Activision Ups the Ante with The World Series of Poker(R): Tournament of Champions Game

SANTA MONICA, Calif., May 08, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Building on the success of 2005's top-selling World Series of Poker(R) video game, Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq:ATVI) announced today that it will debut an all-new title, World Series of Poker(R): Tournament of Champions, at the E3 Expo on May 10. The game takes high-stakes poker action to new heights with twice as many top pros, access to extensive poker tools that will help players improve their game, and DigiMask(TM) Technology that actually maps a player's face into the game.

Additionally, Activision and Microsoft will launch the "Play with the Big Boys Sweepstakes," giving consumers the chance to win a trip to the World Series of Poker event in Las Vegas, Nevada and the opportunity to play for the Grand Prize -- a seat at the $10,000 Main Event.

To enter the sweepstakes, U.S. residents 21 years and older can log on to www.xboxpokersweeps.com between May 10 and June 16. Additionally, attendees at the E3 Expo, which is being held at the L.A. Convention Center from May 10-12, can enter at the World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions kiosk in the Activision booth, located in the South Hall, #1200.

Six prize winners will be randomly selected to receive a three-day/two night trip to the 2006 World Series of Poker event in Las Vegas, Nevada, where they will have the opportunity to compete in a virtual game of No-Limit Texas Hold 'Em in Activision's World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions game on Xbox(R) 360 for the Grand Prize -- a seat at the $10,000 Main Event. Contest and sweepstakes participants can view the official rules at www.xboxpokersweeps.com.

World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions features an immersive storyline that casts players as a newly turned poker pro building his career under the tutelage of Chris "Jesus" Ferguson, learning strategies and tips directly from one of the world's foremost poker pros. Gamers advance their career by competing against top pros in the premiere Circuit Events in hopes of qualifying for the winner-take-all, invitation-only Tournament of Champions, which is held at the Rio Resort Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The game will be available this fall for the Xbox(R) 360, as well as other platforms.

"This is the most authentic and realistic World Series of Poker video game to ever hit the shelves," said Jeffrey Pollack, commissioner of the World Series of Poker and vice present of Sports & Entertainment Marketing for Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE:HET). "Activision has again innovated for the benefit of poker players, our media partners, and, most importantly, World Series of Poker fans around the world."

About Activision Publishing, Inc.

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products. Founded in 1979, Activision posted net revenues of $1.47 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006.

Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Australia, Scandinavia, Spain and the Netherlands. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company's World Wide Web site, which is located at www.activision.com.

The statements made in this press release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements." These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. The Company cautions readers of this press release that a number of important factors could cause Activision's actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, without limitation, product delays, retail acceptance of our products, industry competition, rapid changes in technology and industry standards, protection of proprietary rights, maintenance of relationships with key personnel, vendors and third-party developers, international economic and political conditions, integration of recently acquired subsidiaries and identification of suitable future acquisition opportunities. These important factors and other factors that potentially could affect the Company's financial results are described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's most recent Annual report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Readers of this press release are referred to such filings. The Company may change its intention, belief or expectation, at any time and without notice, based upon any changes in such factors, in the Company's assumptions or otherwise. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.