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Vivendi Universal Publishing and Fox Interactive Announce Co-Publishing Agreement Featuring Four Key Franchises

New Titles to be Published Under VU Publishing's Sierra Brand

Deal Marks First Multi-Franchise Strategic Partnership Under Fox Interactive's New Business Model

TORRANCE, Calif., May 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Vivendi Universal Publishing (VU Publishing) and Fox Interactive announced today a three-year, worldwide co- publishing agreement which grants VU Publishing exclusive rights to manufacture, market and distribute key titles for PC and next-generation console platforms. Under the agreement, VU Publishing's Sierra studio will co-publish the following action/adventure titles:

    --  Aliens vs. Predator 2: AVP2 is the PC sequel to the most terrifying PC
        game of 1999.  Based on the combination of two of the most highly
        successful sci-fi franchises in movie history, AVP takes players to a
        world where species battle species for the ultimate game of survival.
        AVP 2 is being developed by Monolith Productions and will be available
        on the PC this year.

    --  COPS: Based on one of Fox's most watched reality-based programs, COPS
        takes gamers on a voyeuristic adventure with real life police officers
        on the beat.  Combining bad boy attitude and hard-core reality, this
        next-generation console title will mix the addictive action of the TV
        series with interactive gameplay and heart-pumping situations like
        those faced by real Cops.  COPS is being developed by Mass Media for
        the PlayStation2 and Xbox(TM) video game system.

    --  Die Hard: Nakatomi Plaza: This game combines all of the exciting
        elements of the original Die Hard movie in an action/adventure game
        set in the 3D environment of Nakatomi Plaza.  With 40 floors of new
        office space under construction, John McClane must navigate his way
        through terrorists, civilians and hostages to save himself and his
        wife from the high rise of horror.  Pirhana Games is developing DH:
        Nakatomi Plaza for the PC.

    --  Die Hard: Next Generation: Additionally, this agreement grants VU
        Publishing the North American publishing rights to a second Die Hard
        game currently being developed for the Nintendo GameCube.  The game
        will feature a new and original Die Hard storyline with spectacular
        graphics and innovative gameplay.  UK-based Bits Corp is developing
        Die Hard for the Nintendo GameCube.

    --  No One Lives Forever: Currently being developed for the PlayStation 2,
        this game will feature four new prequel levels featuring beautiful
        Agent Cate Archer in her younger days as a thief. Recently, the PC
        game was honored as PC Game of the Year and PC Action Game of the
        Year.  No One Lives Forever is being developed by Monolith Productions
        and will make its console debut this year.

    --  No One Lives Forever: The Sequel: VU Publishing has been granted the
        rights to publish the sequel to No One Lives Forever on multiple
        platforms including PC and next generation consoles.

The addition of the Fox Interactive titles complements VU Publishing's roster of best-selling franchises, which includes Sierra's Half-Life, Tribes and Hoyle; Blizzard Entertainment's Diablo and Warcraft; and Universal Interactive Studios' Spyro the Dragon and Crash Bandicoot.

``This is a very significant alliance because it involves the collaborative strengths of two industry giants,'' said Luc Vanhal, CEO, Vivendi Universal Interactive Publishing North America. ``Combining Fox Interactive's award- winning titles with the power of Vivendi Universal Publishing's worldwide sales and marketing represents a terrific opportunity for both companies and great news for gamers.''

``This deal represents Fox Interactive's first major alliance since announcing our intent to co-publish earlier this year,'' said Steven Bersch, president, Fox Interactive. ``I am pleased to partner with Vivendi Universal Publishing, and look forward to leveraging their sales and distribution strengths to best offer our titles to game enthusiasts around the world.''

The companies will release their first joint titles later this year. Aliens vs. Predator 2, Die Hard: Nakatomi Plaza and No One Lives Forever (PS2) are expected to ship in the fourth quarter.

Additional product information is available upon request.

About Vivendi Universal Publishing

Vivendi Universal Publishing is a world leader in mass-market multimedia communications. The Company has 22,000 employees and 300 brands in 40 countries and aims to become the unchallenged leader in each of its operating sectors -- Games, Education, Literature, Health and Information. VU Publishing had 2000 pro-forma revenues of 3.6 billion euros. A leading publisher of online and PC and Console-based interactive content, the Company's portfolio of entertainment software brands includes Blizzard Entertainment, Flipside.com, Sierra and Universal Interactive Studios. Interactive entertainment is one of parent company Vivendi Universal's key content areas, along with Movies, Music and other Publishing activities.

About Fox Interactive

Recognized as an innovative industry leader, Fox Interactive, an operating unit of Fox Filmed Entertainment, a News Corporation company, is committed to producing a full range of bold and engaging interactive entertainment. The company produces and co-publishes computer and video game software based on Fox franchises as well as new and original properties. Fox Interactive games feature a number of the company's television and movie properties including The Simpsons, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Die Hard, and The X-Files. Original properties such as No One Lives Forever have garnered critical acclaim and received Game of the Year awards from enthusiasts' magazines worldwide.

For further information please contact Nicole Goesseringer, 310-406-8205, nicole@kaboompr.com, or Craig Sinel, 310-406-8212, craig@kaboompr.com, both of Kaboom PR, for Vivendi Universal Publishing.

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