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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New York - February 22, 1999 Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Subsidiary, Rockstar Games, Secures
Selected Rights To The Legendary Duke Nukem
Rockstar Games and Gathering of
Developers to Co-Publish a Third Person Perspective Duke Nukem Game to a Next-Generation
Console Platform
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 22, 1999-- Rockstar Games,
the high end video game publishing division of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.
(NASDAQ:TTWO - news), Gathering of Developers, Ltd., and 3D Realms, Inc., today announced
that it has acquired the rights to publish a game starring the legendary Duke Nukem
character. The game, yet to be titled, will feature gaming's original bad boy in third
person perspective for a soon to be identified next-generation video game console
platform.
The Duke Nukem character, which has appeared in a multitude of best-selling PC and video
games since 1991, was created by Dallas, Texas based 3D Realms, one of the entertainment
software industry's most revered development houses. 3D Realms is a partner in Gathering
of Developers, the Dallas based corporate union of six of the world's premier software
development companies.
To date, games that have featured the Duke Nukem character have sold multiple millions of
copies across many different gaming platforms. Rockstar hopes to release the game in
conjunction with Gathering of Developers in the year 2000.
``We're thrilled to see Duke Nukem blazing his way into future generations of console
hardware,'' stated Scott Miller, head of 3D Realms. Mr. Miller added, ``We are confident
that the Gathering and Rockstar share the passion and dedication to the continued success
of the Duke Nukem franchise that we at 3D Realms do.''
``Duke Nukem is a perfect addition to the Rockstar label - he is Rockstar personified,''
said Sam Houser President of Rockstar Games. ``Duke is an edgy character, with his own
sense of style and grace, and he's not afraid to step on a few toes, in the process of
getting the job done.''
``Adding the production of a Duke Nukem game to the list of credits of Gathering of
Developers is a tremendous coup,'' said Mike Wilson, chief executive officer of Gathering
of Developers. ``The Gathering was formed in order to allow development companies, such as
3D Realms, the freedom to control franchises such as Duke Nukem. As we work with 3D Realms
and Remedy Entertainment to bring their latest gaming character, Max Payne, to the market
in 1999, we are very pleased to be awarded the chance to also work with their already
world famous Duke Nukem property.``
Ryan Brant, president and chief executive officer of Take-Two, stated, ``The addition of
Duke Nukem to the stable of franchises Rockstar Games is currently working on is a great
achievement for Take-Two. It is an honor for our Company to be entrusted with the delivery
of a game featuring such a well renowned character as Duke to the next generation of video
game console systems.''
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. is an integrated global developer, marketer,
distributor, and publisher of interactive entertainment software games and accessories for
the PC, Sony PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Nintendo Game Boy Color and the Sega
Dreamcast.
Take-Two is headquartered in New York City, with publishing, marketing, and sales offices
in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Australia and a licensing office in Japan. The
Company owns and operates the following development and publishing studios: Rockstar
Games, Mission Studios, GearHead Entertainment, Tarantula Studios, Alternative Reality
Technologies and TalonSoft. The Company maintains a broad reaching partnership with, and
19.9% equity interest in, Gathering of Developers, the Dallas based corporate union of six
of the world's premier game development companies. The Company's Jack of All Games
subsidiary is a global value added distributor of entertainment software with distribution
offices in Cincinnati, New York, London, Paris and Sydney. Bertelsmann, one of the world's
largest media companies has a 10% equity interest in Take-Two.
Founded in Dallas, TX in December 1997, Gathering of Developers is a developer-driven
computer and video game publishing company. The company's mission is to be the worldwide
leader in the development and delivery of commercially successful computer game software
designed for a range of platforms. The company's pioneering partners are industry leaders
and proven hit makers 3D Realms, Epic Games, PopTop Software, Ritual Entertainment,
Terminal Reality Inc and Edge of Reality. For more information visit Gathering of
Developers Web site at http://www.godgames.com.
3D Realms Entertainment, a division of the long-standing Apogee Software, Ltd., founded in
1987 and headquartered in Garland, TX, is 100 percent focused on creating highly
innovative real-time 3D action games. Apogee is the pioneer of multi-episode shareware
marketing for games and has won numerous industry marketing and game awards. Apogee, most
noted for creating Duke Nukem, one of the industry's best known game characters, is
privately owned and managed by partners, Scott Miller and George Broussard. Sales of 3D
Realms' blockbuster hit Duke Nukem series has exceeded 1.3 million units worldwide, and
their upcoming releases Prey and Max Payne are eagerly anticipated by both consumers and
retailers.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Reform Act of 1995: The statements
contained herein which are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that
involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, risks associated with the
Company's future growth and operating results, the ability of the Company to successfully
integrate the business and personnel of newly acquired entities into its operations,
credit risks, inventory obsolescence, technological change, competitive factors, and
unfavorable general economic conditions. Actual results may vary significantly from such
forward-looking statements. Take-Two undertakes no obligation to update and
forward-looking statements in this press release.
All trademarks and copyrights contained herein are the property of their respective
holders.
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