FreeStyleGames prepares for expansion

11th September 2006. Leamington Spa, Warks, U.K. FREESTYLEGAMES, one of the UK's most exciting new game development studios, today announced major expansion, including a move to bespoke offices and plans to significantly grow its development capacity.

Located in the centre of Leamington Spa the offices are being re-fitted to reflect the studio's culture, of fun and innovation, while cultivating a creative atmosphere. The new facility will provide state of the art gaming zones, dedicated chill out rooms, it's own in-house cafeteria and recording studio. The promising young team, whose first game - B-BoyÔ - is due to be released by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe on PS2Ò and PSPÒ in September - is also moving to accommodate a planned increase in staff over the next 9-12 months.

Chris Lee, Commercial Director of FreeStyleGames commented, "It's an exciting time for the company, not only have we been able to design and develop our own environment from the ground-up, but we have created the capacity to house more staff and establish multiple teams. This growth will allow us to build on our progress on next generation, as well as continuing to support the PS2 & PSP. While we're all excited about the results we're seeing on next-gen hardware, we're still committed to developing at least two more current generation products, as there's a lot of life left in the market so it doesn't make sense to ignore it."

Lee continued, "It's easy to jump to the next generation too soon - with multiple teams we can continue making fun, innovative games, while investing the time required to ensure a strong tool and engine for our new next-gen IP. The search for people will take some time as we're after the 'right' people. It's important to us to hire like-minded talent from both inside and outside the industry - as well as a passion for games, we're looking for fresh thinking and enthusiasm in addition to skill. We want people who want to make a contribution and have something to say."

The new offices are located at: Imperial House, Holly Walk, Leamington Spa. T: + 44 (0) 1926 623420

FreeStyleGames is looking to recruit artists, animators, programmers and project managers. For information on current vacancies - please contact: Nikki Cooper at jobs@freestylegames.com

For further information please contact:

Alison Beasley, Lincoln Beasley PR. T: +44 (0) 1608 645756. M: +44 (0) 7966 449130. E: Alison@lincolnbeasley.co.uk

Described by Official PlayStation Magazine as 'the coolest game of the year', B-Boy was also selected from two thousand games to win three highly-coveted IGN.com 'Best of E3' Awards at the world's biggest annual games trade fair - E3 - held in Los Angeles in May this year. B-Boy was also nominated for 'Best of Show' at Leipzig Games Convention in August.

For further information please visit: http://uk.psp.ign.com/articles/709/709254p2.html

About B-Boy

B-Boy uses a dynamically controlled fighting system to help you battle the best b-boys on the planet. Over the course of an in-depth "B-Boy Life" mode, players build up a crew and battle against real-life superstar b-boys including in-game host Crazy Legs, the legendary and original b-boy, who worked closely with the development team to ensure the game's authenticity.

Players must learn, develop and master more than 800 motion captured moves as they progress from street battles to the world championships, gaining style and respect as they battle their way around the world, visiting 21 realistic venues.

Those looking for instant action can head for the arcade modes for battles against rival b-boys or multiplayer face-offs using PSP's Wireless functionality. B-Boy also allows players to create their own b-boy and upgrade and customise their breaker and, includes more than 40 licensed contemporary hip hop and classic funk tracks, mixed and scratched on the fly by in-game DJs.

B-Boy Developed by FreeStyleGames, in collaboration with Crazy Legs and DJ Hooch, B-Boy is due for release in September 2006 on PSP(PlayStation®Portable) and PlayStation®2.

More information about PlayStation products can be found at http://www.scee.com , www.yourpsp.com and www.playstation.com. or visit the Virtual Press Office at www.scee.presscentre.com.

About FreeStyleGames

FreeStyleGames is one of a new wave of groundbreaking European development studios. Founded by a highly talented and experienced team, the company is re-inventing independent development. FreeStyleGames employ ambitious people and encourage fun & adventurous lifestyles to delivering fresh, original & innovative console intellectual property for a new mass market audience. FreeStyleGames is based in Warwickshire, UK and currently employs 35 staff.