"Links 2003" Hits Store Shelves

Sept. 19, 2002

Gamers Can Grip It and Rip It as
"Links 2003" Hits Store Shelves

Real-Time Swing Capability Helps
Cybergolfers Swing Like the Pros

REDMOND, Wash. – Although the
weather is cooling, golfers still can swing like the pros as Microsoft Game
Studios begins shipping "Links® 2003" to retailers across the country today. PGA
superstar Sergio Garcia returns to headline an all-star lineup of well-known
professional golfers featured in "Links 2003."

In "Links 2003," Garcia and Annika
Sorenstam are joined by professional golfers David Toms and the
always-fashionable Jesper Parnevik. New to "Links 2003" is a Real-Time Swing
feature that allows a player’s mouse to become a club. Players pull back their
mouse and the 3-D character goes into its backswing, then they lightly push the
mouse forward and the character swings to strike the ball and begin the drive.
The game’s highly advanced ball physics factor in speed, tempo, direction and
course conditions in real time, giving golfers more control over every shot. PC
golfers can still indulge their choice of swing method, including the "classic"
feel of "Links" click-swinging and the sweeping motion of PowerStroke.

To offer gamers a more realistic
golf simulation, this newest version of the best-selling* golf simulator
software features improved graphics, six all-new championship courses, several
high-resolution 3-D characters, a new career mode and an expanded online
component.

"’Links 2003′ is so authentic, it
can help you mentally improve your golf game because it presents you with so
many real-life golf situations," Garcia said. "It is a terrific tool, and one
that I recommend to golfers to learn course management and better understand the
game of golf."

To celebrate the launch of "Links
2003," Microsoft Corp. will host the finals of the Million Dollar "Links"
Virtual Golf Association Tour (VGA Tour) Oct. 28 in Atlanta, with Garcia acting
as the celebrity caddie. For the third straight year, the top cybergolfers in
the world will compete for the title "World’s Best PC Golfer." The winner of the
VGA Tour will have the opportunity to try to sink a putt on a real golf course
for $1 million.

"Links 2003" gives golfers the
opportunity to play on some of the world’s most beautiful and exclusive golf
courses, including Cabo del Sol (Mexico), Kauri Cliffs (New Zealand), GLENEAGLES
(Scotland), The Tribute at Otsego Club and Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail’s
Cambrian Ridge (United States). In addition, "Links" golfers can play the "Links
2001" courses, as well as hundreds of user-created courses available for
download at
http://www.linkscountryclub.com/. 

"Links 2003" is designed for fast
and easy online play. Using the all-new "Links" Match Maker, PC golfers can
start an online tournament and play against their friends at any time. Players
can even join matches online via a simplified, in-game process or via e-mail.

About Microsoft Game Studios

Microsoft Game Studios is a leading
worldwide publisher and developer of games for the PC, Xbox video game system
and online platforms. Comprising a network of top developers, Microsoft Game
Studios is committed to creating innovative and diverse game portfolios for the
PC (http://www.microsoft.com/games/), including such franchises as "Age of
Empires®," "Flight Simulator" and "Zoo Tycoon™"; Xbox (http://www.xbox.com/),
including such franchises as "Halo™," "Project Gotham Racing™" and "NFL Fever";
and Zone.com (http://www.zone.com), the official games channel for the MSN®
network and home to such hits as "Bejeweled" and "OutSmart™."

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
"MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies
for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products
and services designed to empower people through great software – any time, any
place and on any device.

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* NPD TechWorldSM, August 1992-May
2002 (based on retail sales)

Microsoft, Links, Age of Empires,
Zoo Tycoon, Halo, Project Gotham Racing, MSN and OutSmart are either registered
trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other
countries.

The names of actual companies and
products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.