Press release: 2000-11-08: Infogrames, Inc. Sends Sega Dreamcast Into Overdrive With Test Drive Le Mans; 24-Hour Racing Game Challenges Players To Roar Through The Countryside At 200 MPH

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 third-party Original source: The Free Library

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 8, 2000

Infogrames, Inc., (Nasdaq: IFGM) a global publisher of interactive entertainment software, announced today that its 24-hour racing simulation, Test Drive(R) Le Mans(R), is racing into stores this week for Sega(R) Dreamcast(tm). Developed by Infogrames Melbourne House, the game offers all-new features for this platform including new racing teams, new tracks and all new game modes exclusive for Dreamcast. Grab a cup of coffee, because you'll need the caffeine rush to finish this race!

"Test Drive Le Mans makes the Daytona 500 seem like a quick drive to the store," said Laddie Ervin, director of marketing for the sports and racing label at Infogrames, Inc. "Test Drive Le Mans challenges racing fans to compete for 24 hours at speeds up to 200 mph, and with physics and graphics this real, you can practically smell the burning rubber as you scream around the corners!"

Capturing the true essence of Le Mans racing with its around-the-clock, day-to-night-to-day lighting conditions, Test Drive Le Mans is the officially licensed game of the 24 Heures du Mans(R). Test Drive Le Mans for Dreamcast offers more than 40 vehicles and 10 real-world tracks, as well as realistic physics and graphical effects such as dust, smoke, sparks and real-time shadows.

Test Drive Le Mans' five game modes include Le Mans, Quick Race, Championship, Time Trial and four-player Multiplayer. The Le Mans mode offers players a chance to simulate the 24-Hour race by choosing time-compressed 10 minute, 30 minute, one hour or six hour modes, or they can participate in an actual 24-Hour race.

Test Drive Le Mans offers an accurate re-creation of the world-famous Le Mans circuit track as well as nine other Le Mans tracks. New tracks that are exclusive to the Dreamcast include Brno, Donington National and Donington Grand Prix, Catalunya National and Catalunya Grand Prix, Suzuka National, Suzuka Medium and Suzuka Grand Prix.

Test Drive Le Mans also offers two broad competition classes: GT and Prototypes. New racing teams for Dreamcast include among others, the Newcastle United Lister Storm and Jabouille Bouresche. Other teams include Nissan Motorsports, Toyota Motorsports, Panoz Motorsports, BMW Motorsports, Team Oreca, Chamberlain Engineering and Konrad Motorsport.

With up to 24 cars competing in each race at one time, players can expect the same challenges that real Le Mans drivers face when their tires lose traction and gas and oil levels drop, forcing them to pit their vehicles. While in the pits, players can change tires, re-fuel, or make repairs to their vehicle.

Test Drive Le Mans will offer two, three or four player multiplayer support via split-screen. Test Drive Le Mans is available at an estimated retail price of $29.99 and can be found at most major retail outlets. Test Drive Le Mans is also currently available for the personal computer, Sony(R) PlayStation(R) Game console and Nintendo(R) Game Boy(R) Color. For more information visit the official Web site at www.tdlemans.com.

Based in New York, NY, Infogrames, Inc. (Nasdaq: IFGM) is a majority-owned subsidiary of Infogrames Entertainment SA (Paris Bourse: SICOVAM 5257) and serves as the headquarters for the company's operations in North America.

Infogrames Entertainment SA is a worldwide leader in the interactive entertainment software industry. Headquartered in France, the company develops and publishes award-winning computer and video games for the PlayStation(R) game console, PlayStation(R) 2 computer entertainment system, Microsoft(R) Xbox, Nintendo(R) 64, Nintendo(R) Game Boy(R) Color, Sega(R) Dreamcast(tm), Macintosh(R), and personal computer platforms. Founded in 1983 by chairman and CEO Bruno Bonnell, Infogrames has published many award-winning franchises in its 17-year history, such as Alone In The Dark(tm), Test Drive(R), Driver(tm), Deer Hunter(R), Oddworld(tm), Unreal(tm), and V-Rally(tm). The company is also known for its best-selling and award-winning line of children's entertainment software from Humongous Entertainment(R) starring Putt-Putt(R), Freddi Fish(tm), Pajama Sam(R) and SPY Fox(tm), as well as its successful Macintosh publishing label, Macsoft, the number one publisher of Macintosh entertainment software. In addition, Infogrames has a number of key strategic licenses including Warner Bros. Looney Tunes(tm), Nickelodeon's Blue's Clues(tm), AM General Hummer(R), and Harley-Davidson(R). For more information, visit Infogrames' US Web site at www.us.infogrames.com.
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