Press release: 2000-04-26: Sega.com Opens Hong Kong Office

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

Sega.com Opens Hong Kong Office; New location to expand Sega's reach and introduce Sega.com and Sega Dreamcast to the Asian Pacific Region

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 26, 2000

Sega.com(tm) announced today that Cheong Ming Holdings Limited officially changed its name to Sega.com Asia Limited and formed a Hong Kong office. The new office will introduce Sega Dreamcast(tm), SegaNet(tm) and HEAT.NET, to Asian markets, excluding Japan.

Sega.com Inc. is a newly formed company focused on online interactive entertainment and is privately held with initial U.S. funding of $100 million. Sega.com Asia Ltd. will leverage the company's strong equity with the Sega brand, the record-shattering launch of the Sega Dreamcast games system in the US, and soon to launch SegaNet. Sega Dreamcast netted over $97 million in its first 24 hours at retail, more than tripling the past entertainment industry record set by Star Wars: The Phantom Menace at $28 million on its first day. The worldwide installed base for Sega Dreamcast systems is nearly five million, with over 2 million units sold in the U.S., only six short months after launch. SegaNet is the only high-speed online console gaming network and offers gamers 3D multi-player games, chat, community, cheat codes, tournaments, content and full access to the Internet.

"Expanding our presence in Asia is a great opportunity to introduce the advantages of Sega.com and Sega Dreamcast to one of the world's largest growth markets," said Brad Huang, president and CEO, Sega.com. "Sega.com is leading the console gaming industry online, and bringing the many benefits of our strategy to the Asian markets."

Sega.com Asia will act as an exclusive operating arm for Sega.com in the Asia Pacific Region, excluding Japan. In addition to providing the online gaming network in the fourth quarter, the company will also be responsible for the marketing and distribution of Sega Dreamcast related hardware and software products. To capitalize on the brand value of Sega, Sega Dreamcast and SegaNet, Sega.com Asia will localize the games with Chinese/Asian languages.

Also being introduced to Hong Kong this July is HEAT.NET, the world's largest core PC gaming community with over 2.5 million registered users and more than 160 games. The network will incorporate localized games, newly developed games with local flavor and popular U.S. games.

About Sega.com Inc.

Sega.com, Inc. is a new online entertainment company whose goal is to become the online destination for gamers. Sega.com integrates SegaNet, the only high-speed online console gaming network providing Dreamcast users with the ultimate in speed, reliability and content. SegaNet offers gamers the best in 3D multi-player games, chat, community, cheat codes, tournaments and content. SegaNet is also an ISP for Sega Dreamcast and PC users, offering gamers everything they need to know about gaming and other areas of interest that tie in with gaming including music, TV, community, movies, sports and e-commerce.

About Sega Dreamcast

The 128-bit Internet ready Sega Dreamcast is available in the US with a built-in 56K modem, allowing for full Internet functionality via SegaNet, the only high-speed online console gaming network and ISP service for Sega Dreamcast and PC users. Sega Dreamcast currently has more than 80 titles available. The total Sega Dreamcast game library count will be more than 200 in the year 2000.

About HEAT.NET

HEAT.NET (www.heat.net) is the world's largest core PC gaming community (2.5million) with support for the largest selection of multi-player PC games (more than 160). HEAT.NET offers hundreds of competitive online gaming events and unique competitive features including the only rewards system for online gamers (frequent player points known as Degrees). While gameplay is free for all members, Premium membership allows players to redeem their frequent player points for prizes and make purchases in the HEAT.NET store. HEAT.NET also operates the HEAT Collegiate Internet Gaming League (www.heatcigl.net) which features representatives from hundreds of colleges and universities in North America.
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