Jaleco Entertainment� and developer Blade Interactive are pleased to announce that they have teamed up with Matchroom Sport and the IPA (International Professional Pool Players Association) to bring the world's biggest players and competitions to World Championship Pool 2004, the highly anticipated pool simulation video game for PC CD-ROM, NINTENDO GAMECUBE�, PlayStation�2 computer entertainment system, and Xbox� video game system from Microsoft.

World Championship Pool 2004 will feature 11 of the world's highest-ranked 9-Ball competitors including the current 2003 World and German Champion, Thorsten Hohmann, Earl "The Pearl" Strickland and Steve Davis and Tony Drago, two of the world's biggest names from Snooker and now leading 9-ball players. The agreement with the IPA and its affiliate, the World 8-Ball pool Federation, is linked to 8-ball Pool and gives the rights to 13 of the world's leading players as well as the world's biggest competition, the World Championship for 8-Ball. Included in the list of high profile players is Chris Melling - World 8-Ball Champion (WEPF) 2003.

World Championship Pool 2004 will be the most authentic pool simulation on the market. Boasting 6 modes of play - 9-Ball, 8-Ball, Career Mode, a Snooker game, Trick Shots and Fun Games - as well as a Unique Aiming Aid that allows gamers to play like a pro, World Championship Pool 2004 promises to appeal to both die-hard pool fans and casual pool-hall players.

Gamers can assume the role of the sport's best players, adopting their unique style and specific shooting preferences, or competing against these true-to-life legends. Tools such as the precise aiming aid, shot strength meter can improve players skills. In venues, both real and fictitious, winning a match can unlock unique ball sets and world-class pool cues. 100% real physics and a dynamic camera system give World Championship Pool 2004 TV-style coverage complete with famous commentators.

The game includes both single and multi-player modes and will be the first online pool game for the PlayStation 2 and the first pool game for Xbox� Live.

"The Xbox team is excited that World Championship Pool 2004 is coming to Xbox with Xbox Live support. This will offer our gamers a new sports franchise to engage in, competing against thousands of pool enthusiasts around the world, and playing the part of the world's foremost pool competitors," said J Allard, Vice President for the Xbox Platform division of Microsoft.

Matchroom Sport is one of the leading world sports events organisations, creating, promoting, organising and televising major events worldwide under the charismatic leadership of Executive Chairman Barry Hearn. The deal with Matchroom Sport focuses on the 9-ball game and gives the rights to the world's leading players and the sport's biggest competitions - the Mosconi Cup, a hugely popular and widely televised competition between Europe and the USA, and the World Championship. Also included is the use of the image of Michaela Tabb, the referee whose dealings with players have earned her a popular following in the sport.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP POOL 2004 is planned for a simultaneous February 2004 release. The next generation console versions will carry a recommended retail price of �49.99 and the PC-CD Rom will carry a recommended retail price of �39.99.