Press release: 1997-06-05: The terror of Resident Evil is screaming its way onto the Sega Saturn; Capcom's top selling "gore fest" to make the leap from Sony PlayStation to Sega Saturn in '97

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)--June 5, 1997--Capcom Entertainment today announced that it will release its best-selling video game Resident Evil(TM) for the Sega Saturn(TM) in the third quarter of 1997.

The game that created an entirely new genre originally released last year for the Sony PlayStation held the number one spot for six consecutive months. To date Capcom has shipped more than 2.5 million units worldwide and although no longer in production, it continues to sell.

The availability of Resident Evil for Sega Saturn comes as great news to Sega owners who have lobbied Capcom steadily for this release for the past year. Capcom will sell Resident Evil at a suggested retail price of $49.99.

Not only will the Sega Saturn version of Resident Evil have all of the macabre elements of the original version, it will also include enhancements only available on the Sega Saturn. Resident Evil's design team has added a new monster, a weapon and other hidden surprises.

Also exclusive to the Sega Saturn version is the Arena Battle/Survival Mode where players must use their skill to battle a continuous onslaught of zombies and monsters that approach with relentless speed.

"Capcom is excited about bringing Resident Evil to the Sega Saturn," said Robert Lindsey, senior vice president of sales and marketing. "The demand from Saturn owners has been overwhelming. We feel they will be pleased with the results and expect Resident Evil to be the number one selling Saturn title this Christmas."

"Sega's first priority is delivering quality titles for the Sega Saturn users," said Bernard Stolar, COO, Sega of America. "I believe our customers will be very impressed with the enhancements Capcom has made to the Sega Saturn version of this hit title."

For those that do not know, Resident Evil is a third-person perspective, horror action adventure game with elements of role-playing and puzzle solving, and lots of the strange and macabre. It is the first video game to truly capture the kind of action, suspense and drama that directors like John Carpenter, Alfred Hitchcock, and Sam Raimi have been able to achieve on film.

The 3D environment has been pre-rendered with gorgeous texture maps and unbelievable shadows and light sourcing. Players control a polygon character, who is seen through shifting noir-style, third-person perspective camera views that change as the character moves.

Players are forced to think carefully, as the game relies on very little screen text, forcing the player to really examine the surroundings. Resident Evil also features full-motion video introduction and ending sequences, as well as incredible computer-animated cut scenes.

In Resident Evil you control either Chris Redfield, the slacker pilot and sharpshooter; or Jill Valentine, the tough demolition's expert, of S.T.A.R.S. (Special Tactics And Rescue Squad), sent in to investigate your fellow teammates' helicopter crash. Once at the crash site, however, you're quickly chased into a nearby foreboding mansion by a pack of monstrous creatures.

Inside, you become separated from your squad, and are forced to solve the mysteries on your own as you search for your missing compatriots. Besides your quick wit, there are items to be found along the way, including bazookas, shotguns, flame-throwers, pistols, knives, medicine, batteries, keys and maps.

You're going to need them because this house is filled with acid-spitting zombies, giant spiders, horrid frog-like creatures, mutant dogs and a host of other tricks and traps guaranteed to make you sweat and beg for more.

Capcom Entertainment Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Capcom Co. Ltd. of Japan, is a leading force in the multi-billion dollar interactive entertainment industry. Capcom develops, markets and distributes both coin-operated games and home video games for the Sony PlayStation, Sega Saturn and Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Capcom's U.S. headquarters are based in Sunnyvale, California.

Capcom and Resident Evil are registered trademarks of Capcom Co. Ltd. All other names are trademarks of their respective holders.

CONTACT: Capcom Entertainment

Melinda Mongelluzzo/Sean Mylett, 408/774-0500
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