Thursday July 11, 2002 |
NAMCO TO BRING PAC-MAN ®AND MS.PAC-MAN® TO SPRINTS 3G-ENABLED PCS PHONES THIS SUMMER Namco Hometek Inc. is bringing the all-time arcade and home videogame classics "PAC-MAN" and "Ms.PAC-MAN" to Sprints wireless customers anytime, and virtually anywhere on the Sprint Third Generation Network, launching nationwide later this summer. Sprint (NYSE: FON, PCS), which operates the largest all-digital, all-PCS nationwide wireless network, and Namco are joining forces to bring these games to Sprint wireless customers on 3G-enabled PCS Phones. The games will be developed using the Java 2 Platform, Micro Edition (J2MEÔ). Sprint plans to launch 3G1X services nationwide later this summer. The Sprint 3G Network is expected to provide faster wireless data speeds and enhancements for existing applications and services when using a Sprint 3G-enabled device, and establishes a platform for later releases of new and more advanced wireless applications. Specifically for interactive games, 3G enables Sprint and its development partners to bring graphically rich, full-color classic videogames like "PAC-MAN" and "Ms.PAC-MAN" on 3G-enabled PCS Phones using J2MEÔ. Other upcoming Sprint 3G applications include enhanced text messaging and chatrooms, e-mail with attachments, animated ringtones and screen savers, enhanced digital imaging and faster Internet browsing. "As we unveiled at the Electronic Entertainment Expo, Sprint is bringing mobile entertainment to the next level by providing wireless versions of popular games such as PAC-MAN and Ms.PAC-MAN and teaming up with industry leaders like Namco," said Chip Novick, vice president of consumer marketing for Sprints PCS division. "With the enhanced speeds and graphics of 3G technology and the mobility of a PCS Phone, the next evolution of gaming is clearly wireless." "Namco is already a leading wireless game publisher throughout the Asian market," said Itsuro Yoshimoto, Project Leader for Namco Hometeks mobile wireless content team. "Working closely with major carriers and handset manufacturers, Namco helped establish wireless gaming in Japan by providing content at the markets initial service launch. After careful research, we decided it was time to enter the U.S. market. Initially providing our most beloved videogame franchise for the Sprint 3G service launch, there will also be other major videogame titles down the line. Our hope is to deliver the same enjoyment to those Sprint customers who spent countless hours playing these arcade classics in their youth." With research firm DataMonitor forecasting that 93 million people will be playing wireless games in 2006 up from 21.6 million people in 2001 its evident that gamings growing popularity is extending to the wireless space. And with mobile phone ownership rising there are more than 137 million current U.S. wireless subscribers according to The Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA) games should be able to reach core and casual game players like never before. Sprint was the first wireless carrier to launch wireless games in October 2000 and currently offers more than 60 games on the PCS Wireless WebSM. Sprint offers the largest selection of both single-player and multi-player games in a variety of categories such as action, adventure, casino, classics, puzzles and sports that challenge and entertain all levels of players. For more information on products and services, please visit www.sprint.com/mr and www.namco.com. About Sprint Sprint is a global communications company serving more than 26 million business and residential customers in over 70 countries. With approximately 80,000 employees worldwide and more than $26 billion in annual revenues, Sprint is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying state of the art network technologies, including the United States first nationwide all-digital, fiber-optic network. Sprints award-winning Tier 1 Internet backbone is being extended to key global markets to provide customers with a broad portfolio of scalable IP products. Sprints high-capacity, high-speed network gives customers fast, dependable, nonstop access to the vast majority of the worlds Internet content. Sprint also operates the largest 100-percent digital, nationwide PCS wireless network in the United States, already serving the majority of the nations metropolitan areas, including more than 4,000 cities and communities. About Namco Hometek Inc. Namco Hometek Inc. is the U.S. consumer division of Namco Limited, a Tokyo-based world leader in the high-tech entertainment industry. Committed to providing the ultimate interactive entertainment experience, Namco uses cutting-edge technology and advanced electronics to take their theme parks, arcades, and home video games far beyond traditional entertainment. |
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