Press release: 1996-05-17: Sega Saturn Price Drops to $199

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

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 17, 1996--Sega of America, Inc. today announced at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) it has dropped the suggested retail price of its next-generation Sega Saturn videogame system to $199.99 effective immediately.

Price parity is one component of Sega's three-prong strategy to dominate the competitive landscape for TV console videogame systems; superior software library and Internet accessibility for browsing and gaming, complete the strategic battle plan.

"Our business is all about great interactive entertainment experiences and the best value for the consumer," Tom Kalinske, president and CEO, Sega of America said. "This pricing action has always been part of our overall strategic plan."

Sega's first-party line-up includes exclusive original titles including "NiGHTS," the revolutionary new game developed by Sonic the Hedgehog creator, Yuji Naka and the number-one requested title for Sega Saturn, "Sonic X-Treme." In addition, the next round of exclusive arcade hits for Sega Saturn such as "Virtua Cop 2," "Fighting Vipers," "Manx TT," and the forthcoming "Virtua Fighter 3" completes Sega's software arsenal.

"We've seen what software the competition has to offer this year and believe that the first and third-party software on Sega Saturn will be unrivaled," Kalinske said,

In addition to great software, the Sega Saturn is the first and only next-generation game system that will offer Internet access. The Sega Saturn Net Link, a new 28.8 Kbps modem and browser peripheral for the Sega Saturn priced at $199.99, brings the Internet to the television set for network gaming, electronic mail, online chats, World Wide Web connections and other cyber-services for a total system cost of under $400.

"Our exclusive Sega Saturn Net Link itself is a compelling reason to buy Sega Saturn over any other options," Kalinske said. "Sega is the first company to offer an Internet solution for under $400 which will bring the much anticipated network gaming and Internet experience to the mass market."

Sega of America is the arm of Tokyo, Japan-based Sega Enterprises Ltd. responsible for the development, marketing and distribution of Sega videogame systems and videogames in the Americas. Sega Enterprises Ltd. is a nearly $3.5 billion company recognized as the industry leader in interactive digital entertainment media and is the only company that offers interactive entertainment experiences both inside and outside the home. Sega of America's World Wide Web address is located at http://www.sega.com -0-

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CONTACT: Sega of America

Dan Stevens, 800/335-6055 Pager

or

Manning, Selvage & Lee

Kelly Fitzsimmons, 800/800-7759 Pager
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