Futuremark® Provides Enhanced Features for Microsoft’s Windows XP Game Advisor

Saratoga, California USA – January 3, 2005 – Futuremark® Corporation announced today that it has delivered enhanced performance analysis services to Microsoft for the Windows XP Game Advisor. The additional features launched today include the ability to quickly compare and evaluate game performance on systems offered by various leading PC Manufacturers. Since its launch on Microsoft’s Windows XP website in December last year, the service has been used by over 1 million gamers.
The tool helps Windows users determine which games will run on their PC and select the perfect games for themselves, family or friends. In addition to allowing consumers to filter games by genre and age group, the Windows XP Game Advisor provides unbiased performance comparisons that aid consumers in determining which games will perform best on their computers before they go to the store -- and even print or e-mail a shopping list of just the right games. The site also filters games according to Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) age categories so that only appropriate games are recommended for users within specific age groups.
Alienware, Dell and HP are the first PC manufacturers to have their current systems incorporated into the enhanced Windows XP Game Advisor. The service compares users’ PC performances with featured PC systems and shows gamers how 200 of the hottest PC game titles will perform on their own PC versus those of the manufacturer’s offerings.
“Consumers are looking for an easy way to find the right computer game, and to make sure it will work on their computer. The Windows XP Game Advisor has filled this need” said Lisa Sikora, Microsoft group product manager, Windows Gaming. “And now the Game Advisor delivers information on how to improve the game playing experience with a new computer from one of several major manufacturers”.
“Futuremark takes great pride in being the supplier of the Windows XP Game Advisor service to Microsoft and we are thrilled to see how well it is being received by consumers” said Tero Sarkkinen, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Futuremark. “Numbers speak for themselves; 1 million customers so far proves that there is great demand for tools like this that help both gamers and gamers-to-be in their purchasing decisions. Microsoft is doing a great service for all gamers by providing this tool.” Sarkkinen continued.
In order to use this unique service, please visit: www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/games/gameadvisor/default.asp

Note to Editors
To download high-resolution screenshots of the Windows XP Game Advisor, go to www.futuremark.com/pressroom/pictures/?gameadvisor or contact us via email marketing@futuremark.com

About Futuremark® Corporation
Futuremark® Corporation is the leading provider of computer performance analysis software and services. Futuremark® is known around the world for its benchmark products, including the 3DMark®, PCMark® and SPMark™ and value-added services powered by a database of over 10 million real life benchmarking results. Futuremark® has offices in Saratoga, California and Helsinki, Finland. For more information, please visit http://www.futuremark.com.

Futuremark Contact: Futuremark Corporation Phone: +1-408-517-0131 Mr. Tero Sarkkinen Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing Email: tero@futuremark.com

Agency Contact: TechWire International Phone: +1-831-429-6288 Leo Pot Email: information@ezwire.com