Press release: 2004-01-27: SEGA GT ONLINE SHIPS; THE PREMIER XBOX LIVE ARCADE/SIMULATION RACER

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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: Sega.com (archived)


SEGA GT ONLINE SHIPS; THE PREMIER XBOX LIVE ARCADE/SIMULATION RACER	

SEGA's critically acclaimed series races onto the Xbox superhighway.

SAN FRANCISCO (January 27, 2004) - SEGA® of America today announced the launch of "SEGA GT Online™" exclusively for the Xbox® video game system from Microsoft. The first simulation racer on Xbox to offer Xbox™ Live support, SEGA GT Online allows up to 12 players to compete simultaneously in white knuckle, dead-heat races guaranteed to challenge both their driving skills and their ability to trash talk.

Developed by SEGA WOW with both car enthusiasts and casual gamers in mind, "SEGA GT Online" is a gear head's nirvana. With more than 165 rides to choose from, including 40 all-new vehicles, and a pulse-pounding soundtrack of hot up-and-coming Indy bands, "SEGA GT Online" is a release gamers will be playing for months. And at a value-priced $19.99 (MSRP), Xbox racing fans will be able to add the title to their game library.

"'SEGA GT Online' represents an extraordinary value for racing fans who desire a huge stable of cars combined with pulse-pounding Indy rock and intense online competition," said Scott A. Steinberg, vice president of entertainment marketing, SEGA of America, Inc. "SEGA WOW has gone full-throttle to leverage Xbox Live capabilities to deliver new and innovative gameplay features such as Navigator mode."

In addition to the new cars, "SEGA GT Online" offers up new tracks, weather effects, and special time-triggered events. It also capitalizes on the strengths of online play by presenting two innovative new modes never before seen in a racer: Team Battle and Navigator. In both modes, players have to work together to win races as teammates. XBN Magazine dubbed the nerve wracking, treacherous Navigator mode: "The first real innovation for the genre since Gran Turismo hit the scene".

Gamers who own a save file from "SEGA GT 2002" can select the "SEGA GT Online" PERK function that allows them to use existing items and unlock all available cars in Quick Battle and Chronicle modes. The "SEGA GT Online" soundtrack features more than 40 songs from legendary punk rockers New Bomb Turks to today's hottest up and coming Indy rock bands like Supersuckers, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, The Oranges Band, Lag Wagon, Swinging Utters, and The Real McKenzies.

SEGA GT Online is rated "E" for Everyone and is available at retailers nationwide for an MSRP of $19.99.

About Xbox
Xbox (http://www.xbox.com) is the video game system from Microsoft that brings people together for the most exhilarating game and entertainment experiences. Xbox delivers an expansive collection of breakthrough games, powerful hardware and the unified Xbox Live online service. The new tagline, "it's good to play together," captures the spirit of Xbox as the social hub of the new digital entertainment lifestyle. Xbox is now available in North America, Asia, Europe and Australia. About Xbox Live

Xbox Live, which launched in the United States Nov. 15, 2002, allows gamers to play multiplayer Xbox games with other gamers everywhere via a broadband connection. With a built-in hard drive and Ethernet port, the Xbox console is the only video game system built from the ground up for online gaming, negating the need to buy additional, costly peripherals or upgrades. Xbox Live enables gamers to easily find their friends; talk to other players during game play through the Xbox Communicator headset; download current statistics, new levels and characters to their Xbox hard drive; and play online-all exclusive features to Xbox Live.

SEGA and Sega GT Online are trademarks or registered trademarks of SEGA Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries. Xbox is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. General Motors Trademarks used under license to Sega Corporation. Trans Am is a trademark of SCCA licensed to Trans-Am Racing, LLC. Ford nameplates are registered trademarks owned and licensed by Ford Motor Company. Jaguar trademarks are owned and licensed by Jaguar Cars Ltd., England. Dodge is a trademark of DaimlerChrysler Corporation 2003. Plymouth® and AAR 'Cuda are trademarks of DaimlerChrysler Corporation. ©DCC 2003 Official Honda Licensed Product.