| BEVERLY,
Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Jan. 27, 2000– New NASCAR(R) RACERS animated
Fox TV series inspires interactive PC and video racing games Hasbro
Interactive announced today that it is teaming with Saban
Entertainment to bring the new animated Fox television series NASCAR
RACERS to interactive games for the Sony PlayStation(R) and the PC.
NASCAR RACERS, debuting in February, creates a world of futuristic
NASCAR racing, where kids can become supersonic speed stars by
participating in the adventures of their favorite characters from the
show. "Saban
Entertainment has envisioned the future of NASCAR racing and is
introducing children to it with this new TV series," said Tom
Dusenberry, president of Hasbro Interactive. "This property lends
itself well to interactive games, because of its fast-paced NASCAR
action." "Hasbro
Interactive has proven itself a leader in the action-adventure
interactive landscape — and has proven itself a terrific ally for Fox
Kids/Saban and the NASCAR RACERS brand," said Elie Dekel,
President, Saban Consumer Products. "This is a great way to
extend the NASCAR RACERS experience." NASCAR
RACERS for the Sony PlayStation and PC is based on the animated
television series by the same name, which will begin airing weekly on
February 5, 2000, on the Fox Kids Network. Featuring high-speed action
and cutting edge animation, NASCAR RACERS introduces four young heroes
for a new generation: Mark "Charger" McCutchen, Megan
"Spitfire" Fassler, Steve "Flyer" Sharp and Carlos
"Stunts" Rey. Utilizing the most realistic and stimulating
computer animation available, the futuristic series presents
state-of-the-art racing cars that can perform stunts and adapt to the
unique style of each individual driver. The
NASCAR RACERS interactive games will allow players to participate in
the television show’s NASCAR Unlimited Racing Division and features
three modes of play (Adventure Mode, Single Player Mode and Two Player
Challenge Mode), eight of the show’s futuristic tracks, and eight
different cars (four from each of the two teams featured in the TV
series). Hasbro
Interactive plans to release both NASCAR RACERS games this fall and
will showcase them during American International Fair in New York City
on February 13-17, 2000. Hasbro
Interactive, Inc. is a global interactive entertainment industry
leader, innovating new ways to play and developing, publishing and
distributing the highest quality interactive games and lifestyle
products for a full range of genres and platforms. A subsidiary of
Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE: HAS), Hasbro Interactive has offices in the U.S.,
U.K., Canada, Germany and Australia, and internal development studios
in the U.S. and U.K. For further information, visit Hasbro
Interactive’s Web site at http://www.hasbro-interactive.com Saban
Consumer Products is at the forefront of the kids entertainment
business and whose success record has led the department to forge
powerful alliances with key companies like Burger King, Hasbro,
McDonald’s, Microsoft, NASCAR, Toys R Us, and 20th Century Fox Home
Entertainment. The department delivers innovative properties to market
in all forms of consumer products and promotions and — from classic
brands to breakthrough successes — Saban Consumer Products’
innovation and marketing drive have resulted in creating some of the
most successful brands in the industry. NASCAR
is the fastest-growing spectator sport in the world; in 1999 more than
11million people attended NASCAR events and an additional 252 million
watched NASCAR races on television. NASCAR sanctions more than 2,200
events at 135 tracks over 13 different series in 40 states across
America every year. NASCAR
RACERS is a registered trademark of the NASCAR. PlayStation
is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
2000 Hasbro Interactive, Inc. / Hasbro, Inc.
CONTACT:
Hasbro Interactive, Inc. Daryle
Lamoureux, (978) 921-3805 dlamoureux@hasbro.com or Saban
Consumer Products Mark
McClellan, (310) 235-5432 markm@saban.com |