing brother.

"I am very excited that gamers everywhere can finally experience this bone-chilling game firsthand," said John Inada, Marketing Director, Tecmo, Inc. "We’ve been surprised by the overwhelmingly positive response to this title, which has exceeded our expectations. Gamers are saying they’re ready for a new, refreshing take on survival horror. Unlike other games which spook you once and then let you relax, Fatal Frame continually maintains that feeling of apprehension, buffeting you with wave after wave of constant fear and terror."

Editors have been very enthusiastic. Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine said it "makes Silent Hill feel like Disneyland." While Electronic Gaming Monthly claimed, "it does a great job of scaring the $#!@ out of you." IGN.com stated it "is by far the scariest game I’ve ever played!"

Fatal Frame tells the story of Miku and her terrifying ordeal, as she tries to discern the whereabouts of her brother Mafuyu, who has gone missing. He hasn’t been seen for two weeks following his personal investigation into the disappearance of three people, one of whom was his mentor, the famous writer Junsei Takamine. Mafuyu’s search last led him to the Himuro Mansion. Overcome with worry, Miku follows her brother into the haunted mansion, her only weapon an antique camera given to her by her mother. Guided by her sixth sense and a few clues, she enters the haunted house and begins a horrifying journey into the unknown…

Fatal Frame differentiates itself from other survival horror games by focusing on the use of a single weapon throughout the game - an antique camera with supernatural powers. Instead of a standard arsenal of knives, shotguns, or rocket launchers, Miku uses this special camera to damage attacking ghosts with its startling, supernatural flash. The more centered the spirit is in the picture, the more damage the flash will do. As the game progresses, the player will be able to upgrade the camera and unlock special abilities such as slowing ghosts, tracking them, or even making them easier to see. Players will also be able to view a photo album of their most memorable snapshots later on.

Fatal Frame boasts a revolutionary new sound technology called ARNIS. This technology simulates 5.1 surround sound, even if the gamer doesn’t own a surround sound system. The atmospheric, creaking sound effects and unsettling music will leave the hairs on the back of a player’s neck standing straight up, especially if the game is played in the ideal setting - with headphones, in the dark.

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