Press release: 2000-10-19: Sega Unleashes Quake III Arena On Dreamcast for Its Console Debut

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)--October 19, 2000

For the First Time Ever, Dreamcast and PC Users Will be Able to Compete Against Each Other in Legendary Online Multiplayer Game

Gamers will be quaking in their boots now that id Software's(tm) QUAKE III Arena(tm) is making its console debut! Sega of America, Inc. today unleashed QUAKE III Arena for the 128-bit, Internet-ready Sega Dreamcast(tm)videogame console. Taking the legendary QUAKE(R) franchise to the next level of first-person action, QUAKE III Arena allows Dreamcast and PC gamers to test their mettle against each other via SegaNet, the only high-speed online console gaming network. QUAKE III Arena for Dreamcast includes all new arenas, an exciting new quad-screen mode and advanced artificial intelligence (AI) that will challenge even the most experienced QUAKE fans with opponents so smart they are almost human! QUAKE III Arena was developed, under id Software's supervision and direction, by Raster Productions(tm)for Dreamcast and published by Sega of America under license from Activision(R).

In QUAKE III Arena, players prowl through 30 deadly arenas, including 14 designed exclusively for Dreamcast. Using a first person perspective, gamers set out on a search-and-destroy mission to establish which warrior has the ultimate survivor skills. This fight to the death competition between gladiators transpires in settings so real, it is sure to harvest a new generation of QUAKE fans. Gamers are challenged to compete in multiple game types including Capture the Flag, 1-on-1 Tournament, Team Deathmatch, and the ultimate free-for-all fight for "frag" points, Deathmatch.

"QUAKE III Arena marks a first in videogame history -- console and PC gamers have never been given the opportunity to battle over the Internet in real-time, a feature which is now made possible only in QUAKE III Arena via SegaNet," said Scott Hawkins, senior producer, Sega of America. "QUAKE III Arena combines all the heart-pounding action that fans have come to expect from the QUAKE series and brings exciting new features and intense environments to Dreamcast."

"With the release of QUAKE III Arena for the Dreamcast, console gamers can now experience the same frenetic, in-your-face gameplay of the legendary PC version," said Todd Hollenshead, CEO, id Software. "Look for Internet competition to heat up this fall as a new generation of QUAKE III Arena fans join the fray online."

QUAKE III Arena comes armed with multiple weapons, tons of characters and an exciting array of gameplay options. Gamers can compete against computer-controlled gladiators in the single-player mode, or test their valor against human opponents either across the country or in the same room. QUAKE III Arena features exclusive multiplayer modes, where up to four players can battle on the same Dreamcast via split screen, or from four different corners of the country over the Internet.

QUAKE III Arena supports the standard Dreamcast controller and is completely customizable. Players can save their progress, awards and game configurations to the Visual Memory Unit (VMU), to use with any Dreamcast unit. For old school QUAKE fans, the game also supports a Dreamcast keyboard and mouse as well as the Jump Pack for force feedback effects. Players with broadband access can be fragging faster than ever with full support for the Dreamcast Broadband Adapter (sold separately.)

To play QUAKE III Arena online, gamers simply place the game in their Dreamcast, select Internet Game on the title screen, and hit dial. The Dreamcast will then provide a list of available QUAKE III Arena games to join. Players without an Internet Service Provider (ISP) will receive 50 free hours when they simply plug a phone line into their Dreamcast and sign up with Sega.net through the QUAKE III Arena interface. QUAKE III Arena is rated "M" for Mature and is available for $49.95 at retailers nationwide and at www.sega.com.

About Sega Dreamcast

The 128-bit Internet ready Sega Dreamcast is available in the US with a built-in 56K modem, allowing for full Internet functionality via SegaNet, the only high-speed online console gaming network and ISP service for Dreamcast and PC users. Dreamcast currently has over 100 titles available. The total Dreamcast game library count will be more than 200 by December 2000.

About Sega.com and SegaNet

Sega.com, Inc. (www.sega.com) is an online entertainment company that integrates Internet technology and innovation with over 40 years of experience in the video game industry. Sega.com also built SegaNet (www.sega.net), the only high-speed online console gaming network and community destination for gamers that provides Dreamcast users with the ultimate in speed, reliability and content. SegaNet offers both Dreamcast and PC gamers the best in 3D multi-player games, chat, community, cheat codes, tournaments and content. SegaNet is also a full service ISP offering gamers everything they need to know about gaming and other areas of interest including music, TV, community, movies, sports and e-commerce. SegaNet is the one stop destination for online games and gaming related content, offering gamers a community built specifically with them in mind.

About id Software

id -- Freud's primal part of the human psyche and one of the hottest game shops on Earth has been rocking the gaming world from Mesquite, Texas since 1991. As a renowned leader in the industry, id Software forged such frenetic titles as Wolfenstein 3-D(tm), DOOM(tm), DOOM II(tm), QUAKE and QUAKE II. With intense graphics and mind-blowing adventure, id's games continually break retail and shareware sales records. And, in keeping with tradition, id Software has amplified the world of adrenaline pumping 3-D gaming with the release of their latest action title, QUAKE III Arena. id's advanced QUAKE III Arena engine is leading the next revolution in 3-D interactive games with both single and multiplayer technology. Check out more about id Software at www.idsoftware.com.

Note to Editors: Quake III Arena(R)for the Sega Dreamcast developed by Raster Productions LLC. Published and distributed by Sega of America Dreamcast, Inc. under license from Activision. Quake III Arena(R), Quake(R)and the Id(R)logo are registered trademarks of Id Software, Inc. The Id Software(tm) name and the QIIIA(tm) logo are trademarks of Id Software, Inc. Raster Productions(tm) is a trademark of Raster Productions. Activision(R)is a registered trademark of Activision, Inc. Sega(R)is a registered U.S. trademark. Sega, Dreamcast and the Dreamcast logo are trademarks of SEGA ENTERPRISES, LTD.(c)2000 SEGA ENTERPRISES, LTD.
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