Press release: 1998-05-28: CONFLICT OF NATIONS ADDS "CHARACTER" TO THE STRATEGY GENRE SEI

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: Sega PC website

Unveils Its First Original Content PC Title, Breaks Into Strategy Genre

ATLANTA -- (May 28, 1998) E3 Booth #5346 --

Sega(r) Entertainment, Inc. (SEI) today announced its first original and real-time strategy title for the PC, "Conflict of Nations(tm)." A combination real-time strategy/adventure game with unique satirical humor exploring the truly dark side of war, "Conflict of Nations" is a true-to-life wartime escalation between actual countries and a cast of characters leading and building their nations during the Imperialistic start of the 20th century.

Unlike any other game seen in the genre, "Conflict of Nations" sets new standards with more sophisticated and advanced layers of gameplay, unique levels of espionage, enhanced combat over air, sea and land, 15 command characters, 40 unit types, 18 building types to create, manage and control, 8 different resources to regulate, and a highly-advanced multi-player team feature -- 36 players can battle at once via the Internet. "Conflict of Nations" will be available in Fall 1998.

"SEI analyzed the strategy game category to define the next benchmark," said Matt Wolf, executive producer, SEI. "We are taking a different approach in developing `Conflict of Nations' by showing PC gamers another side of real-time strategy games with unique black humor and incredible multi-player and resource options."

In "Conflict of Nations," players are launched into an all-out war between six countries such as United States, Japan, Russia, Germany, Great Britain and France and must take on the role of Emperor (or the highest rank for that specific country) to build up and protect their country. These five power-post "heads of state" are the heart and soul of the country and must be guarded carefully, for they cannot be replaced. To dominate the map, gamers must protect the heads of state, manage morale and productivity in the country, utilize all resources and functions of each citizen in the nation, and fight using a range of military equipment including tanks, zeppelins and battleships.

Soldiers in "Conflict of Nations" can defend and attack on air, sea and land, adding a new level of complexity and realism to the game. The game also features eight resources to manage, the most of any real- time strategy game, ranging from coal to wood to gold. With these resources also comes a complex level of management. Gamers can macro-manage their resources by letting the computer's artificial intelligence (AI) utilize the wood the country has and build the structures itself. However, micro-management becomes necessary when the wood at the factories runs out and construction stops. Players must then utilize civilians to chop down trees for productivity to continue.

The 15 characters in "Conflict of Nations" play a critical role in realistic gameplay and country functionality. Princesses have peacemaking power, for if they marry the prince of another country, a treaty can be formed. Civilians such as industrialists and researchers are important in keeping the country on the cutting-edge of technology and improvement. All work together to create a fully functioning nation. The disposition and personality of the characters are humorously depicted through the beautifully-detailed 3D caricatures, poking fun at stereotypes. The prince of England looks like Prince Charles and the Saboteur looks like a typical "bad guy" with bulging eyes and a devious smile.

This game is about more than shooting and killing -- it incorporates all aspects of real war in real life. When an Emperor or head of state dies, gamers are faced with the challenge of managing the morale of their country. Gamers must do their best to hold their own during the healing process, as troops will need to recover before they can fight back and be motivated to hunker down in the trenches.

The possibilities for espionage and deceit are endless with the game's 36-player multiplayer options. Power struggles are inevitable with six people playing for one country. A player at a lower post can raise a coup, and everyone can elect a new Emperor. However, players must draw a line between serious war and back-stabbing, for while this vote is going on, so is full-force war in real-time.

"Conflict of Nations" features five levels of gameplay, 20 mission maps and 20 different mission set-ups. Players can access three map views ranging from entire world, country-by-country and specific city.

"Conflict of Nations" will operate on PCs with a minimum specification of 133 Mhz Pentium(r) with 16 MB memory and will support play on a keyboard or any analog or digital Windows95 compatible peripheral.

"Conflict of Nations" is an original design by Steve Bruce, developed by NMS Software in England, best known for its "Tilt!(tm)" and "Mass Destruction(tm)" arcade titles and its "Risk(tm)" and "Battleship(tm)" strategy games.

Sega Entertainment, Inc. was founded in April of 1996, and delivers original and customized Sega content in leading genres of the PC gaming market. Leveraging Sega's arcade leadership and library of game content, the company is committed to redefining the PC gaming experience with titles featuring high frame rates, 3D characters and environments, high polygon counts, detailed texture mapping, multiplayer online gaming and emotion-triggered gameplay that is unmatched by competing PC games. Sega Entertainment, Inc. was formed through a joint venture between Sega of America and SOFTBANK Holdings, Inc.