Press release: 2000-05-11: Sega.com Introduces New Site Browser

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 Introduces New Site Browser; Planetweb Upgrades Dreamcast Internet Software to Deliver a Premium Experience

E3Expo 2000

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 11, 2000

Sega.com(TM), a independent online interactive entertainment company for gamers, today announced at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), an upgrade to the current Dreamcast browser in its quest to provide the best online experience leading up to the launch of SegaNet(TM), this fall.

The Sega Dreamcast(TM) Web Browser version 2.0, developed by Planetweb, will host a slew of new features that keep the site ahead of the technology curve including support of Macromedia's Flash 3.0, MP3 compatibility, greater Visual Memory Unit (VMU) interactivity, PNG advanced graphics, JavaScript upgrades, and Web-based force feedback.

"To date 20 percent of Sega Dreamcast owners access the web via Sega Dreamcast and that's before full-fledged 3-D gaming was available," said Greg Chiemingo, vice president of Marketing, Sega.com. "We are committed to providing our current and future customers with the best in content, community, and technology the Net has to offer console gamers."

The Sega Dreamcast Web Browser version 2.0, developed by Planetweb, is today's gateway to Sega.com and the Internet. With it, gamers can access exclusive Sega information, chat with other Dreamcast users, buy Sega products and much more. The new browser supports a unique feature called Jump Pack support.

This feature is only available when playing video games. Planetweb's Jump Pack support will give web and online game developers the ability to create "interactive sensations" for web sites that can be felt by those using the forced feedback unit. Users will be able to feel bumps, collisions and crashes that correspond with web content.

In addition the new browser supports:


 -- HTML 3.2
 -- Flash 3
 -- MP3, WAV, AIFF, and AU audio
 -- Email
 -- IRC Chat
 -- 128-bit Encryption
 -- Javascript
 -- JPG, GIF, and PNG graphics VMU


The Sega Dreamcast Network and its successor SegaNet is set to lead the videogaming industry into the online world. Sega.com will create the world's largest and most robust gaming community while providing gamers with a "hassle free" online gaming experience. With the Sega Dreamcast and SegaNet, consumers can pop in a GD-ROM, click on a button and are instantly immersed in a highly interactive gaming environment with thousands of other gamers on the Internet. And the network allows for full Internet functionality including chat, e-mail, web browsing in addition to the exclusive console online gaming.

About SegaNet

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 Planetweb

Planetweb is an open platform provider of products, applications and services for the Internet Appliance market. The company creates an enhanced Internet experience through consumer devices like Planetweb iGame(TM) online console gaming systems, Planetweb iDVD(TM) players, set-top boxes, Internet kiosks and phones. Planetweb is recognized for its cost effective and efficiently designed Internet software solution, superior display technology, Java multimedia technology, consumer-intuitive interfaces and powerful portal services and applications. Planetweb, a pre-IPO Internet software company, is headquartered in Redwood Shores, Calif., and has an office in Tokyo, Japan. Planetweb is available on the Internet at www.planetweb.com.
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