Press release: 1999-08-05: Majesco Signs Licensing Deal to Distribute Sega Pico Educational Systems

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

Majesco Signs Licensing Deal to Distribute Sega Pico Educational Systems: Systems Will Be Available In All Major Toy Retailers By Holiday Season

EDISON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 5, 1999--

Majesco Sales, a leading distributor and manufacturer of video-game software and hardware, today announced a licensing agreement with Sega(R) Enterprises Ltd. to remanufacture and distribute the Pico edutainment system and software in the United States at a substantially reduced price.

The suggested retail prices are now $49.95 for the hardware and $19.99 for the software, reduced from $149.99 and $39.99-$49.99. Systems have already started shipping and are expected to be in major retail stores by this holiday season. Majesco is offering the Pico hardware and seven software titles:

- Disney's 101 Dalmations

- Disney's The Lion King: Adventures at Pride Rock

- Magic Crayons

- Mickey's Blast into the Past

- A Year at Pooh Corner

- Richard Scarry's Huckle and Lowly's Busiest Day Ever

- Sesame Street

"We're pleased to be bringing this successful system for learning and fun to today's children at an affordable price for their parents," says Morris Sutton, chairman of Majesco Sales, Inc. "Preliminary indications from a major retailer show strong early sales, and we're also evaluating several more software titles for possible launch by the holiday season."

Pico is a 16-bit cartridge-based learning tool and gaming platform for children aged 3-7. It looks like a brightly-colored laptop computer and provides easy plug-and play use by plugging directly into a TV. It features the Magic Pen; a jumbo, crayon-sized stylus for prewriting and mouse skills. The interactive Storyware software titles for Pico provide early learning, computer and art skills. By connecting the Pico through a VCR, each Pico session, including original art, can be recorded.

The Pico system has received several awards, including a Platinum Seal Award from the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio for design, safety, entertainment and learning value; citation as one of Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children Products, an annual listing for safe, affordable and stimulating products for children; and a Gold Medal from the National Association of Parenting Publications Awards.

Sega Background

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 $2.5 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 site is located at http://www.sega.com

Majesco, Inc. Background Majesco, Inc., is a diversified manufacturer and distributor of video game software and hardware. Based in Edison, N.J., the company is comprised of Pipe Dream Interactive, an emerging publisher of interactive software, and Majesco Sales, Inc., a leading distributor and manufacturer of second-generation video-game software and hardware under licenses from Sega, Nintendo, and Sony.
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