Looking Glass Studios Announces System Shock 2 Character Generation and Development Details
System Shock 2 to be First Role-Playing Game to Feature In-Engine Character Generation System

    Cambridge, MA, December 17, 1998 - Looking Glass Studios, a leading entertainment software developer, today announced details about the innovative character generation and development systems in its forthcoming science fiction/horror role-playing game, System Shock 2.  Co-developed by Looking Glass Studios and Irrational Games, a development studio comprised of former Looking Glass Studios employees and members of the original System Shock development team, System Shock 2 is being co-published by Looking Glass Studios and Electronic Arts(tm).

    System Shock 2 is the first role-playing game to feature an in-engine character generation system.  Players determine the initial abilities, traits and skills of their character by making active decisions in the first-person 3D environment.  These elements are then developed throughout the course of the game with the player focusing on one, or any combination of, the following areas:

    -- Psionic Skills:  Mysterious psionic powers which allow characters to alter the world around them.  Examples include Cryokinesis, the ability to freeze the air surrounding an enemy; Electro-Dampen, which short-circuits  cybernetic and robotic foes; and Enrage Power, which turns your enemies against each other.

     -- Cyber-Tech Skills:  Abilities which allow players to hack into security systems, repair damaged computers and research advanced alien technologies. Players who do not develop Cyber-Tech Skills run the risk of breaking weapons or setting off security systems.

     -- Weapons Skills:  Abilities which allow players to modify, configure and repair weapons and select from a wide variety of ammunition types including incindiary, dum dum and discarding sabot armor piercing.

    "System Shock 2 seamlessly melds incredibly rich role-playing features with a unique science-fiction/horror environment," said Paul Neurath, managing director of Looking Glass Studios.  "The 3D engine in System Shock 2 creates an exhilarating and eye-catching first-person experience that is seldom found in role-playing games."

    Looking Glass Studios is a leading developer of entertainment and simulation software distinguished by its expertise in 3D immersive technologies.  Headquartered in Cambridge, Mass., the talented team at Looking Glass has created some of the best-selling and highly acclaimed titles in the interactive entertainment industry, including the Ultima(tm) Underworld(tm) series, System Shock, Flight Unlimited(tm), Flight Unlimited II(tm) and Terra Nova: Strike Force Centauri(tm).

    Irrational Games is a Cambridge, Mass.-based computer game development house founded by three senior developers formerly with Looking Glass Studios. While at Looking Glass, these Irrational team members were key programmers and designers on projects including System Shock and Thief: The Dark Project. More information about Irrational Games can be found on the Internet at http://www.irrational-games.com.

    Electronic Arts, headquartered in San Mateo, California, is the world’s leading interactive entertainment software company.  Founded in 1982, Electronic Arts posted revenues of $909 million for fiscal 1998.  The      company develops, publishes and distributes software worldwide for personal computers and advanced entertainment systems.  Electronic Arts markets its products under seven brand names: Electronic Arts, EA      SPORTS(tm), Maxis(tm), Origin Systems(tm) Inc., Bullfrog(tm) Productions Ltd., Westwood Studios and Jane’s(r) Combat Simulations.  More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://www.ea.com.

    Electronic Arts, Origin Systems, Bullfrog, Maxis,  EA SPORTS, System Shock, Ultima, and Underworld are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts or its wholly-owned subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or other countries. Jane's is a registered trademark of Jane's Information Group, Ltd.  Flight Unlimited, Flight Unlimited II,  Terra Nova: Strike Force Centauri and Thief: The Dark Project are registered trademarks of Looking Glass Studios. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.