Flight Simulator X Soars to Gold

UK - Tuesday 19th September 2006 - The skies are almost at your fingertips as Microsoft Game Studios today announced that "Flight Simulator X" has gone gold.

The newest addition to the 25-year "Flight Simulator" franchise will fly into European retailers on 13th October. Gamers of all ages, types and skill levels will experience firsthand what it's like to be an aviator traveling the globe in one of the dozens of aircraft available.

With this 10th addition to the "Flight Simulator" franchise from ACES Studio, gamers can immerse themselves in a beautifully rich and realistic world that offers a completely new and innovative gaming experience. With the addition of more than 50 missions, "Flight Simulator X" is more than just a simulator, challenging aviators to beat the clock in the infamous Red Bull air races or to drop relief materials in exotic locations. Through increased online game capabilities, gamers can also choose their role, from air-traffic controller to pilot or co-pilot, as they interact with other aviators worldwide.

Available in both standard and deluxe versions, "Flight Simulator X" features a newly detailed environment with incredible graphics and added realism that includes weather, time of day and seasons. "Flight Simulator X" also introduces new aircraft from the deHavilland DHC-2 Beaver floatplane and Grumman G-21A Goose to the AirCreations 582SL Ultralight, and includes more than 24,000 airports to depart from. For more information or to download the trial version, please visit http://www.microsoft.com/games/pc/flightsimulatorx.aspx .

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About Microsoft Game Studios

Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of games for the Xbox® and Xbox 360 video game systems, the Windows® operating system and online platforms. Comprising a network of top developers, Microsoft Game Studios is committed to creating innovative and diverse games for Windows ( http://www.microsoft.com/games), including such franchises as "Age of Empires®," "Flight Simulator" and "Zoo Tycoon®;" Xbox and Xbox 360 ( http://www.xbox.com), including such games as the upcoming "Gears of War" and franchises such as "Halo®," "Fable®," "Project Gotham Racing®" and "Forza Motorsport"; and MSN® Games ( http://www.games.msn.com), the official games channel for the MSN network and home to such hits as "Bejeweled" and "Hexic®."

The information contained in this press release, other than historical information, consists of forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These statements may involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in such statements. Although Epic believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Important factors beyond Epic's control, including general economic conditions, consumer spending levels, competition from toy companies, motion picture studios and other licensing companies, the uncertainty of public response to the Epic's properties and other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from Epic's expectations.

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For more information (press only), please contact:

Marie-Claire Suter

UK PR Manager - Xbox & Games For Windows

Tel: +44 (0) 118 909 4599

Email: i-maries@microsoft.com