Press Release: 2000-05-11: HEAT.NET Relaunches Online Gaming Service

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)

New Service Equips Online Gaming Community with New Games and Faster Service!

SAN FRANCISCO (5/11/00) - HEAT.NET, the world's largest core online gaming community, today announced a major re-launch of its service (www.heat.net). Signaling its on-going commitment to the online gaming community, the new service will deliver improved features, a completely redesigned web site, a new HEAT.NET logo, and awesome new games from top game developers and publishers, including exclusive games from Interplay and Ripcord. Bigger, better and faster than ever the new HEAT.NET will feature new services, including one-click access to games and information, Web-based e-mail and instant messenger services, and simplified navigation. Additional game servers will also be deployed to ensure continued quality game-play as demand grows. The new HEAT.NET, featuring the "flaming head" logo and the new "HEAT look" will be featured at the Sega.com booth (2116) at the E3 Expo in Los Angeles, May 11th -- 14th. "We looked at what players want most, more games and more community, and built them into our newly revamped site," said Matt Callaway, director of marketing and community for HEAT.NET. "We offer more of everything, and it's all served up at lightning speeds across HEAT.NET."

NEW EXCLUSIVE GAMES 

HEAT.NET has lined up top-tier developers and publishers to provide the hottest new multiplayer content for HEAT.NET. Players can look forward to HEAT exclusives such as Evolva from Interplay and Legend of the Blade Masters, GorkaMorka, and M.O.U.T. 2025 from Ripcord. HEAT.NET will also be providing new titles from Eidos, Infogames, THQ, Ripcord, 3DO, Take 2 Interactive, Strategy First and many others. 

NEW COMMUNITY TOOLS 

HEATSeeker is a new instant messenger service that allows HEAT.NET gamers to chat in real time across the Web. Want a buddy to join you in a round of your favorite first-person shooter game? Fire off a HEATSeeker message. The HEATSeeker instant messenger will launch later this month. Gamers can also receive regular e-mail at HEAT.NET. Through its partnership with Commtouch, HEAT.NET now offers free Web-based e-mail that's accessible from anywhere on the Web. 

SPEED COUNTS 

Under the hood of the newly revamped HEAT.NET lies a faster, more powerful national network of servers. HEAT.NET has increased its deployment of additional servers by more than one-third to date, and by year's end will have doubled its total server capacity throughout the United States. All this translates to serving up award-winning content faster and to more players than ever before. The beefed-up network is designed to satisfy the speed requirements of today's most discriminating online gamers. 

ARE YOU IN HEAT? 

HEAT.NET is touting its new look, services and feel to gamers with a new promotional campaign that asks "Are You in HEAT?" Scheduled to break in major gaming publications this month, the new campaign will also include a major online advertising push. 

ABOUT HEAT.NET

HEAT.NET (www.heat.net) is the world's largest core online gaming community (3 million) with support for the largest selection of multi-player PC games (over 140). HEAT.NET 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). HEAT.NET offers a free membership, which provides free access to all games, except 10SIX, the first persistent action/strategy game. HEAT also has a paid Premium membership, which allows players to redeem their frequent player points for prizes and make purchases in the HEAT.NET store, and a paid 10SIX Subscription, which allows subscribers to play 10SIX. 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.

Note to Editors: HEAT.NET, and the HEAT logo are trademarks of Sega.com