Hilary Duff to Appear in EA's The Sims 2 Pets

Chertsey, UK. - October 5, 2006 - Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) is pleased to announce a partnership with multi-platinum, chart-topping recording artist, actress, fashion designer and philanthropist Hilary Duff, to make her inaugural video game debut in the critically acclaimed, best-selling, groundbreaking video and PC game franchise, The Sims. Through this partnership, Hilary will appear in The Sims 2 Pets games, joined by her beloved Chihuahua Lola, releasing on October 20th across Europe for the Sony PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the Nintendo GameCube and as a PC expansion pack* to the original PC game, The Sims 2. A Nintendo DS version of the game will follow in late October for Europe. To check out Hilary in The Sims 2 Pets, pick up a copy of the game before December 31st.

"I've logged hundreds of hours playing The Sims games, so I jumped at the chance to be in The Sims 2 Pets," said Sims aficionado Hilary. "I love creating Sims characters and guiding them through life, designing their houses and then blinging them out with cool furniture. Now, in The Sims 2 Pets, EA has combined two things I really enjoy -pets and The Sims!"

"Hilary is the perfect partner for The Sims 2 Pets - not only is she a huge animal lover, but she is also a Sims fan!" exclaimed Rod Humble, executive producer for The Sims Division of Electronic Arts. "Hilary was involved in every step of the process, from creating the Hilary and Lola characters to designing some of the tricks dogs can do in the game."

Special moments come to life through the lifelike animations, artwork and game play of The Sims 2 Pets: A dog gnawing at his chew toy, a cat jumping at a dangled feather, a toddler stroking the chest of a big dog who sits by patiently-even the serenity of a cat curled up at the end of the bed. These moments, captured within the game, create a real bond between players and these virtual creatures.

"Although she's trying not to let it go to her head, Lola is very excited to make her cameo in The Sims 2 Pets next month!" exclaimed Hilary about her two year old Blue Fawn Teacup Chihuahua, Lola. "We can't wait to hang at Central Town Park, play with other pups and shop around for the latest pet accessories! Check out her blog for updates on her videogame fandom at www.hilaryduff.com."

The Sims 2 Pets will build on the celebrated The Sims 2 experience which allows players to create and control characters throughout their life while determining the outcome of their relationships and adventures. The addition of a new furry friend is guaranteed to enrich the daily lives of your Sims! Not only will players have the opportunity to choose from a variety of existing cat and dog breeds and hottest designer mixes, but they'll also be able to personally design their new friend with the Create-a-Pet feature. The ability to customise gives fans the opportunity to create their ideal pet by choosing their body shape, unique markings, even their pet's personalities! As in real life, your Sims' pet will benefit from care and training. A neglected cat with an urge to scratch might claw up your new couch if you aren't careful, and leaving your dog unattended near a freshly planted flower bed probably isn't wise, so expect the unexpected!

Hilary and Lola appear in the following versions of The Sims 2 Pets. (Note, in each version, they appear differently)

o Sony PlayStation®2 and Nintendo GameCube

In the console version of the game, Hilary will visit the Town Center with her dog, Lola. A player might run into her as she plays with Lola, browses the shops or socialize with other Sims. If Hilary is busy talking to her Sims pals, Lola will roam the park making friends with other dogs and cats, chasing them around and playing. Hopefully they won't get themselves into trouble by digging holes or knocking over trash cans!

Players can interact with Lola and Hilary as they can with any other pet or Sim. You can invite Hilary to your house, and while she's there teach Lola some new tricks to entertain your party guests.

o Nintendo DS handheld game system

In this handheld version, Hilary will visit the Central Park with her dog, Lola. Other Sims can chat with Hilary and befriend her. If Hilary likes the player, she will start to bring Lola to the Pet Care Center where Sims can teach Lola new tricks, improve her health, and make her happier. Lola is a people pleaser, so after learning a new trick, she won't be shy about showing it off at the Central Park!

o PC expansion pack **

Hilary will be downloadable for the PC version of the Sims 2 Pets from October 17 through December 31 only. To download the Hilary Sim, players will visit the official Sims website www.thesims2.co.uk Once she is downloaded to the game, Hilary will be a fully playable character in the Sims. This means that players can customize and control Hilary as they do other Sims, from changing her clothes, makeup and hairstyle to building and decorating her home-even defining her dreams and establishing her social life, by throwing parties, making friends, flirting and creating a family. With the Sims 2 Pets PC expansion pack, Hilary can head to the park with Lola for a game of fetch, or even add to her pet family by adopting a cat, dog, bird or hamster that she can train, play with, and love as her own.

To access Lola, players will type in a code that will "unlock" Lola, introducing her to the game. Players can indirectly control Lola through other Sims, including Hilary herself. For example, a Sim can teach Lola new tricks, rub her belly, and feed her treats!

**The PC expansion pack enhances the original game experience of The Sims. To enjoy The Sims 2 Pets on PC, players will need to own and install The Sims 2 before installing The Sims 2 Pets PC Expansion Pack.

The Sims 2 Pets will be available on October 20th across Europe for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the Nintendo GameCube and as a PC expansion pack* that builds on the original The Sims 2 PC game experience. Versions for the Game Boy® Advance, Nintendo DS for the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) systems will follow in late October, November and December. A mobile version will be available in Europe in December 2006.

About Hilary Duff

Hilary Duff is an internationally celebrated multi-platinum, chart-topping recording artist, concert performer, actress, designer, philanthropist and businesswoman. Hilary's recent world concert tour spanned the globe, with multi-city appearances in the U.S., Europe, Australia, Canada and Latin America. Hilary's latest CD Most Wanted was #1 for two consecutive weeks on the Billboard 200 music chart in the U.S., #1 for two consecutive weeks on the Canadian chart and also reached top-charting success in several other countries. Her new single "Play with Fire" was just released in conjunction with her new movie Material Girls and will be included on her forthcoming new Hollywood Records CD scheduled release in the next few months. As a fashion designer, Hilary is actively involved with her creative director in leading the design process to expand her fashion, beauty and home products business globally, including her 'tween label stuff by hilary duff with its Fall collection now in over 7,500 stores including in the U.S. at Wal-Mart, Kohl's, Target, JC Penney and Sears among others and abroad in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the U.K., South Africa, France and other countries soon, and her teen designer label hilary duff kicked off with the recent launch of Hilary's fragrance line from Elizabeth Arden and followed by a juniors line of apparel in 2007/08. For more information on Hilary Duff, please visit her website at www.hilaryduff.com.

.About The Sims

The Sims franchise celebrated its sixth anniversary in February 2006. The game skyrocketed to the top of the charts when it began shipping to stores in February 2000 and quickly become a universal gaming and cultural phenomenon. The Sims PC based product and expansion packs were the best selling PC games of 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003. Translated into 22 different languages, The Sims has inspired seven top selling expansion packs. They include: The Sims Livin' Large, The Sims House Party, The Sims Hot Date, The Sims Vacation, The Sims Unleashed, The Sims Superstar, and The Sims Makin' Magic. The Sims 2 shipped in September 2004 with sales already topping 7M units worldwide, it was the best selling PC game of 2004. The Sims 2 University shipped in March 2005, The Sims 2 Nightlife shipped in September 2005, The Sims 2 Open for Business shipped in February 2006. Combined sales for the franchise are approximately 70M games life-to-date. For more information on The Sims 2, visit http://www.thesims2.co.uk and for more information on The Sims franchise titles, visit http://www.thesims.com

About Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for videogame systems, personal computers and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTSTM, EATM, EA SPORTS BIGTM and POGOTM. In fiscal 2006, EA posted revenue of $2.95 billion and had 27 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA's homepage and online game site is www.electronicarts.co.uk. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at www.electronicarts.co.uk/press

Electronic Arts, EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS BIG, POGO and The Sims are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. "PlayStation" and "PSP" are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. , ®, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo DS, and Game Boy Advance are trademarks of Nintendo. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.