FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEGA TURNS ON THE MOJO WITH OOGA BOOGA,
THE FIRST ONLINE TROPICAL SURVIVAL GAME
Rival Tribes Compete for the Title of King
Kahuna in This Innovative Online Action Game for Sega Dreamcast
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – (September 11, 2001) –
Get ready for online multi-player combat with a tropical punch! Today, Sega® of
America announced the release of "Ooga Booga(tm)" for the 128-bit, Internet
ready Sega Dreamcast(tm) video game console. On the tropical island of Ooga
Booga, four magical tribes battle each other in a variety of voodoo-themed games
to win the heart of the volcano goddess. As island witchdoctors called "Kahunas,"
players compete to gain the most island magic, or "Mojo." Only by proving their
status as top Kahuna will players win the favor of the volcano goddess Ooga
Booga and survive on the island.
"Ooga Booga is a completely new online gaming
experience", said Greg Thomas, President of Visual Concepts, a Sega group
company and the creators of Ooga Booga. "It builds on the online technology we
created for our 2K1 series of sports games and takes it to the next level with
virtually lag-free play. Ooga Booga combines fast, seamless online action with a
fun, original theme suitable for the whole family. This is one of the first
online console games ever to achieve this." "With an exotic island setting and a
totally unique premise, Ooga Booga is an all-new genre of online entertainment
that will appeal to existing online game fans, as well as new audiences," said
Mike Fischer, director of product
marketing, entertainment division, Sega of
America. "We are proud of Ooga
Booga as a sign of Sega’s commitment to
pushing the boundaries of the console gaming market and expanding the
mass-market appeal of the online gaming experience."
In Ooga Booga, up to four players can compete
simultaneously, either online or offline, in an assortment of play modes.
Online, players can connect with distant tribes over the Internet for some
exhilarating head-to-head action for up to four Dreamcasts. Offline, a
split-screen function allows for up to four players on the same Dreamcast.
Because of its unique lag-free online technology, the action is equally fast and
responsive in both cases. Play modes include "Smakahuna", where it’s all about
which Kahuna can dish out the most damage, "Boar Polo", where two teams try to
roll a giant boulder into the opponent’s goal, and "Rodeo". Players can also
engage in a single player "Tribal Trial" experience.
In order to vie for "The Heart of Ooga Booga,"
players have a choice of taking on the role of Kahuna for one of the four tribes
native to the region. Each tribe has its own unique advantages and quirks. The
Fatty Tribe, a Sumo-like clan, have impressive size and stature that gives them
great strength in battle, but can also slow them down. The Hottie Tribe, the
Amazonian warrior-maidens of Ooga Booga, lack the strength of the Fatty Tribe,
but are tough and agile, and masters of fire. The Twitchy Tribe, small and
quick, are animal lovers whose special primal instincts make them the most
proficient at befriending wild animals for an extra edge. Lastly, the Hoodoo
Tribe, while physically the weakest, are powerful sorcerers of island magic.
Action in Ooga Booga(tm) consists of running,
swatting, throwing, casting spells and riding wild animals in a series of rounds
to determine the winner of each game. Players pick up shrunken heads that grow
on trees, and throw them at their opponents. By collecting magic tokens, players
can pump up their magic powers to cast spells including fire, lighting and
tornados. By taking advantage of elements in the island surroundings, players
can get extra boosts for battle, such as charming the local animals to attack
foes, riding wild boars and birds for land and airborne assaults, and awakening
stone Tiki-head guardians to repel opponents. Ultimately, players who
effectively combine quick thinking and fast reflexes, with wits and strategic
maneuvers, will be able to earn the title of King Kahuna. Players can also
unlock hidden islands, new characters and additional magical spells for an even
more enriched gameplay experience.
"Ooga Booga" is rated "E" for Everyone and is
available for $29.95 at retailers nationwide.
About Sega
Sega of America is the American arm of Tokyo,
Japan-based Sega Corporation, responsible for the development, marketing and
distribution of Sega video game systems and video games in the Americas. Sega
Corporation is a nearly $2.5 billion company recognized as the industry leader
in interactive digital entertainment media, offering interactive entertainment
experiences both inside and outside the home. Sega of America’s World Wide Web
site is located at
www.sega.com.
