AOL TEAMS UP WITH SONY
May 15, 2001

Sony Computer Entertainment and America Online today announced a strategic alliance. Under the agreement, Sony and AOL will work together to deliver the AOL experience to consumers on the PlayStation 2 by incorporating popular AOL features, such as instant messaging, chat, e-mail, and AOL content. SCEI will offer consumers a network adapter, allowing them to enjoy these features and play Internet-enabled games and entertainment.

Also, the companies will explore other interactive entertainment opportunities, including broadband technologies and the development of a PS2 Netscape browser. Additional hardware including a hard disk drive, LCD display (NTSC/PAL and XGA compatible), keyboard, and mouse will be available. These new products are expected to be available by the end of the year. In addition, the AOL features will be incorporated into the PlayStation 2 Software Development Kits.

"Given our shared corporate vision and power for the evolution of online computer entertainment, AOL and SCEI make ideal partners," said Ken Kutaragi, president and CEO, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. "With AOL by our side, Sony Computer Entertainment will begin to provide the world's content creators access to a new community for digital entertainment and distribution. Just as PlayStation 2 ushered in a new era of computer entertainment, we are now escalating the evolution of great gaming experiences into what will become a highly interactive, real-time broadband network environment."

Barry Schuler, chairman and CEO of AOL, noted that AOL members have long enjoyed online gaming through the AOL games channel, which is done in partnership with Electronic Arts. EA will continue to be the games channel partner across AOL brands, which as a side benefit to Sony should further strengthen its relationship with EA.

Sony and AOL will host joint technology concept demonstrations at E3 this week. These demonstrations include a version of AOL on PlayStation 2 and a Netscape browser for the system.