SURREY - 8th February, 2002 – Thrustmaster is pleased to introduce its first cordless controller for PlayStation 2: Firestorm™ Wireless. With a design based on the Firestorm RF for PC, Thrustmaster’s new radio frequency gamepad will be available from February 2003, providing gamers with a new level of enjoyment and unprecedented freedom of movement in games.

Firestorm Wireless for PlayStation 2 responds to the marked increase in demand for cordless devices within the gaming world. After the great reception enjoyed by the PC version of the Firestorm, Thrustmaster is now proud to offer PS2 gamers a cable-free solution supporting real-time, lifelike effects on their console.

Powered by only two AAA batteries, Firestorm Wireless provides 50 hours of gameplay in vibration mode, and 70 hours without vibration – making it the lightest, most battery-efficient gaming device on the market.

Built on 868Mhz radio frequency technology, Firestorm Wireless has a range of 10 meters (34 feet), eliminating the frustration of cords too short to make it to the sofa. Gone are the days of tripping over tangled coils of cables from a variety of controllers: Firestorm Wireless also supports multiplayer gaming with lightning-fast response time.

“A great deal of R&D effort was invested to make Firestorm Wireless the ultimate gamepad in terms of quality, and to ensure its compliance with all European radio frequency standards,” explains Arnaud Sochas, International Product Manager at Thrustmaster. “We have succeeded in our goal to create the most reliable, high-performance wireless accessory for PS2, eliminating the risk of interference with any other RF devices.”

Having earned support from the industry press worldwide, the ergonomic design of the existing Firestorm PC range has been retained, featuring finger and button placement identical to standard PS2 controllers. Firestorm Wireless will be released in an attractive translucent blue plastic which perfectly complements the PlayStation 2’s colour scheme.

Availability
Firestorm Wireless will be available from the end of February 2003, at a recommended retail price of €59.99 in the following countries: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.


About Thrustmaster
Founded in 1992, Thrustmaster has earned a strong reputation for designing and developing the ultimate in flight and motor-sports simulation accessories. Thrustmaster’s technological and marketing expertise provides PC and console gamers with a complete range of perfectly-adapted, innovative accessories, including peripheral devices developed under official Xbox™ license.

Licensing agreements with prestigious brands such as Ferrari®, NASCAR®, Top Gun™, 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan™, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets™ and a close collaboration with the US Air Force fortify Thrustmaster’s commitment to quality, excellence and industry-leading innovation; these qualities act as Thrustmaster’s guiding force in its quest to provide the very best to the international gaming community. Thrustmaster has been a division of Guillemot Corporation since 1999.

About Guillemot Corporation
Guillemot Corporation designs and manufactures a complete range of PC hardware products and PC and gaming console accessories under the Hercules and Thrustmaster brand names. With an active presence in 17 countries, the Group currently distributes its products throughout 45 countries in total. The Group’s mission is to provide innovative, high-quality products which increase the sensations and pleasure that gamers derive from their games. Guillemot Corporation is listed on the Paris Stock Exchange, Sicovam code 6672.

For more information, please visit our website at http://www.thrustmaster.com.