Press release: 1999-11-10: First Snowboarding Title Blasts to Sega Dreamcast in Rippin' Riders

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

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 10, 1999--

Good news for all boarders! Now you can hit the slopes before the snow falls with "Rippin' Riders(TM)", the first snowboarding game for the 128-bit, Internet-ready Sega Dreamcast(TM) videogame console. "Rippin Riders" gives players the extreme gaming experience they crave, along with all the variety and multiplayer options to keep them coming back for more. The game is packed with amazing high-speed 3D courses and halfpipes, awesome tricks, unique characters and even some hidden surprises. "Rippin' Riders" is available at retailers nationwide today for $49.95.

"Rippin' Riders" challenges gamers to show their stuff on six fun-filled courses. The picturesque 3D courses, including challenging high mountain forest trails and downtown cityscapes, are filled with unexpected obstacles (including farm animals!) that gamers must try to avoid or run right through. Only players with the right race time and trick count can unlock additional hidden courses.

"The intense speeds, outrageous tricks and beautiful 3D settings in `Rippin Riders' are perfect examples of what the power of Sega Dreamcast can deliver," said Greg Thomas, vice president of product development, Sega of America. "No other snowboarding title can match the depth of gameplay and challenges found in this game."

To win in "Rippin' Riders," players must navigate these treacherous courses as fast as they can, gaining extra points along the way by performing stunts. As players catch major air off jumps, halfpipes and other obstacles, they can execute cool moves such as backside 360 tail grabs and misty flips. Fail to stick the move and it's a serious face plant, slowing you down and affecting the final race time and score.

The seven characters in "Rippin' Riders" are extremely detailed, with intricate outfits and even tattoos. Each boarder has two to three outfits and nine boards to choose from, including authentic Bonfire(TM) clothing and Salomon(TM) snowboards. Also unique to each character is the original soundtrack that plays as they ride, with songs matching each unique persona. For serious shredders, two hidden characters can be unlocked, but only if they meet certain race times and trick counts.

For true competitive fun, "Rippin' Riders" features multiplayer capabilities, allowing players to race head to head with their friends. "Match Race" challenges two players to go at it for the best time and trick count. "Line Versus" mode features split-screen action, in which losing players are eventually edged off the screen with each trick their opponent executes successfully.

"Rippin' Riders" is currently available at retailers nationwide and at sega.com for $49.95.

About Sega Dreamcast

Sega Dreamcast is available in the US at a suggested retail price of $199, with a built in 56K modem, allowing for full Internet functionality. The system had 18 titles available at launch that will grow to more than 40 titles by the end of the year. Third-party titles currently in the works will bring the total Sega Dreamcast game library count to more than 160 in the year 2000.

Along with its low price point, Sega Dreamcast has achieved other industry firsts. Its advanced 128-bit architecture makes it the first console with evolutionary capabilities, allowing it to grow and change to match advances in technology and the needs and desires of the consumer. Sega Dreamcast is also the most powerful video game console ever created. It is 15 times more powerful than a Sony PlayStation(TM), ten times more powerful than a Nintendo(R) 64 and has four times the graphics processing power of the fastest Pentium II processor.

In the first 24 hours of availability, Sega Dreamcast netted over $97 million at retail, more than tripling the past entertainment industry record set by Star Wars: The Phantom Menace at $28 million on its first day. In its initial four days, Sega sold a total of 372,000 Sega Dreamcast systems, easily surpassing the previous industry record holder, Nintendo 64, which took six days to hit 350,000 when it launched in 1996. In the first 13 days at retail, Sega Dreamcast has sold more than 514,000 units. Sega estimates that the company will sell 1.5 million units by December 31, 1999.

About Sega

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 www.sega.com.

Note to Editors: Screen shots of "Rippin' Riders" are available at FTP://ftp.accesspr.com/ public/sega
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