Electronic Arts Ships NASCAR 99 for the PlayStation
22 September 1998
Electronic Arts Ships NASCAR 99 for the PlayStation
SAN MATEO, Calif.--September 22, 1998--1997's Best-Selling PlayStation Racing Video Game Returns with More Drivers, More Tracks, and a New and Improved Physics Model
Electronic Arts(tm) , the world's largest interactive entertainment software company, today announced that it has shipped NASCAR(R) 99 on the PlayStation(R). NASCAR 99 features a new physics model for the cars, new drivers and new tracks. The level of detail in the game is incredible as the user has total control over every aspect of the car in the pre-race setup, in the pit, and on the track. NASCAR 99 allows players to race on 17 official NASCAR-sanctioned tracks and speedways, and compete as any one of 31 current NASCAR star drivers. Six legendary drivers are also available for NASCAR fans who want to match up today's stars against the men who helped build the sport, such as "The King" Richard Petty.
"EA SPORTS really did a nice job with NASCAR 99," said 1998 Daytona 500 winner Dale Earnhardt. "It's a lot of fun matching up against the other drivers, and I'm particularly looking forward to racing the legendary drivers in the game. I had the privilege of racing against The King earlier in my career, and to tell you the truth I miss it. He was a skilled driver who raised the level of competition around him. Now I get to race him again in NASCAR 99."
The combination of EA SPORTS(tm), the worldwide leading interactive sports brand, and NASCAR, the fastest growing sport in North America, has proven to be an incredible partnership for racing fans. Last year, NASCAR 98 was the top-selling PlayStation racing video game according to market research firm, The NPD Group. EA SPORTS is looking forward to another banner year with NASCAR 99 on both the Nintendo(R) 64 and the PlayStation platforms. NASCAR 99 for the Nintendo 64 shipped two weeks ago.
The voices of legendary NASCAR announcers Bob Jenkins and Benny Parsons can be heard exclusively in NASCAR 99. The TV-style commentary provided by them gives users the feel that they are actually in a real NASCAR race as the announcers provide field run downs, track and driver facts and continuous color commentary.
"Last year was our rookie season and we succeeded in establishing NASCAR 98 as one of the industries top new franchises," said Michael Pole, vice president and executive in charge of production at Electronic Arts. "I said a year ago that the NASCAR enthusiast is among the most knowledgeable and die-hard fan of any sport. Their loyalty and understanding of the teams, drivers and sponsors is unparalleled. This was in the forefront of our minds as we developed the game this year. We rewarded the loyalty of the NASCAR fans by delivering an even deeper NASCAR experience. We signed even more of top drivers and tracks so that each fan can race where they want, and in whichever car they want. With help from the experts at NASCAR, and the teams and drivers of NASCAR, EA SPORTS has managed to make the ultimate racing simulation with NASCAR 99."
What distinguishes NASCAR 99 for the PlayStation is the level of detail and control the game puts into players' hands. For those race fans who just want to get up and running immediately with little or no car adjustments, the arcade mode is designed to provide a fun and exciting race that can be started in just a few seconds. Simulation mode is designed for those race fans that really like to tinker with their cars. In simulation mode the players can analyze their driving style and the track the car is racing on to tweak the car physics for optimum performance. A car needs to be configured differently for a twisting and turning road course as opposed to a Superspeedway oval track. The player can adjust the wedge, downforce, gear ratios, pounds per square inch on the tires, fuel load, wheel lock, individual shock adjustments and car weight distribution.
"EA SPORTS' NASCAR 99 does an excellent job of giving the NASCAR fan the power to race in whatever style they prefer," said George Pyne, NASCAR vice president of marketing. "Last year we started a relationship with EA SPORTS that turned out better than we could have hoped. The strength of the NASCAR brand along with EA's ability to produce a top notch racing simulation was the perfect combination, and the result was the top selling racing game on the PlayStation. With NASCAR 99 EA SPORTS has taken the racing experience to the next level."
Actual stock car sounds were recorded for NASCAR 99 from within the car and outside. Consequently engine noises and passing cars sound totally authentic. With the rumbling of over 700 horses under the hood and hot audio tracks by Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, George Thorogood and the Destroyers, and Joe Satriani, the adrenaline starts to quickly surge through NASCAR 99 drivers' bodies as they begin their racing season. Just as real drivers must earn their NASCAR championship by winning on numerous types of tracks, NASCAR 99 drivers will have to face the same challenges as they race through the season.
The thrill of night driving can be experienced at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway and Richmond International Raceway. In addition, dynamic lighting and shading applies when a race occurs during the day. As the sun changes position in the sky throughout the race, the reflection moves around the track as well as illuminates the magnificent paint jobs on the cars.
The 31 active drivers in the game include Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin, Terry Labonte, Bill Elliott, Dale Jarrett, Kyle Petty, Darrell Waltrip, Ernie Irvan, Rusty Wallace, Jeremy Mayfield, John Andretti, Ricky Craven, Steve Park, Kenny Irwin Jr., Kenny Wallace, Jeff Burton, Ted Musgrave, Johnny Benson, Ken Schrader, Ricky Rudd, Michael Waltrip, Sterling Marlin, Bobby Hamilton, Ward Burton, Geoff Bodine, Bobby Labonte, David Green, Hut Stricklin, Mike Skinner and Dick Trickle.
The 17 NASCAR sanctioned speedways in the game include legendary NASCAR ovals such as the Charlotte Motor Speedway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Darlington Raceway, Talladega Superspeeday and Bristol Motor Speedway. New NASCAR tracks are included it the game such as California Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway. For those who like the twists and turns of a road course, NASCAR 99 includes Watkins Glen International and Sears Point Raceway.
In 1997 more than 11 million people attended NASCAR events around the country and an additional 183 million people watched NASCAR races on television.
EA SPORTS is the leading interactive sports software brand in the world. Its top-selling titles include FIFA Soccer, John Madden Football(tm), NHL(R) Hockey, NBA Live Basketball, PGA TOUR(R) Golf, Triple Play Baseball(tm) and NASCAR(R) 98.
Electronic Arts, headquartered in San Mateo, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, Electronic Arts posted revenues of $909 million for fiscal 1998. The company develops, publishes and distributes software worldwide for personal computers and advanced entertainment systems. Electronic Arts markets its products under seven brand names: Electronic Arts, EA SPORTS, Maxis(tm), Origin Systems(tm) Inc., Bullfrog(tm) Productions Ltd., Westwood Studios(tm) and Jane's(R) Combat Simulations. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://www.ea.com.
Note to Editors:
Electronic Arts, Origin Systems, Bullfrog, Maxis, EA SPORTS, Westwood Studios, John Madden Football and Triple Play Baseball are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts or its wholly owned subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or other countries. FIFA Soccer is an official FIFA licensed product. NBA, NHL, FIFA, PGA TOUR and NASCAR are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners and are used under license. Jane's is a registered trademark of Jane's Information Group Ltd. Nintendo(R) 64 is a trademark of Nintendo of America Inc. PlayStation is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
