Press release: 1995-09-30: Electronic Arts announces NHL 96 title to ship on three platforms

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

Electronic Arts announces NHL 96 title to ship on three platforms; Best-selling hockey video game to face off with the opening of the NHL season.

SAN MATEO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 30, 1995--Electronic Arts(R) (NASDAQ:ERTS), a leading global interactive entertainment software company, EA SPORTS(TM) division today announced the release of NHL(R) 96 on three hardware platforms.

Shipping to coincide with the NHL season opener on October 6, 1995, EA SPORTS' NHL 96 is available for the Sega(TM) Genesis(TM), Super Nintendo Entertainment System(R) and PC CD-ROM.

NHL 96 redefines realistic video game sports simulations. The game features state-of-the-art player animations, more ways to score, faster gameplay, and advanced goalie and defensive artificial intelligence, such as players covering for teammates out of position. Enhanced sound effects include chanting crowds, the scratching of the skates against the ice, the slamming of the penalty box door and stadium-specific organ music. A Zamboni(R), the machine that cleans the ice, even rolls out at half-time for the ultimate in hockey realism.

The PC-CD version offers 11 different camera angles allowing players to view the hockey action from down on the ice, in the press box or up in the rafters. It also features more than 600 player portraits, including a complete set of Donruss(R) Hockey video cards in high resolution color, as well as each player's ratings, and the current season's team rosters and schedules. Players can view video interviews of NHL stars and team and individual player video highlights are also included from the 1994/1995 NHL season so game players can relive great moments from the prior season as they get psyched to go to battle in NHL 96.

"EA SPORTS' NHL game has been the best-selling hockey title on the market since its inception in 1991," said Don Transeth, vice president of marketing for EA SPORTS. "Our ability to ship NHL 96 simultaneously on three platforms -- and just in time for the NHL season -- speaks loudly for Electronic Arts' ability to continue to satisfy the demands of the consumer in a timely fashion."

NHL 96 players can choose exhibition, season, or playoff mode at three different levels of gameplay. Statistics, including win-loss records, goals and saves, can be logged so that players can claim bragging rights throughout the season as opponents fight through the NHL schedule on the way to the coveted Stanley Cup(R) finals.

The suggested retail price for NHL 96 will vary depending on the platform. The Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo Entertainment System are priced at $64.95, the PC CD-ROM lists at $54.95.

EA SPORTS, the largest division of Electronic Arts, is the leading interactive sports software brand in the world. Its top-selling titles include John Madden Football(TM), NHL(R) Hockey, NBA(R) Live, PGA TOUR(TM) Golf, and FIFA Soccer.

Electronic Arts, headquartered in San Mateo, Calif., is a leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, EA posted revenues of over $490 million for fiscal 1995. The company develops, publishes and distributes software worldwide for advanced entertainment systems such as the PlayStation(TM), Sega(TM) Saturn(TM), and 3DO(TM) Interactive Multiplayer(TM), as well as IBM-compatible PCs, Macintosh(R) computers, and major dedicated video game systems. Electronic Arts markets its products worldwide under five brand names: EA SPORTS, Electronic Arts Studio, Origin Systems Inc., Bullfrog Productions Ltd. and Jane's Combat Simulations. EA has subsidiaries in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Austin, Texas. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://www.ea.com.

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Note to Editors: Electronic Arts is a registered trademark of and EA SPORTS, John Madden Football and Electronic Arts Studio are trademarks of Electronic Arts. Sega, Genesis, and Saturn are trademarks of Sega Enterprises Ltd., Super Nintendo Entertainment System is a registered trademark of Nintendo of America Inc. NBA, NHL, Stanley Cup, PGA TOUR and FIFA are trademarks of their respective owners and are used under license. PlayStation is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Donruss is a registered trademark of Donruss Trading Cards. 3DO and Interactive Multiplayer are trademarks of the 3DO Company. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: EA SPORTS

Mary Snow, 415/513-7199

or

Electronic Arts

Caroline Hughes, 415/513-7860 (investor relations)
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