Press release: 2002-05-20: SEGA MOBILE AND SPRINT ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC ALLIANCE FOR GROWING WIRELESS GAMES MARKET

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: Sega Mobile website

Top-selling Console Game Brand Goes Mobile: Plans to Install Monkey Ball on Sprint Third-Generation (3G)-enabled PCS Phones; More Sega Titles expected this summer on the Sprint Third Generation Network

LOS ANGELES - (May 20, 2002) - At this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), May 22 - 24, the leading brands in wireless and networked gaming are taking center stage. Sega Mobile, a division of Sega.com, Inc. dedicated to bringing Sega content to the mobile market in North America, announced today the formation of a strategic alliance with Sprint (NYSE: FON, PCS), which operates the largest all-digital, nationwide network and is the fastest growing wireless carrier. Sega will leverage its popular franchises and extensive gaming legacy to deliver the best in mobile gaming content for the highly anticipated Sprint Third Generation Network launching nationwide this summer. Sega Mobile will bring one of the first full-color mobile games to Sprint wireless customers with the launch of the hit title Monkey Ball.

"The Sprint Third Generation Network enables the transformation of mobile games from the text-based experience of today to a graphic, full-color experience of console-brand games available through Sprint on its 3G-enabled PCS phones," said Chip Novick, vice president of consumer marketing for Sprint's PCS division. "When Sprint launches recognizable games like Monkey Ball from a top provider like Sega on its 3G Network this summer, you will inevitably see more and more Sprint customers moving their phones from their ears to their eyes as they get a little game action on the go."

Plans include enabling Sprint customers to be able to choose from a host of additional Sega games, including classic titles such as Pengo, Flicky, Puyo Puyo, and Baku Baku Animal. Sega Mobile plans to continually update its game line-up and round out its repertoire by publishing new titles in a variety of genres, such as puzzles and sports.

"More than 400,000 mobile phone users in Japan currently enjoy wireless gaming from Sega Mobile of Japan, and gaming is consistently ranked among the top three services for wireless users. The customer demand is evident," said Ryoichi Shiratsuchi, CEO Sega Mobile. "To take advantage of these markets, we are aggressively pursuing partnerships with leading wireless access providers such as Sprint."

The Sprint Third Generation Network is scheduled to launch this summer. At launch, Sprint expects faster wireless data speeds and enhancements for existing applications and services when using a 3G enabled device. Sprint's 3G technology also establishes a platform for later releases of new and more robust applications as data speeds increase including enhanced games, video and audio clips, enhanced messaging, email with attachments, high-speed Internet browsing and digital imaging. Specifically for games, 3G enables Sprint to move the game experience from the text-based games of today to graphic, full-color brand name games on 3G-enabled PCS Phones using the Java 2 platform, Micro Edition (J2METM).


For more information, please visit www.segamobile.com and www.sprint.com/mr or e-mail: [email protected].

About Sega Mobile
Sega Mobile (www.segamobile.com), a division of Sega.com, is an interactive gaming division that is dedicated to bringing the thrills and excitement of networked gaming to cellular phone and PDA users in North America. The new division consists of Publishing, Content delivery, and Marketing teams solely focused on providing innovative, unique and classic content for the mobile market.

About Sega.com, Inc
Sega.com, Inc. (www.sega.com) is a network entertainment company that integrates Internet technology with innovation while leveraging a video game heritage dating back more than 50 years. Sega.com also built SegaNet the only high-speed online console gaming network and community destination for gamers. Sega.com is dedicated to bringing the technology and content required for networked entertainment to game developers and game players alike, leveraging the network possibilities for a multitude of devices including game consoles, cellular phones and PDAs.

About Sprint
Sprint is a global communications company serving more than 26 million business and residential customers in over 70 countries. With approximately 80,000 employees worldwide and more than $26 billion in annual revenues, Sprint is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying state of the art network technologies, including the United States' first nationwide all-digital, fiber-optic network. Sprint's award-winning Tier 1 Internet backbone is being extended to key global markets to provide customers with a broad portfolio of scalable IP products. Sprint's high-capacity, high-speed network gives customers fast, dependable, nonstop access to the vast majority of the world's Internet content. Sprint also operates the largest 100-percent digital, nationwide PCS wireless network in the United States, already serving the majority of the nation's metropolitan areas, including more than 4,000 cities and communities.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
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