Press Release

New Massively Multi-Player Game Debuts Today

Rockville, MD (April 1, 1998) – Simutronics (http://simutronics.com), the leader in multi-player Internet games, announced today the premiere of the new game, Hercules and Xena: Alliance of Heroes™ (http://herculesxena.play.net).

The new game is based on two of the world’s most popular syndicated television shows, "Xena: Warrior Princess™ " and "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys™ ." Hercules and Xena: Alliance of Heroes™ allows fans of the Universal Studios’ shows to step in to the action and create their own adventures. Simutronics designed a mythological game environment patterned after the television worlds in which players can seek great treasures, battle magical beasts and achieve great fame.

"Hercules and Xena: Alliance of Heroes™ mimics the light-hearted, fun style of the television shows. Fans will really enjoy the chance to "live" their favorite shows," commented David Whatley, president and CEO of Simutronics. "They can explore the same world that Hercules and Xena roam each week while chatting and interacting with their fellow fans."

Hercules and Xena: Alliance of Heroes™ appeals to players who may be unfamiliar with online role-playing games. An extensive tutorial, player mentors, in-depth online help and around-the-clock supervision by a staff of online hosts and GameMasters are all available to help the legions of Hercules and Xena fans make an easy transition into the game. New features are added daily to the world of Hercules and Xena: Alliance of Heroes™ , keeping the game fresh and players coming back month after month.

"We’ve developed not only a top-notch role-playing game but an exciting community for the vast number of Hercules and Xena fans to enjoy on the Internet," states Neil Harris, executive vice president of Simutronics. "Our games are fun, safe and social environments where players go to meet new friends."

Hercules and Xena: Alliance of Heroes™ is based on the proprietary Interactive Fiction Engine, which is the same game system that powers GemStone™ III and DragonRealms™ , the two most popular online games in the world. Given the versatility of the proven game engine and the close cooperation between Simutronics and Universal Studios Online, Hercules and Xena: Alliance of Heroes™ will feature the migration of elements from the television shows to the online game.

"Universal is excited to take two of the top television properties of all time and marry them with popular online gaming to create, with Simutronics, the next generation in multi-player gaming," explained Paul Rioux, president of Universal New Media Group.

"We are in the midst of planning special events for the game that are based on Hercules and Xena’s adventures in the shows," explains Elonka Dunin, executive producer of the game for Simutronics. "Not only will players get the chance to experience some of their favorite television moments but we’ve got quite a few surprises in store for them as well."

In addition to the Hercules and Xena: Alliance of Heroes™ web site at www.HerculesXena.play.net, the game can be accessed through all of Simutronics’ online distribution partners. These partners include Excite, Inc., AT&T WorldNet, Planet Direct, the Student Advantage Network, The Globe and the Renaissance Entertainment Corporation.

About Universal Studios Online

Universal Studios Online, a division of Universal Studios New Media Group, develops original content for Universal Studios’ Web site (www.universalstudios.com), and promotes Universal’s properties for the global digital market. Universal Studios Online also develops original Web content for other companies. Universal Studios is a unit of The Seagram Company Ltd., a global beverage and entertainment company.

About Simutronics

Simutronics Corp. (http://simutronics.com), the Internet game company, designs, develops, and operates games created from the ground up for collaborative play over the Internet and through online services. The company’s games have web sites at http://gemstone.net, http://dragonrealms.net, http://cyberstrike.net, http://herculesxena.play.net and http://modusoperandi.net. The company competes with companies like Kesmai, Total Entertainment Network (TEN), Mpath, Engage, 3DO and Ultima Online from Electronic Arts. Founded in 1987, Simutronics Corp. is a privately held corporation with offices in St. Charles, Missouri, and Rockville, Maryland. Washington Technology has selected Simutronics as one of the fastest growing technology companies in the Washington, DC area.