Atari Press Releases (2/2)
Stephan...@ac.maus.de
'Power Drive Rally' and 'Striker '95' Preview at the Winter Consumer
Electronics Show
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6 -- Today at the Consumer Electronics Show, Time Warner
Interactive, Inc., Games Division announced the preview of two popular titles
developed by Rage Software of the U.K. "Power Drive Rally," a fiery car racing
game, takes you on the international touring circuit in search of competitive
times, major prize money, and increasingly sleeker racing machines. A hit on
the Super Nintendo Entertainment System(R), Time Warner Interactive is
previewing a new version for the Atari(TM) Jaguar(TM). The second Rage title
is "Striker '95," a fast-action soccer game known for the authenticity of its
player movements and responsive controls. The U.S. version will feature a new
element of game-play with an intriguing management strategy option. "Striker
'95" is under development for the IBM(R) PC and compatible systems on CD-ROM
and diskette formats. Both titles are being shown at the St. Tropez hotel in
Time Warner Interactive's suite 2903.
"We're excited about working with Rage Software and licensing two titles with
a proven track record. Both sold very well in Europe and should have a strong
following in the U.S. because of their competitive feature-sets, and the
popularity of both sports," said Mark Beaumont, Senior Vice President Product
Development and Marketing, Time Warner Interactive, Games Division.
'Power Drive Rally'
Take part in the international car racing scene with "Power Drive Rally."
Contestants are on their own to purchase cars, go up against the competition,
maintain and upgrade their vehicles and compete for prize money. Test your
racing skills in three areas: road rallies where you compete against computer
opponents over mixed terrain including mud, gravel, and asphalt courses; time
trials for flat out speed challenges; and obstacle courses with cones, curves
and a sinister slalom. There are over 50 tracks that will take you through the
world's deserts, mountains, and beach courses in all kinds of tricky weather
conditions including ice, snow, and rain. Realistic graphics promise details
such as shadows, dust clouds, skid marks, brake lights, and exhaust plumes
which makes your maneuvers around hazardous bends and competitors all the more
gripping. As you progress through the game you will hone your racing skills
and win money to invest in new equipment and vehicles. There are six cars and
each handles in a slightly different manner with unique cornering,
acceleration, and road handling capabilities. Power Drive Rally is expected in
May 1995 on the Atari Jaguar and will be available at retail outlets.
'Striker '95'
"Striker '95," an internationally popular soccer game, is now moving to the
U.S. with a more powerful software engine, robust graphics in 256 SVGA color,
zoom-in camera shots and a genuine stadium atmosphere. This sports game
features fluid, rotoscoped player animations running at 10 frames per second
and improved artificial intelligence for better playability resulting in a
game with realistic action. Options include eight different formations, each
available with a choice of six team strategies, plus you can select from eight
different ball control methods including: passing, normal and overhead kicks,
standing, jumping, and diving headers as well as chesting the ball down.
"Striker '95" also offers a big new challenge -- you'll not only play a fast
paced, no holds barred game of soccer but you'll also manage the team. This
strategy option has you building up cash reserves to buy hot talent, trading
players, dealing with injuries, and having a word or two with the referee.
"Striker '95" has an expected ship date of April 1995 and an estimated street
price of $49.95.
Time Warner Interactive, Inc., a subsidiary of Time Warner Inc. (NYSE: TWX),
develops and publishes interactive consumer entertainment products that span
across platforms from location-based and video arcade games, to video game
cartridges and computer platforms. All product names are trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective owners.
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Atari to expand Jaguar peripherals
SUNNYVALE, Calif. - Jan. 6, 1995 - New peripherals in 1995 are a key part of
the system expansion plans for the 64-bit Jaguar Interactive Multimedia
system, Atari Corporation today announced. "Since Jaguar has already made the
leap to 64-bit technology, we can focus on providing even more value to
consumers by expanding the system with new and innovative peripherals," said
Sam Tramiel, CEO of Atari Corporation. "By the end of the year, players will
link multiple systems, play each other over the phone and venture into new
virtual reality environments with their Jaguar systems."
Networking Jaguar systems through use of the Jag Link cable enables the
playing of network compatible Jaguar games on different systems up to 100 feet
away from each other. The Jag Link cable system can support at least two
simultaneous game players at once, depending on the software. The system uses
standard RJ11 phone line cable to link two Jaguar interactive game systems and
implements reliable differential pair technology. The Jag Link cable is
expected to be available for sale in the second quarter of 1995 at a suggested
retail price of $29.99.
The Jaguar Voice/Data Communicator allows players to link to each other over
the phone. The new technology, developed with Phylon Communications, Inc.,
leaders in the fax/modem/voice technology field, not only permits two players
to play against each other using the phone connection, but to speak with each
other by using a headset. By utilizing a "call waiting" feature, users can
also pause a game to answer a phone call. The Jaguar Voice/Data Communicator
comes complete with a stereo headset and is expected to be available by the
third quarter 1995 at a suggested retail price of less than $150.
Also planned for 1995 delivery is Atari's virtual reality headset, now under
development with Virtuality Group plc, the leader in virtual reality
technology and arcade games. The two companies officially joined forces in
October to create the world's first immersive virtual reality games for the
home market.
The virtual reality headset should be available to consumers by Christmas 1995
with a targeted price of less than $200.
Atari Corporation markets interactive multimedia entertainment systems,
including Jaguar, the world's first and only 64-bit game system, and the only
video game system manufactured in the United States. Atari is headquartered at
1196 Borregas Avenue, Sunnyvale, California 94089.
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Time Warner Interactive PR
'Wayne Gretzky and the NHLPA All-Stars(TM)' Previews at the Winter
Consumer Electronics Show
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6 -- Today at the Winter Consumer Electronics Show,
Time Warner Interactive, Inc., Games Division announced the preview of
"Wayne Gretzky and the NHLPA All-Stars(TM)" on the Sega(TM) Genesis at
the St. Tropez hotel in suite 2903. Time Warner Interactive has an
exclusive three-year, multi-platform license with Wayne Gretzky,
all-time NHL scoring leader and four time Stanley Cup winner.
Additionally, a license was signed with The National Hockey League
Players' Association (NHLPA) to provide the games with real player
names, profiles and statistics. "Wayne Gretzky and the NHLPA
All-Stars" captures the realism of hockey by using advanced 3D imaging
of real players' motions, by building the gaming engine on
professional hockey players' profiles and statistics, and by using the
talents of sports game specialists to design the game. The first
product in the line will be developed for the Sega Genesis and is
expected to ship in April 1995 for an estimated street price of
$54.95.
"We're putting together a powerhouse hockey game with the competitive
features that will please veteran hockey fans and will have new
initiates in the game immediately," commented Mark Beaumont, Senior
Vice President Product Development and Marketing at Time Warner
Interactive, Games Division. "We have a lot of experience creating
sports titles such as the all-time best selling baseball video game,
'R.B.I. Baseball, ' and creation of the unprecedented 3D rotating
court in 'Dick Vitale's "Awesome Baby" College Hoops.' The sports
market is very competitive -- we're going for winners, by pulling
together the best technology, licenses, and talent."
"Wayne Gretzky and the NHLPA All-Stars" features actual NHLPA players
from 26 North American teams and 6 International All-Star teams. Real
player statistics and profiles are supplied by the NHLPA and updated
annually. With over 600 professional hockey players and all their
stats you have the talent at your disposal to compete and go for the
cup. The battery back-up feature tracks your wins, stats, penalties,
and injuries and lets you trade players, edit team line-ups and names,
from game to game so you can play a full 84 game season with playoffs.
"Wayne Gretzky and the NHLPA All-Stars" looks and plays realistically
because professional gameplay was captured on video and in 3D rendered
animations. The title features film footage of NHLPA players in
critical moments like face-offs, blocks and goal scoring. To capture
the real movements and character of Wayne Gretzky, Gretzky himself is
filmed for CD versions while wearing a special suit inlaid with light
sensors. Gretzky's actions are recorded with the light sensors and
then used to create a basic character outline or animated "skeleton"
on the computer. A graphics art package is used to then render the
animated hockey player; skating, passing, blocking, and scoring just
like the "Great One."
"Wayne Gretzky and the NHLPA All-Stars" puts the player on the ice and
in the action. With only three pushes of a button you can be playing
hockey! You have two styles of play: "Simulation," which operates
under real rules, or "Arcade" mode, a more rough and tumble version in
which "street" rules are the name of the game.
Draft some buddies with a four-player accessory to the Genesis or mix
in professional muscle with real player profiles and teams to play a
game of hockey that will get your heart pumping and puck flying.
Check out the action in "Practice" mode where you can play a regular
game, shoot-out, or team of choice without the pressure of winning for
tournament ranking. If you've got the stuff -- go for "Tournament"
play and compete with the pros, playing through a season, a
professional best of 7, an All-Star tournament or All-Team tournament.
Have it your way with the "Just Play" mode. It's an intelligent
"no-brainer" function that automatically customizes the game, set-up,
options and competition based on your history of preferences,
abilities, and hockey style.
The look of the game has a lot of thought and detail. The player
animations are 20% larger than images in competitive hockey games.
The user can get right into the game because of the unique
close-to-the-action perspective -- your view is at center rink, right
on the edge of the ice -- so you'll be right there for full screen
face-offs and all the plays. Referees appear in video with digitized
audio announcing penalties and goals. Details such as backwards
skating action and the sounds of puck slaps and stadium music add to
the realism.
Availability
The licenses with Wayne Gretzky and the NHLPA provide that Time Warner
Interactive develop and distribute a line of interactive hockey
products for arcade and consumer systems. The first product will be
available for the Sega Genesis and is expected in the Spring of 1995.
Versions for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, PC CD-ROM, Atari
Jaguar(TM) and a powerful 3D arcade version are expected in Fall 1995.
Time Warner Interactive's growing line of sports games includes: the
"RBI(TM) Baseball Series," the most popular series in baseball video
games; "Payne Stewart Pro Golf(TM)," a true vision 3-D golf game;
"Dick Vitale's 'Awesome, Baby!' College Hoops(TM)" featuring a 3-D
scaling and rotating court; and "Kawasaki SuperBike Challenge(TM)"
using digitized Kawasaki motorcycle racing at its fastest in 15
circuits.