TJ, Here's a article on the game segment with comments from EB
BR, Mad2
Copyright 1999 Business Wire, Inc.
Business Wire
December 20, 1999, Monday
DISTRIBUTION: Business Editors
LENGTH: 829 words
HEADLINE: North American Retailers Predicting Record Holiday Sales Driven by Sega Dreamcast; Videogame Console and Games Seen as Hot Items by Toy and Home Electronics Retailers
DATELINE: SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 20, 1999
BODY:
Demand for Sega Dreamcast(TM) continues to grow at a blistering pace with Christmas fast approaching.
Since about three weeks ago, when Sega(R) of America, Inc. announced Sega Dreamcast retail sell through in North America had hit the one million units mark, sales for the 128-bit, Internet-ready videogame system, games and peripherals have soared more than 40%. Retailers across the country predict this number will only increase as shoppers head to stores to fulfill their holiday gift lists.
Since mid October, Sega Dreamcast hardware sales have risen 42%. Hardware, software and accessory sales combined have jumped 40%. Although supplies of software and peripherals are plentiful, Sega announced last week that consumers could have trouble finding the system itself as demand has outstripped supply at many retailers.
Much of the sales growth for Sega Dreamcast can be attributed to the numerous accolades the system has garnered in recent weeks, including TIME Digital's "Machine of the Year," one of Business Week's "Best Products of 1999" awards and being named one of Popular Science's "Best of What's New."
"Sega Dreamcast has been, and will continue to be, one of the cornerstone products of our overall holiday retail sales," said Peter Roithmayr, vice president, Electronics Boutique. "We are expecting record numbers this year thanks in part to the incredibly strong and sustained demand we have seen for Sega Dreamcast."
To help meet demand for the system, and the games and peripherals that support it, Sega of America and AT&T WorldNet(R) Service recently established the Sega Dreamcast Parent's Hotline. By dialing 800-232-9000, consumers can listen to information on where to find Sega Dreamcast both at retail and online, along with helpful tips to remember when shopping for the system. The Sega Dreamcast Parent's Hotline will be active through Dec. 31, 1999. More information on the hotline can be found at www.att.com/sega.
"Our videogame sales have grown dramatically over the same period last year," said Steve Birke, vice president, general merchandise manager, Target Stores. "Sega Dreamcast accounts for a significant portion of that increase. We are confident we will hit our best retail sales figures to date this holiday season."
About Sega Dreamcast
Sega Dreamcast is available in the U.S. at a suggested retail price of $199, with a built in 56K modem, allowing for full Internet functionality. The preferred Internet Service Provider for Sega Dreamcast is AT&T WorldNet Service, the quickest and easiest way to go online with Sega Dreamcast. The system had a library of 18 titles available at launch on September 9, which will grow to more than 40 titles by the end of the year. Third-party titles currently in the works will bring the total Sega Dreamcast game library count to more than 160 in the year 2000.
Along with its low price point, Sega Dreamcast has achieved other industry firsts. Its advanced 128-bit architecture makes it the first console with evolutionary capabilities, allowing it to grow and change to match advances in technology and the needs and desires of the consumer. Sega Dreamcast is also the most powerful video game console ever created. It is 15 times more powerful than a Sony PlayStation(TM), ten times more powerful than a Nintendo(R) 64 and has four times the graphics processing power of the fastest Pentium II processor.
In the first 24 hours of availability, Sega Dreamcast netted over$97 million at retail, more than tripling the past entertainment industry record set by Star Wars: The Phantom Menace at $28 million on its first day. In its initial four days, Sega sold a total of 372,000 Sega Dreamcast systems, easily surpassing the previous industry record holder, Nintendo 64, which took six days to hit 350,000 when it launched in 1996. Since it launched, Sega Dreamcast has sold more than 1 million units, beating sales milestones set by other high-profile consumer and electronics products such as Tickle Me Elmo(TM) and Apple's iMac. Sega estimates that the company will sell 1.5 million units by Dec. 31, 1999.
About Sega
Sega of America is the arm of Tokyo, Japan-based Sega Enterprises, Ltd. responsible for the development, marketing and distribution of Sega videogame systems and videogames in the Americas. Sega Enterprises, Ltd. is a nearly $2.5 billion company recognized as the industry leader in interactive digital entertainment media, and is the only company that offers interactive entertainment experiences both inside and outside the home. Sega of America's World Wide Web site is located at www.sega.com.
Editor Note: Images of Sega Dreamcast and Sega Dreamcast games are available at ftp://ftp.accesspr.com/public/Sega
CONTACT: Access Communications for Sega
Jennifer Walker, 415/904-7070, ext. 283
jwalker@accesspr.com
David Cumpston, 415/904-7070, ext. 237
dcumpston@accesspr.com
URL: businesswire.com
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
LOAD-DATE: December 21, 1999 |
