REDWOOD CITY, Calif. (October 8, 1998) – Sega® of America today announced it has teamed with Massachusetts-based Turbine Entertainment Software Corporation to create the world’s first massive multiplayer Internet console game for Sega’s DreamcastÔ , the ultimate gaming machine. The companies are currently working on a revolutionary science fiction exploration game that will accommodate thousands of players at one time. In this title, a gamer will explore hundreds of square miles of terrain alongside other Dreamcast players. Under the agreement, Turbine is developing the game, using its proprietary tools and unparalleled server and networking technologies. Sega will publish and distribute the title and contribute to its creative design and content.

Online gaming is booming. Industry experts from the Yankee Group, a prominent analyst firm focusing on Internet technology, anticipate online gaming will encompass more than nine million households by the year 2000. Sega will deliver online gaming experiences in a plug-and-play environment with Dreamcast. The customized gaming architecture in Dreamcast makes it the only console capable of handling massive multiplayer online gaming in high-resolution, 3D graphic environments.

"Our goal is to exceed consumer expectations in console-based online gaming," said Eric Hammond, vice president of product development, Sega of America. "Sega is committed to providing Dreamcast gamers with the best in video game entertainment, and we are locking in key partners such as Turbine early in the process to make it happen."

Sega and Turbine are designing the game to take full advantage of the console’s 128-bit 3D graphics engine and its hyper-fast central processing unit. Unlike online PC games, this multiplayer console game will be the first of its kind to exploit the possibilities of plug-and-play ease-of-use, giving gamers the opportunity to turn on their Dreamcast and jump right into a massive world of non-stop adventure with gamers around the country.

"Dreamcast’s Internet access lets us bring the massive multiplayer experience to console games, changing the way they are played," said Dan Scherlis, CEO, Turbine Entertainment. "Turbine’s rapid-development game engine and client/server technology are complemented by Dreamcast’s advanced graphics. Sega brings remarkable vision and creativity to our relationship and together, we are making revolutionary advances in the arena of multiplayer online gaming."

Turbine is focused on massive multiplayer game development, with designers and artists specializing in that unique medium. The Turbine game engine offers proprietary tool sets and technology, showcased by Dreamcast’s ground-breaking abilities. The Turbine system provides a 3D graphics/physics engine that enables fast, real-time rendering; scalable, fault-tolerant server technology that lets thousands of players explore and interact simultaneously in a shared world; content delivery technologies that allow new game world content to be delivered as-needed; and proprietary technologies that help compensate for the communication latencies of today’s Internet.

Sega will release more details regarding this multiplayer game in the near future.

Sega of America is the arm of Tokyo, Japan-based Sega Enterprises, Ltd. responsible for the development, marketing and distribution of Sega videogame systems and videogames in the Americas. Sega Enterprises, Ltd. is a nearly $3.0 billion company recognized as the industry leader in interactive digital entertainment media, and is the only company that offers interactive entertainment experiences both inside and outside the home. Sega of America’s World Wide Web site is located at (http://www.sega.com).

Turbine Entertainment Software Corporation (www.turbinegames.com) is a privately-held game developer, based in Westwood, Massachusetts on Boston’s Route 128. Turbine’s first title, Asheron’s Call, will be published in early 1999. Turbine’s creative and technical staff are focused on creating massive multiplayer games. The Turbine Engine includes the client, server and network technologies for those games and the tool sets to rapidly implement them.

Dan Stevens
Sega of America
650-802-3996

Dan Scherlis
Turbine Entertainment Software
781-407-4000
scherlis@turbinegames.com