Press Release: Nintendo Acquires Exclusive Console Rights to Blizzard Entertainment's StarCraft Title
From Video Game Morgue File
Nintendo Acquires Exclusive Console Rights to Blizzard Entertainment's StarCraft Title
REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 19, 1998--Nintendo of America Inc. announced today its acquisition of exclusive console rights to StarCraft™, the best-selling new PC game from Blizzard Entertainment®. The console title, which will be co-branded by Nintendo and Blizzard for the Nintendo 64 system, is slated for release next year. Following its launch last month, StarCraft swept the PC market to debut as the top-selling computer game its first week in stores. The futuristic, real-time strategy title also outsold all other PC products at retail to become the week's top-selling title overall, according to PC Data. StarCraft remains the number-one game to date. "Partnering with Blizzard Entertainment to co-brand StarCraft for Nintendo 64 is an exciting venture for Nintendo," says Howard Lincoln, chairman, Nintendo of America Inc. "We're thrilled to be bringing one of today's hottest PC game titles to Nintendo 64 fans across the country, as well as strengthening the appeal of Nintendo 64 to older game players in the 18-plus demographic." Says Michael Morhaime, president of Blizzard Entertainment, "Nintendo 64 set the benchmark for the video game industry, so from both a developer and gamer perspective teaming with Nintendo on StarCraft was the natural choice for Blizzard. StarCraft will take full advantage of the system's performance and technological capabilities, while allowing players to enjoy the fast-paced, addictive game experience made popular in the PC game." Set in the intergalactic world of the Terrans, Protoss and Zerg species, StarCraft leads players through 30 do-or-die missions for domination of the universe. Players battle in space, on planetary surfaces and within installations in a universe that unfolds a new piece of the epic with each ensuing mission. Tailored specifically for play on Nintendo 64, the new version will include new levels to explore, new modes of play and the introduction of new troops in battle. Best known for the number-one selling Warcraft® series and the blockbuster hits Diablo™ and StarCraft™, Blizzard Entertainment® is a premier publisher of entertainment software, and a division of Cendant Software, subsidiary of Cendant Corporation. Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, is the leader in the worldwide $15 billion retail video game industry. Nintendo manufactures and markets hardware and software for its best-selling home video game systems, including the hand-held Game Boy, the 16-bit Super Nintendo Entertainment System, and the 64-bit Nintendo 64, the fastest selling video game system in history. As a wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America, Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in the Western Hemisphere, where more than 40 percent of American households own a Nintendo game system. For more information about Nintendo's consumer service options, Nintendo 64, or any other Nintendo product, visit Nintendo's web site on the Internet, www.nintendo.com.
