INTERNET--(esecurities.W)--May 12, 1999 - Sega's Internet Vision.
Sega to Ship All Sega Dreamcast Videogame Consoles With 56K Modem in the Box for $199
Sega Dreamcast Internet Strategy Unveiled, Giving Gamers More Ways to Play
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 12, 1999--Sega® of America today announced that Sega Dreamcast(TM) -- ''the ultimate gaming machine'' -- will ship with a 56K modem in the box on September 9, 1999 at a price point of $199.
Sega Dreamcast is the first network-ready gaming console with a built-in modem as a standard feature worldwide, giving gamers more ways to play and communicate about gaming. The Sega Dreamcast Network(TM), an online gaming network available at launch, will redefine the console gaming experience - expanding gameplay and immersing consumers in a highly interactive gaming environment with thousands of other gamers worldwide at any one time.
Through the Sega Dreamcast Network, Sega will expand ways to play and immerse consumers in a highly-interactive gaming environment with numerous other gamers at the same time. Sega will offer compelling incentives and consumer promotions to bring a wide variety of gamers to the network. SegaSoft, creators of the HEAT.NET online gaming network, will also be utilizing their expertise providing the technology and infrastructure behind the Sega Dreamcast Network.
Just after launch, the Sega Dreamcast online gaming network will offer ''Sega Rally Championship(TM) 2,'' and off-road racing game, and ''Baldur's Gate(TM),'' a medieval adventure game, allowing Sega Dreamcast gamers to play these games with others across the country. These games will be shortly followed by ''Slave Zero(TM),'' a mech-robot action/adventure game and ''Frontier(TM),'' a console-based massive multiplayer science fiction game which allows thousands of people to play in a persistent world at one time. The game is being developed in conjunction with Turbine Software Corporation.
Sega's Vision
The Internet brings endless possibilities to the Sega Dreamcast console. For the first time, gamers can experience a true ''plug-and-play'' online gaming experience. No longer will gamers need to fuss with incompatibilities with sound and video cards or lack of memory for loading a game -- all they will need to do is pop in the disc and click on a button to be instantly immersed in the Sega Dreamcast Network.
According to the Interactive Digital Software Association (IDSA), online gaming is expected to surge to 26.8 million users by 2002, with more and more gamers taking a leap to the net for a multiplayer experience. In fact, 55.4% of console gamers in an IDSA study stated that the ability to play games with multiple users is very important.
With this kind of demand, Sega Dreamcast is the only console that makes this multiplayer experience real today. Sega Dreamcast can bring to the home the same level of competition and excitement that up until now, could only be enjoyed by groups gathered at the arcades. Now, Sega can bring that experience home by connecting thousands of people online. With the Sega Dreamcast Network, gamers will be able to battle with thousands of other players in the same world, download dungeon levels, download level data or team rosters and transfer VMU files.
''Sega is continuing to set new standards in the videogame industry with the first console designed from day one with network capabilities, 15 games available for launch and the most realistic games ever seen,'' said Bernard Stolar, president and chief operating officer of Sega of America. ''We are dedicated to bringing gamers the 'ultimate gaming experience' and once console gamers experience this multiplayer gaming, there will be no going back.''
The Sega Dreamcast Network
The Sega Dreamcast Network users will receive regular updates via e-mail detailing games, hints, cheats and other information to keep them excited about upcoming games. The Sega Dreamcast Network offers access to chat rooms to discuss games, bulletin boards, e-mail, e-commerce capability, online multiplayer games and even ''mini'' board, puzzle and card games.
For gamers hoping to hook up with others for an online game, they can log onto the Sega Dreamcast Network and sign up for a game or set up a time to meet other players for a competition. For full bragging rights, gamers can watch as their high scores and rankings are automatically updated in real time for everyone on the network to see..."
SOURCE: © 1999 Wednesday May 12, 9:36 pm Eastern Time Company Press Release
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