NEW YORK, November 12, 2002 - Simon & Schuster Interactive announced today "Darkened Skye" an action game for the Nintendo GameCube has arrived at retail (Rated: "T" by the ESRB; $49.95 estimated street). Set in a timeless fantasy world, this third-person action game combines laugh-out-loud irreverence with combat, magic and melee giving gamers a fast-paced experience in an epic story that isn't afraid to poke fun at itself.

ABOUT "DARKENED SKYE"

Skye of Lynlora is a shepherd with a restless spirit, a taste for adventure, and a smart mouth. Her humdrum existence is forever changed one day when she discovers magic and is chosen to battle the darkness.

Armed with her wits, spells and weapons, Skye finds herself on a quest for five ancient prisms that can save the world from evil. But at least she's not alone. There's her snide side-kick, the obligatory wise-old-knows-everything character and the mysterious love interest who has a bad habit of disappearing just when he's needed.

Skye's mission: Cast spells. Unravel the secrets of her past. Trade wisecracks. Kick monster butt. Save the world.

FEATURE LIST

* Rich, whimsical writing with an irreverent punch.
* Superb voice acting from Linda Larkin of Disney's Aladdin.
* Combat system uses magic, melee and exploding devices.
* Over 50 speaking NPCs.
* Complex, dramatic plot that does not get in the way of fragging bad guys.
* Five brilliant worlds to visit, each one more fantastic than the last.
* Exciting original music that changes dynamically with gameplay.

WEB SITE

Gamers can check out the DARKENED SKYE web site at www.darkenedskye.com. The site contains the latest information on the game, videos, and screenshots.

ESRB RATING

DARKENED SKYE for Nintendo GameCube is rated "T" or "Teen" by the Entertainment Software Rating Board. More information on the ESRB and its rating system can be found at www.esrb.org.