Press release: 1999-09-02: Babbage's Etc. Makes Sega's Dream -Cast- Come True

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

Babbage's Etc. Makes Sega's Dream -Cast- Come True; Interactive Entertainment Retailer Readies Delivery of Over 100,000 Dreamcast Video Game Systems on 9/9/99 Gameday

GRAPEVINE, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 2, 1999--

When the revolutionary new Sega Dreamcast video game system hits the market on September 9, video game fanatics will be losing sleep. That's because delivery of more than 100,000 of the new 128-bit machine to fans will begin at Babbage's and Software Etc. stores across the nation at 12:01 AM.

Many Babbage's and Software Etc. stores will open at Midnight on September 8 or early September 9 to accommodate customers who can't wait to fire-up the new systems, the most powerful and sophisticated gaming platform ever. Babbage's customers have placed orders for more than 100,000 of the Sega units, a video game industry record for pre-orders through a single retailer and the biggest share of the unprecedented 300,000 unit Dreamcast pre-order market.

"We've passed the 100,000 mark in Dreamcast pre-orders," said Dan De Matteo, Babbage's Etc. president. "We are expecting the biggest single day in our chain's history on September 9 and want to open early to accommodate the many gamers who can't sleep until they own a Dreamcast.

"We're expecting September 9 sales to be bigger than even our best days during the traditional holiday selling season. The Dreamcast excitement will lead to record sales for a single week and month," he added.

Babbage's Etc.'s 485 stores passed the 100,000 mark in orders for the $199.99 system in the last days of August. Customers also have reserved Dreamcast systems at Babbage's Etc.'s new e-commerce portal, www.gamestop.com, which delivers hot new product to customers the same day it hits their retail stores.

The Dreamcast sales bonanza also will be driven by Dreamcast game titles, accessories and paraphernalia.

"The retail end of the video game industry has flexed its muscle in support of the Sega Dreamcast launch and Babbage's is one of the leaders in contributing to the unprecedented success of our new system," said Chris Gilbert, vice president of sales, Sega of America. "What Babbage's and other retailers have done in delivering 300,000 pre-orders is truly a testament to the power of the retail channel today."

Babbage's Etc. is a leading specialty retailer of video games, PC games and gaming accessories. The privately held company had fiscal 1998 sales of $465.2 million with comparable store sales up 22.4% and will finish fiscal `99 with over 525 stores. Babbage's Etc. operates retail outlets under the Babbage's, Software Etc., Gamestop and Planet X names. Babbage's Etc. is headquartered in Grapevine, Texas.
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