Press release: 1994-10-26: SHAQUILLE O'NEAL TO STAR IN FIRST EVER VIDEOGAME

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

SAN MATEO, Calif., Oct. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Basketball superstar Shaquille O'Neal makes his video game debut in "Shaq-Fu," a new fighting action game from Electronic Arts(R) (EA) (Nasdaq: ERTS). "Shaq-Fu" will be available on October 28th, in versions for leading home entertainment systems.

Electronic Arts has an exclusive multi-year license with O'Neal, and Shaq-Fu is the first video game of any type to feature him. Expect EA to release many other games of various genres and formats featuring Shaq in the coming years.

"Shaq's huge popularity among young fans and his awesome physical presence make him the perfect action superhero," said Don Traeger, Vice President of Creative Development at Electronic Arts. "If you can imagine a seven-foot one-inch, 305-pound, shoe-size-twenty-two roundhouse kick, you start to get the picture."

Notable for its high-quality graphics and smooth animation, "Shaq-Fu" was designed by Delphine, of France, one of the world's premier video game developers and creators of the hit titles "Out of This World" and "Flashback." O'Neal participated in the design of the game. "Shaq is a true video game enthusiast and has been an active member of the design team throughout the production," said Traeger.

To achieve "Shaq-Fu's" outstanding graphics, its designers drew on real-life film footage of O'Neal and stuntmen practicing martial arts. Using rotoscope techniques, their filmed movements were translated into computer images, which served as the basis for the animation. The result is the best animation yet seen on cartridge games -- more fluid and natural than on past products.

Electronic Arts will release "Shaq-Fu" for the Sega(TM) Genesis(TM) and Super Nintendo Entertainment System(R), on October 28th. A version for Sega's hand-held Game Gear(TM) system will be released early spring of 1995, and a fourth version, for play on Nintendo's hand-held Game Boy(R) system, will be published by THQ also in the spring of 1995.

The game is suitable for one player, or for two playing simultaneously. Versions for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and for the Sega Genesis will be priced at $69.95 and for Sega Game Gear system at $39.95.

Electronic Arts is a diversified entertainment and education company that develops, publishes and distributes software worldwide. The company is 11 years old and has an annual sales rate of $400 million. Its corporate headquarters are in San Mateo, California, and it has offices in Texas, Canada, the U.K., Europe, Australia and Japan.

NOTE: Super Nintendo Entertainment System and Game Boy are registered trademarks of Nintendo of America Inc. Sega, Genesis and Game Gear are trademarks of Sega Enterprises Ltd. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

-0- 10/26/94
/CONTACT: Fiona Murphy, Public Relations, of Electronic Arts, 415-513-7661; or Beth Schueler of Management Plus, 310-785-9510/
 (ERTS)

CO: Electronic Arts ST: California IN: CPR SU: PDT

RB-RB -- SF007 -- 7989 10/26/94 10:02 EDT
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