Press Release

Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Xena:Warrior Princess Multiplayer Game Coming to the Web

Rockville, MD - (September 9, 1997) -- Simutronics Corp., the leader in multiplayer online games today announced an agreement with Universal Studios Online, a division of Universal Studios New Media Group, to develop an online multiplayer game based on two of the most popular syndicated shows on television, "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys" and "Xena: Warrior Princess." Premiering on the Web during the second quarter of 1998, the new game will mark the first time a television property has been translated into an online fantasy role-playing game.

"Our partnership with Universal will extend multiplayer online games to a broader, worldwide audience, " said David Whatley, president and CEO of Simutronics. "The Web is filled with fans of Hercules and Xena, so we expect this game to meet or exceed the success achieved by Simutronics' GemStone III and DragonRealms - the two most popular online games in the world."

Simutronics will create a mythological game environment, complete with creatures and places identified in the TV programs to deliver the feel of the Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Xena: Warrior Princess worlds. Through close cooperation between Universal Studios producers and Simutronics game developers, story elements may even migrate between the television and online mediums. A special Web site is currently available at http://xena.play.net for more information.

"This partnership with Simutronics is a natural next step in our ongoing efforts to bring Universal's properties to the Internet," said Paul Rioux, president of Universal Studios New Media Group. "Online gaming is the ideal medium for bringing to life the tremendously popular Hercules and Xena characters."

According to Elonka Dunin, executive producer at Simutronics, "Players will take on roles within the game world: seeking adventure, fighting monsters, casting spells and socializing with other players. The game system will include a tongue-in-cheek system of combat that follows the style of the TV programs, avoiding the gore and violence found in many computer games."

The Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Xena: Warrior Princess game will be geared to audiences who may be unfamiliar with online, role-playing games. Simutronics will offer these new players a comfortable introduction to online play by creating a game that is easy to learn.

"The development of the Hercules and Xena multiplayer online game provides us with an innovative new channel for utilizing Universal's highly successful properties," said Jay Samit, vice president of Universal Studios New Media Group.

The partnership with Universal Studios follows the recent announcement by Simutronics of direct Internet access to their top online games: GemStone IV, DragonRealms, CyberStrike and Modus Operandi. The games -- previously available only through online services - can now be accessed through new, subscription-based services.

About Universal Studios

Universal Studios Online is a division of Universal Studios New Media Group, which develops original Internet content specifically designed for Universal Studios' Web site, www.universalstudios.com, and promotes Universal's properties for the global digital market. Universal Studios is a unit of The Seagram Company Ltd., a global beverage and entertainment company.

About Simutronics

Simutronics Corp., the leader in multiplayer online games, specializes in the design, development and management of games created specifically for collaborative play in virtual online communities. The new Internet sites can be found at gemstone.net, dragonrealms.net, cyberstrike.net and modusoperandi.net. The company is no. 1 in market share in online game play, competing with Kesmai, TEN, Mpath, Engage, 3DO and Electronics Arts. Founded in 1987, Simutronics Corp. is a privately held corporation with offices in St. Charles, MO and Rockville, MD.