SEGA Brings the Funk With ToeJam & Earl III: Mission to Earth Exclusively for Xbox; Out-of-this-World Hip-Hop Adventure Features Exclusive Downloadable Content Via Xbox Live

Business Wire, Oct 22, 2002

Entertainment Editors/High-Tech Writers

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 22, 2002

SEGA(R) of America, Inc. today announced the release of "ToeJam & Earl(TM) III: Mission to Earth" exclusively for the Xbox(TM) video game system from Microsoft(R). "ToeJam and Earl III: Mission to Earth" delivers a comic adventure of cosmic proportions, blending phat beats, risque humor and truckloads of attitude into one seriously funkified quest to save the universe. The game also features special downloadable content via Xbox Live(TM), which will be available when the service launches on Nov. 15.

The 12 Sacred Albums of Funk have been stolen and it's up to gamers playing as ToeJam, Big Earl and their new gal-pal Latisha, to journey to Earth and return the vanished vinyls to Lamont the Funkopotamous, source of all Funk in the known universe. Scattered throughout more than 30 massive, randomly generated levels, the 12 Sacred Albums of Funk will ultimately give players the power to square off against the dreaded Anti-Funk and save the universe.

As gamers explore Earth they will battle hordes of decidedly un-funky Earthlings -- from insane drill-wielding dentists and perky cheerleaders to medusa babies in walkers. Players must master the ways of Funk-Fu and make use of scores of gift-wrapped power-ups, ranging from Icarus Wings to the Funkmobile, to convert the clueless Earthlings to the ways of Funk.

"SEGA has a history of both making and breaking the rules of video game design, and 'ToeJam & Earl III: Mission to Earth' is a perfect example of the innovative, genre-bending approach to game design that has made SEGA a leader in the industry," said Mike Fischer, vice president, entertainment marketing, SEGA of America, Inc. "A daring blend of action, adventure, music and humor, 'ToeJam & Earl III: Mission to Earth' is the triumphant return of two of the most memorable video game characters of the 16-bit era."

Gamers can choose to play as ToeJam, Earl or Latisha, with each character bringing their own strengths, weaknesses and trademark personality into the mix. Additional playable characters will be available via download on Xbox Live. The game also features dozens of mini-games, rhythm matching challenges and sub-quests, keeping gameplay fresh. An innovative cooperative two-player mode lets players double team the Earthlings in style via a dynamically splitting screen.

With the game's 30-plus levels generated randomly, "ToeJam & Earl III: Mission to Earth" offers nearly endless replayability. Every time a player starts a new game, the geography of levels will be different, enemies will be in different locations, and items will be hidden in new places. A series of five hub levels, one for each environment, remain the same every time, acting as a "home base" for gamers on their quest to retrieve the 12 Sacred Albums of Funk.

The game features five gorgeously rendered environments: snow, desert, country, urban and water. New environments will be made available via download on Xbox Live. The levels are filled with jaw-dropping special effects only possible on Xbox, including detailed reflections and real-time shadow effects, which show shadows moving across the entire environment as the sun moves through the sky -- even across the characters' bodies.

"'Toe Jam and Earl III: Mission to Earth' once again proves how SEGA is making the Xbox shine," said Ed Fries, vice president, Xbox Game Content. "With awesome game play, funky music, killer graphics and a defining sense of humor, the newest installment of this hilarious fan favorite series will make even the most cynical gamer laugh out loud."

The third game in the series, "ToeJam & Earl" and "ToeJam & Earl II: Panic on Funkatron" appeared on the SEGA Genesis(TM) video game console.

"ToeJam & Earl III: Mission to Earth" is rated "T" for Teen and is available at retailers nationwide for an MSRP of $49.95. For screenshots and artwork visit the SEGA FTP site at: ftp://segapr.segaamerica.com/Sega_Games/SEGA_ENTERTAINMENT.

About SEGA

SEGA(R) of America, Inc. 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 Xbox

Xbox (http://www.xbox.com/) is Microsoft's 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.

Xbox and Xbox Live are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.