Satellite Technology Lends Realism to New Electronic Arts' 3D Atlas

Multimedia CD-ROM From EA World Features Spy and Commercial Satellite
Photos of Earth

Now Available for 3DO

SAN MATEO, Calif., December 12, 1994 - Ever want to see the world from a
spy's point of view? Now you can, with Electronic Arts' 3D Atlas, a new
multimedia CD-ROM that's coming to American homes this fall as the first
in a series of family reference products under the brand name "EA World",
from Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS). Electronic Arts' 3D Atlas allows
users to see satellite images of New York, London, and San Francisco,
including some images gathered by Russian spy satellites. "The view is
fascinating, and that's the whole idea," says Greg Bestick, EA World and
EA*Kids general manager.

"In creating this atlas, we wanted to create an atlas that is real and
truly multidimensional, not just a boring flat map representation of the
world. The satellite images are just one feature we've included to create
an Atlas that is 'alive' with information. We've also packed in over one
hour of video and audio, over 800 photos and thousands of images based on
satellite data to make it the first high-quality photo realistic
interactive globe."

Users also can "flyover" different parts of the world and experience
full-screen, closeups of rugged terrain such as the Alps and the
Himalayas. These flyovers are based on satellite data and rendered in 3D,
to give users a thrillingly "real" ride.

Nine other flyovers allow users to explore different types of biomes. These
shorter flyovers offer a close-up photo realistic perspective of
topography. Rain forests, deserts, and Arctic tundra that might otherwise
be represented by a few symbols on other atlases are breathtakingly
depicted in these movie flyovers.

"We packed a lot of video, sound, and other information into the Electronic
Arts' 3D Atlas, but it's all easy to use. We designed it so people can get
information easily, and then think about it in different contexts and
disciplines," says Bestick.

Easy-to-use Interface Encourages a Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Learning
Electronic Arts' 3D Atlas' multimedia format encourages users to first
choose one of the Physical, Political, or Environmental World globes. The
worlds offer a compelling way to interface with all the information that
is available in the Electronic Arts' 3D Atlas.

The Physical World shows the world in topographical shadings and
dimensions, and offers short flyovers to illustrate key biomes such as the
rain forest.

In the Political World, users can get quick information from country
"postcards," or review over 500 different statistics on any given
country.

The Environmental World offers interactive time lapse videos of the ozone
layer and 11 other major environmental issues to illustrate how the
Physical and Political Worlds converge.

Connections between the worlds of information are easy to make and
intuitive. Picture icons, or "Picons", appear in all the worlds and offer
opportunities to explore how different kinds of information interrelates.

With other features, Electronic Arts' 3D Atlas adds up to the most fully
dimensional atlas available, and the only atlas that puts information
within a multi-disciplinary context.

Unique Features Set Electronic Arts' 3D Atlas Apart

* Time-lapse photos depict all kinds of physical changes on earth,
including Mount Pinatubo's dramatic eruption.

* Eleven one- to two-minute environmental stories with interactive exhibits
allow users to explore major environmental changes on the earth. For
example, users who click on one of the interactive exhibits, the
"extinction globe", will be able to find out where, and how, extinct
species (starting with the dinosaurs) lived.

* The 3D Atlas allows users to personalize their world atlas by pinpointing
their own special places (such as their home or their birthplace) on the
globe. After marking the spot with a pin, they can label or tag it with a
short note about that place, and even illustrate it with personal photos.

* Other globes provide unusual perspectives on the earth. The night globe,
for instance, is accompanied by narration that points out that many of the
Earth's night lights come from fishing and logging industries.

* An Around the World trivia game challenges young and old learners alike
to explore the vast storehouse of information in 3D Atlas.

All information, photographic and text, can be printed, so the Atlas is
ideal for students and business people who need to create reports. 3D
Atlas includes a statistical database based on facts from the
authoritative World Resources Institute, which users can view in line,
graph, flat map, or scatter charts -- all created at the touch of a
button.

Truly multi-dimensional in its presentation, information, and interface,
the 3D Atlas will appeal to those who want to or must learn more about the
world around them, as well as those who appreciate the latest in
technology.

Electronic Arts' 3D Atlas for 3DO retails for around $79.95. It is also
available now for Mac CD, and for Windows CD in early 1995.

Electronic Arts
1450 Fashion Island Blvd
San Mateo, CA 94404

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