Also announced today, EVE ONLINE will be published in Europe by Crucial Entertainment Limited (http://www.crucialentertainment.com). The game will be published and launched simultaneously in North America and Europe.

EVE ONLINE is the highly anticipated space trading / combat Massive Multiplayer Online Game (MMOG) for the PC (Windows® XP, 2000, ME, 98; Rated:
"RP" by the ESRB) which allows gamers to compete simultaneously across a full 3D galaxy of 5000 solar systems. Presently EVE ONLINE is in phase three of beta testing with thousands of gamers play-testing the game daily. To date there are more than 70,000 gamers signed up for the beta test and more than 300 fan and player corporation sites.

Mike Wallis, producer of Eve at Simon & Schuster Interactive, comments on the delay. "Beta testers universally agree that the game rocks, but we're shooting for spectacular. Fans, beta testers, and the EVE ONLINE team all agree, delaying the game to fine tune the features through an extended beta period is essential to deliver a game that is 'beyond earth-shattering.'"

Reynir Hardarson, Co-Founder of CCP and Art Director of EVE commented about the delay. "Unlike other titles that are rushed to market, we will be patient and will only release Eve when it is ready. The additional time ensures we are able to produce the groundbreaking game we envision."

ADDITIONAL BETA ACCOUNTS GRANTED

CCP Games will be admitting an additional 10,000 testers into the Eve beta test over the next few months. Testers will be drawn from the pool of 70,000 fans who have already signed up for the beta test. Those wishing to participate should sign up at http://www.eve-online.com and click on the "Beta Signup" tab.

DEVELOPER CHAT

The developers of EVE will be discussing the delay and the progress of the game's development during an online chat. The chat will be held via Internet Relay Chat (IRC).

Details:

EVE DEVELOPER CHAT
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3
6:00 PM (ET) / 22:00 GMT
Server: irc.stratics.com
Port: 6667
Channel: #eve-online

EVE ONLINE: THE SECOND GENESIS will be rated by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). All packaging and advertising currently carries a "RP" or "Rating Pending" logo. More information on the ESRB and its rating system can be found at www.esrb.org.