Press release: 1995-09-19: Sega breaks through 16-bit barriers with "VectorMan"

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)--Sept. 19, 1995--Sega of America Tuesday announced that its most sophisticated and challenging Sega Genesis game ever, "VectorMan," will be available nationwide on "V-Day," Oct. 24, 1995.

Utilizing an innovative new rendering technique called "Vector Piece" animation, "VectorMan" pushes the edge of Genesis technology to create action-packed 3D worlds with the highest-speed game play ever seen on a 16-bit video game machine.

As an added bonus Sega announced that "VectorMan" will be the first in a series of "Play to Win" video games. Gamers throughout the United States will be able to play "VectorMan" to win more than $160,000 in cash and prizes. Randomly selected cartridges have been seeded with the potential to win one of the built-in prizes.

"VectorMan" is a futuristic three-dimensional graphic adventure with 60-frame-per-second animation that pushes the outer limits of 16-bit technology.

The main character, VectorMan, achieves seamless and fluid movement throughout the game with Sega's innovative "Vector Piece" animation techniques. Composed of mechanical shapes and spheres, VectorMan can morph freely and smoothly into mechanical incarnations such as a high-speed drill, jet fighter, dune buggy, mechanical fish or a bomb.

With an arsenal of ultra-tech weapons at his disposal, VectorMan battles a sophisticated army of "orbots" to save Earth.

"Adding such innovative technology to the 16-bit development system, `VectorMan' will set a new standard for game play on the Genesis," said Mike Ribero, executive vice president, Sega of America. "The game play is so spectacular, players are going to get their hands on `VectorMan' and not be able to put it down."

After completing the game, lucky players who have one of the winning cartridges will see a final screen declaring "You Win!" with a secret phone number and address. Winners have a chance to win the grand prize, $25,000; one of ten first prizes, $10,000; or one of 90 second prizes, Sega Saturn.

To claim prizes, players must first call the secret phone number and then mail in their winning "VectorMan" cartridge to the secret address (a).

"The key to this contest is speed and gaming ability as well as a bit of luck," added Ribero. "As soon as `VectorMania' hits, it will be an all-out race to finish the game and become Sega's own `VectorManiac.'"

There is no purchase required to play the contest and winners can also participate by handwriting their name, address, age and phone number on a postcard and sending it to "Sega Play to Win Contest," P.O. Box 7531, Melville, New York 11775-7531. All entries must be received by July 31, 1996. Rated KA, "VectorMan" will carry a suggested retail price of $59.99.

Sega of America Ltd. is the arm of Tokyo-based Sega Enterprises Ltd. responsible for the development, marketing and distribution of Sega video game systems and video games in the Americas. Sega Enterprises is a nearly $4 billion company known as the industry leader in interactive digital entertainment media, and is the only company that offers entertainment experiences both inside and outside the home.

Sega of America's World Wide Web site is located at: http://www.segaoa.com. -0-

Note (a): Contest void where prohibited. No purchase necessary. For a complete listing of all contest rules and restrictions, please contact Sega of America.

CONTACT: Sega of America, Redwood City

Angela Edwards, 415/802-3908

or

Manning, Selvage & Lee

Christopher Kingry, 213/782-6600
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