San Mateo, Calif., November 11, 1996 -- Electronic Arts� (Nasdaq: ERTS), a leading global interactive entertainment software company, today announced the shipment of NHL� 97 for the PlayStation�. NHL 97 features fast, hard hitting gameplay and 3-D polygonal players that incorporate the use of state-of-the-art motion capture technology where real NHL players have been digitized into the game to provide authentic animations and player graphics. With competition being such a major part of the gaming lifestyle, the multiplayer option in NHL 97 is an important feature that allows up to eight people to play the game at one time.
In the pursuit of making the game as realistic as possible, NHL 97 has incorporated signature moves for the stars of each team in the league. In real life each star is famous for certain moves, and NHL 97 has put those moves in the game. Thus, it is possible to use Pittsburgh Penguin Mario Lemieux�s amazing stickwork behind the back, deke and drop a pass as graceful as Sergei Fedorov of the Detroit Red Wings, or shoot a lightning-fast wristshot as only Joe Sakic of the Colorado Avalanche can do.
"The gameplay is incredibly fast and I am amazed at how closely NHL 97 resembles the real game," said John Vanbiesbrouck, All-Star goalie of the Florida Panthers. "With NHL 97, I can get the chance to shed my goalie gear, get out from in front of the net, and test my skills in some other positions. It�s a blast to score on rival goalies. I�ve been playing EA SPORTS hockey games with my kids for years, and the level of realism has always astounded me and delighted my boys."
NHL 97 also includes elaborately-rendered goaltender masks. The original artwork on these goalie masks are one of the most visually appealing aspects of the game of hockey, and a source of pride the teams and fans rally behind.
In addition to NHL 97�s motion captured polygonal players, the game delivers on more ways to check, skate, make saves and score then ever before. NHL 97 features all of the NHL teams, logos and over 600 players with the latest trades, statistics and player ratings. Nine different gameplay camera angles, and 11 instant replay angles, allow players to view the hockey action from down on the ice, in the press box, up in the rafters, or even through the eyes of a player as he skates. Enhanced sound effects include chanting crowds, grinding blades against the ice, the slamming of the penalty box door and stadium-pounding organ music.
"NHL 97 for the PlayStation hits all of the marks for hockey fans," said Rob Martyn, producer of NHL 97. "The game has all of the features that consumers have come to expect from EA SPORTS such as full season stat tracking, left- and right-handed players, user records and professional ratings. In addition we�ve added key new features such as signature moves, a TV style presentation with John Davidson and James Brown, and 3-D players with real names and numbers on the jerseys. At the end of the day, however, it�s all about gameplay and when hockey fans fire up NHL 97, they�ll immediately know that EA SPORTS made no compromises and has delivered the best 32-bit hockey game on the market."
NHL 97's advanced artificial intelligence enhances the logic on offense in areas such as scoring, passing and powerplays, and on defense with goalie moves, checking and penalty kills. New player animations include butterfly saves and stack pads for goalies, hard hitting board- and bench-checks, and in-your-face celebrations. Each player has his name and number on his uniform, including those that are made in the "create a player" mode. It�s even possible to take on the role of general manager in the transactions mode and trade, create and release players.
NHL 97 for the PlayStation carries a suggested retail price of $59.95. NHL 97 is also currently shipping on the PC and on the Sega Genesis� platform and will be available later this month on Sega Saturn�.
EA SPORTS is the leading interactive sports software brand in the world. Its top-selling titles include FIFA Soccer, John Madden Football�, NHL� Hockey, NBA Live Basketball, and PGA TOUR� Golf, Triple Play Baseball�, and College Football USA�.
Electronic Arts, headquartered in San Mateo, California, is a leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, EA posted revenues over $530 million for fiscal 1996. The company develops, publishes and distributes software worldwide for personal computers and advanced entertainment systems such as the PlayStation� and Sega Saturn�. Electronic Arts markets its products worldwide under five brand names: Electronic Arts, EA SPORTS, ORIGIN Systems� Inc., Bullfrog Productions� Ltd. and Jane�s� Combat Simulations. EA has international subsidiaries in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, and US development operations in San Mateo, Calif.; Baltimore, Maryland; Austin, Texas; and Seattle, Washington. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://www.ea.com.
