Sega breaks through 16-bit barriers with "VectorMan": most advanced, challenging Genesis video game ever; first video game with Sega's new "Play to Win" feature.

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 19, 1995--Sega of America Tuesday announced that its most sophisticated and challenging Sega Genesis game ever, "VectorMan," will be available nationwide on "V-Day," Oct. 24, 1995.

Utilizing an innovative new rendering technique called "Vector Piece" animation, "VectorMan" pushes the edge of Genesis technology to create action-packed 3D worlds with the highest-speed game play ever seen on a 16-bit video game machine.

As an added bonus Sega announced that "VectorMan" will be the first in a series of "Play to Win" video games. Gamers throughout the United States will be able to play "VectorMan" to win more than $160,000 in cash and prizes. Randomly selected cartridges have been seeded with the potential to win one of the built-in prizes.

"VectorMan" is a futuristic three-dimensional graphic adventure with 60-frame-per-second animation that pushes the outer limits of 16-bit technology.

The main character, VectorMan, achieves seamless and fluid movement throughout the game with Sega's innovative "Vector Piece" animation techniques. Composed of mechanical shapes and spheres, VectorMan can morph freely and smoothly into mechanical incarnations such as a high-speed drill, jet fighter, dune buggy, mechanical fish or a bomb.

With an arsenal of ultra-tech weapons at his disposal, VectorMan battles a sophisticated army of "orbots" to save Earth.

"Adding such innovative technology to the 16-bit development system, `VectorMan' will set a new standard for game play on the Genesis," said Mike Ribero, executive vice president, Sega of America. "The game play is so spectacular, players are going to get their hands on `VectorMan' and not be able to put it down."

After completing the game, lucky players who have one of the winning cartridges will see a final screen declaring "You Win!" with a secret phone number and address. Winners have a chance to win the grand prize, $25,000; one of ten first prizes, $10,000; or one of 90 second prizes, Sega Saturn.

To claim prizes, players must first call the secret phone number and then mail in their winning "VectorMan" cartridge to the secret address (a).

"The key to this contest is speed and gaming ability as well as a bit of luck," added Ribero. "As soon as `VectorMania' hits, it will be an all-out race to finish the game and become Sega's own `VectorManiac.'"