SEGA REDEFINES FOOTBALL VIDEO GAMES WITH
THE RELEASE OF SEGA SPORTS NFL 2K3
Most Immersive Pro Football Sim, "SEGA
Sports NFL 2K3," Arrives With Radical New Franchise Mode, ESPN Telecast-Style
Presentation and Online Gameplay
SAN FRANCISCO – (August 12, 2002) – SEGA(R)
of America, Inc. announced today that "SEGA Sports(TM) NFL 2K3" has started
shipping for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system and the Xbox(TM)
video game system from Microsoft(R). Heralded as the "Best Sports Game" by the
"Game Critics Awards: Best of E3 2002," "SEGA Sports NFL 2K3" is poised to
redefine the standards of football video games this season with ground-breaking
Artificial Intelligence, unparalleled lifelike animations, an ESPN
telecast-style presentation, full online gameplay options and an in-depth
franchise mode featuring a revolutionary and easy-to-use visual interface.
Developed by Visual Concepts Entertainment, a SEGA development studio, "SEGA
Sports NFL 2K3" pushes the boundaries of realism and blurs the line between a
football video game and a real-life Sunday afternoon gridiron battle.
"The ‘SEGA Sports NFL 2K’ franchise has
consistently pushed the genre in innovative new directions," said Tom Nichols,
vice president of sports marketing, SEGA of America, Inc. "That tradition lives
on with ‘SEGA Sports NFL 2K3’ – a game that challenges the conventions of sports
video games and raises the bar by which all console football games will be
judged."
"Our goal with the "NFL 2K" series is to
create the most true-to-life football video game experience possible," said Greg
Thomas, president of Visual Concepts Entertainment, a SEGA development studio.
"With ‘SEGA Sports NFL 2K3’ we have taken a giant step forward in realizing that
goal, successfully capturing the subtle nuances of a real NFL game."
"SEGA Sports NFL 2K3" builds on its
championship-caliber gameplay with a variety of new additions and enhancements.
More than 4,500 team-specific plays and the ability to create custom playbooks
ensure that each team follows the exact play-calling tendencies they do in the
real world. Similarly, advanced individual player AI makes each athlete react
uniquely to the action around him on the field. From linebackers slowing down
crossing patterns by bumping receivers passing through their zones to AI
quarterbacks more realistically making formation and coverage reads before
making the throw, "SEGA Sports NFL 2K3" delivers both an exhilarating and
ultra-realistic gameplay experience.
"SEGA Sports NFL 2K3" delivers a new level of
authenticity with an ESPN telecast-style presentation. Everything from the
trademark split-screen player introductions and analysis, game highlights,
scores and overlays to the famous SportsCenter theme music, help create the look
and feel of an actual ESPN telecast of the National Football League. In "SEGA
Sports NFL 2K3," weekly wrap-ups show actual game highlights from simulated
games around the league and a variety of post-season awards distinguish the best
of the best in the NFL.
The first-ever online console franchise,
"SEGA Sports NFL 2K3" is also the only football video game on the market with
full online gameplay for both PlayStation 2 and Xbox. Online features include
the ability for gamers to challenge each other over the Internet, check their
win/loss records, download roster updates and maintain a list of favorite
opponents. Providing added value to the game’s expansive list of features is the
brand new SEGA Sports Challenge. With this feature enabled, the seasoned "SEGA
Sports NFL 2K3" fan can compare stats accumulated during offline Exhibition
games against other players from around the country. In the SEGA Sports
Challenge, gamers track their stats in a multitude of categories to receive a
unique Challenge Code, which can then be entered and ranked against other gamers
on Segasports.com.
Joining the returning Exhibition, Tournament,
Season and Practice Modes is a brand new Situation Mode and the reconstructed
Franchise Mode. The Franchise Mode, which features an innovative visual
interface and additional team management options, arrives for the new season
with an extensive overhaul. As users step into the shoes of their favorite
team’s players, coaches and general managers, they have the option of signing
free agents, scouting and drafting rookies, making trades and even drafting
graduating seniors from "SEGA Sports(TM) NCAA(R) College Football 2K3." The
Situation Mode lets players customize a variety of options to create their own
unique in-game scenario, from running two-minute drills to lining up for the
game winning field goal.
"SEGA Sports NFL 2K3" athletes have been
remodeled using 3D scans of prototype NFL body types to look more genuine and
lifelike than ever. Player body sizes now match the unique height, weight and
girth for each of the individual positions on the field. The 3D stadiums were
also redesigned to more accurately represent the size and magnitude of actual
NFL stadiums. The result is a game that is visually striking, capturing
everything from the cheap seats and crowded sidelines in the stadiums to the
player’s dramatic facial expressions and real-time reflections on their helmets.
"SEGA Sports NFL 2K3," featuring Chicago
Bears All-Pro linebacker Brian Urlacher on the cover, is currently available for
PlayStation 2 and Xbox for a suggested retail price of $49.95. The game will
also be released on August 20 for the Nintendo GameCube(TM).
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 <http://www.sega.com>.
About ESPN
Based in Bristol, Ct., ESPN, Inc., "The
Worldwide Leader In Sports," is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc., which is an
indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. The Hearst Corporation holds a
20 percent interest in ESPN. ESPN, Inc. includes six domestic television
networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic, ESPNEWS, ESPN Now and ESPN Today), ESPN
International (24 international networks and syndication), ESPN Radio, ESPN.com,
ESPN The Magazine, ESPN Regional Television, SportsTicker, and ESPN Enterprises,
overseeing brand extensions such as the ESPN Zone, an interactive sports-themed
dining and entertainment experience.
"PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are
registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (TM), (R) and the
Nintendo GameCube logo are trademarks of Nintendo. Xbox is a trademark of
Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. ESPN and
Sportscenter are registered trademarks of ESPN, Inc. ESPN branded elements (c)
Disney. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
(c) 2002 NFL Properties LLC. Team names and
logos are trademarks of the teams indicated. All other (NFL-related marks) are
trademarks of the National Football League. Officially Licensed product of
PLAYERS INC. The PLAYERS INC logo is a registered trademark of the NFL players.
www.nflplayers.com
(c) 2002 PLAYERS INC.
The "Officially Licensed Collegiate
Products" label is the exclusive property of The Collegiate Licensing Company.
The "Collegiate Licensed Product" label is the property of the Independent
Labeling Group. The NCAA Football logo is a registered trademark of the NCAA
licensed to NCAA Football USA, Inc. All names, logos, team icons, and mascots
associated with the NCAA, universities, bowls, and conferences are the exclusive
property of the respective institutions. Heisman Memorial Trophy and likeness of
the actual trophy are registered service marks owned by the Downtown Athletic
Club under registration numbers 936,853 and 935,852 respectively. Heisman and
Heisman Trophy Award are service marks owned by the Downtown Athletic Club of
New York City, Inc.
