Atari to expand Jaguar peripherals

Business Wire, Jan 6, 1995

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 6, 1995--New peripherals in 1995 are a key part of the system expansion plans for the 64-bit Jaguar Interactive Multimedia system, Atari Corporation today announced. "Since Jaguar has already made the leap to 64-bit technology, we can focus on providing even more value to consumers by expanding the system with new and innovative peripherals," said Sam Tramiel, CEO of Atari Corporation. "By the end of the year, players will link multiple systems, play each other over the phone and venture into new virtual reality environments with their Jaguar systems."

Networking Jaguar systems through use of the Jag Link cable enables the playing of network compatible Jaguar games on different systems up to 100 feet away from each other. The Jag Link cable system can support at least two simultaneous game players at once, depending on the software. The system uses standard RJ11 phone line cable to link two Jaguar interactive game systems and implements reliable differential pair technology. The Jag Link cable is expected to be available for sale in the second quarter of 1995 at a suggested retail price of $29.99.

The Jaguar Voice/Data Communicator allows players to link to each other over the phone. The new technology, developed with Phylon Communications, Inc., leaders in the fax/modem/voice technology field, not only permits two players to play against each other using the phone connection, but to speak with each other by using a headset. By utilizing a "call waiting" feature, users can also pause a game to answer a phone call. The Jaguar Voice/Data Communicator comes complete with a stereo headset and is expected to be available by the third quarter 1995 at a suggested retail price of less than $150.

Also planned for 1995 delivery is Atari's virtual reality headset, now under development with Virtuality Group plc, the leader in virtual reality technology and arcade games. The two companies officially joined forces in October to create the world's first immersive virtual reality games for the home market.

The virtual reality headset should be available to consumers by Christmas 1995 with a targeted price of less than $200.

Atari Corporation markets interactive multimedia entertainment systems, including Jaguar, the world's first and only 64-bit game system, and the only video game system manufactured in the United States. Atari is headquartered at 1196 Borregas Avenue, Sunnyvale, California 94089. -0-

NOTE TO EDITORS: Jaguar is a trademark of Atari Corporation. Atari is a registered trademark of Atari Corporation. Other products named may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their owning companies.

CONTACT: Atari

              Ron Beltramo, 408/745-8852
              Edelman Public Relations
              David Harrah, 415/968-4033