LADYDRAGON.COM - NEC Launches US Gaming Division, NEC Interchannel, Ltd.

Monday February 03, 2003

NEC Launches US Gaming Division, NEC Interchannel, Ltd.

Gaming Console Manufacturer Returns to Industry After Eight-Year Hiatus; Plans to Publish For All Next Generation Consoles

NEC Interchannel, Ltd., a subsidiary of NEC Corporation, today announced its plans to enter the gaming industry as a third-party publisher for the PlayStation(2 computer entertainment system, the Nintendo GameCube( and Game Boy( Advance handheld systems, and the Xbox( video game system from Microsoft.

Headed by former senior vice-president of Capcom Entertainment, Inc., Clint Kurahashi, NEC Interchannel expects to release its first product in February 2003, a futuristic racing title for the Nintendo GameCube entitled Tube Slider(tm).

In 1989, NEC launched the TurboGrafx-16, the first videogame console in the US market to feature 16 bit processing power and six-channel sound. The TurboGrafx-16 featured several popular games such as Bonk's Adventure(r), Shinobi(r), and Military Madness(tm). The company also released the TurboExpress system, the first 16 bit handheld. The TurboExpress was highly acclaimed for its active matrix color screen and its ability to play TurboGrafx-16 cartridges.

"With the wealth of video gaming experience and resources here at NEC, we hope to make an impact in the coming years," said Clint Kurahashi, executive vice-president, NEC Interchannel, Ltd.

NEC Interchannel, Ltd., an interactive entertainment company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan develops and publishes for video game systems, personal computers and other digital devices. Established as an NEC group company to specialize in planning, development and sales of digital content, in only a short time, NEC Interchannel, Ltd. has built a solid reputation for producing a wide variety of digital content in the areas of culture, education/edutainment, amusement and music. http://www.necgames.com.