Press release: 1995-09-11: Time Warner Interactive's Primal Rage(TM) pulls in heavy hits on Sega Channel

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

Time Warner Interactive's Primal Rage(TM) pulls in heavy hits on Sega Channel; 24% of Sega Channel subscribers go ape over Primal Rage Show Down Promotion.

MILIPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 11, 1995--The numbers are in for the Primal Rage(TM) "Show Down" Promotion on Sega Channel(SM/TM) which Time Warner Interactive (TWi) announced today.

Estimates indicate that an overwhelming 24% of the Sega Channel subscriber base participated in the event. An exclusive advance opportunity to play a limited version of TWi's hotly anticipated coin-op translation, Primal Rage, was offered on Sega Channel from Aug. 1 through Aug. 24. The activities built as Primal Rage Day approached on Aug. 25 and a full version of the Sega Genesis(TM) game was available over the Channel for 24 hours. The culminating event was the Primal Rage contest on Aug. 26 in which a special version of the game could be accessed by Sega Channel subscribers for a chance to play and win prizes.

Tens of thousands of Sega Channel subscribers completed the game. The company estimates that an additional 15-20% played the game and didn't get all the way through to the hidden 800 number and special code. "These are terrific numbers and indicate a real enthusiasm for the game and the contest we were able to develop," commented Michael Shorrock, vice president of programming for Sega Channel. The overwhelming participation built on Sega Channel's successful game promotion with EA SPORTS Triple Play '96, in which over 10,000 customers participated. Sega Channel plans more major promotions with hit videogames for this Fall, including Earthworm Jim 2 from Playmates Interactive Entertainment Inc., as well as other action and sports titles.

TWi shipped over one million initial units of Primal Rage for release worldwide on Aug. 25. Mark Beaumont, senior vice president of marketing and product development, reports, that, "We are extremely pleased with early sales figures from around the country. Our international offices report solid sell-through as well. We're certain we have one of the top selling videogames of the year."

TWi is supporting the launch of Primal Rage with an $8 million marketing campaign. Media buys include two flights of TV ads on national prime time, syndication and cable channels; top 15 metro market radio promotions and contests; four-color half page spread and full-page print ad campaigns breaking in all major video and personal computer publications; and consumer promotions such as in-pack discount coupons, player strategy guides, demo discs and trading cards.

Primal Rage is a head-to-head fighting game with an original look that features seven fantasy, pre-historic characters in a battle for supremacy. The first wave of product was released on Aug. 25 for Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo Entertainment System(R), Sega Game Gear(TM), Nintendo(R) Game Boy(TM) and PC-CD-ROM systems. November 14 is the date for the second wave of software on new gaming systems including the Sega Saturn(TM), Sega 32X(TM), 3DO(R), Sony(R) Playstation(TM) and Atari(R) Jaguar(TM), as well as the Macintosh(R) CD-ROM.

Time Warner Interactive Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc. develops and publishes interactive consumer entertainment products for video arcade games, videogame consoles and computer platforms. All product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Sega Channel, which began its national rollout in December 1994, was developed by Sega of America Inc., Tele-Communications Inc. and Time Warner Entertainment Co. L.P. and is the industry's first interactive service, providing videogames on demand, 24 hours a day. Sega Channel subscribers can choose from a wide selection of popular Sega Genesis games such as Comix Zone and Primal Rage, special versions of soon-to-be-released titles, gameplay tips, news, contests and promotions. Sega Channel is priced in the range of most premium subscription services. The programming is updated monthly.

CONTACT: Sega Channel

Jennifer Moffie, 212/767-4607

or

Time Warner Interactive

Tracy Egan, 408/232-3213
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