REDMOND, Wash. Oct. 14, 2002 Microsoft Corp. today announced that the Xbox™
video game system will become even more irresistible to holiday shoppers beginning Oct. 15. For the low price of $199.99,* consumers at official Xbox retailers in the United States can get an Xbox system, including the new Xbox Controller S and two free exclusive games
“Sega GT™ 2002”
and
“JSRF – Jet Set Radio Future™ ”
packed into one box. The limited-time offer represents a savings of $100** and is a great incentive for new customers to experience the gameplay, graphics, sound and power available only on Xbox. With titles that appeal to a broad audience, the offer is suitable for diverse gamers of all ages.
“Millions of people have Xbox atop their holiday wish lists,”
said John ORourke, director of Xbox sales and marketing at Microsoft.
”
With this powerful holiday offer, the launch of the Xbox Live online game service and more than 200 games to choose from this holiday season, theres never been a better time to buy Xbox.”
”
Since Xbox launched nearly a year ago, we’ve been selling the system and games at
a rapid pace,”
said Pete Roithmayr, vice president of merchandising for EB Games Online Inc.
”
The Xbox holiday offer is
an excellent value for the consumer and
a strong sales driver for us.”
With unbeatable graphics and sound, a built-in hard drive to store music and shorten game load times, an Ethernet port for online gaming with Xbox Live ,*** a DVD drive for movie lovers,*** and more than 200 great games, Xbox was already a bargain. This special offer gives gamers two stellar exclusive SEGA games
“Sega GT 2002”
and
“JSRF – Jet Set Radio Future”
at no additional cost. The holiday offer also includes the Controller S, which is smaller than the original Xbox controller and will be the new standard controller for all Xbox systems sold moving forward. Current Xbox owners can purchase both games from major retailers.
SEGA Unleashes Intense Xbox Games
Hard-core gamers and beginners alike will have fun playing the all-new Xbox exclusive racing simulation game
“Sega GT 2002.”
The game features 125 classic and modern cars, thousands of vehicle customization options, a stunning virtual garage for trophy storage, and a nostalgia-rich Chronicle Mode, where gamers can get behind the wheel of classic cars from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. Official Xbox Magazine recently gave
“Sega GT 2002”
a score of 9.1 out of 10, calling it
“one of the most polished and playable driving games for Xbox or any other system, for that matter.”
“JSRF – Jet Set Radio Future”
is a unique action adventure that features extreme skating, extreme action and extreme style. A fun, edgy game that offers 24 playable characters and a soundtrack featuring Russell Simmons and the Latch Brothers,
“JSRF – Jet Set Radio Future”
takes advantage of the power of Xbox with its four-player competitive battles at 60 frames per second. The title launched on Xbox earlier this year to tremendous accolades. According to GamePro Magazine,
“To play Jet Set Radio Future is a breathtaking experience. From the inimitable graphics to the hypnotically addictive gameplay, its captivating on every level and a must-have for your Xbox library.”
“SEGAs ‘JSRF – Jet Set Radio Future’ and ‘Sega GT 2002’ have widespread appeal and have been praised by media and gamers alike,”
said Charles Bellfield, vice president of strategic planning and corporate affairs at SEGA.
“Demonstrating the true graphics power of Xbox, ‘JSRF – Jet Set Radio Future’ and ‘Sega GT 2002’ are the perfect games to complement Xbox this holiday season.”
About Xbox
Xbox ( http://www.xbox.com/ ) is Microsofts future-generation video game system that delivers the most powerful games experiences ever. Xbox empowers game artists by giving them the technology to fulfill their creative visions as never before, creating games that blur the lines between fantasy and reality. Xbox is now available in North America, Japan, Europe and Australia.
About SEGA
SEGA® of America is the American arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA Corp., 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 Americas Web site is located at http://www.sega.com/ .
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software
any time, any place and on any device.
* U.S. estimated retail price. Actual retail prices may vary.
** Based on MSRP. Actual retail prices may vary.
*** Xbox Live subscription and DVD Playback Kit sold separately.
Microsoft and Xbox are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft® Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsofts corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsofts Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.asp .
