Empire Interactive plc, a leading AIM listed computer games developer and publisher,
announces that it has signed the global publishing rights to Sony Pictures’ summer
blockbuster film, Bad Boysâ„¢ II, through a license from
Sony Pictures Consumer Products.

Will Smith and Martin Lawrence are back on the streets of
Miami in Bad Boysâ„¢ II, reuniting them with producer Jerry
Brukheimer and director Michael Bay for a Summer 2003 release.
. .

The film has already received major promotion in the US through TV advertising.
The multi-million dollar marketing support has already kicked off with an action
packed teaser spot during this year’s Superbowl® – which is one of the most
important advertising events in the US.

Empire Interactive has signed the rights to the Bad Boys and Bad Boys II franchise
to produce multiple titles across all leading console and PC platforms including
successor console platforms. The first game title for PlayStation® 2, Microsoft®
Xbox™, Nintendo® GameCube™ and PC is being developed to coincide
with this Christmas’ DVD launch.

Ian Higgins, CEO of Empire Interactive said about the signing: “It
is very exciting for the Group to have signed such a significant property. The
movie is one of the biggest to come out of Hollywood this year and crosses over
perfectly with our core gamer demographic. Empire is looking forward to making
this a hit franchise for a number of years to come.”

“Bad Boysâ„¢ II has a high octane story-line which really hits
its target demographic of young men on all cylinders,” stated Mark
Caplan, Executive Director Licensing, Sony Pictures Consumer Products. “Early
indications are that Empire is well on its way to developing a video game that
hits the same core demographic and has as much attitude and intensity as the
film.”

About Empire Interactive
Empire Interactive is a leading publisher of interactive entertainment software
that has been established for 14 years. The company floated on the Alternative
Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange in July 2000. Headquartered
in the UK, Empire Interactive also has offices in the US, Germany, Italy and
Spain. The company develops and publishes a varied range of titles for current
and next-generation platforms in the US, Europe and Asia. Further information
about Empire Interactive and its products can be found at: http://www.empireinteractive.com.

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