Dolby Brings Surround Sound Voice Chat to Online Console Games

At this year’s Game Developers Conference^® (Booth BS506, Moscone South), Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: DLB) announced new tools that will soon make it possible for gamers to enjoy Dolby^® Axon surround voice chat on more of their favorite gaming platforms.

Dolby unveiled new software developer kit (SDK) ports that enable game developers to integrate the Dolby Axon surround voice technology to PlayStation^® 3, Xbox^® 360 and Mac^® OS X versions of multiplayer online game titles. General availability of these ports is planned for April 2010.

“The game development community responded very enthusiastically to Dolby Axon because it helps them to reimagine the voice chat feature into an engaging and dynamic element of game play,” said Matt Tullis, Marketing Director, Games, Dolby Laboratories. “In addition to this, the ability to use surround sound voice and communication provides gamers with a competitive edge.”

Already adopted by several online games, including the most recently announced Dragon Nest^® by Nexon Corp., as well as ZT Online (Giant Interactive), Mission Against Terror (Kingsoft) and Jumpgate Evolution^® (NetDevil), the Dolby Axon SDK enables game developers to raise the online gaming experience to a new level through a number of innovative features:

• Realistic voice communication complete with surround panning and distance attenuation.
• Advanced occlusion engine that maps voices to the game environment.
• Voice fonts for added fun and improved role-playing.
• Proprietary audio technologies to deliver a clear voice experience.
• Flexible API for creative integration and game-play options.

By integrating Dolby Axon into online game titles, game developers can provide gamers a new level of online gaming:

• Improved audio chain processing (noise suppression, echo suppression) for clear voice communication.
• Surround sound voice chat over stereo headsets, stereo speakers, and 5.1 playback systems to deliver realistic and exciting game-communication with teammates.
• Compatibility with any stereo headset, enabling gamers to experience clear, crisp voice quality without specialized equipment.

For Game Publishers

Dolby Axon’s advanced server mixing and networking technology—in combination with a proprietary Dolby codec—make it possible for game publishers to support thousands of users per server and scale seamlessly across servers to support extremely large virtual worlds. Moreover, Dolby Axon achieves these results at very low bandwidths—as low as 16 kbps per player for complex surround scenes.

Dolby Axon also offers game operators server and abuse monitoring tools to make operating voice servers easy, and its flexible hosting options mean that operators are free to select the setup that works best for their needs. Inquiries related to the Dolby Axon SDK should be forwarded to games@dolby.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release, including statements regarding the benefits, performance, features, and capabilities of Dolby Axon and the Dolby Axon SDK; the anticipated or potential benefits that game publishers, developers, and gamers may derive from Dolby Axon and the Dolby Axon SDK; the timing and availability of the Dolby Axon SDK and game titles incorporating Dolby Axon; and the anticipated market acceptance and demand for Dolby Axon by game publishers, developers, and gamers, are "forward-looking statements" that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations. The following important factors, without limitation, could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements: risks that Dolby Axon and the Dolby Axon SDK may not perform as anticipated; risks associated with building market acceptance for game audio technologies in general and Dolby Axon in particular; competition in the market for game audio technologies; rapid changes in technical requirements for game audio technologies; and other risks detailed in Dolby's Securities and Exchange Commission filings and reports, including the risks identified under the section captioned "Risk Factors" in its most recent Periodic Report on Form 10-Q or 10-K. Dolby disclaims any obligation to update information contained in these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

About Dolby Laboratories

Dolby Laboratories (NYSE: DLB) is the global leader in technologies that are essential elements in the best entertainment experiences. Founded in 1965 and best known for high-quality audio and surround sound, Dolby creates innovations that enrich entertainment at the movies, at home, or on the go. Visit www.dolby.com for more information.

Dolby and the double-D symbol are registered trademarks of Dolby Laboratories. All other trademarks remain the property of their respective owners. S10/22586 DLB-G