DVD Express And Maximum Holdings Inc. Complete Merger

DVD Express Inc. and Maximum Holdings Inc. have announced the merger of both companies, which will initially retain the DVD Express (www.dvdexpress.com) name.The new company has acquired the URL www.express.com and plans to launch the new brand in first quarter 2000. Based on the most recent rounds of equity financing, the value of the merger is in excess of $500 million.The newly combined entity brings together movies, video games and music to Web surfers looking to satisfy all of their entertainment needs in one place. A full-service music section will be added to the destination to include commerce, content and community, and will launch at the end of the first quarter.The company will also offer unique and appealing features and content including interactive chat, up-to-the-minute news, reviews, technical support and a variety of other engaging entertainment content.""We believe the marriage of DVD Express and Maximum will enable the company to become the No. 1 online entertainment community and retail site on the Web,"" said Michael Dubelko, founder and continuing CEO of DVD Express.""This is truly a match made in Internet heaven. While we've focused on building one of the top retail brands on the Internet, Maximum has been building a network of communities for gaming enthusiasts - and together we bring to the table approximately 4.5 million unique users each month.""""The merger with DVD Express is a natural fit and progression for us,"" said David Bergstein, Founder and CEO of Maximum. ""The unity gives us an incredible opportunity and advantage to leverage respective expertise and outdistance ourselves from other entertainment sites in the community and commerce space.""We'll immediately become the leader in both the video game and DVD/movie space, with the potential to command other entertainment categories in the future.""Immediately before the merger, Eidos PLC (NASDAQ: EIDSY), one of the world's leading developers and publishers of entertainment software, announced an investment of $55 million in Maximum. Eidos also entered into a strategic marketing relationship with Maximum to promote its popular Internet properties, including ""Tomb Raider,"" ""Urban Chaos"" and ""Omikron.""The new combined entity will also receive marketing support from Eidos through its various distribution channels, including product sales and Internet Web sites.About MaximumMaximum's Internet properties include the GameFan Network, consisting of more than 40 Web sites dedicated to the video game industry, and GameCave, its commerce entity. The GameFan Network attracts more than 3.5 million unique visitors each month, making it one of the top gaming communities online. GameCave is one of the largest e-commerce sites dedicated to video games and related products, including popular games and hard-to-find specialty and import items.About DVD ExpressDVD Express, based in Los Angeles and located on the world-famous ""Hollywood Walk of Fame,"" is the leading online entertainment destination bringing together DVD, gaming, music and more to one location (www.dvdexpress.com). DVD Express incorporates full community, e-commerce and diversified unique content and capabilities to its Web site and immediately provides customers with quality selection, service and value.Named ""1999 Online Retailer of the Year"" by Video Business magazine, DVD Express has been the top-rated site for customer satisfaction by Forrester Research, Time Digital, Harris Interactive and BizRate.com. DVD Express offers consumers more than 4,500 DVD-movie and DVD-ROM software titles at discount pricing as well as music soundtracks and video games.DVD Express also operates DVD.com, a premier Web destination, offering a robust online community with entertaining DVD-related editorial content, contests, promotions and auctions.