SEGA LAUNCHES SEGA SOCCER SLAM; ITS FIRST
NON-TRADITIONAL SPORTS GAME FOR THE NINTENDO GAMECUBE(tm)
Genre-Defining Soccer Game Blends Speed,
Style, and Action with a Field Full of Special Moves, Play Enhancing Power-ups
and Distinct Personalities
SAN FRANCISCO (March 19, 2002) – Sega(r) of
America announced today the release of "Sega(r) Soccer Slam™," an action-packed,
smash-mouth soccer spin off for the Nintendo GameCube(tm). Produced by Visual
Concepts, makers of the acclaimed Sega Sports 2K series, "Sega Soccer Slam" is
easy to learn, challenging to master, and incredible to watch. Employing
sophisticated motion-captured 3D models and multiple modes, "Sega Soccer Slam’s"
wild cast of characters will dazzle gamers with their detailed expressions,
athletic prowess and exaggerated personality traits. Prepare for pandemonium
when this addictive game, which takes an unorthodox approach to the world’s most
popular sport, hits the market.
"’Sega Soccer Slam’ is the ideal title for
the Nintendo GameCube audience with its outlandish effects, engaging comic
book-like characters, pick-up-&-play controls, and all-ages appeal," said Tom
Nichols, director of sports marketing, Sega of America. "This game is an upbeat
and irreverent soccer-inspired experience that is much different than our
acclaimed deep simulation sports titles. ‘Sega Soccer Slam’ successfully
illustrates the depth of Sega’s content making ability."
Building momentum in underground leagues and
counter-culture clubs, "Sega Soccer Slam’s" brutal new brand of soccer is played
by cartoonish thugs who take pleasure in breaking rules as well as arms. The
action is intense in the Quest mode, where players select one of the six
elementally themed teams and play through a 10 game regular season and single
elimination tournament in pursuit of the coveted Continental Cup. During the
course of the season, the best players are recognized in a mid-season All-Star
game, statistics are tracked in 24 categories, and money earned from winning
matches is spent on buying accessories and attributes for the individual
players. While victories unlock venues and mystery items that boost player
attributes, the game’s Challenge stages, which occur in between each match, let
the players get familiar with the various special moves and abilities in "Sega
Soccer Slam."
With pick-up-and-play controls and a balanced
competitive atmosphere for players of all skill levels, "Sega Soccer Slam"
skirts the intimidating nature of deeper simulation sports games. However, the
action in "Sega Soccer Slam" is fast and furious, as players dole out brilliant
spotlight maneuvers and team specific powered-up plays, all shown with dazzling
special effects. The eighteen players in "Sega Soccer Slam" are as detailed as
they are aggressive. Utilizing complex 3D models, individual voices and
personalities, noticeable facial animations, and more than 1,000 motion-captured
moves, including signature goal celebrations and character-specific kicks.
"Sega Soccer Slam" features traditional
matches and tournaments along with performance-enhancing power-ups and hidden
venues. There are five ruthless game modes, including the aforementioned
Continental Cup Quest mode, the Quick Start mode, an Exhibition mode, and a
Tourney mode for sizzling multiplayer action. An additional Practice mode
provides the user with an opportunity to master all of the complexities of the
various high-flying moves in "Sega Soccer Slam."
"Sega Soccer Slam" is available at retailers
nationwide for $49.95. The game is rated "E" for everyone.
About Sega
SEGA(r) of America is the American arm of
Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA Corporation, a 3.5 billion corporation by market
capitalization, recognized as a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment
both inside and outside the home. The company develops, publishes and
distributes interactive entertainment software products for a variety of
hardware platforms including PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by
Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. SEGA of America’s Web
site is located at
www.sega.com.
About Nintendo
As the worldwide leader and innovator in the
creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co. Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan,
manufactures and markets hardware and software for its popular home video game
systems. The systems include Game Boy(r), Nintendo(r) 64, Game Boy Advance and
NINTENDO GAMECUBE. Since the release of its first home video game system in
1983, Nintendo has sold more than 1.4 billion video games worldwide, creating
enduring industry icons such as Mario™ and Donkey Kong(r) and launching such
franchises as Zelda™ and Pokémon(r). As a wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of
America, Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo’s
operation in the Western Hemisphere.
