NECA Signs With Epic Games To Develop and Market 3-D Consumer Products Based on Record Selling Video Game Gears of War

Hillside, New Jersey., July 24, 2007 – NECA has announced that it has entered into a licensing agreement with North Carolina based Epic Games, Inc whereby NECA will be producing a full line of collectible action figures, busts, statues, dioramas and prop replicas from the Gears of War video game and any potential sequels. NECA plans to have a full line of products available in 2008, which will include many of the most popular characters from the game.

Since its debut this past fall, Gears of War has broken sales records on the Microsoft Xbox 360™, selling more than 3 million copies worldwide, and has received numerous awards including Gamespot’s “Game of the Year” and the Interactive Achievement Awards’
“Overall Game of the Year.” The game thrusts players into humankind’s epic battle for survival against the Locust Horde, a nightmarish race of creatures that surface from the bowels of the planet. The story unfolds as a ragtag group of soldiers use every last ounce of strength to survive the onslaught from the forces of evil, which begins on the historic Emergence Day.

“Only once in a while does a property come along that is so rich in content, with amazing character designs and groundbreaking achievements in art, music, and story. While having to turn down most properties made available to us, this was an offer we could not refuse. We are thankful that we are able to work with the folks at Epic to bring these characters out of the box and into fans hands,” said Joel Weinshanker, President and COO of NECA. “It is indeed a privilege to have our talented artists work with a group of visionaries who get ‘it.'”

“NECA has some of the most impressive collectible action figures we’ve ever seen. We’re thrilled that they’ve chosen to work with us and have great confidence in their ability to satisfy the millions of Gears fans out there by delivering great products.” says Mark Rein, VP, Epic Games, Inc.

About Epic Games

Epic Games, Inc., based in Cary, NC and established in 1991, develops cutting-edge games and game engine technology for PC and console. The company has created multiple million-selling, award-winning titles in their Unreal series and their latest game, Gears of War®, broke sales records on Xbox 360 selling more than 3 million copies worldwide in the first ten weeks and awarded overall Game of the Year for 2006 by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, Game Developers Choice Awards, GameSpot, GamePro and many others. Epic is also responsible for the Unreal Engine, which is the underlying technology for a wide range of games including, Console Game of the Year winner, “Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell TM” by Ubi Soft; PC Gamer’s Game of the Year, “Deus Ex” from Ion Storm/Eidos; “America’s Army: Special Forces,” by the United States Army, and “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” (PC) by Electronic Arts. Epic’s Unreal Engine 3 is the current holder, and three-time consecutive winner, of Game Developer magazine’s Front Line award for Best Game Engine. Epic Games was also awarded Studio of the Year at the 2006 Spike TV Video Game Awards and Developer of the Year by Official Xbox Magazine. Additional information about Epic can be obtained through Epic’s Web site at www.epicgames.com.

ABOUT NECA, Inc

NECA is a worldwide leader in the design, development and marketing of Collectors toys and consumer products. Its Products are sold in more than 50 countries on 6 continents.