Press Release: 1999-07-15: HEAT.NET Crowns Another Exclusive: Kingpin: Life of Crime Launches

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)

Cracks Top 5 Most Played in First Day on HEAT

SAN FRANCISCO (July 15, 1999) - The summer HEAT's up as HEAT.NET (www.heat.net) continues its game precession, rolling out more exclusive products from the hottest publishers in the business. This month Kingpin: Life of Crime, from Interplay, hits retail and will be made available for multiplayer action only on the world's largest gaming service.

As part of HEAT.NET's exclusive licensing deal with Interplay, Kingpin: Life of Crime is moving onto the world's largest core gaming community, home to more than 110 top PC games and more than 1.7 million players.

"We have made a solemn oath to our community to provide the best and newest games on HEAT and our deal with Interplay continues to help us keep that promise," said Rich Pearson, director of marketing, HEAT.NET. "Kingpin: Life of Crime fits our player demographic like a glove and the fact that you can't find it anywhere else adds more value to a service that is already free and will actually pay you to play!"

KINGPIN: LIFE OF CRIME GAMEPLAY

From the creators of Redneck Rampage comes Kingpin: Life of Crime, the most immersive action/adventure experience ever. Somewhere in a past that never existed lies the world of Kingpin: Life of Crime a land of burned-out buildings and urban decay, where local gangs rule the street. Players rise to the top by assembling their own gang of thugs to carry out tasks that will expand their turf and eventually lead you to the Kingpin: Life of Crime. Built on top of the revolutionary Quake II engine, the game's multiplayer experience is a "gang-bang" death match for up to 16 thugs.

"Clearly, HEAT.NET is the best piece of online real estate available for our top games," said Alison Quirion, product manager, Interplay. "HEAT set a precedent with its superior marketing support and event programming of Descent 3, and with an awesome community of players and we expect Kingpin: Life of Crime to follow in its footsteps." Kingpin: Life of Crime will be supported by a host of promotions, contests and events. The game will be available this month at retail and can only be found online on HEAT.NET.

ABOUT INTERPLAY ENTERTAINMENT

Interplay Entertainment Corp. is a leading developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment software for both core gamers and the mass market. Interplay currently balances its development efforts by publishing for personal computers and current generation video game consoles. Interplay releases products through Interplay, Shiny Entertainment, Tantrum, Black Isle Studios, Interplay Sports, 14° East, its distribution partners and its wholly owned subsidiary Interplay OEM, Inc. More comprehensive information on Interplay and its products is available through its worldwide web site at http://www.interplay.com.

ABOUT HEAT.NET

HEAT.NET (www.heat.net) is the free online multi-player gaming service with the largest selection of games. HEAT.NET combines the best selection of multi-player PC games (over 100 are featured) with a thriving community of online gamers (1.5 million) and offers hundreds of competitive online gaming events and unique competitive features including the only rewards system for online gamers (frequent player points known as Degrees). While gameplay is free for all members, Premium membership allows players to redeem their frequent player points for prizes and make purchases in the HEAT.NET store. Premium members can also wager their points against one another in games of skill. HEAT.NET is the exclusive games provider for the @Home Network and the premiere games provider for Road Runner cable modem customers. HEAT.NET also operates the HEAT Collegiate Internet Gaming League (www.heatcigl.net) which features representatives from hundreds of colleges and universities in North America.

ABOUT SEGASOFT NETWORKS INC.

SegaSoft Networks, Inc. (SNI) develops and operates online gaming services and technology, including its flagship network HEAT.NET. Located in San Francisco, SNI is a privately held company whose shareholders include CSK and Sega Enterprises. For more information about SNI please visit www.segasoft.com.

SegaSoft, HEAT, HEAT.NET and Degrees are trademarks of SegaSoft Networks, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.