Press release: 1996-10-24: Capcom Launches Street Fighter Alpha 2 with Fireballs

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

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 24, 1996--Capcom, recognized worldwide as the undisputed leader in fighting games, today details their marketing plans for Street Fighter Alpha 2.

Commencing with the launch of the game on November 1, 1996, Capcom will support the product with TV advertising, print advertising, a top rated animated cartoon series, strategy guide and a variety of promotions and merchandising material including floor statics, postcards, posters and t-shirts.

Street Fighter Alpha 2 is the latest in the world's premier line of fighting games. It offers players an all new Custom Combo system and 18 on-screen selectable characters, the most in any Street Fighter title. Street Fighter Alpha 2 will be available for Sega Saturn and Sony PlayStation at a suggested retail price of $65.95.

"Even before all of our marketing programs have kicked off, our initial orders for Street Fighter Alpha 2 have surpassed those initially placed for Resident Evil, our biggest hit so far this year," said Todd Thorson, Capcom's product marketing manager. "A strong marketing campaign combined with the brand awareness this title commands is certain to make Street Fighter Alpha 2 another blockbuster."

Floor statics of Ken (one of the most famous Street Fighters) shooting "Alpha 2" fireballs is one of the more innovative merchandising programs for Street Fighter Alpha 2. Distributed to more than 1000 retailers across the U.S., floor statics are large self-adhesive plastic coated stickers that are applied on aisles in stores. They can also be applied to walls, counters, glass or any other prominent surfaces to direct customers to Street Fighter Alpha 2 displays.

"The floor statics are designed to attract consumers' attention with powerful graphics images placed in unusual or unexpected locations. We believe Capcom is among the first game companies to introduce this new method of merchandising to game retailers," concluded Thorson.

Spot television advertising in the top 81 nationwide markets kicks-off November 11. The commercial titled "Going Blind" will air on syndicated shows in a prime time or later broadcast buy and within daytime sports programming. The top rated "Street Fighter Animated Cartoon Series" also leads USA networks Action Extreme Team programming.

Other specialized programs include 100,000 Street Fighter Alpha 2 postcards given away at Tower Records and Books nationwide, posters and t-shirts for retail promotions and giveaways, and in-store videos and demos. Capcom's Official Street Fighter Alpha 2 Strategy Guide is the largest strategy guide Capcom has ever published, containing game tips, tricks, codes, and unreleased Street Fighter art.

Capcom Entertainment, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Capcom Co., Ltd., is a leading force in the multi-billion dollar interactive entertainment industry. The company develops, markets, and distributes, home video games for the Sega Saturn, Sony PlayStation and Super Nintendo. Capcom Entertainment is based in Sunnyvale, California.

CONTACT: Capcom

Chris Kramer or Melinda Mongelluzzo, 408/774-0500
COPYRIGHT 1996 Business Wire
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 1996, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.