Codemasters® revs in-house game engine, reveals new name: EGO™ Game Technology Engine.

Codemasters®, developer and publisher of award-winning video games, today announced the EGO Game Technology Engine as the distinctive new name for Codemasters Studios' proprietary middleware.

With a new name befitting its accomplishments and future potential, the EGO Engine is the evolution of the Studios' core technology, the first generation of which, called Neon, powered the creation of award-winning racer Colin McRae: DiRT .

Central to the creation of all games at Codemasters Studios, the EGO Engine is a continuous multi-platform project that has already benefited from almost 3 years of development within Codemasters' Central Technology unit.

Following the successful deployment of the base technology in Colin McRae: DiRT , the enhanced middleware is now being utilised in the development of Race Driver: GRID to drive the title's highly detailed new damage and physics systems, and the massive environments that will become battlegrounds in Operation Flashpoint 2: Dragon Rising .

"Officially naming the EGO Engine takes our middleware from having a project title to becoming a tech brand," said Gavin Cheshire, VP, Codemasters Studios.

"Developing the engine, even through its initial phases, has been lengthy and a major investment for Codemasters. Not every third-party is in a position to devote resources to such an ambitious project and stay competitive. However, at Codemasters, we've invested in the technology and the support infrastructure to ensure all titles have an impressive and competitive edge."

"With the EGO Engine we have technology that is specific to our needs and one that doesn't force us to compromise," said Bryan Marshall, Chief Technology Officer, Codemasters Studios.

"Particularly for Operation Flashpoint 2, we simply could not fulfil the ambitions we have for the game with any off-the-shelf middleware; certainly not one that enabled us to develop across the major fifth generation consoles simultaneously with PC, rather than as an afterthought, and no one was doing that."

On-going development of the EGO Engine formed part of the £40.5m ($84.3m) Codemasters invested in game design and technical development in the 12 month fiscal period to June 30, 2007, an increase of over 150% over the previous year.

Said Rod Cousens, CEO, Codemasters:

"We made significant investments in our own cross-platform, multi-genre development solution in anticipation of the next generation console transition. Now we are in a position to rev mature middleware technology to get the most from today's leading game systems. The EGO Engine is already making its mark on the industry with award-winning, multi-million-unit selling titles."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Official Name - Full: The EGO Game Technology Engine from Codemasters®

Official Name - Short Form: EGO Engine

PRESS RESOURCE WEB SITE

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ABOUT RACE DRIVER: GRID

Coming mid 2008, Race Driver: GRID is the new racing experience from Codemasters Studios. Set to capture every moment from the starting grid to the chequered flag, Race Driver: GRID will concentrate those moments into an intense and dramatic race experience. Taking players to beautifully realised and dramatic race locations over three continents, gamers will compete in an unprecedented variety of races - from major championships, to events on world famous official tracks, to challenging city-based competitions, encompassing road events and urban street races. To register for future driver briefings and get a place on the grid, be sure to visit www.codemasters.com/grid

ABOUT OPERATION FLASHPOINT 2: DRAGON RISING

Operation Flashpoint 2: Dragon Rising marks the long-awaited return of the multi-million selling total conflict simulator. Coming in 2008 for major console platforms and PC, Operation Flashpoint 2: Dragon Rising will challenge a new generation of players to survive the chaos and rapidly evolving situations of military combat in a new and contemporary theatre. Players will experience visceral military combat in a wide variety of roles, from infantry marine to helicopter pilot, in a gaming experience that will take them as close to war as they'll ever want to get. To view the trailer video and to sign up for future development briefings, please visit www.codemasters.com/flashpoint2

ABOUT CODEMASTERS

Codemasters is a leading developer and publisher of best-selling interactive entertainment products for a global audience across multiple gaming platforms and channels. Established in 1986, the company's dominant brands include Colin McRae DiRT, Overlord, Clive Barker's Jericho, Race Driver: GRID, Brian Lara Cricket and Operation Flashpoint. Codemasters is headquartered in Warwickshire UK, with North American operations based in Burbank, Calif. The company also maintains operations in Germany, France, Spain, and Benelux. Codemasters receives over two million visitors to its web site every month, discover why at www.codemasters.com

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