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SEGA Seals Unreal Deal, Updates on Trio of Upcoming Titles

SEGA of America and SEGA Europe Ltd. announced a licensing agreement with Epic Games to adopt the Unreal Engine 3 for use in several upcoming projects being developed in North America. This comes on the heals of SEGA's announcements regarding three of its upcoming titles in development, which include GHOST SQUAD for Wii, CONDEMNED 2: BLOODSHOT for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 and PHANTASY STAR UNIVERSE: AMBITION OF THE ILLUMINUS for Xbox 360, PlayStation 2 and PC.

"SEGA is pleased to arm our developers with the sophisticated tools contained in Epic Games' Unreal Engine 3," said Simon Jeffery, president/coo, SEGA of America Inc. "Its versatility and power will help SEGA create incredible gaming experiences."

"Epic is extremely excited to be working with SEGA," said Mark Rein, vp, Epic Games Inc. "SEGA has a long history of innovation and leadership in our industry and we're honored that they've chosen to use Unreal Engine 3."

Details of the projects being worked on will be announced later in the year.

Developed by SEGA's AM2 arcade division, GHOST SQUAD became a smash hit upon release and was the top-earning arcade gun game in 2005 for SEGA's arcade division. The Wii version brings the arcade experience home and adds a number of new Wii-specific gameplay modes and features. The game features the use of the Wii Remote as a multi-purpose tool that allows players to easily control the targeting of on-screen enemies, defuse bombs and rescue hostages. The title is set to hit store in time for the 2007 holidays.

With a squad of three others, players will traverse three different mission areas each comprised of multiple levels, unlocking 25 high-powered weapons as they progress. Within each level there are a series of selectable alternate routes that will provide the gamer with increasing challenges as enemies attack from unexpected places. Weapon selection is varied across a wide array of weapon types ranging from machine guns, submachine guns, pistols, sniper rifles, shotguns and even crossbows. GHOST SQUAD will feature an Arcade mode, a Multiplayer mode for up to four players, and more!

"GHOST SQUAD brings the classic light gun blaster experience that SEGA made popular in the arcades to the Wii," said Scott A. Steinberg, vp of marketing, SEGA of America Inc. "With a more robust multiplayer experience than even the arcade version and numerous unlockable items and stages adding replay value, GHOST SQUAD will be the ultimate shooter experience for the Nintendo Wii console."

Featuring all-new fighting mechanics and online multiplayer functionality, CONDEMNED 2: BLOODSHOT is a first-person action thriller. Following a string of gruesome murders, players must use their deductive skills and brute force to track down sadistic serial killers. Developed by Monolith Prods., creators of the original CONDEMNED game, the sequel is slated to ship in early 2008 for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

Players will assume the identity of Ethan Thomas, former serial crimes unit investigator, who has been called back to duty to track down his missing partner. The disturbing events from Ethan's past have left him a broken man -- a desperate burnout drifting aimlessly through society in an inexplicable decline. Fighting inner demons throughout his one-man investigation into a sinister conspiracy, Ethan will need to use anything and everything in the environment to survive as he unravels the mysteries shrouding the city in darkness.

"CONDEMNED 2: BLOODSHOT will keep gamers on the edge of their seats," said Steinberg. "Experience all the tension, psychological terror, and a variety of first-person hand-to-hand fighting mechanics in this innovative atmospheric thriller gamers have been longing for."

As Ethan, players will engage in visceral combat using a variety of firearms, blunt instruments and an all-new fighting system complete with defensive and offensive combo chains, as well as grapples and holds. To help track the killer and solve the mysteries behind CONDEMNED 2: BLOODSHOT, players will crack open an all-new set of high-tech forensic tools. Using wits and brute strength, murders can be solved a number of different ways to keep players guessing throughout each suspenseful investigation.

CONDEMNED 2: BLOODSHOT introduces a variety of online multiplayer modes, including deathmatch.

SEGA also announced that PHANTASY STAR UNIVERSE: AMBITION OF THE ILLUMINUS will be available for download on the Xbox 360,and in stores for the PlayStation 2 and PC in fall 2007. PHANTASY STAR UNIVERSE: AMBITION OF THE ILLUMINUS is the expansion to the epic sci-fi action role-playing game, PHANTASY STAR UNIVERSE. Gamers can now experience the wonders of the Gurhal System through the eyes of a personalized avatar -- whether tackling quests online with a party of up to six adventurers, or fighting through the next chapters of the single-player story that started in the original game.

PHANTASY STAR UNIVERSE: AMBITION OF THE ILLUMINUS allows gamers to experience an even richer and more varied experience. Players will explore new levels, such as the Ruins of Old Rozenom City and the subterranean Granigs Mines, where they will encounter new and more powerful enemy types and bosses, and master additional versatile class types.

The expansion further enriches the online experience with newly created and enhanced gameplay and customization features. Players can commune in new and expanded lobby areas filled with colorful decorations and music, including the new Casino Voloyal where roulette and slots can earn players special casino-only items. Character and weapon customization is even deeper with the introduction of a slew of new weapon types, armor, Photon Arts and clothing. Also, each Guardian's individual Room is upgraded with far greater options for customization. A new grid system allows players to decorate the walls and place new interactive items and furniture anywhere they want in the Room.

PHANTASY STAR UNIVERSE is searching for GUARDIANs to participate in a new community event in the game. Operation Firebreak begins on May 25, 2007, and calls for the entire PHANTASY STAR UNIVERSE community to work cooperatively to defeat a new SEED-based threat.

With a GUARDIANS License, gamers can experience the new customizable and highly interactive features online. Players can purchase a GUARDIANS License for Xbox 360, PlayStation 2 system and PC online for $9.99 a month. The GUARDIANS License is also available at a discounted rate of $49.99 for six months of online play on the PlayStation 2 system and PC.

For more information, visit www.sega.com.

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