LOS ANGELES – Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) Booth #800 –May 17, 2005 - Konami Digital Entertainment – America, a division of Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., today announced a new development team will be formed inside Konami Corporation. On April 1, 2005, Konami Corporation merged and consolidated its group companies. Accordingly, former Konami Computer Entertainment Japan West Team, lead by creator Hideo Kojima (Corporate Officer, Konami Corporation), embarks on a new era as “Kojima Productions” inside Konami Corporation.

The newly formed Kojima Productions is proud to announce that Metal Gear Solid 4 is currently in development for the PLAYSTATIONŽ3 ( PS3 ) next-generation computer entertainment system from Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. ( SCEI ). Hideo Kojima’s masterpiece, the Metal Gear Solid (MGS) series, is highly acclaimed worldwide, with its breathtaking graphics, profound stories, intricate human drama, original game design and superlative gameplay. Also under development are two other exciting games in the Metal Gear series -- Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence for the PlayStationŽ2 computer entertainment system and Metal Gear Ac!d 2 for the PlayStationŽPortable (PSP) handheld entertainment system.

“Hideo Kojima’s creations are world-renowned for their incredible high quality,” said Kazumi Kitaue, Executive Corporate Officer in charge of America and Europe at Konami Corporation. “Konami Corporation constructed Kojima Productions in order to further promote his creativity. Konami will continue to develop new and exciting game content in order to offer innovative, interactive entertainment for the next generation of game consoles. Fans from all over the world will have their eyes focused on the new adventures Hideo Kojima is creating in MGS4.”

From infiltrating enemy compounds and man-made structures in MGS and MGS2, to the challenges of the jungle environment in MGS3, MGS4 brings a totally new concept and situation, resulting in the toughest Metal Gear infiltration mission ever devised. The game is set after the events of MGS2 and players will reprise the role of top secret agent Solid Snake with appearances by characters throughout the MGS series. With the addition of online capability, MGS4 is a leading product for “PS3” and will signal the dawn of a new gaming era for the MGS series.

“Consolidation within the Konami Corporation has brought about a new evolution for the Japan West Team,” said Hideo Kojima, Corporate Officer at Konami Corporation. “We will be making a fresh new start as ‘Kojima Productions.’ We will emphasize creativity and deliver extremely high quality productions. I believe that creating games that maximize entertainment value is essential to the growth of the video game industry. We hope you will look forward to Metal Gear Solid 4 as the first of many new endeavors from Kojima Productions.”

Kojima Productions combines the strengths of producer/director Hideo Kojima, producer Kenichiro Imaizumi, director Shuyo Murata, and character designer Yoji Shinkawa. Kojima Productions will concentrate its efforts and experience to take full advantage of the hardware capabilities of SCEI’s next-generation console, infusing the world of Metal Gear Solid with completely new game designs

LOS ANGELES – Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) Booth #800 – May 17, 2005 – Konami Digital Entertainment - America, a division of Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., announced today that the Castlevania franchise will make its debut on the the XboxŽ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft in fall 2005 with CastlevaniaŽ: Curse of Darkness. While past CastlevaniaŽ games have focused on the struggle between Dracula and the Belmont clan, Curse of Darkness introduces players to an entirely new storyline and main character – Hector, a Devil Forgemaster, and former Lieutenant of Dracula. Told in true Castlevania style by award winning producer Koji Igarashi, this action-packed tale of betrayal and revenge takes players on a journey through an expansive world filled with formidable foes and beautifully rendered environments to the ruins of Dracula’s castle.

“Castlevania: Curse of Darkness takes the series in a fresh new direction – complete with new heroes and villains,” says Matt Knoles, Product Manager at Konami Digital Entertainment – America. “And with the title being available on both the PlayStationŽ2 computer entertainment system and Xbox, a much wider audience of gamers will be able to enjoy this new Castlevania adventure.”

Disillusioned with the ideals of his mentor, Hector fled Vallachia to pursue a more normal life, leaving Dracula vulnerable to the Belmonts. Now, three years after Dracula was defeated in battle, the magic power of the curse released upon his death has infected all of Europe. Fueled by revenge for the death of his girlfriend, Hector must battle his way back to the ruins of Dracula’s castle, and uncover an intricate web of deception, unaware of the sinister plan that has been orchestrated to lure him home.

Armed with the unique new abilities of Devil Forgery, gamers will be able to call upon trusty allies – “Innocent Devils” – who will help defeat a variety of powerful enemies. More than 30 evolving allies will develop unique abilities ranging from those that can open heavy doors, to those that can help Hector fly. They will aid players in conquering various enemies, avoiding perilous traps and solving challenging puzzles. Curse of Darkness will also feature stronger RPG and adventure game elements. As players progress through the game and gain experience points, their character’s strength will increase, reminiscent of the gameplay found in the critically acclaimed Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.

Gamers will have access to a wide range of powerful weaponry that will allow them to perform unparalleled combo attacks on the deadliest of enemies. As players progress in the game they will uncover an immersive storyline and explore beautifully rendered and expansive environments. Curse of Darkness also features an increased number of unlockable features that are sure to draw players deeper into the Castlevania universe. An entirely new musical sound track scored by Michiru Yamane rounds out this engrossing new chapter to the Castlevania series.

LOS ANGELES – Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) Booth #800 – May 17, 2005 – Konami Digital Entertainment – America, a division of Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., today announced beatmania the first DJ simulation created for the PlayStationŽ2 computer entertainment system. beatmania continues Konami’s tradition of innovation, expanding upon the company’s groundbreaking library of music video game franchises that include the award-winning Karaoke Revolution and the hugely popular Dance Dance Revolution. Providing an unparalleled interactive audio and visual experience, beatmania actually lets gamers create and perform their own tracks as it brings the pulsing energy of the club into the home.

“Just like DDR and Karaoke Revolution, we expect that beatmania will develop a strong core following and take off as another ‘must-have’ party game for people of all ages,” said Jason Enos, product manager, Konami Digital Entertainment – America. “Never before has there been a game that combines so many different and distinct music elements into a completely interactive DJ style experience.”

Already a sensation in the arcades, beatmania combines high-energy pulsating music with cutting-edge videos, allowing wannabee DJ’s the ability to create and perform music. Unlike complicated sequencers or software that allows users to drop in samples and play them back, beatmania is completely designed as a videogame – with an emphasis on having fun and feeling the music. Utilizing a specially designed controller that features a turntable, players must mix and perform music in real-time by hitting notes that appear on screen and scratching the turntable at the right time. beatmania features more than 50 club tracks, including pop, techno, drum ‘n bass, trance and house, and includes exclusive songs from some of the hottest DJs and remixers in the scene. Gamers will have numerous options, including two player modes that allow players to perform cooperatively or competitively and multiple difficulty settings.

LLOS ANGELES – Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) Booth #800 – May 17, 2005 – Konami Digital Entertainment – America, a division of Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., today announced that it will unleash Crime Life: Gang Wars for the XboxŽ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PC-CD ROM this fall. This free-roaming, beat-em-up action game features a dynamic, engaging story line that delves into modern urban culture and puts gamers in the shoes of a small-time gang member as he fights his way for control of the city. Adding an air of Hip Hop authenticity to Crime Life: Gang Wars is the Detroit rap crew D12, which will be creating original music for the title and whose members will lend their voices and likenesses to the game.

“The scope of Crime Life: Gang Wars will be vast, so we wanted to make sure that all of the elements were in place for an epic and engaging action game,” said Jason Enos, product manager, Konami Digital Entertainment – America. “Players will need to master the fighting system to conquer the streets. In addition, the music and the participation of D12 will truly enhance the game and give it the feel of urban pop culture that we’ve come to recognize from popular films and TV shows.”

Produced by Konami of Europe, Crime Life: Gang Wars boasts a strong narrative that shows the dangers and strains associated with gang membership, and promotes a strong sense of morality via game elements inspired by classic gang movies, such as New Jack City, Boyz ‘n the Hood and Menace II Society. The player must protect his own people from exploitation and abuse, and defend his crew from the violence and treachery that permeates the society he lives in.

Crime Life: Gang Wars stars Tre, the young leader of the Outlawz, once Grand Central City’s most powerful gang. Gamers maneuver Tre through the dangerous streets, using his fists and brains to protect his crew and build his reputation. Reputation is all that matters in Grand Central City, and to succeed Tre will have to prove himself to be the toughest fighter and smartest leader as he battles for his gang’s supremacy. With a morally infused storyline, every decision made by the gamer in Crime Life will have consequences and an impact on the outcome of the game.

In addition to bespoke music from D12, Crime Life: Gang Wars will include songs from up and coming UK rap artist Doom Man. Also, Jason Flemyng, popular British actor and veteran of hit crime flicks Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch will lend his voice to the list of in-game characters.