Press release: 2001-03-29: Sega and Microsoft Team Up for Strategic Xbox Alliance

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 to Create 11 New Games for Xbox, Plans to Support Xbox Broadband Online Gaming in First Stage of Relationship

TOKYO, March 29 /PRNewswire/ --

Today at the 2001 Tokyo Game Show, Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) and video game powerhouse Sega Corp. announced a long-term, strategic alliance to bring future versions of Sega's great games to Microsoft's future-generation Xbox(TM) video game system. The companies kicked off their relationship by announcing an 11-title publishing alliance to premiere many of Sega's upcoming games on the Microsoft(R) Xbox console. The first games to premiere on Xbox will be "Jet Grind Radio Future(TM)" (tentative title), "Panzer Dragoon(TM)" (latest version), "GUNVALKYRIE(TM)" and "Sega GT(TM)" (latest version). In addition, Sega plans to utilize the Xbox video game system's broadband online gaming capabilities.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO )

"Having Sega on board with Xbox is a huge win for gamers around the world," said Robbie Bach, chief Xbox officer (CXO) at Microsoft. "The creative artists at Sega not only are going to deliver great Xbox games, they will help us establish the benchmark for great Xbox gaming experiences both on and offline."

"We believe that Microsoft will be very successful with Xbox, which is why we have such a close, strategic relationship with them," said Peter Moore, president and COO, Sega of America. "Our world-renowned development studios have been very impressed with the Xbox hardware, and they are excited to bring new gaming experiences to consumers by utilizing the platform's power and network capabilities. We share Microsoft's commitment to broadband online gaming and will work with it to deliver the best content possible to gamers."

The games announced today for Xbox include the following:

-- "Jet Grind Radio Future" (tentative title). Gamers should get ready to skate, grind and trick to a new beat. "Jet Grind Radio Future" is a next-generation street action game for Xbox that delivers fast-paced action, new awesome tunes and an artistic look that's truly groundbreaking.

-- "Sega GT" (latest version). The most recent version of "Sega GT" delivers adrenaline-filled, full-contact auto racing that allows gamers to design, build and customize the world's hottest cars and capture all the heated thrills found in high-performance driving.

-- "GUNVALKYRIE." "GUNVALKYRIE," the next-generation shooter for Xbox, takes players to war to ignite the battlefields by joining an elite force of mercenaries to battle it out for control of the universe.

-- "Panzer Dragoon" (latest version). Xbox owners will be the first to return to the stunning world of "Panzer Dragoon." They can take flight once again to explore the lush beauty, fierce technology and mysterious dragon-breeding culture of one of Sega's most sought-after franchises.

About Xbox

Xbox ( http://www.xbox.com/ ) is Microsoft's future-generation video game system that delivers new and unforeseen gameplay experiences. With more than three times the graphics performance of the newest generation of game systems, Xbox unleashes game designers' creativity to produce games that are challenging, exhilarating, surprising and fun.

About Sega Corp.

Sega Corp. 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 http://www.sega.co.jp/ .

About Sega of America

Sega(R) of America is the American arm of Tokyo-based Sega Corp., and is responsible for the development, marketing and distribution of Sega video game systems and video games in the Americas. Sega of America's World Wide Web site is located at http://www.sega.com/ .

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software -- any time, any place and on any device.

The information contained in this document relates to prerelease products that may be substantially modified before their first commercial release. Accordingly, the information may not accurately describe or reflect the products when first commercially released. This document is provided for informational purposes only, and Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, with respect to this document or the information contained in it.

NOTE: Microsoft and Xbox are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
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