LOS ANGELES, MAY 9, 2005 -- Vivendi Universal Games (VU Games) today announced that it is partnering with McDonald's(R) to offer electronic handheld video games based on the popular Crash(TM) and Spyro(TM) video games franchises' in Happy Meals and Mighty Kids Meals worldwide.

Beginning May 13 and running through June 9, 2005, in North America, McDonald's Happy Meals and Mighty Kids Meals will include one of eight different handheld video games featuring Crash Bandicoot(R) and Spyro the Dragon(TM).

"Crash and Spyro are among VU Games' most popular video game franchises' and the video games are very popular among kids," said Ed Zobrist, Senior Vice President, Global Marketing for VU Games. "Kids will be very exited about the handheld video games featuring Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon, based on the popular video games."

For the first time ever in McDonald's Happy Meals and Mighty Kids Meals, kids will experience the adventures with their favorite video game characters, Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon, with these high-action interactive handheld games. The McDonald's handheld games are based on VU Games' popular Crash and Spyro video game franchises including Crash Twinsanity(TM) and Spyro A Hero's Tail both available in stores now for PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and Xbox video game system from Microsoft. Spyro A Hero's Tail is also available for Nintendo GameCube.

In the fall, VU Games will release Crash Tag Team Racing(TM) a unique new addition to the Crash franchise that will allow players to combine cars and combat each other on the racetrack. Crash Tag Team Racing will be available for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox(R) video game system from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCube(TM) and Nintendo DS(TM). Also, this fall the popular Spyro video game franchise will expand to include Spyro Shadow Legacy on Nintendo DS(TM) where for the first time ever the franchise will incorporate popular role playing game elements and introduce magic into the adventure.

The promotion is being offered for four weeks in each region including territories throughout Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Korea and Taiwan. McDonald's will support the promotion in each region with multi-million dollar television campaigns, point-of-sale materials for in-store use and online campaigns.

For more information about the promotion, or more information about the Crash and Spyro franchises, please visit www.vugames.com/mcdonalds.

About Vivendi Universal Games (VU Games)

Vivendi Universal Games (www.vugames.com) is a global developer, publisher and distributor of multi-platform interactive entertainment. The company is a leader in the subscription-based massively multi-player online (MMO) games category, and also holds leading positions in the PC, console and handheld games markets. Its development studios and publishing labels include Blizzard Entertainment(R), Radical Entertainment, Sierra(R) Entertainment and Massive Entertainment(TM). VU Games' library of over 700 titles features owned intellectual properties including Warcraft(R), StarCraft(R), Diablo(R) and World of Warcraft(R) from Blizzard Entertainment; Crash Bandicoot(R), Spyro The Dragon(R), Empire Earth(R), Leisure Suit Larry(TM), Ground Control(R) and Tribes(R). VU Games also maintains strategic relationships with industry leading content partners, including NBC Universal and Twentieth Century Fox.

About McDonald's

McDonald's is the leading global foodservice retailer with more than 30,000 local restaurants serving nearly 50 million people in more than 119 countries each day. Approximately 70 percent of McDonald's restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent, local businessmen and women.

For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com.