GRID to Drive Codemasters Publishing Interests in Japan

Universal City, Calif. - June 6 2008 - GRID, the all-new exhilarating racing experience from Codemasters Studios recently launched in the U.S. and throughout Europe to critical acclaim, is to be fully localized for release in Japan later this year, Codemasters announced today.

One of the highest rated racing videogames of recent years, GRID already features Japanese specific content, including Drift and Touge race events and locations that include Tokyo Shibuya, Yokohama and Haruna. The PLAYSTATION3 computer entertainment system and the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft editions of game will now be adapted to include Japanese speech and text throughout in readiness for its arrival in the market this winter.

"As Codemasters continues to gain significant ground in the global videogame business, the release of GRID in Japan will also see the arrival of the Codemasters brand as a publishing label in the market," said Rod Cousens, CEO, Codemasters. "We have pursued options in the market for some time and this announcement is but a first indication of our ambitions in that market."

At launch, the Japanese edition of GRID will come complete with a full copy of the flagship off-road racer, DiRT. The dual offering is expected to be well received, as previous Codemasters racing franchise titles have enjoyed success in the market when published under license.

"The recent success of key western titles in Japan is indicative of the current trend where Japanese gamers are not only more aware of popular western gaming brands but actively seeking them out," continued Cousens. "With GRID set to be fully localized and arrive bundled with DiRT, it is an opportune time for Codemasters to enjoy brand success in Japan."

Source: www.gamerankings.com

ABOUT GRID GRID is all about the race. Every moment from the adrenalin rush at the start lights to the elation at the chequered flag - the tension, pressure, noise, and action. Featuring only the most powerful race cars - current and classic, circuit and drift - players compete to conquer the most prestigious official race tracks and championships and go beyond to compete in challenging city-based competitions, through to road events and urban street races.

In Europe, players race prestige marques on the greatest official race circuits. Enter street competitions and race high-performance V8 muscle cars through iconic U.S. cities including San Francisco, Washington DC and Detroit. In the Far East, Japanese racing culture sets the tone where night races, including Drift racing, take drivers through neon illuminated cities and to outlying mountain roads. As the antithesis of the box-ticking, race game, GRID delivers races crammed with action and incident to create the most intense, the most aggressive and the most engrossing racing game for years. Whereas other titles may have lost sight that racing is the main event, in GRID everything builds up to creating an unparalleled race experience. For further information and videos, be sure to visit www.grid-game.com

ABOUT CODEMASTERS Codemasters is a leading developer and publisher of best-selling interactive entertainment products for a global audience across multiple gaming platforms and channels. Established in 1986, the company's dominant brands include Colin McRae DiRT, Overlord, Clive Barker's Jericho, Race Driver GRID and Operation Flashpoint. Codemasters is headquartered in Warwickshire UK, with North American operations based in Universal City, Calif. The company also maintains operations in Germany, France, Spain, Benelux and Malaysia. Codemasters receives over two million visitors to its web site every month, discover why at www.codemasters.com