Rolling_stone_press

MARCH 15, 1996

ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE
&
VIRTUAL MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT INC.
TO
PRODUCE
ROLLING STONE AIR GUITAR SERIES

First of five interactive music CD titles to be introduced in time for the holiday sales season.

ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS, March 15, 1996. - Rolling Stone magazine, one of the world's premier authorities on rock and roll, has entered into a five title interactive music CD development program with Virtual Music Entertainment Inc., based in Andover, Massachusetts. Titled the Rolling Stone Air Guitar Series, the collection will incorporate Virtual Music Entertainment's revolutionary interactive technology and some of the most thrilling musical moments in rock history. The titles will be launched across three platforms (PC, Macintosh, and Sony PlayStation) with the first title to be released in the Fourth Quarter of 1996. The announcement was made jointly today by Bradley J. Naples, President, Virtual Music Entertainment Inc. and Jann S. Wenner, Chairman of Wenner Media Incorporated and Editor in chief and Publisher of Rolling Stone.

Virtual Music technology goes beyond enhanced CD or CD Plus: Virtual Music is unlike any other form of interactive entertainment available anywhere. Moving far beyond the conventional "point and click" interactive standard offered by current generation CD Plus and enhanced CD titles, Virtual Music actually allows consumers to jam with their favorite artists' music in a live sequence of scenes and events on any multimedia PC, Macintosh computer, or video game platform. The company's patented virtual music technology brings players into a virtual reality where they can, using the company's Virtual Pick interface, experience the thrill of participating in a live performance - without having to play a real instrument.

According to Jann Wenner, Chairman of Wenner Media Incorporated and Editor In Chief and Publisher of Rolling Stone magazine, "Rolling Stone has always been on the cutting edge of music and communication and this CD-ROM series is an exciting expansion of the magazine's efforts in new media.

"We are very excited to be working with Rolling Stone magazine," Virtual Music Entertainment Inc. President Bradley J. Naples said today. "The power of the Rolling Stone brand name, coupled with the strength of our multimedia technology, promises to produce a terrific series of truly interactive music titles that will break new ground in consumer entertainment."

Players board Rolling Stone interactive tour bus: The first game of the series promises a wild ride into the world of rock 'n' roll, aboard Rolling Stone magazine's exclusive tour bus. Joining players are a cast of characters that only rock 'n roll can produce. Big stars, roadies and rock critics take players on an amazing journey to some of the biggest moments in rock history.

The non-linear game contains a challenging series of mini adventures, which can lead to a center stage pass to play rock's greatest concerts or humiliation at the hands of fellow passengers. The tour bus is powered by your ability to learn tunes, pick up clues and earn the respect of other characters. If the challenges are met, the bus will automatically transport players to historic concerts where Virtual Music technology combined with full motion video brings some of rock's greatest performances to life.

Virtual Music Entertainment and Rolling Stone plan to preview the first title of the series at the 1996 E3 trade show in Los Angeles, California. Virtual Music technology is currently featured in the popular CD-ROM rock and roll adventure, Quest For Fame, starring Aerosmith. Since its debut in November 1995, Quest For Fame has shipped over 100,000 copies worldwide on a single platform, the IBM multimedia PC. In April 1996, Quest For Fame will be introduced for the Macintosh computer and for the Sony PlayStation game system.

Headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts, Virtual Music Entertainment Inc. is a leading developer and marketer of interactive music entertainment software for all major entertainment platforms including the multimedia PC, Macintosh and video game systems. The company's entire virtual music product line is designed to provide non-musicians with the experience of playing along with their favorite artists' music in a live sequence of scenes and events. The company's patented technology uses sophisticated real-time signal processing, high quality video, animation, and studio sounds. The privately held company was formed in 1993.

Note: Rolling Stone is the definitive source of music information and popular culture trends. It is published biweekly by Wenner Media Incorporated and is circulated throughout the United States and Canada, as well as most English speaking countries. Rolling Stone also produces under license a German edition which is distributed throughout Germany, Austria and Switzerland and an Australian edition. Wenner Media is a privately held company headquartered in New York City. In addition to Rolling Stone, Wenner Media publishes US Magazine and Men's Journal.