Press release: 2002-01-15: Sega Sports NBA 2K2 Turns PlayStation 2 Hoop Dreams Into Reality

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--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Jan. 15, 2002

The Most Realistic Basketball Video Game Series Slam Dunks its way onto the PlayStation 2, with New Gameplay, Animations and Stellar Presentation

Making its debut on the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system from Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., Sega Sports(TM), the brand that continues to set new standards in sports gaming, announced today the release of "Sega Sports(TM) NBA 2K2" for the PlayStation 2. Developed by Visual Concepts, a member of the Sega group and the development house behind the sports video game revolution, "Sega Sports NBA 2K2" is the basketball game to play this year, offering all new player models with emotion-based facial expressions, revamped computer intelligence and enhanced player physics with improved collision detection.

"Sega Sports is committed to being the leading sports content provider for all game systems, and by launching our successful basketball franchise on PlayStation 2, we're continuing to make milestones in meeting that goal," said Tom Nichols, group director of sports marketing, Sega of America. "With revamped offensive and defensive moves, smarter Artificial Intelligence and additional street courts, `Sega Sports NBA 2K2' for PlayStation 2 delivers a basketball experience that will dominate the video game market."

Dramatic gameplay improvements have been made to "Sega Sports NBA 2K2" for PlayStation 2 to provide a more intense gaming experience both on offense and defense. With smarter defensive Artificial Intelligence, players in "Sega Sports NBA 2K2" take away the baseline, quickly rotate to the open man, jostle for the best rebound position in the key, and intercept balls in the passing lane. "Sega Sports NBA 2K2" features an enhanced one-on-one game experience, with new crossovers, an improved low-post game, and on the fly alley-oops. In addition, "Sega Sports NBA 2K2" incorporates all of the new NBA rules, such as zone defense.

"Sega Sports NBA 2K2" for PlayStation 2 takes full advantage of the system's graphical prowess delivering dramatic improvements in the game's appearance, with detailed player models, arenas, and the addition of sideline characters, such as cheerleaders and camera crews. In addition, the arenas are individually lit to recreate the specific look and feel of each NBA venue. More than 500 new animations have been added, with detailed facial expressions that show players reacting to each play with real emotion, whether they are celebrating a rim-rattling dunk or having just swatted an opponent's shot into the stands.

"Sega Sports NBA 2K2" expands on the ever popular Street mode by adding four new authentic street courts to the PlayStation 2 version of the game - Hank Gathers Rec Center in Philadelphia, Run N' Shoot in Atlanta, Venice Beach in California, and Fonde Rec Center in Houston. The mode will also feature a new scoring system while still including all the great street courts from last year.

Gamers will have a hard time differentiating "Sega Sports NBA 2K2" for PlayStation 2 from a regular NBA telecast. With dramatic camerawork, detailed commentary, TV-style overlays, and exciting crowd reactions, this game is as true-to-life as it gets. "Sega Sports NBA 2K2" also features a soundtrack written exclusively for the game, performed by recording star R.O.C. and produced by Jermaine Dupri.

Endorsed by Philadelphia 76ers' guard Allen Iverson, who appears on the cover of the game, "Sega Sports NBA 2K2" keeps current with updated rosters, arenas and team uniforms. "Sega Sports NBA 2K2" is also currently available on Sega Dreamcast(TM) and will soon be launching on the Xbox(TM) video game system from Microsoft(R) and the Nintendo GameCube(TM).

The PlayStation 2 version of "Sega Sports NBA 2K2" is available at retailers nationwide for $49.95. The game is rated "E" for everyone.

About Sega

Sega(R) of America is the American arm of Tokyo, Japan-based Sega Corporation, responsible for the development, marketing and distribution of Sega video game systems and video games in the Americas. Sega Corporation is a nearly $2.5 billion company recognized as the industry leader in interactive digital entertainment media, offering interactive entertainment experiences both inside and outside the home. Sega of America's World Wide Web site is located at www.sega.com.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America

Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America markets the PlayStation(R) game console and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PlayStation game console and the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif., Sony Computer Entertainment America serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

About Xbox

Xbox (http://www.xbox.com/) is Microsoft's future-generation video game system that delivers the most powerful games experiences ever. Xbox empowers game artists by giving them the technology to fulfill their creative visions as never before, creating games that blur the lines between fantasy and reality. Xbox is now available in North America at the suggested retail price of $299.99.

Xbox is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

About Nintendo

As the worldwide leader and innovator in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co. Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its popular home video game systems. The systems include Game Boy(R), Nintendo(R) 64, Game Boy Advance and NINTENDO GAMECUBE. Since the release of its first home video game system in 1983, Nintendo has sold more than 1.4 billion video games worldwide, creating enduring industry icons such as Mario* and Donkey Kong(R) and launching such franchises as Zelda* and Pokemon(R). As a wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America, Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operation in the Western Hemisphere.

The NBA and individual NBA member team identifications used on or in this product are trademarks, copyrighted designs and other forms of intellectual property of NBA Properties, Inc. and the respective NBA member teams and may not be used, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of NBA Properties, Inc. (c) 2002 NBA Properties, Inc. All rights reserved.
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