Spectrum Holobyte Announce Grand Prix 2 Release For July 23

In what seemed like more of an investors report than a press release, MicroProse parent Spectrum Holobyte have announced that Grand Prix 2 will release later this month.

Press release:

ALAMEDA, Calif., July 12 /PRNewswire/ — Spectrum HoloByte, Inc. (Nasdaq: SBYT), a leading interactive entertainment software publisher, today announced the much anticipated worldwide launch date of the World Circuit Racing brand’s Grand Prix II for PC CD-ROM. The Company also released sales figures for its top selling MicroProse brand products shipped in the first half of calendar year 1996.

The Company intends to ship Grand Prix II worldwide July 23, 1996. This launch represents the single largest initial release for the Company this year, totaling over 300,000 units. Grand Prix II has already received its first award: Editor’s Choice Award — CD ROM Today (UK). Press previews have been enthusiastic: Computer Gaming World Magazine, July 1996, calls Grand Prix II “…one scorching hot product indeed.”

Stephen M. Race, chief executive officer said, “After the European Consumer Electronics Show and the E3 Show in Los Angeles, we have been very pleased with the consumer and retail enthusiasm for GPII. We believe that GPII will set a new standard in auto racing simulations.”

The critically acclaimed title, Civilization II, launched worldwide in March 1996, topped the US and UK charts during the months of March and April 1996, according to PC Data and The Gallup Poll (UK). The Company confirmed today that Civilization II has generated worldwide sales of over 400,000 units. To build on this success, the Company announced plans to release a Civilization II Scenario Disk for the Holidays. “The addition of the Scenario Disk to the Civilization II line will extend the game’s appeal through the Holiday season, attracting new users and enabling current players to further enjoy the Civilization II experience,” said Louis Gioia Jr., chief marketing officer.

Civilization II has already garnered broad recognition around the world, including:

* Editors’ Choice Award – PC Gamer Magazine
* Golden Triad Award – Computer Game Review Magazine
* Five-Out-Of-Five-Stars Rating – Computer Gaming World Magazine
* Four-Out-Of-Four-Stars Rating – Home PC Magazine
* Five-Out-Of-Five-Stars Rating – Computer Games Strategy Plus Magazine
* Five-Out-Of-Five Stars Rating and Game of the Month, May, 1996 – Computer Life, (UK)
* Best Game Award – British Interactive Multimedia Association

The Company also announced sales results for Top Gun: Fire at Will(TM) for PC CD-ROM, which shipped in February 1996. This title has sold approximately 250,000 units. It broke the Top Ten during its first three month’s at retail in the US, according to PC Data.

The Company recently launched titles for Sony’s PlayStation(TM) game console: Top Gun: Fire at Will and Gunship(R). Louis Gioia Jr., chief marketing officer said, “Top Gun and Gunship will help the company become a leader in action based flight simulation games for the PlayStation.”

Spectrum HoloByte, Inc. is a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software for use on CD-ROM based personal computer systems. The Company is also developing software for use on next generation console machines. The Company’s five development studios are located in: Alameda, CA; Hunt Valley, MD; Chipping Sodbury, UK; Austin, TX and Chapel Hill, NC. Products are distributed nationally and internationally through major distributors, retailers and mass merchants.