Crystal Dynamics Forms Distribution Partnership With Midway

**Midway to Handle U.S. Distribution of Crystal Dynamics Premium Titles:
GEX: ENTER THE GECKO and Pandemonium 2

Midway Also Committed to Bringing GEX to Nintendo 64**

Menlo Park, CA, July 29, 1997 -- Crystal Dynamics, a leading Sony PlayStation and PC CD-ROM game publisher, today announced that gaming veteran Midway will distribute two of its most highly anticipated action games in the U.S. -- GEX: Enter the Gecko and Pandemonium 2.

Under the agreement, Midway has secured the exclusive U.S. distribution rights to both Crystal Dynamics titles for the Sony PlayStation and PC. The company will release the PlayStation versions of both titles in 1997 with PC versions following shortly thereafter. In addition, Midway has also committed to bringing GEX: Enter the Gecko to the Nintendo 64 with new and exclusive levels and features.

"GEX: Enter the Gecko is one of the hottest properties on the gaming horizon today. It pushes the PlayStation to limits that were cited as unattainable just a few months ago and thus is ideally positioned to smoothly move to the Nintendo 64," said Rob Dyer, president of Crystal Dynamics. "Our stellar titles, combined with Miday's expertise and industry credibility, will ensure that we have a major impact on this year's holiday season."

The relationship with Midway continues Crystal Dynamics' commitment to its entertainment studio model. This model allows the company to focus its resources on what it does best: design and market original gaming software. This frees the company from the costly burden of product distribution by securing strategic partnerships with industry leaders such as Midway to distribute its Crystal-branded entertainment software titles.

"Both titles fill a very important niche for us and perfectly complement our existing product lineup. Needless to say, we are thrilled to be working with Crystal Dynamics," said Byron Cook, president of Midway Home Entertainment.

As sequels to popular titles that orignially appeared on the PlayStation, GEX: Enter the Gecko and Pandemonium 2 are both character-based action games that utilize the latest in 3D gaming technology, including entirely free-roaming game play, dynamic backgrounds and environments. Pandemonium 2 will be available in October, and GEX: Enter the Gecko will be available for the holidays.

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Midway Home Entertainment Inc. designs, markets and distriubtes video games under the Midway trademark for home game platforms and personal computers. Midway Home Entertaiment Inc. is a subsidiary of Midway Games Inc. (NYSE:MWY), a company engaged in the design, manufacture and sale of coin-operated video games under the Midway and Atari trademarks. Both companies are subsidiaries of WMS Industries Inc. (NYSE:WMS).

Crystal Dynamics, the Menlo Park-based entertainment software studio, was the first to develop and publish a 32-bit video game in 1993. Since then, the company has developed an entertainment studio business strategy where product development and marketing are funded in-house while aligning itself with strong distriubtion partners. Crystal Dynamics' designers, programmers and artists continue to set the pace for the next generation gaming experience with strong innovation and playability in state-of-the-art games.

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Press Release

THE ULTIMATE FREE-ROAMING 3D EXPERIENCE!

24 Media Dimension levels, all designed as sarcastic parodies of popular TV and movies!

Master of Disguise! GEX sports a secret agent suit, kung fu uniform, spacesuit and other costumes on his quest to save TV from the evil Rez!

Over 125 slick gecko moves! Whip-cracking tail attacks, flying karate kicks, tongue grabbing and climbing up walls!

Talkin’ trash! HBO® comedian Dana Gould delivers hilarious lip-synched celebrity impressions and one-liners!

Diver Down! All new N64 exclusive deep sea level with new swim mechanics and scuba gear!

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Back of Box-Nintendo 64 (US)

Combine a fashion-conscious, trash talkin' gecko with angry ninjas, knife-wielding lunatics, and Chinese take-out boxes. Add a dash of action and a pinch of puzzles, and you have a tasty dish called "Gex 64: Enter the Gecko" from Midway.

Gex is a busy lizard throughout the course of this game, but he must have spent his early days parked on the couch watching T.V. Gex 64 pokes fun at pop culture, with Gex making sarcastic references to everything from Hollywood movies to Boy George. Comedian Dana Gould provides a large variety of humorous voice samples, but the enemy characters don't seem to find them too funny.

Gex 64 contains 18 different levels, and 4 bonus areas. The "overworld" is divided into six areas separated by locked gates or open space. To access these areas, you must first earn a certain number of Red Remotes. There are two or three of these Remotes hidden in each level, which can be found by completing different missions. Before moving on to more advanced levels, though, Gex must prove himself by defeating bizarre bosses like the mutant half cow-half pig which oversees the "Moo Shoo Pork" level.

Gex enters these strange worlds by warping through television screens. Each world has a specific theme, and Gex usually dons a new costume to fit in to the new surroundings. Gex is a master of disguise, and he can be seen sporting a James Bond tuxedo, Storm Trooper armor, and even a Gilligan outfit. In addition to a constantly changing wardrobe, the items which Gex collects are also level-specific. Instead of coins, each level contains three different weird items for the gecko to hoard. For example, in "Smellraiser" (the haunted house world), Gex must collect skulls. Once Gex finds 30 skulls, a free life is awarded and then Gex must find tombstones. After tombstones, he has to collect Jason masks. Gex is rewarded with a special Reward Remote if he collects all of these weird items.

Gex uses his lightning-quick tail to thrash enemies, break televisions, and destroy walls. He uses his tongue to slurp power-ups and free lives. A large portion of the game play focuses on hand-eye coordination, with Gex jumping from platforms and navigating narrow ledges. You will also have to use your brain, because some of the objectives contain puzzle elements. It is wise to thrash as many walls as possible, because there are many hidden areas only a tail swipe away. Each world contains a hidden Remote, which is usually nestled in a secluded portion of the area.

The comedic elements of this game give it a burst of originality, but the most innovative aspect of the game play is the gecko's natural ability to stick to walls. There are special sections of walls and ceilings throughout the game which Gex is able to walk on. Gex gets down on all fours to walk across these areas, and the ability to defy gravity in this manner adds a completely new dimension to the game. During these moments the camera follows the lizard closely, which produces a striking visual effect.

Due to some awkward camera angles, the play control in Gex 64 might take some practice to get used to. Once you learn to anticipate these changes, you shouldn't have any problem side-swiping scorpions and "licking your way to the top." The variety in game play areas and mission objectives will satisfy action fans, and the dry sense of humor throughout the game is refreshing. Whether you're ready or not, a sarcastic gecko with a sharp tongue and sticky feet has stepped on the scene.

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www.nintendo.com – Nintendo 64