Vivendi Universal Games Announces Development of F.E.A.R.

    LOS ANGELES, May 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Vivendi Universal Games announced
today the development of the latest action-packed project from the developer
that created award-winning games like Aliens vs. Predator(TM)2, the No One
Lives Forever(TM) franchise and Tron(R)2.0.  Developed by Monolith
Productions, F.E.A.R. (TM) (First Encounter Assault and Recon), is an intense
first person close-quarters combat experience with rich atmosphere and an
engaging storyline.
    The story begins as an unidentified paramilitary force infiltrates a
multi-billion dollar aerospace compound.  The government responds by sending
in Special Forces, but loses contact as an eerie signal interrupts radio
communications.  When the interference subsides moments later, the team has
been literally torn apart.  As part of a classified strike team created to
deal with threats no one else can handle, your mission is simple: Eliminate
the intruders at any cost.  Determine the origin of the signal.  And contain
this crisis before it spirals out of control.
    "We are excited about partnering with Monolith once again and especially
the creative team directly involved on this project," said Michael Pole, VU
Games' Executive Vice President of Worldwide Studios.  "Without giving away
too much, F.E.A.R. might be described as The Matrix meets The Ring and the
team has set a goal to immerse the player in an intense blockbuster action
movie experience -- they are well on their way to delivering just that."
    In a North American exclusive, F.E.A.R is debuting on the G4 Network today
-- the eve of the gaming industry's largest event, The Electronic
Entertainment Expo (E3) -- at 5:00pm PDT/8:00pm EDT during the half-hour
Pre-E3 Show.
    F.E.A.R. will be available in 2005 for the PC with an expected ESRB
"Mature" rating.

    About Monolith Productions Inc.
    Monolith Productions is one of North America's largest independent game
development studios employing 130 people.  Over the past 10 years, Monolith
has risen to critical acclaim through an emphasis on delivering quality
products such as the No One Lives Forever franchise and Tron 2.0.  Monolith's
currently has four products in development, including The Matrix Online which
is scheduled for release later this year.

    About Vivendi Universal Games
    Headquartered in Los Angeles, VU Games is a global developer, publisher
and distributor of interactive products for all major platforms including PCs,
video game consoles and the Internet.  VU Games development studios and
publishing labels include Blizzard Entertainment, Sierra Entertainment,
Coktel, Fox Interactive, Knowledge Adventure and Massive Entertainment.
Additionally, VU Games co-publishes and/or distributes titles for a number of
strategic partners, including Interplay, inXile entertainment, Majesco and
Mythic Entertainment.

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