Infogrames to Acquire Hasbro Interactive and Games.com

Posted on December 8, 2000

Infogrames Entertainment SA and Hasbro, Inc. jointly announced that they have entered into a strategic agreement. The agreement is comprised of three main elements, including the Infogrames acquisition of Hasbro Interactive; a long-term licensing agreement giving Infogrames exclusive rights to develop and publish digital interactive games based on current and future Hasbro properties on all existing and future digital interactive formats; and the acquisition of Games.com. The companies expect the deal to close early in the first calendar quarter of 2001.

``Infogrames and Hasbro are truly poised to become worldwide leaders in the digital entertainment market,'' said Bruno Bonnell, Chairman and CEO of Infogrames. ``Infogrames' external growth strategy consists of three requirements: a willingness of the prospective partner's management to share our strategic vision, a complementary set of skills and products, and finally, value for our shareholders. The Hasbro Interactive and Games.com acquisition meets these criteria,'' said Mr. Bonnell. ``Infogrames' access to Hasbro's long list of well-known properties fits perfectly with our long-term publishing strategy to become the leader in family entertainment. The terms are beneficial for Infogrames Entertainment, since they have no direct impact on the company's future investment capacity.''

The acquisition gives Infogrames a catalog of titles based on well-known properties, including the Microprose brand and titles (which include Civilization, Falcon and Roller Coaster Tycoon), the Atari name and properities (which include Centipede, Missile Command and Pong) and the exclusive rights to develop and publish interactive games based on current and future Hasbro, Inc. properties, including Monopoly, Scrablle, Clue and Dungeons and Dragons.

As part of the agreement, Infogrames acquires Games.com, an online games portal launching in early 2001. At its launch, Games.com will allow visitors to play more than 30 online games based on Hasbro properties, some of which include Monopoly, Clue, Scrablle, Asteroids and Risk. In addition, visitors to the site can find news, information, tips and hints about games featured on Games.com.

Visitors to the site will also have the ability to chat with other players and participate in tournaments based on widely recognized games from the Hasbro catalog. Games.com's revenue strategy includes ecommerce, sponsorships and individual subscriptions. Infogrames plans to extend Games.com to broadband users in the future.