FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACTS: Charlotte Taylor Skeel
Sony Computer Entertainment of America -- 415.655.8000

Samantha Sackin
Fleishman-Hillard -- 213.629.4974

E3, LOS ANGELES, MAY 10, 1995 -- The sweat beads on your brow. You eye the track with anxious anticipation. You can almost smell the exhaust fumes as you wait for the green light. Somehow this just doesn't seem like your living room anymore: you're pla ying Ridge Racer® -- the full-throttle thriller from Namco Hometek.

"Namco Hometek has done a tremendous job in creating an exciting racing title that really gets all the pistons pumping on our system," said Steve Race, SCEA president. "We couldn't have asked for any better partner in this launch. But I d o have one word of caution --this game is definitely not recommended for the adrenaline-deficient."

The PlayStation is a CD-ROM-based video game system that is defining the next generation video game category. Powerful parallel processors create true 3-D graphics for fully dimensional game play backed by a new standard for texture mapping.

Known previously for developing popular arcade games, Namco is now involved in the creation of titles for the home through its Namco Hometek division. Namco will be developing four additional games for the PlayStation, including Tekken, Cybersled, Air Combat and Starblade Alpha.

"From the outset, the PlayStation has proven itself a dynamic system that is the leading edge in next generation gaming," said Jeff Forestier, director of sales and marketing for Namco. "The creative energy we put into Ridge Racer now has a superb showcase that will really send the entertainment index of video games through the roof."

Legendary in arcades for its graphics and performance, Ridge Racer is more of a race simulator than a traditional race game. True to its lineage, the home conversion is leaving competitive games in the dust, as explosive sales in Japan since its introdu ction late last year and rave reviews from the video gaming press attest.

Next Generation magazine said "Ridge Racer manages to deliver the richest, most breathtaking 3D graphics seen outside an arcade," and "Ridge Racer is the killer app that Namco -- and Sony -- can be proud of. And this is just the beginning ." DieHard GameFan magazine calls Ridge Racer "The most perfect game."

The game play itself is an enhancement of the arcade version featuring added music tracks, additional viewing angles and extra levels(?). Depending on preferences for speed, handling and other road-worthy qualities, players choose from 12 cars. Driving the course, players are pitted against five computer-controlled cars as they test their skills through an urban center, challenging tunnels, twisting mountain roads and bracing beachside straight-aways. Drivers with an aggressive streak can plow into ba rricades, send other cars into tailspins and even gun for a landing helicopter.

Sony Computer Entertainment of America, a division of Sony Electronic Publishing Company, is based in Foster City, Calif. The company markets the PlayStation for distribution in North America, produces and markets PlayStation software for the North Amer ican market, and manages the U.S. third party licensing program. Sony Electronic Publishing, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, is headquartered in New York, with operating divisions throughout North America and Europe.