Press Release: 1997-06-19: SegaSoft Turns Up the HEAT at E3

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: SegaSoft (archived)

SegaSoft Internet Game Network, now in open test, on display at E3 Booth 1546; roster of multi-player titles set to sizzle on HEAT.NET
ATLANTA (June 19, 1997) - Internet multi-player gaming is red-hot at E3, the giant Electronic Entertainment Expo underway in Atlanta. SegaSoft is showing off HEAT.NET, its new Internet Game Network that already has more than 25,000 eager testers putting it through its paces. The best competitive arena available anywhere online, HEAT (WWW.HEAT.NET), begins commercial operation later this summer.

Forrester Research gives HEAT high marks for ease of use and predicts that online game centers like HEAT will help grow the online gaming market to $1.6 billion by the year 2001.

A leading video game publication notes that HEAT "... has all the bases covered." The publication also notes that HEAT, unlike Mplayer, has created "a massively detailed and extremely useful web interface tailored to each user." Each HEAT member has his or her own Web page, listing rankings in various games, contact information and a personal profile. Stored on the HEAT server, the information is available to other members. HEAT is the only network that fully integrates top speed Internet gameplay with advertising, online sales and community-building features. HEAT delivers an immersive, competitive and highly compelling online experience.

"Everything is better on HEAT," said Gary Griffiths, SegaSoft president and CEO. "More than stringing together a few gaming servers, we have laid the foundation for a vibrant and highly competitive gaming community, all of it tied together by the very best proprietary games, technology and features to ensure its ongoing growth and evolution."

SegaSoft is showcasing HEAT with four exclusive new titles available for free to HEAT members, including Net Fighter TM, the first hand-to-hand fighting game created specifically for Internet play; Scud: The Industrial Evolution TM, an all-new fast-action, multi-player shooting game featuring the underground comic character Scud: The Disposable Assassin; HEAT War TM, a think-fast, eight-player online search-and-destroy strategy game; and Alien Race TM, a feverishly paced real-time action/strategy game for three teams of 10.

Other HEAT-enabled multi-player games on display at the SegaSoft booth (#1546) include 10six TM, the world's first million-player 3-D action/strategy game; Vigilance TM, a 3-D mission-based action/adventure; Flesh Feast TM, a 3-D action/strategy game; and Ragged EarthTM, a 3-D multi-player target-and-fire strategy game with fully interactive terrains. All of these games come with three free months of HEAT premium membership.

Virtually any multi-player game will be playable across HEAT, which uses two complementary network technologies. rIPX TM, SegaSoft's proprietary IPX technology, enables broad compatibility with most multi-player PC games. A license for Mpath Foundation technology provides the fastest gameplay possible on the Internet. SegaSoft's HEAT network includes dedicated servers located at SegaSoft and around the country as part of Mpath Foundation hosting the service.

"Our open test is going full throttle. Thanks to the efforts oftwenty five thousand plus players, we are working out all the kinks," said Sarah Mason, SegaSoft vice president and general manager for HEAT. "The free test is open throughout the summer, and we invite everyone to log onto WWW.HEAT.NETfor fierce competition."

While offering maximum performance, HEAT is also massive and highly scaleable. The network is designed to accommodate 250,000 members at launch.

Blood Bath, Quake and More This summer, SegaSoft will welcome Blood, the new and critically acclaimed 3-D shooter game from GT Interactive, to the HEAT network. SegaSoft will celebrate its arrival with a national Blood Bath Tournament with cash and prizes worth $20,000. Other multi-player games, including such perennial favorites as Quake, Warcraft 2, Diablo, Commanche 3 and Mechwarrior 2 are also available for play on HEAT. HEAT and Transactor TM Technology,BR> HEAT will be the first network to use Transactor(tm) technology, a new digital object commerce technology. Transactor is unique in that it focuses on the commerce of objects that exist solely in the digital realm. Created and licensed to SegaSoft by PostLinear, Inc., a pioneer in digital object commerce, Transactor will enable an open market for, limited edition digital objects (LEDOs). LEDOs are permanent objects that players can use to customize their own gaming experience to the fullest, which include everything from weapons, characters, abilities, information and other game-enhancing assets.

More Than Games, a Community

HEAT also offers community-building features such as chat rooms, bulletin boards, HEATmail (system e-mail) and member Web pages. Page & Play, an exclusive HEAT feature, allows subscribers to instantaneously contact other members logged onto the network and immediately launch into the game of their choice.

"Degrees," HEAT frequent player points redeemable for goods and services throughout the site, will be used to build and maintain subscriber loyalty. Membership Levels

HEAT features two separate membership levels. Perimeter membership, a no-cost, entry-level service, allows access to most games, HEATmail, chat rooms, advertising and other common areas. HEAT members pay a small annual fee ($5.95/month or $49.99 for one year of membership) and enjoy access to more features, exclusive games and special events, including tournament play with prizes.

Precision Online Advertising

HEAT offers advertisers the most precise target marketing available anywhere online. Through its partnership with Interactive Imaginations, SegaSoft delivers precision ad serving and tracking. Other systems track membership records and gameplay, and provide secure digital commerce as part of the HEAT infrastructure.

With a verified and precisely targeted market of 18- to 34-year-old males, HEAT advertising message delivery options include one on one marketing, direct response marketing, sponsorships and integration of ad messages into game content. HEAT members are rewarded with Degrees for reading and/or responding to ads.

About SegaSoft, Inc.

SegaSoft was founded in 1995 and develops interactive software and content for PC's and the Internet. SegaSoft is a privately held company whose shareholders include CSK International Headquarters, Inc. and Sega of America, Inc. SegaSoft is headquartered in Redwood City, Calif., where it employs 120 people. For more information on SegaSoft, please visit http://www.segasoft.com

SegaSoft and HEAT.NET are trademarks of SegaSoft, Inc. Transactor is a trademark of PostLinear, Inc.