Press release: 2000-09-21: Sega Announces NAOMI2 Next Generation Arcade Systems Using Imagination Technologies’ PowerVR Graphics Architecture

From Sega Retro

Logo-txt.svg
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: https://www.trustnet.com/Investments/Article.aspx?id=200009210700422851R

Imagination Technologies Group PLC
21 September 2000


Sega Announces NAOMI2 Next Generation Arcade Systems Using
Imagination Technologies' PowerVR Graphics Architecture

NAOMI2, the arcade system developed by Sega and based on PowerVR
graphics technology, debuts today at the 38th Amusement Machine
Show in Tokyo. NAOMI2 sets a new standard for arcade gaming and
will reinforce the dominance of the NAOMI arcade platform, which
has become an arcade industry standard, providing stunning
entertainment experiences worldwide.

NAOMI2 is the next generation graphics architecture for arcade
systems incorporating technologies designed by PowerVR
Technologies - a division of Imagination Technologies - as part of
the continuing partnership between Sega, NEC Corporation, and
Imagination Technologies. Sega is already using the system for the
development of the next generation of arcade titles, and some of
these outstanding game images will be demonstrated at the
Amusement Machine Show.

Says Hideki Sato, Senior Managing Director of Sega Enterprises:
'NAOMI2 is at the cutting edge of gaming, there is no comparable
videogame system in the world.  NAOMI2 utilizes PowerVR's inherent
scalability and the new hardware geometry and lighting engine, to
deliver an unmatched level of gaming experience that will amaze
arcade goers worldwide.  NAOMI2 not only provides beautiful
graphics but also significantly frees up resources in the main CPU
for actual game dynamics, allowing developers to write games that
will stretch the boundaries.'

NAOMI2 is based on the PowerVR architecture an also incorporates
an advanced PowerVR co-processing engine for great game dynamics
and full hardware geometry transformation and lighting (T&L),
which reduces the CPU load to 1/10th, as well as direct and
efficient support for use of multiple PowerVR rendering processors
for super high performance and outstanding image quality.

Says Hossein Yassaie, CEO, Imagination Technologies: 'NAOMI2 will
enable Sega and its partners to create the most realistic games
ever seen in an arcade by utilizing the advanced PowerVR hardware
transformation and lighting engine, together with multiple PowerVR
rendering processors.'

Says Hidetoshi Kosaka, General Manager, NEC: 'The relationship
between NEC and Sega has been very successful and we are pleased
that this ongoing relationship has now entered its next phase of
achievement and innovation.'

21 September 2000

Enquiries:

Imagination Technologies                  Tel: 01923 260 511
Hossein Yassaie, CEO
Trevor Selby, CFO

College Hill                              Tel: 020 7457 2020
Matthew Smallwood
Kate Pope

Inside NAOMI2
NAOMI2 is a highly optimized parallel rendering architecture
featuring twin PowerVR rendering engines, using adaptive load
balancing across the dual engine and a full hardware Geometry
Transformation and Lighting processor. With no-penalty for up to
six fully featured lights NAOMI2 can provide 10M triangles/sec
sustained throughput in real gaming applications.  NAOMI2 also
features combined dynamic and static model processing, multiple
light type support (ambient, parallel, point and spot), hardware Z
clipping, offscreen and backface culling, hardware bump mapping,
and hardware environmental mapping support.

Editor's Note
For more information about the 38th Amusement Machine Show visit
JAMMA, at http://www.jamma.or.jp/english/index.html

About Sega
Sega Enterprises, Ltd. is a nearly $2.5 billion company recognized
as the industry leader in interactive digital entertainment media,
offering interactive entertainment experiences both inside and
outside the home.  Sega's World Wide Web site is located at
www.sega.co.jp.

About NEC Corporation
NEC Corporation (NASDAQ: NIPNY)(FTSE: 6701q.l) is a leading
provider of internet solutions, dedicated to meeting the
specialized needs of its customers in the key computer, network
and electron device fields through its three market-focused in-
house companies: NEC Solutions, NEC Networks and NEC Electron
Devices, NEC Corporation, with its in-house companies, employs
more than 150,000 people worldwide and saw net sales of 4,991
billion yen (approx. US$48 billion) in fiscal year 1999-2000.  For
further information, please visit the NEC home page at:
http://www.nec-global.com.

About PowerVR Technologies
PowerVR Technologies - a division of Imagination Technologies -
develops and markets the unique PowerVR graphics/video technology.
Existing partners licensing the technology include NEC and
STMicroelectronics.  PowerVR Technologies design wins have
included Sega's latest video game console, Dreamcast, the NAOMI
arcade system, which is used in the majority of new arcade
machines worldwide, and numerous PC add-in and OEM customers.
More information is available on the PowerVR Technologies web site
at www.powervr.com.

About Imagination Technologies
Imagination Technologies Group plc is an international company
that develops, licenses and supplies market-leading 2D/3D
graphics, digital video, audio and speech technologies and
products for consumer entertainment and PC markets. The company
has deployed and planned technologies for games consoles, PCs,
arcade entertainment machines, digital set-top boxes, in-car
information/entertainment systems, and mobile devices.  Since it
was founded in 1985, the company has introduced, via licensing
arrangements or directly, a succession of innovative technologies,
silicon chips and add-in boards, which have played a major role in
the development of multimedia and computer-based entertainment
systems. Imagination Technologies Group plc has its corporate
headquarters in the United Kingdom and is publicly traded on the
London Stock Exchange (FTSE:IMG).  More information is available
on the Imagination Technologies web site at www.imgtec.com.