Universal Television's Hit `Xena: Warrior Princess' Series Will be the First Television Show Adapted for Multipath Movie Viewing LOS ANGELES, Oct. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Brilliant Digital Entertainment, Inc. (Amex: BDE), the advanced technology content developer and production studio, has signed an agreement with Universal Studios Consumer Products Group to produce Multipath Movie(TM) episodes using story scripts from the highly rated, live action television series "Xena: Warrior Princess" and animated character designs from the direct-to-video motion picture, "Hercules & Xena The Animated Movie: `The Battle For Mount Olympus.'" Under the agreement, Brilliant will develop, produce, and distribute Multipath Movie products on CD-ROM and will make additional episodes available for real time streaming over the Internet. "This agreement with Universal gives us the opportunity to reach the targeted audience of devoted `Hercules' and `Xena' viewers with Multipath Movie adventures," states Mark Dyne, chairman and chief executive officer of Brilliant Digital Entertainment. "Because Multipath Movies are different each time they are viewed, show fans will not only be able to watch their favorite action heroes on television, but they will be able to experience them in exciting new Multipath situations over and over again." "We believe that once this audience experiences the `Hercules' and `Xena' Multipath Movies, they will be drawn to Brilliant's other Multipath Movie adventures, like `Cyberswine,' `Choose Your Own Nightmare,' and `Popeye,' all due for release during the fourth quarter '97," continues Dyne. "`Hercules' and `Xena' are a progressive next step in developing the Multipath Movie category for a broadening demographic group." Under the agreement, Brilliant will write original scripts, as well as draw from the more than 50 previously produced "Xena: Warrior Princess" live action episode scripts, which will place the animated characters into favorite serial live action plots. Development of "Hercules" and "Xena" Multipath Movies is anticipated to commence this year, with distribution projected for fourth quarter '98. "This agreement with Brilliant is a brand builder for the `Hercules' and `Xena' properties," states Tim Rothwell, senior vice president of sales for Universal Studios Consumer Products Group. "Brilliant's exciting new genre of Multipath Movie entertainment should appeal to the `Hercules' and `Xena' viewer who enjoys adventure and wants to participate as the story develops. Therefore, we have an excellent opportunity to further build out the `Hercules' and `Xena' product lines and strengthen their brand appeal." Multipath Movies are three-dimensional, digitally animated stories, each with hundreds of plot alternatives, or paths, leading to multiple distinct conclusions that are influenced by the user. Each Multipath Movie runs approximately the same length as a film or video, with changes in plot being made based upon desired moods and profiles chosen for each character by the viewer. Brilliant's proprietary software allows for seamless interactivity, whereby the story and graphics are uninterrupted by the user's decisions. Interactive decisions are requested on average every 30 to 45 seconds, though because the viewer chooses a character's "mood" instead of action in the plot, the Multipath Movie experience is more like watching a film than playing a video game. Universal Studios Consumer Products Group is a division of Universal Studios, a diversified entertainment company and a worldwide leader in motion pictures, television, music, home and location based entertainment. Universal Studios is a unit of The Seagram Company Ltd., a global beverage and entertainment company. Brilliant Digital Entertainment is the production studio responsible for the creation of Multipath Movies, a new generation of digital entertainment to be distributed over the Internet, on CD-ROM, as television programming, and for home video. Multipath Movies utilize proprietary, technologically advanced software tools to produce three-dimensional, digitally animated stories, each with hundreds of plot alternative, or paths, that lead to multiple distinct conclusions that are influenced by the user. Brilliant has already formed a strategic alliance with Packard Bell NEC to distribute its Multipath Movies over the Internet's World Wide Web and has acquired the exclusive worldwide rights to Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers for the successful Choose Your Own Nightmare and Choose Your Own Adventure series of interactive book. The company has also signed content deals with Morgan Creek Productions, Crawfords Productions and King Features Syndicate. Statements in this news release that relate to future plans, financial results or projections, events or performance are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended. Actual results may differ materially due to a variety of factors. Information about certain of these factors is contained in the company's most recently filed Form 10-KSB report and are available from Brilliant Digital Entertainment's Investor Relations department and may be obtained by calling or writing. SOURCE Brilliant Digital Entertainment, Inc. CO: Brilliant Digital Entertainment, Inc.; Universal Studios Consumer Products Group ST: California IN: ENT MLM SU: PDT