Chicago, IL – July 24, 2006 – NAVTEQ (NYSE: NVT), a leading global provider of digital maps for vehicle navigation and location-based solutions, has been selected by Microsoft to enhance Microsoft’s “Flight Simulator X”, a Windows PC-based simulator used by gaming and aviation enthusiasts, with NAVTEQ® map data. Microsoft “Flight Simulator X” is the 10th edition of the highly successful “Flight Simulator” franchise, and offers players an innovative aviation gaming experience immersed in a beautifully rich and realistic simulated world. NAVTEQ will enhance the visual realism of the game by providing its highly accurate map data as a real-world foundation of street level detail.
Expected to be available this holiday season, “Flight Simulator X” is the culmination of nearly 25 years of the landmark “Flight Simulator” franchise and the most significant addition to date. The 10th edition will immerse players in an amazingly detailed, realistic world and offer a host of new gaming experiences including the addition of dozens of new aircraft and new mission-based gameplay. Additionally, “Flight Simulator X” provides a rich, connected world of online interaction where users can choose who they want to be, from air-traffic controller to pilot or co-pilot, and interact with other aviators from around the globe by chatting in real-time using a headset.
NAVTEQ data such as road network information, ferry landings, railroads, detailed water information (e.g. oceans, rivers, lakes, harbors, etc.), parks, golf courses, and recreational areas, enhances the “Flight Simulator X” user experience. A visual representation of these types of data extends the realism of the simulation by:
• Optimizing the modeling of the real world with nearly 200 land and water classifications, over 20 environmental and cultural regions, 12 monthly seasons and 7500 texture tiles (e.g. farm, city, forest, lava);
• Bringing the world to life, as the data integrates and automatically generates ground vehicle traffic, railway simulation and water-based cargo and leisure ships (including types of vehicles, traffic congestion, accidents, direction of travel);
• Displaying the size of streets (including approximate number of lanes), street names, bridges, and tunnels.
“Microsoft and NAVTEQ have a long collaborative history, and we are excited to extend our relationship into Microsoft’s gaming realm,” stated Winston Guillory, Senior Vice President – Consumer & Business Sales, NAVTEQ. “Location awareness is becoming increasingly evident in the gaming industry and to gaming application developers, exemplified by Microsoft in ’Flight Simulator X.’ NAVTEQ is dedicated to the broad promotion of location content, and look forward to the future growth of unique location-enhanced applications.”
“We’re committed to continually improving the ‘Flight Simulator’ franchise and providing people with the most realistic experience possible,” said Shawn Firminger, ACES Studio Manager. “The integration of NAVTEQ’s quality map of NAVTEQ data into ‘Flight Simulator X’ allows us to accurately show you where you are in the world, depict what that area of the world should look like, and generate the types of experiences you’d expected in that geographic region. Incorporating NAVTEQ data helps us to cement the detail needed to provide people with an unparalleled visual experience.”
About Microsoft Game Studios
Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of games for the Xbox® video game system and Windows® and online platforms. Comprising a network of top developers, Microsoft Game Studios is committed to creating innovative and diverse games for Windows (http://www.microsoft.com/games/), including such franchises as Age of Empires®, Flight Simulator and Zoo Tycoon™; Xbox (http://www.xbox.com/), including such franchises as Halo®, Project Gotham Racing and MechAssault; and Zone.com (http://www.zone.com/), the official games channel for the MSN® network and home to such hits as Bejeweled and OutSmart™.
About NAVTEQ
NAVTEQ is a leading provider of comprehensive digital map information for automotive navigation systems, mobile navigation devices, Internet-based mapping applications, and government and business solutions. NAVTEQ creates the digital maps and map content that power navigation and location-based services solutions around the world. The Chicago-based company was founded in 1985 and has approximately 1,900 employees located in 133 offices in 24 countries.
NAVTEQ is a trademark in the U.S. and other countries. © 2006 NAVTEQ. All rights reserved.
This document may include certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts and statements identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "believes", "seeks", "estimates" or words of similar meaning. These statements are based on our current beliefs or expectations and are inherently subject to various risks and uncertainties, including those set forth under "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Actual results may differ materially from these expectations due to changes in global political, economic, business, competitive, market and regulatory factors. NAVTEQ does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this document.
