Press release: 2001-10-04: Synovial Transforms iPAQ Into Virtual Game Gear

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

FREMONT, Calif., Oct. 4 /PRNewswire/ --

Synovial Inc. announced today that Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE: CPQ) is bundling Synovial's Virtual Game Gear(TM) software with the newly released iPAQ(TM) Pocket PC H3800 series handheld computers.

Virtual Game Gear is an exciting software product that recreates the Sega Game Gear(TM) experience on handheld devices. "Having already announced our partnership with Sega, we're very excited to be able to publicize that Compaq has chosen us as a partner in bringing compelling entertainment to their customers," said Synovial's President, Suneil Mishra. "The iPAQ H3800 represents a new level in personal handheld computers; Virtual Game Gear takes advantage of the advanced iPAQ hardware, delivering an extraordinary gameplay experience."

Virtual Game Gear will ship with several classic Sega titles, including the original smash hit Sonic The Hedgehog(TM), which features Sega's furry blue mascot in his very first handheld outing. Virtual Game Gear for the iPAQ H3800 series will also ship with two other titles, the addictive puzzle game Baku Baku(TM) Animals, and the Sega 4-in-1 Game Pack which features three sports games and a version of Sega's popular Columns(TM) game.

"We're thrilled to be working with Synovial to bring quality gaming content to our new iPAQ Pocket PC family," said Cindy Box, Director of Marketing for iPAQ Mobile Solutions. "Virtual Game Gear really shows off the power of our hardware; the H3800 series is the perfect solution for both productivity and entertainment. With Synovial and Sega continuing to offer additional games, it underscores our commitment to value for our customers."

Virtual Game Gear is the first commercially available product developed with Synovial's innovative development toolkit, codenamed SYN(TM). SYN is a suite of APIs and libraries that give game developers the power to create compelling, cross-platform content for a variety of PDAs, cellular phones, and Internet devices. "Our goal has been to ease the development process for these new handheld devices," said Paul Trowe, Synovial's Director of Developer Relations. "There's a wealth of awesome content out there, and we're working with developers to deliver it to as many platforms as possible. Virtual Game Gear is only the beginning."

Virtual Game Gear owners will have access to additional Sega games, which can be purchased and downloaded from the Internet. For a limited time, Compaq customers will gain exclusive access to three game packs for less than $13 each:

Game Pack 1 features Sonic the Hedgehog in three rip-roaring games: "3D" action in Sonic Labyrinth, the racing game Sonic Drift, and the side-scrolling platform adventure Sonic Chaos which lets gamers play as either Sonic or his pal Tails.

Game Pack 2 features Sega's acclaimed racing game Outrun, puzzle game Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine, and Sonic and Tails in the fast-paced adventure Sonic the Hedgehog: Triple Trouble.

Game Pack 3 features three of Sega's most popular titles, the whimsical underwater dolphin adventure Ecco: The Tides of Time, timeless puzzle game Super Columns, and the adrenaline-pumping combat game Shinobi.

About Synovial Inc.

Synovial Inc. is a wireless multimedia platform provider, enabling compelling, interactive rich media content and applications for wireless networks and mobile devices. Synovial offers a suite of software solutions to author, deploy, and execute applications and display content on cellular phones, PDAs and wireless Internet appliances over any wireless network. Through its technologies and relationship management services, the company brings the developers of exciting, brand-recognizable content together with the carriers and device manufacturers seeking to deliver that content to end users.

For more information about the company, visit Synovial's web sites: www.synovial.com and www.mediawithoutwires.com.

CONTACT: David Gasior, Public Relations of Synovial Inc., +1-510-360 0160, or [email protected].

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