LADYDRAGON.COM - Sega.com Announces the Launch of Its Online Developer Program

Thursday January 30, 2003

Sega.com Announces the Launch of Its Online Developer Program; To Kick Off the Program Sega.com and Oceanus are Teaming Up to Bring Money, Power and Fame to Online Gamers Nationwide

Sega.com, the network entertainment company integrating Internet and wireless technologies with innovation, today announced the launch of its new Online Developer Program designed to address the specific needs of PC online game developers in search of a comprehensive and highly effective publishing solution. "Legacy Online," originally titled "Star Peace," is a real time massively multiplayer online game (MMOG) developed by Oceanus Communications, Inc. and will be the first title to be published under the new program.

"With a rapidly growing networked gaming community, Sega.com is committed to providing gamers with quality content and technology they have come to expect from SEGA, be it online or wireless gameplay," said Ryoichi Shiratsuchi, CEO of Sega.com and general manager, Network Business Division, SEGA Corp. "Sega.com is pleased to be kicking off its Online Developer Program by working with Oceanus in delivering a compelling and unique MMOG, as the popularity and demand of these types of games continues to flourish."

With the establishment of Sega.com's Online Developer Program, the company is actively looking for quality content to lend its expertise, technology and the power of its brand. Offering game developers years of experience in network gaming technologies and online consumer programs, as well as strong global distribution channels and brand recognition, Sega.com will publish multiple online PC titles to help game developers successfully launch their online games.

The first company to take advantage of the program, Oceanus with its game "Legacy Online," will include publishing as well as SEGA Network Application Package (SNAP) services. Sega.com will assist in the production, hosting, authentification and billing, quality assurance, customer support and frontline marketing services for the game. Gamers currently have a chance to personally impact and change the final version of the game before it is officially released in early March for a monthly fee of $9.95. PC gamers can participate in the beta test program by simply registering to play for free on www.legacyonline.net.

"Sega.com was an obvious choice when we started searching for a publisher, with their extensive experience, strong brand name and reputation as a major player in the online gaming industry," said Elias Assad, president of Oceanus Communications, Inc. "All these factors only reinforced our decision to work with Sega.com to provide the best environment to successfully launch an online multi-player game."

"Legacy Online" takes players into new worlds of the near future where they are in full control of their own capitalist empire. Players will co-exist with other gamers online in a persistent world in an attempt to achieve legendary status by expanding their wealth, business and prestige through strategic negotiations and community building. During a time when the Earth's natural resources are being killed off, a new technology is discovered allowing humans to travel to new worlds through portals. Migrating to uninhabited planets, gamers are given $100 million to colonize the new world, giving them the power to influence the economy and politics of their planet. Gamers can amass great fortunes, political power and personal notoriety through entrepreneurial prowess and strategic partnerships. Make a wrong move, and they could be sleeping in the interplanetary gutter.

"Money, power and prestige are often the driving forces in our society. 'Legacy Online' provides an environment where gamers can pursue their own personal legacy by obtaining great wealth and recognition while running their own business," said Jason Kinne, producer, Sega.com. "'Legacy Online' is a game of strategy, success and glory. It lets gamers indulge in and live out millionaire dreams without the consequences of actually losing real money."

For more information about "Legacy Online" visit www.legacyonline.net. The official name change from "Star Peace" to "Legacy Online" on the web site will take effect at the launch of the game.

About Sega.com, Inc.

Sega.com, Inc. (www.sega.com) is a network entertainment company that integrates Internet technology with innovation while leveraging a video game heritage dating back more than 50 years. Sega.com also built SegaNet the first high-speed online console gaming network and community destination for gamers. Sega.com is dedicated to bringing the technology and content required for networked entertainment to game developers and game players alike, leveraging the network possibilities for a multitude of devices including game consoles, cellular phones and PDAs.