EA and Def Jam Partner on Def Jam Vendetta for the PlayStation 2 and Nintendo GameCube

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.-October 30, 2002 - The world of hip-hop and interactive gaming collide as Def Jam, the undisputed powerhouse of urban music and lifestyle, and Electronic Arts (Nasdaq: ERTS), the world's leading independent video game publisher, bring you inside the world of underground fight clubs with Def Jam VENDETTA™.  Currently in development under the EA SPORTS BIG™ brand, Def Jam VENDETTA will feature a roster of over 45 original characters including 12 Def Jam artists and their music including DMX, Ludacris, Method Man, Redman, N.O.R.E., and Scarface, to name a few.

"There is a great symmetry between the youth culture of Def Jam and what we are doing with Def Jam VENDETTA that brings an edgy, new attitude into the ring," said Jeff Karp, Vice President of Marketing for EA.

"The partnership between the brands of Def Jam and EA will bring a new level of excitement to the video game industry.  The lifestyle appeal of our artists, combined with intense gameplay in Def Jam VENDETTA will redefine the way you think about video games," says Kevin Liles, President, Def Jam.

Def Jam VENDETTA promises to bring the exciting world of underground street fighting to life.  Players will be challenged to test their skills through an arcade-style, underground fight club circuit that stays true to the EA SPORTS BIG reputation with a variety of hyper-realistic moves that are dynamic with realistic finesse and style.

The game will feature an original storyline that compliments gameplay action and more than 45 unique characters that will be supported with over 1,500 varying moves, including dozens of signature specials and taunts.  Players will advance through the game's more than 10 highly-detailed, underground hip hop venues, each filled with animated crowds, hot beats and original music.

Def Jam VENDETTA will be published and distributed by EA for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and Nintendo GameCube™ in early 2003.  The development force behind the game consists of pedigree talent from AKI Corporation, seasoned Japan-based game developer, and the EA Canada creative team responsible for NBA Street. The teaser site just went live and can be found at http://www.ea.com/easportsbig/games/defjamvendetta/home.jsp

About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company.  Founded in 1982, Electronic Arts posted revenues of more than $1.7 billion for fiscal 2002.  The company develops, publishes and distributes software worldwide for the Internet, personal computers and video game systems.  EA markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS™, EA GAMES™, EA SPORTS BIG™ and EA.COMSM.  More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.

About The Island Def Jam Music Group
The Island Def Jam Music Group is home to a multi-cultural and diverse family of artists and has fast become one of the most successful labels in the industry. It is comprised of Island Records, Def Jam Recordings and Def Soul, and is in partnerships with American Recordings, Lost Highway Records, Roc-A-Fella Records, Murder Inc, Bloodline Records, Java Records, Roadrunner Records and MonarC Music.  The roster boasts an array of talented artists including Jay-Z, Bon Jovi, Mariah Carey, Ludacris, Ashanti, Ryan Adams, Nickelback, Musiq, Slipknot, American Hi Fi, Method Man, Hoobastank, Ja Rule, Sum 41, Slayer, Kelly Price, Saliva and DMX.

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Electronic Arts, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS BIG, EA GAMES, are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. EA.COM is a service mark of EA.com Inc. Def Jam and Def Jam VENDETTA and all associated logos and marks are used under license from DJR Holdings, LLC and The Island Def Jam Music Group, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.  Def Jam Artists appear courtesy of The Island Def Jam Music Group. NBA is a trademark of NBA Properties, Inc.  PlayStation is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Nintendo GameCube is a trademark of Nintendo. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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