Electronic Arts (EA) Inspires And Challenges University Students With Computer Science Competition

Chertsey, Surrey, UK – December 13, 2005 – Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) today launched ’EA Tank Wars’, a one-of-a-kind competition in the UK and Ireland that challenges Computer Science students to compete for the title of ’Best of Breed’, meet with the development team of the Battlefield franchise from EA and Digital Illusions and take home a new gaming computer complete with an EA line-up of PC titles. The ’EA Tank Wars’ competition invites computer science students to demonstrate their skill by writing an Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) program that pits one military tank against another in a battle for supremacy. EA will provide the software code free of charge to participating students and all entrants will retain ownership of their intellectual property.

EA has simplified the controls, graphics, menus and overall development environment to allow students to pour 100% of their brain power into exploring new approaches that demonstrate their mastery of A.I. The concept is simple: in a 100m x 100m world, two tanks are locked in an arena where only one will survive. The challenge is to program the tank which will exit victorious. The finalists will present their completed A.I. designs to the EA judging panel and the winning entries will be chosen based on technical ability, originality and creative merit.

John Buchanan, Head of University Research Liaisons at EA noted, “As we move into the next-generation, the task of rendering stunning graphics in games is slowly being handed over to specialized hardware. We have reached the point where we can easily produce highly realistic and incredibly impressive visuals with relative ease. In this competition, we have deliberately downgraded the graphics to emphasize the importance of A.I. Over the next five to 10 years, A.I. is going to differentiate great games from the rest. With this competition, we hope to find people with a passion for A.I and understanding of the magic that makes a game truly fun to play.”

The by-invitation-only competition is open to the following schools: Sheffield University, Imperial College London, University College London, Manchester University, Cambridge University, University of Surrey, Abertay University, York University, Liverpool John Moore University, University of Sussex, Edinburgh University and Trinity College Dublin.

The ’EA Tank Wars’ competition is the latest step in EA’s ongoing education initiative in the UK which already includes Academic Awards, EA Studio Tours, Summer Internships and Guest Lectures where specialist staff present at universities and the returning professor lectures at one of EA’s Studios. These programs are designed to help attract and develop high quality creative talent into long term careers in the games industry.

EA is accepting entries from students who are currently enrolled in a recognized Computer Science program at the designated universities. No purchase necessary. Submissions will be accepted from February 15, 2006 – February 28, 2006. Prize winners will be revealed on or about March 19, 2006. For eligibility restrictions and complete rules please go to:
www.info.ea.com/downloads/EA_Tank_Wars_UK.doc.

With more than 6,100 employees, EA provides a uniquely stimulating and rewarding work environment geared towards creative expression and career advancement, as well as access to the best experts and newest technology in the industry. EA is the world’s leading developer with such franchises including The SimsTM, BurnoutTM, Medal of HonorTM, Madden NFL, FIFA Soccer, Need for SpeedTM, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR®, and SSXTM, among others.

For more information about the competition, please email eatankwarsuk@ea.com.


About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world’s leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for videogame systems, personal computers and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTSTM, EATM, EA SPORTS BIGTM and POGOTM. In fiscal 2005, EA posted revenues of $3.1 billion and had 31 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA’s homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA’s products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.

Electronic Arts, EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS BIG, POGO The Sims, Burnout, Medal of Honor, Need for Speed and SSX are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. John Madden, NFL, FIFA, Tiger Woods & PGA TOUR are trademarks of their respective owners & used with permission. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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