News

HUGELY POPULAR MIDWAY SPORTS™ ADRENALINE-STYLE HOCKEY VIDEOGAME NHL HITZ™ 20-03 RETURNS TO THE ICE WITH EVEN MORE INTENSE GAMEPLAY

CHICAGO - August 2, 2002 - Midway SportsTM, the sports brand of leading software industry publisher and developer Midway Games Inc. (NYSE: MWY), announced today that NHL HitzTM 20-03, the next iteration in the NHL Hitz franchise, is in development and scheduled to ship in summer 2002 for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system, the XboxTM video game system from Microsoft and Nintendo GameCubeTM, with the Game Boy Advance to follow in fall 2002.

Officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA, NHL Hitz 20-03 unleashes a total hockey experience with even more visually stunning graphics, lightning-fast, extreme-style hockey gameplay and improved NHL attributes, plus Hitz signature hard-checking, adrenaline-style sports action.

As the only dedicated adrenaline-style hockey videogame franchise for next-generation platforms, NHL Hitz 20-03 showcases over-the-top 3-on-3 (plus goalies) gameplay with players who leap, glide, check, pass and score on would-be defenders. This newest version of Hitz runs up the score on the hockey videogame category with new features such as the all-new franchise mode, which enhances the single gamer experience by giving users the power to create a team from infancy, grow that team through international competition, earn a franchise, and eventually compete for the Stanley Cup.

“NHL Hitz 20-03 offers more of what has made the Hitz franchise so popular among sports and action fans,” said Helene Sheeler, vice president of marketing, Midway. “We have kept in all the features that people loved about Hitz, but evolved the game to include bigger and better animations, much improved artificial intelligence and numerous all-new gameplay modes.”

Going for the gold, Midway signed an exclusive deal with Canada’s 2002 Olympic Gold Medalist, Chris Pronger. Known for his powerful skating and intimidating defense, the St. Louis Blues defenseman and former league MVP (1999-2000 season) will appear on the package cover and in the NHL Hitz 20-03 advertising materials. Exclusive DVD content in NHL Hitz 20-03 includes an interview with Chris Pronger, as well as behind-the-scenes footage of on-ice two-man motion capture.

Additionally, NHL Hitz 20-03 includes a cranking new soundtrack. Available for play on the game’s jukebox, players have the option to listen to popular tunes from top musical acts including Moby, Incubus and Rob Zombie while battling it out in the rink.

All-new game modes add challenge and depth to the gameplay experience. NHL Hitz 20-03’s Hockey School features a tutorial from retired Hall of Fame coach and nine-time Stanley Cup champion Scotty Bowman. Veteran fans will also appreciate even more mini-games and an in-depth New Season mode that enables detailed statistics tracking, player trades using trade logic, a playoff tree, and official NHL awards. NHL Hitz 20-03 also suits up with bigger, stronger and faster players, as well as improved goalie logic, behavior, animations and control, which make it tougher to score.

To add to the gameplay experience, NHL teams take on the same playing style as their real-life counterparts, while two-man motion capture animations provide gamers a more realistic view of the action. Hitz also delivers enhancements to its signature, over-the-top play with secret arenas presented in a unique fantasy setting as well as hidden teams and special players to unlock along the way.

NHL Hitz 20-03 PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Xbox and Nintendo GameCube Key Features:

• Officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA and featuring real NHL teams and athletes

• New Franchise Mode – Pick teams and equipment to compete for the number one ranking in the world

• New Hockey School Mode with Scotty Bowman – A tutorial to familiarize players with controls and gameplay mechanics led by the retired Hall of Fame coach and nine-time Stanley Cup champion

• New Enhanced Season Mode – In-depth statistic tracking, player trades, full NHL calendar and playoff tree

• New Hockey Shop – Featuring real NHL equipment from the best manufacturers like The Hockey Company, Easton Sports, ITECH Sports Products Inc., Bauer Nike Hockey, Sherwood Drolet and Louisville Hockey

• More Mini-Games – Includes six games with skill competitions for one or two players

• New Fully 3-D-Modeled Crowd – Now more than 10 times larger

• Improved Goalie Logic, Behavior, Animations and Control

• Bigger and Better Animations – More outrageous checking, fighting, shooting, and passing

• New Team Play Styles – NHL teams take on the playing style of their real-life counterparts

• New Motion Capture Animations – Two-man motion capture animations for more realistic checking

• Enhanced Arenas – Choose from 30 rinks that are bigger with benches and Jumbotrons

• New Fantasy Stadiums, Hidden Teams and Players – Secret arenas presented in a unique fantasy setting as well as hidden teams and special players to unlock along the way

• Create-a-Player – Design the ultimate ice warrior

• New Color Commentary – A second sportscaster joins the game to describe all of the outrageous action

• New Referee – Officials tough enough to handle face-offs, fights and escorting players off the ice

• Multi-Player Hockey – One to six players (PlayStation 2); one to four players (Xbox, Nintendo GameCube)

• Exclusive DVD Content – Featuring an interview with St. Louis Blues defenseman and cover athlete Chris Pronger and on-ice two-man motion capture footage

• New Jukebox – Featuring a hit soundtrack with music from alternative rock bands

NHL Hitz 20-03 Nintendo Game Boy Advance Key Features:

• Officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA and featuring real NHL teams and athletes

• New Enhanced Season Mode – In-depth statistic tracking, full NHL calendar and playoff tree

• Larger-than-Life Animations – Outrageous checking, fighting, shooting and passing

• Multi-Player Hockey – One to four players via the Game Boy Advance Link Cable

Midway Games Inc. is a leading developer, publisher and marketer of interactive entertainment software. Midway videogames are available for play on all major videogame platforms including the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the XboxTM video game system from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCubeTM and Game Boy® Advance.

For more information about Midway Games and NHL Hitz 20-03 visit www.nhlhitz.midway.com. 

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NHL Hitz™ 20-03  2002 Midway Home Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved. HITZ is a trademark of Midway Home Entertainment Inc. MIDWAY and the Midway logos are trademarks of Midway Amusement Games, LLC. Used by permission. NHL, Stanley Cup and the NHL Shield are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League. All NHL logos and marks and team logos and marks depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P.  2002 NHL. All rights reserved. National Hockey League Players’ Association, NHLPA and NHLPA Logo are trademarks of the NHLPA and are used, under license, by Midway Home Entertainment Inc.  NHLPA. Officially Licensed Product of the National Hockey League Players’ Association.

“PlayStation” and the “PS” Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Xbox and Microsoft are trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. Nintendo GameCube and Game Boy Advance are trademarks of Nintendo.  2001 Nintendo. All other trademarks are the property of their respective companies.

This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning future business conditions and the outlook for Midway Games Inc. (the "Company") based on currently available information that involve risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the financial strength of the interactive entertainment industry, dependence on new product introductions and the ability to maintain the scheduling of such introductions, technological changes, dependence on major platform manufacturers and other risks more fully described under "Item 1. Business - Risk Factors" in the Company's current Transition Report on Form 10-K and the other filings made by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.