Momentum Continues to Build With 100 Titles, Multiple Manufacturers, Expanded Distribution; Company Establishes New 3DO Direct Order Phone Line
October 5, 1994.
After only a year on the market, The 3DO Company today announced that 100 CD-ROM titles have been released worldwide for the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer system. The company today also announced that it has launched 3DO Direct, a toll-free direct order phone line for purchasing products for the 3DO platform. 3DO estimates that 250,000 3DO systems have been sold to consumers worldwide.
In addition, availability of the 3DO system in North America has expanded to 5,000 retail locations, including F.A.O. Schwarz toy stores and Circuit City consumer electronics stores.
“The past year has brought about a remarkable change in the way that people look at interactive entertainment”, said Trip Hawkins, 3DO’s president and CEO.
“Consumers are no longer satisfied with outdated, limited interactive technology. They have made it clear that they want an advanced, sophisticated system that is supported by a wide selection of the very best software available. And they want that system to grow with them over time. This is where 3DO delivers.”
The first 3DO Interactive Multiplayer system was introduced by Panasonic in the United States in October 1993. Since then, Panasonic has introduced its 3DO system in Japan, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Taiwan, and has plans to introduce 3DO products in more countries in 1995. Sanyo is scheduled to introduce its 3DO system in Japan this week, and Creative Labs plans to launch its 3DO Blaster PC card this fall. GoldStar launched its 3DO system in Korea in September and plans to launch the 3DO system in the United States in early November. The Panasonic 3DO system currently retails for $399 in the United States.
It’s been an extraordinary year for Panasonic, said Gene Kelsey, assistant general manager, Panasonic Interactive Media division. The launch of our REAL 3DO Interactive Multiplayer system was our largest product launch ever, and the momentum continues to build. Panasonic is anticipating a very successful holiday season.
The 3DO Company today also announced that Electronic Arts’ FIFA International Soccer is the 100th title released for the 3DO system. FIFA International Soccer, a fast-paced sports action game that features TV-style video presentation, Dolby Surround Sound, and sophisticated 3-D animation, is expected to hit store shelves in early October. FIFA International Soccer also features enhanced computer-controlled opponents for challenging one-player matches, as well as the ability to connect six 3DO control pads for fast multiplayer action.
“The 100 title mark is a significant milestone for 3DO, Hawkins said. We believe that we’ve shattered the record for the amount of time it’s taken for a new format to reach 100 titles. Atari’s Jaguar has only a handful of titles after nearly a year on the market. Clearly, the software support and momentum is behind 3DO. In just one year, software developers and publishers have delivered 100 of the most exciting, challenging, and realistic CD-ROM titles available on any home interactive platform.”
Retailers are reporting that Electronic Arts’ Road Rash, and Shock Wave, and Universal Interactive Studios’ Way of the Warrior are setting new records for 3DO software sales.
“Since the price reduction in September, sales of the 3DO system have doubled on a weekly basis, and this ratio has been maintained”, said Dan DeMatteo, president, and CEO of Software Etc. Stores, Inc., a nationwide software specialty chain. Sales for the 3DO system at Software Etc. now exceed sales on any of the 16-bit systems.
“Sales of 3DO software have increased; many weeks, three to four of our Top 10 video software titles are 3DO. We’re especially pleased by the current trend in hardware and software sales, led by titles such as Star Control II, Way of the Warrior and Road Rash. DeMatteo added. We’re planning for an exceptional holiday with the 3DO platform as the release of top-quality software continues. Software Etc. carries the 3DO system and software in all its 370 stores nationwide.”
In addition to FIFA International Soccer, highly anticipated 3DO titles scheduled for release by Christmas include 3D Atlas and Need for Speed from Electronic Arts; Capcom’s Super Street Fighter II Turbo from Panasonic Software Company; GEX, Samurai Shodown, and Off-World Interceptor from Crystal Dynamics; Demolition Man from Virgin Interactive Entertainment; and Station Invasion from Studio 3DO.
The 3DO Company today also begins operation of 3DO Direct, a new toll-free direct order line. 3DO Direct is designed to make purchasing 3DO software, hardware, and peripheral products simple and convenient. To order 3DO products, consumers simply dial (800) 336-3506 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Pacific time. 3DO merchandise such as T-shirts, hats, coffee mugs, and watches are also available through 3DO Direct.
3DO’s rich interactive technology is currently being deployed in US WEST Communications’ interactive multimedia network trial in Omaha, Neb. US WEST announced this week that it has begun transmitting digital video signals over its broadband network, officially inaugurating the four-to-six-month technical trial authorized by the Federal Communications Commission.
3DO was selected by US WEST to provide the interactive technology for the Omaha broadband trial. 3DO technology has been built into the set-top terminals that attach to home televisions to enable a wide range of activities, such as playing video games, educational and informational programming, home shopping, and video on demand.
NOTE: This is a copy of an old 3DO related Press Release – reformatted and originally copied from various old Google Group forum posts.