Press release: 1999-08-04: Sega and AT&T Sign Strategic Network Gaming Alliance for Sega Dreamcast

From Sega Retro

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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
Original source: The Free Library


SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 4, 1999--

AT&T WorldNet(R) To Be Preferred Internet Service

Provider For Revolutionary Videogame System Debuting in the U.S. on 9-9-99

Sega(R) of America today announced an agreement between Sega Enterprises Ltd. and communications leader AT&T (NYSE:T) to provide Internet service for Sega Dreamcast(TM), the superconsole with a built-in 56K modem that brings the most-advanced and realistic video gameplay ever developed to consumers.

Under the agreement, AT&T WorldNet(R) Service, the nation's largest direct Internet access service, will become the preferred U.S. Internet service provider (ISP) for Sega Dreamcast and the Sega Dreamcast Network(TM) when the much-anticipated system launches on September 9, 1999 in North America. The agreement also includes several co-marketing initiatives.

This strategic relationship reinforces Sega's vision to provide console gamers with a first -- an online gaming network where consumers pop in a CD, click on a button and are instantly immersed in a highly interactive gaming environment with thousands of other gamers nationwide.

Forrester Research, a Boston research firm, predicts that 38.8 million U.S. households will be connected to the Internet by the end of 1999, up 16.5 percent from 33.3 million households in 1998.

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.

"By establishing partnerships with leading companies, such as AT&T, Microsoft and NEC, Sega's dream of realizing advanced game entertainment for the Internet age has become more certain," said Isao Okawa, chairman and chief executive officer, Sega Enterprises, Ltd.

"Following this partnership with AT&T in the United States where Internet evolution is most advanced, Sega is going to establish a partnership with British Telecom in Europe, and will further expand the same sort of network partnership also in Japan for Sega Dreamcast.

"Based on those strategic partnerships, Sega is determined to establish a service infrastructure to provide game entertainment worldwide through the Dreamcast Network. To do this, we will expand our existing Internet infrastructure, including the use of broad-band service and cable delivery, to create what will be the center of next generation Internet services."

At launch, AT&T WorldNet(R) Service will provide U.S. residents immediate online access through the Sega Dreamcast videogame system. Once connected to the Internet, consumers will be directed to the Sega Dreamcast Network, which will feature Sega gaming content, chat, e-mail, web browsing and by next year, true networked gaming.

"This agreement with Sega is one more step in the evolution of AT&T," said Gene Lockhart, president, AT&T consumer services. "Working with an interactive entertainment leader such as Sega opens up a whole new world for consumers by giving them the ability to access a variety of entertainment options and communicate from one affordable device."

Co-Marketing

Sega and AT&T's strategic alliance allows both powerful brands to introduce new consumers to a unique Internet and gaming experience. Each company will promote Sega Dreamcast, the Sega Dreamcast Network and AT&T WorldNet Service to their current and potential customer base through online and offline activities. A variety of co-branded advertisements and promotional materials are currently in development.

The Sega Dreamcast Network

The Sega Dreamcast Network will quickly become the definitive gaming super source. Sega Dreamcast Network users will receive regular updates via e-mail detailing games, hints, cheats and information and the ability to demo games and experience force feedback through the Sega Rumblepack.

The Network will offer 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. Through chat and e-mail, consumers will be able to communicate with fellow gamers across the street or around the world, effectively creating the world's largest gaming community.

Along with 24-hour customer care, gamers will also be able to communicate in real-time with Sega executives, developers and technicians. Additionally, the Sega Dreamcast Network will allow gamers to download saved games with the Visual Memory Unit (VMU), a 128K card that acts as a personalized memory device for strategic and portable game play.

The Sega Dreamcast Network will also feature in-depth gaming news, reviews and insider information from IGN.com, the leading games and entertainment destination on the Internet. As part of its network of Web sites, IGN.com (www.ign.com http://www.ign.com) features the first and most complete editorial site dedicated to the Sega Dreamcast.

Next year, the Sega Dreamcast Network will offer real-time networked gaming through several first party and third party game titles, allowing Sega Dreamcast gamers to play with others across the world.

SegaSoft Networks, Inc., creators of HEAT.NET, (www.heat.net) the largest online PC gaming community, will utilize their expertise by providing the technology and infrastructure behind the Sega Dreamcast Network.

AT&T WorldNet(R) Service Pricing: Three Convenient Options

Consumers selecting AT&T Worldnet Service as their ISP when using Sega Dreamcast can choose: an Hourly Price Plan at $9.95 a month for 10 hours of access a month; a Standard Price Plan at $19.95 a month for 150 hours of access a month; or an Unlimited Price Plan at $21.95 a month for unlimited access.

Subscribers exceeding the maximum hours for Hourly and Standard plans will be charged $.99 per hour. Customers choosing the Standard or Unlimited Plan will receive a free Sega Dreamcast keyboard, supplanting the standard "soft" on-screen keyboard. For added convenience, AT&T WorldNet Service provides a comprehensive toll-free help line for customer care.

Although AT&T is the preferred ISP for Sega Dreamcast, consumers who already have online access through their personal computers will be able to access the Sega Dreamcast Network through their current ISP.

About Sega Dreamcast

Sega Dreamcast will be available in the US at a suggested retail price of $199, with the built in 56K modem. The system will have 16 titles available at launch, with the number growing to 30 by the end of the year. Third-party titles now in the works will bring the total Sega Dreamcast game library count to more than 100 in the year 2000.

Along with its low price point, Sega Dreamcast will achieve other industry firsts at launch. 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 64 and has four times the graphics processing power of the fastest Pentium II processor. In addition, Sega Dreamcast is the first console to utilize hand-held gaming through its Visual Memory Unit (VMU), which allows players to swap games with friends in the home, arcade or head-to-head using two VMUs.

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

About SegaSoft Networks

SegaSoft Networks, Inc. (SNI) develops and operates online gaming services and technology, including its flagship network, HEAT.NET. Located in San Francisco, SNI is a privately held company whose shareholders include CSK and Sega Enterprises. For more information about SegaSoft, please visit www.segasoft.com.

About AT&T WorldNet Service

AT&T WorldNet(R) Service (www.att.net) is the number one direct Internet Service Provider in the U.S., serving 1.6 million members. It provides reliable, easy Internet access across the nation, free email, chat, 30-megabytes of free Web space, online communities and discounted games.

Additionally, AT&T WorldNet Service members can consolidate their Internet access, AT&T long distance and AT&T wireless charges on a single bill with Personal Network. AT&T WorldNet Service members who "refer-a-friend" to the Internet service can earn a $10 reward for every referral.

AT&T WorldNet Service was recently named "Best Buy" in PC World Magazine (March 1999), won PC Magazine's "Editor's Choice" award (April 1999), and was praised as the top ISP in SmartMoney (April 1999).

AT&T WorldNet Service consumer software for Windows 95/98/NT, Windows 3.1, Windows 3.11 for Workgroups and Macintosh is available by download free-of-charge from the public AT&T WorldNet Web site (http://www.att.net/).

Note to Editors: Visuals of Sega Dreamcast and Sega Dreamcast games are available at ftp://ftp.accesspr.com/PUBLIC/Sega/.

AT&T WorldNet is a registered service mark of AT&T.
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