Press release: 2000-08-08: That Better be Your Final Answer as "Who Wants to Beat Up a Millionaire" Makes Its Debut On the PC and Sega Dreamcast

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: The Free Library

NEW YORK--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Aug. 8, 2000

A Parody of the Smash TV Show, "Who Wants to Beat Up a Millionaire" Features Virtual Host, "Egregious Phillin" and Over 750 Hilarious Trivia Questions

Tired of hearing "Is that your final answer?" every night of the week? Thought so! Simon & Schuster Interactive announced today that a game parodying ABC-TV's "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" titled WHO WANTS TO BEAT UP A MILLIONAIRE, has now arrived at retail (Windows(R) 98 / 95, Sega Dreamcast(R) available in October 2000). Whether consumers love the hit TV show or would rather tell the host where to stick that "final answer," this hilarious parody game will have players in stitches. Players compete in a fast-paced, game show-style trivia showdown where the game's virtual host, "Egregious Phillin," keeps asking questions until the last "millionaire" standing is the winner.

"WHO WANTS TO BEAT UP A MILLIONAIRE pokes good natured fun at the popular game show and provides an amusing alternative to TV," said Jeff Siegel, vice president and creative director for Simon & Schuster Interactive. "The game's Sega Dreamcast version is one of the first `casual' titles for that platform, and it will appeal to a broad range of console gamers, including kids and parents alike."

WHO WANTS TO BEAT UP A MILLIONAIRE, developed by the same creative minds that developed the hit "Deer Avenger" series, is full of humor and great satire. Up to five players interact with an entertaining host named Egregious Phillin to answer over 750 hysterical trivia questions.

The object of WHO WANTS TO BEAT UP A MILLIONAIRE is to be the last millionaire standing by correctly answering the host's trivia questions on topics such as movies, pop culture, history and more. Players assume the identity of one of five millionaire personalities including a geeky Internet tycoon; a Sheik oil tycoon; an overbearing, Ivy League, trust fund momma's boy ; the flamboyant Texas millionaire; and a 22 year-old bimbo who inherited millions from her deceased 102 year-old husband. Players can choose from three different "Lifeboats" to help them with difficult questions. Lifeboats include "One or the Other," "Fortune Cookie" "Pass the Buck" and "Chicken Out."

WHO WANTS TO BEAT UP A MILLIONAIRE is now available for Windows(R) 95/98 and in October 2000 for Sega Dreamcast(R). WHO WANTS TO BEAT UP A MILLIONAIRE (PC version) is rated "T" or "Teen" by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). The Sega Dreamcast(R) version will also be rated. More information on the ESRB can be found at www.esrb.org.

Simon & Schuster Interactive (www.ssinteractive.com) is the consumer software publishing unit of Simon & Schuster, Inc. Based in New York, S&SI publishes entertainment, education and reference titles across numerous platforms. The Company is the Codie Award winning publisher of the best-selling "Douglas Adams Starship Titanic" adventure, the best-selling parody "Deer Avenger" series, and numerous critically acclaimed children's software titles.

Simon & Schuster, the publishing operation of Viacom Inc., is a global leader in the field of general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for consumers of all ages, across all printed and multimedia formats. Its divisions include Simon & Schuster Trade Publishing, Pocket Books, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, Simon & Schuster New Media, Simon & Schuster Online, Simon & Schuster U.K., and Simon & Schuster Australia. For more information about Simon & Schuster, visit our website at www.simonsays.com.

Viacom is the No. 1 vehicle in the world for advertisers, with preeminent positions in broadcast and cable television, radio, outdoor advertising, and online. With programming that appeals to audiences in every demographic category across virtually all media, the company is a leader in the creation, promotion, and distribution of entertainment, news, sports, and music. Viacom's well-known brands include CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, VH1, Paramount Pictures, Infinity Broadcasting, UPN, TNN, CMT, Showtime, Blockbuster, and Simon & Schuster. More information about Viacom and its businesses is available at www.viacom.com.

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