Press release: 1995-07-31: Sega takes PC gaming to the next level with NVIDIA

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: The Free Library

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 31, 1995--Sega of America Inc. is setting a new standard in gameplay for personal computers through a licensing agreement with NVIDIA; soon it will be possible to convert Sega's high-end Sega Saturn and arcade software to CD-ROMs for Pentium-based PCs equipped with NVIDIA's Multimedia Accelerators.

This agreement is the latest step toward Sega's goal of offering compelling videogames for both the dedicated game machine and the PC markets, as well as the arcade and theme park venues.

This high-end software has pushed sales of Sega Saturn, Sega's platform for the future, to more than one million units in Japan since its introduction in November 1994. Launched in the United States on May 11 in limited national distribution, Sega Saturn has sold out in retail stores across the country; Sega is working to meet strong demand for the advanced system by increasing manufacturing, and will be in full distribution by early September 1995.

Sega PC CD-ROM games developed for the NVIDIA architecture will deliver the next level of multimedia entertainment under Windows and have the same stunning visuals and gameplay of the Sega Saturn versions. NVIDIA's single-chip NV1 Multimedia Accelerator provides the comprehensive multimedia capabilities, including real-time photorealistic 3D graphics, video-based special effects, full-motion video acceleration and concurrent high-fidelity audio, necessary for Sega to make technically advanced arcade gaming experiences available to PC owners.

"Now, using the power of NVIDIA's exclusive 3D capabilities combined with Pentium-based computers, PC owners will be able to enjoy the world's best arcade hits at their home computers as well as on their television sets with Sega Saturn," Tom Kalinske, president and CEO, Sega of America said.

Kalinske believes that the markets for gaming on home PCs and dedicated video game machines such as Sega Saturn will thrive in the future, and the PC gaming market could reach approximately 20 percent to 25 percent of the videogame market by 1999.

Jon Peddie & Associates President Jon Peddie said: "Sega's endorsement of NVIDIA's NV1 technology and the PC platform are significant catalysts for transforming the PC into a serious interactive multimedia machine."

Kalinske added: "We think PC owners will be as excited and engrossed by playing our games on the PC in their home offices as our Sega Saturn customers are with the big-screen, high-end audio experience in their family rooms. While most home-based interactive entertainment will happen in the family room, the population of home PC users who want to take a break from traditional office applications with high-end PC games with arcade-quality graphics and speed is definitely growing."

NVIDIA's president and co-founder Jen-Hsun Huang said: "We are trilled to be working with Sega, the world's premier interactive entertainment company. Sega's hit software titles will take advantage of every facet of our technology and drive us to our limits, and PC consumers are going to be stunned with the results of our combined efforts."

Sega will reveal which if its hit arcade and consumer software titles it is porting to the NV1 early this fall. Sega will bundle NV1-compatible titles with multimedia products from leading add-in card suppliers and PC OEMs in time for the holiday selling season.

NVIDIA is a privately held company based in Sunnyvale, Calif. The company's mission is to develop acceleration technology to transform the PC into the ultimate multimedia platform. The company was listed in the June 1995 issue of UPSIDE Magazine as "one of the five hottest startup companies in Silicon Valley," according to industry analysts, and was also listed as "one of the top computer companies to watch" in The Red Herring Magazine.

Sega of America is the arm of Tokyo-based Sega Enterprises Ltd. responsible for the development, marketing and distribution of Sega products in the Americas. Sega Enterprises Ltd. is a nearly $4 billion company known as a leader in interactive digital entertainment media with operations on five continents. Sega of America's Internet addresses are: http://www.segaoa.com (World Wide Web), GO SEGA (CompuServe Forum); [email protected] (e-mail); ftp.segaoa.com (ftp site).

NOTE TO EDITORS: Sega and Sega Saturn are trademarks of Sega of America.

CONTACT: For Sega: Lee McEnany, 415/802-3658

For NVIDIA: Bruce Brough, 408/438-0204

or

Manning, Selvage & Lee

Greg Chiemingo, 818/509-1840
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