Press release: 1996-11-06: Acclaim Entertainment Moves Basketball To a New Extreme -- NBA JAM EXTREME

This is an unaltered copy of a press release, for use as a primary source on Sega Retro. Please do not edit the contents below. Language: English third-party Original source: Acclaim Nation (archived)

No. 1 Sports Game Franchise Tips Off With Hot New Engine For Unrivaled Gameplay

GLEN COVE, N.Y., NOVEMBER 6, 1996 -- Acclaim Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AKLM), a leading worldwide interactive entertainment company, once again is reinventing computer basketball. Introduced today, NBA Jam Extreme(tm) features a new Acclaim 3-D polygonal engine to deliver incredibly lifelike player movement, eye-popping graphics and -- just like the NBA -- fast and physical gameplay. Available now for the Sony PlayStation, NBA Jam Extreme will be available in November for the Sega Saturn and in December on Windows 95 CD-ROM.

NBA Jam Extreme takes the top sports game franchise in video game history to unprecedented levels of fun, excitement and realism. By using the new polygonal 3-D engine and motion-capture technology, Acclaim provides the most realistic gameplay ever seen in a sports game. Acclaim seized the real-life on-court action of the NBA by recording the fluid moves of Washington Bullets All-Star Juwan Howard in its state-of-the-art motion capture studios. NBA Jam Extreme's PC multiplayer capability lets up to four gamers tip-off. In addition, Marv Albert, of NBC Sports, provides the audio color commentary, with more than 2000 sayings that keep the game fresh and entertaining play after play.

"NBA Jam is the most successful sports game franchise in video game history, hands down, and Acclaim's new NBA Jam Extreme is a revolution, not an evolution, in the progression of the game," said Bob Picunko, Acclaim sports marketing director. "Acclaim's new 3-D engine gives the gameplay the electric excitement of double overtime with no time-outs left -- the graphics grab you, the multiplayer option lets you face off with your friends and Marv Albert lets you know this is the closest you can get to the foul line and still be in your living room."

Acclaim is partnering with Nestle' Chocolate & Confections in a candy wrapper instant-win promotion; special NBA Jam Extreme logo wrappers can be found on millions of Butterfinger®, Baby Ruth®, 100 Grand®, and Nestle' Crunch® king-size candy wrappers. The winner will be digitized into an upcoming version of NBA Jam Extreme. In addition, an extensive print media campaign in PC, gaming and sports publications runs in parallel with a national radio advertising campaign and online promotion via Acclaim Nation.

More than 170 NBA superstars can pick up the ball in NBA Jam Extreme's 2-on-2 action. Up to four game players can compete simultaneously and can select their two players from six available stars from each NBA team. Each star has 13 attribute rating skills such as power, blocking, rebounding and passing. Gamers are able to compete in exhibition games or play the round robin mode, where you must defeat the other 28 NBA teams to reach the Extreme Championship. The game also contains more than 50 hidden players and secret teams. The TV broadcast-style presentation of the game provides multiple camera views to play the game and watch the awesome dunks, and special features like "smoking sneakers" and "big heads."

Bringing instant recognition to the NBA Jam Extreme shelf package and in-store promotions is four-time NBA All Star and Seattle SuperSonics power forward Shawn Kemp.

Key features of Acclaim's NBA Jam Extreme include:

- Multiple hidden characters -- including Marv Albert

- Faster and more physical gameplay than previous NBA Jam games

- Aggressive action with the ability to dive for the ball

- New focus on defensive action - 3-D environment makes it easier to judge player position for precision steals and dramatic blocks

- More than 30 new dunks and moves

- Rookie teams

- All 29 NBA teams and home courts

- Instant replay for great jams

- Numerous coaching tips

- Special "unstoppable" mode for ultra-extreme action

- All-new "smokin'" feature that elevates gameplay on both offense and defense

- "Big Head" play and beachball mode that bring a comic characteristic to the game



Acclaim Entertainment, Inc., a leading worldwide publisher of software for Nintendo, Sega, Sony and personal computer hardware systems, also publishes comic books under a variety of imprints. In addition, Acclaim develops coin-operated arcade and ticket-redemption games; operates motion capture studios; and, through A.D.I., globally sells and distributes products from a variety of entertainment software publishers including Ocean, Interplay, Marvel, Pulse Entertainment and Take 2 Interactive Software. Acclaim also has a joint venture with Tele-Communications, Inc. for electronically distributed interactive entertainment.