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Mindscape Signs Deal for Computer Game Version of Best-Selling "Blackstone Chronicles"

Popular John Saul Book Series Has Sold 6.5 Million Copies Worldwide

Novato, CA, September 2, 1997 -- Mindscape, Inc., a leading software developer and publisher, today announced a strategic agreement with best-selling author John Saul to publish a computer game based on Saul's world-famous book series, "The Blackstone Chronicles."

The acclaimed serial terror books, released in six separate installments, have sold more than 6.5 million copies worldwide since their introduction in January 1996. Legend Entertainment Company will develop "John Saul's Blackstone Chronicles: An Adventure in Terror," which will ship in the summer of 1998 in English, French and German. ABC-TV is scheduled to produce a three-night "Blackstone Chronicles" miniseries early next year.

"Partnering with an author of John Saul's stature is a fantastic opportunity for Mindscape to make a strong entrance into the booming adventure entertainment market," said Mindscape CEO John Moore. "Extending 'The Blackstone Chronicles' series into a computer title will capitalize on its enormous popularity and built-in customer base of loyal readers around the world."

Like the books, the setting for "John Saul's Blackstone Chronicles: An Adventure in Terror" will be a small New England town that has been haunted for generations by a mysterious evil spirit. The bulk of the action will take place inside a 25-room asylum at the center of the town that has been abandoned for over 40 years. Gameplay involves exploration and puzzle-solving to reach the inner core of the asylum and uncover its evil secrets.

John Saul expressed his excitement for an idea born two years ago when he first began organizing the material that became "The Blackstone Chronicles:" "I had always wanted to develop a computer game from a book, and 'The Chronicles' seemed a natural, given the six separate but interrelated tales. As the serial novel developed, it became clear that the secrets that were only hinted at in the prologues to the six books could be far more interestingly developed in the computer game format than on paper. While I greatly enjoyed writing each of the books along the way, I'm thrilled that the entire 'Blackstone' experience is about to be given the added dimensions that only computer gaming offers, and I think the combination of the two media forms will bring a new level of involvement to both the computer gamer and the reader."

John Saul has published 18 New York Times paperback best-sellers and has more than 60 million books in print worldwide in 37 languages. Several of his books, including "Creature," "Second Child" and "The Homing," have been hardcover bestsellers as well. Saul's most recent novel, "Black Lightning," was a New York Times bestseller in 1996.

Mindscape on the Move

Mindscape's partnership with John Saul is one of a growing number of acquisition and distribution agreements that continue to strengthen the company's position as a leading CD-ROM publisher and distributor. Mindscape now handles marketing and distribution for all of The Princeton Review titles, including "Inside the SAT & ACT," and recently signed distribution deals with PF.Magic ("Dogz," "Catz" and "Oddballz"), Palladium Interactive for its line of CD-ROM/Internet software, A.D.A.M. Software's award- winning line of health programs, the "Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia Online," and TAKE 2 Interactive products, including "Jet Fighter Full Burn." Mindscape is also publishing products for major brands, including LEGO and National Geographic.

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Mindscape, Inc. is a leading developer and publisher of consumer software for the home, entertainment, education and reference markets. Mindscape is headquartered in Novato, Calif., with offices in Canada, England, France, Germany, Japan and Australia. The company's brand affiliates include Strategic Simulations Inc. (SSI) of Sunnyvale. Founded in 1980, Mindscape is part of Pearson, plc, the London-based international media group that focuses on the information, education and entertainment markets.

Legend Entertainment Company is a leading developer of high-quality entertainment software. The company is best known for its mastery of interactive storytelling, creating rich adventure games that feature memorable plots, themes, characters and environments. Founded in 1989, Legend has developed 16 titles, including the award-winning games Star Control 3, Mission Critical, Death Gate and Eric the Unready.

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