Discuss it in Talkback!

DARE TO ENTER THE ARENA. LUCASARTS BRINGS BRUTAL GLADIATOR-STYLE FIGHTING

ALIVE IN GLADIUS

Epic Combat Role-Playing Game Expected in Spring 2003 for

PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Nintendo GameCube

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. -- May 9, 2002 -- The brutal and spectacular gladiator

battles of the ancient world serve as inspiration for Gladius, a turn-based

action role-playing (RPG) game from LucasArts Entertainment Company LLC.

Gladius follows the grand saga of two young heroes, Ursula and Valens, as

they recruit and train a team of warriors to contend in the fiercely

competitive gladiator games. The game supports both single and multiplayer

modes and is expected to release spring 2003 on PlayStation 2, Xbox and

GameCube.

At the heart of Gladius is a unique mix of dynamic game play that requires

players to develop and manage a school of gladiators who, over time, gain

experience, learn new skills, improve their abilities and finally test their

might in epic battles. Players fight with deadly weapons and powerful

magic, learn vital combat tactics, and enhance and customize characters.

"Gladius takes action RPG to a whole new level," says Tom Byron, director of

product marketing for LucasArts. "Besides signaling LucasArts' return to

original game development, Gladius features a distinct style of play that is

wrapped in an epic storyline. Players will experience a game that has

incredible depth in terms of character development, but also has a unique

layer of strategy related to how players manage and balance their team."

The overall scope of Gladius is huge, offering an estimated 36 hours of play

in each of the game's two story lines which take players on a challenging

journey across four diverse geographical regions. Each land contains a

variety of warriors that players must recruit and train. Battles occur

throughout the game's 20 arenas and 12 other locations. During fights

players have a high level of interaction by way of an arcade style swing

meter which enhances the power of attacks. A successful fight will earn

victorious players highly coveted certificates and the approval of the

Emperor. With each certificate collected, players move one step closer to

unlocking the next region.

Players control a school of gladiators that can come from 16 unique classes,

including the powerful Imperial Legionary; the witches of the Galdr class,

who can sing magical songs and chants; and the javelin throwing Peltast

class. In all, the game offers more than 100 customizable character types,

hundreds of skills, and over 400 unique weapons, helmets, shields, and other

accessories with which to equip warriors.

In Gladius, players may choose to take on the role of Ursula or Valens.

Ursula, from the northern land of Nordagh, is the daughter of a great

barbarian king. Valens is the son of one of Imperia's greatest gladiators.

A bloody conflict between their two homelands gave rise to a vengeful dark

god, which nearly destroyed all of mankind. Only with the help of the

revered Valkyrie was the dark god defeated, but it came at a great cost of

many lives. This gave rise to an uneasy peace that has existed for decades

between the two lands. Now the two young heroes must fulfill their

destinies to keep the world from heading into another disastrous war.

Ursula and Valens join forces and travel across many lands, competing in

gladiator tournaments where they recruit a variety of warriors. They also

become immersed in the evil plot to revive the dark god. Once this wicked

plan is put into action, the gladiator games cease and the small band of

fighters go on a challenging quest to solve the mystery of the dark god and

defeat those who would bring him back to the land of the living.

Gladius features a story mode as well as exhibition battles against

computer-controlled opponents or up to four players in cooperative mode.

Upon finishing the game, the tournament system remains open so players can

continue to build up their characters and explore the game's four unique

territories.

About LucasArts

LucasArts Entertainment Company LLC is a leading international developer and

publisher of interactive entertainment software for a variety of computer

and console platforms. Based in San Rafael, Calif., as well as on the

Internet at www.lucasarts.com, LucasArts is one of four companies in the

Lucas group which include Lucasfilm Ltd., Lucas Digital Ltd. LLC, and Lucas

Licensing Ltd. Lucasfilm is one of the leading film and entertainment

companies in the world. Lucasfilm's businesses include George Lucas' film

and television production and distribution activities as well as the

business activities of the THX Group. Lucas Digital, which consists of

Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) and Skywalker Sound, provides visual effects

and audio post-production services to the entertainment industry. Lucas

Licensing is responsible for the merchandising of all Lucasfilm's film and

television properties.