Communiqué

MAKUHARI, Japan - September 25, 2003 - During a press event starting today, Blizzard Entertainment® previewed the most recent build of StarCraft: Ghost, its upcoming tactical-action console game. Awarded several Best of Show accolades earlier this year at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), the game is considered by many to be one of the most-anticipated console games of 2004. StarCraft: Ghost will launch worldwide next year on multiple console systems. Further details on platform/ country specifics will be announced in the months ahead.

In StarCraft: Ghost, players take the role of Nova, a lethal Ghost operative trained in the arts of espionage and tactical combat. Twenty years of ruthless physical conditioning and techno-psychological instruction have transformed Nova into a being of terrifying potential. As she progresses through a series of story-driven missions, Nova is required to engage in dangerous infiltration operations and deadly planetary battles. To complete Nova’s mission objectives, players must execute intelligent tactical decisions while mastering an advanced arsenal of sophisticated weaponry and Nova’s own psionic abilities.

“It’s very exciting for us to expand on the StarCraft series,” stated Mike Morhaime, president and co-founder of Blizzard Entertainment. “StarCraft: Ghost will give players an opportunity to experience the universe from a completely new perspective, and we look forward to hearing everyone’s feedback.”

In addition to utilizing Nova’s special abilities to carry out covert operations, players can call in offsite support ranging from ComSat scanner sweeps to all-out tactical nuclear strikes. As they advance through the game, players will have the ability to operate a number of vehicles, unique to the StarCraft universe, including Goliath Combat Walkers, Vulture Hover Cycles, and Arclite Siege Tanks. Also, to aid them in combat, players can go into a zoomed-in sniper mode from anywhere in any level, using Nova’s modified C-20A canister rifle.

StarCraft: Ghost features highly stylized character models, over-the-top special effects, and immersive 3D environments that reward creative exploration. The game’s deeply evolving story line takes full advantage of Blizzard’s StarCraft universe, so Nova will encounter locations and enemies both new and familiar—many of which will be seen in full scale for the first time.

Since its debut in 1998, the #1-selling StarCraft series* has won industry acclaim and has shattered sales records worldwide with over seven million copies sold**. Blizzard continued the series with the critically acclaimed StarCraft: Brood War, which won multiple Expansion Pack of the Year awards and is still considered by many critics to be one of the best add-on products to date.

Best known for blockbuster hits including the Warcraft®, StarCraft, and Diablo® series, Blizzard Entertainment (www.blizzard.com), a division of Vivendi Universal Games, is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software renowned for creating many of the industry’s most critically acclaimed games. Blizzard’s track record includes eight #1-selling games and multiple Game of the Year awards. The company’s free Internet gaming service Battle.net® reigns as the largest in the world, with millions of active users.

* NPD Intellect/PC Data games category monthly sales April-September 1998
** Based on EDI sell-through, internal company estimates, and reports from key retail accounts around the world