Activeworlds.com, Inc. Initiates E-Commerce 3D Virtual Malls on the Internet @ [1/26/1999 2:45:21 PM] by: Activeworlds Press

Activeworlds.com, Inc., a leader in Internet three-dimensional technology, today announced the initiation of the first e-commerce Virtual Mall on the Internet. Built with the proprietary Active Worlds™ platform, the VR Mall is named @Mart and will allow multiple users to log on and shop simultaneously in a 3-D environment. This enables customers in different locations to shop together or merchants to place customer-service representatives in virtual stores. In addition, merchants can retain the look and feel of their real world stores on the Internet with secure electronic commerce capabilities, using the Virtual Mall.
@Mart, designed to resemble a modern shopping mall, is home to a variety of vendors of both traditional and virtual products and services. Taking advantage of the features of the groundbreaking Active Worlds™ technology, vendors and consumers both have the opportunity to window shop and purchase products online, while chatting personally with the shopkeepers. Activeworlds allows for the integration of current web-based e-commerce solutions and web shopping sites in a 3D, multi-user shopping mall of the future.

"There is a huge interest in creating sites where people can see and purchase items over the web," said Rick Noll, CEO and President of Activeworlds.com, Inc. "Active Worlds™ adds an exciting dimension to e-commerce. We provide the tools, which allow anyone with an e-commerce site to own and operate a storefront in a virtual world. This VR Mall is much more than just a website where people can buy things. Our technology allows for a shared experience with all the benefits that brings. These stores will actually be integrated marketing sites, where buyers and sellers can exchange information, transact business, and gain access to customer service, right from the desktop. And you never need to find parking."

About Activeworlds.com, Inc. (http://www.activeworlds.com)
Active Worlds™ unique technology allows thousands of simultaneous users to build 3D content in the same shared environment, ideally suited for such applications as e-commerce, chat, and distance learning. Activeworlds.com's market research indicates that presently there are no comparable products available on the market in terms of speed, reliability, animation, scalability, functionality, and ease of use.
Activeworlds.com, Inc. currently has a worldwide user base of over 650,000 on the Universe server (Uniserver) it operates, which receives over 1 million impressions per day, and experiencing over 1,000 new downloads per day of its browser used to access this environment. Active Worlds™ 3D Uniservers are currently being used by companies such as Boeing, NASA, Carlsberg Beer, Philips Multimedia, the US Government, Centropolis Studios, and many more. Other clients include Scandinavia Online, Canadian Ministry of Education, National Computer Center, Singapore Online, The University of Colorado, The University of London, and Swisscom.

Safe Harbor Statement
Investors should carefully consider the preceding information as well as other information contained in this press release before making an investment in the Common Stock. Information contained in this press release contains "forward-looking statements" which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects," "may," "should," or "anticipates" or the negative thereof or given that the future results covered by the forward-looking statements will be achieved. The preceding matters constitute cautionary statements identifying important factors with respect to such forward-looking statements, including certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to vary materially from the future results covered in such forward-looking statements. Other factors could also cause actual results to vary materially from the future results covered in such forward-looking statements.
Contacts:
JP McCormick, Chairman and CFO
Richard F. Noll, CEO and President
Activeworlds.com, Inc.
(978) 499-0222