The Virtual Boy Press Release Fax, which appears on ebay at the moment, contains earlier versions of the press releases found here:
NINTENDO ANNOUNCES INVESTMENT IN REFLECTION TECHNOLOGY, INC.
http://www.planetvb.com/modules/advertising/?r0201
NINTENDO INTRODUCES VIDEO GAME PLAYERS TO THREE-DIMENSIONAL WORLDS WITH NEW VIRTUAL REALITY VIDEO GAME SYSTEM
http://www.planetvb.com/modules/advertising/?r01
While the earlier version of the 2nd of the two press releases referenced above has already appeared on this site for a while, I don’t believe the 1st one has. I have reproduced both earlier versions here, with sections that are different from the later versions indicated in bold lettering:
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: GOLIN/HARRIS
Alison Holt Brummelkamp (“or Scott Smith” is not included)
(213) 623-4200
REFLECTION TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Aline Thibault or Marianne Sabella
(617) 494-9500, exts. 206, 224
In Japan, Ken Takahashi, 81-422-55-8822
NINTENDO ANNOUNCES INVESTMENT IN REFLECTION TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Home Video Game Leader Also Acquires Exclusive Worldwide License For Proprietary LED Display Technology
TOKYO, November 14, 1994 — Nintendo Co., Ltd. today announced that it has acquired a minority interest in Reflection Technology, Inc., of Waltham, Massachusetts, a privately held company. The agreement with Reflection is a milestone for Nintendo as it marks the first time the video game leader has taken an equity position in a U.S.-based company.
Nintendo has also obtained exclusive worldwide licensing rights within the video game market to Reflection’s patented virtual display technology. The initial application of this technology will be Nintendo’s “Virtual BoyTM,” a 32-bit, RISC-based virtual reality system developed for the mass market which will be introduced in Japan and the Western Hemisphere in April of 1995.
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“We have made this significant investment in Reflection because we recognize the tremendous market potential for the company’s unique technology,” stated Nintendo Co., Ltd. President, Hiroshi Yamauchi. “In addition, our licensing agreement with Reflection will make Nintendo the only video game manufacturer with access to its unique technology.”
Reflection was founded in 1987 by a team of scientists from MIT with the mission to exploit a breakthrough in LED (light emitting diode) technology. The resulting designs and products carry multiple worldwide patents, have been extensively tested and can be manufactured for the mass market.
Reflection’s virtual displays are miniature in scale, but appear full-size when held near the eye. By combining two of these LED displays together in one processing unit, the stereoscopic Virtual Boy produces 3-D graphics previously only available in advanced simulation systems costing thousands of dollars. Players will now experience full depth perception and complete rotational movement for the cost of a traditional video game system.
“We are very excited to be working with the worldwide leader in the home video game industry,” commented Al Becker, president of Reflection. “Our brain-trust at Reflection has been working on this technology for a number of years and this exclusive worldwide licensing arrangement with Nintendo will place our technology into the hands of millions of consumers.”
“The cutting-edge technology developed by Reflection Technology has multiple future applications in the real world, such as telecommunications,” said Nicholas Negroponte, who is Director of the Media Laboratory at MIT and an investor in Reflection. “Utilizing this technology, Nintendo’s Virtual Boy will provide video game players with a truly unique experience.”
Reflection Technology, Inc., is a world leader in virtual display technology and mobile messaging. Reflection develops and markets virtual displays and products that incorporate these displays. Reflection’s patented Scanned Linear Array (SLA) displays are being used in a new generation of products that are expanding the horizon of the telecommunications and consumer electronics markets.
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Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, is the leader in the worldwide $15 billion retail video game industry. As a wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Washington, serves as headquarters for Nintendo’s operations in the Western Hemisphere where more than 40 percent of American homes own a Nintendo system.
Virtual Boy is a trademark of Nintendo
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(00028952)
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: GOLIN/HARRIS
Alison Holt Brummelkamp
(213) 623-4200
NINTENDO INTRODUCES VIDEO GAME PLAYERS TO THREE-DIMENSIONAL WORLDS WITH NEW VIRTUAL REALITY VIDEO GAME SYSTEM
32-Bit “Virtual Boy” Shown At Shoshinkai Software Exhibition In Japan
TOKYO, November 14, 1994 — Nintendo, the world’s largest manufacturer and marketer of video games, today announced the introduction of “Virtual BoyTM,” the first virtual reality system developed and produced for the mass market. The RISC-based, 32-bit system utilizes two high-resolution, mirror-scanning LED (light emitting diode) displays to produce a 3-D experience not possible on conventional television or LCD screens.
Virtual Boy’s unique design eliminates all external stimuli, totally immersing players into their own private universe with high-resolution red images against a deep black background. The 3-D experience is enhanced through stereophonic sound and a new specially-designed, double-grip controller which accommodates multi-directional spatial movement.
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Virtual Boy will be unveiled tomorrow at the Sixth Annual Shoshinkai Software Exhibition in Tokyo. The new product will be released in Japan in April of 1995 at a suggested retail price of 19,800 yen for the hardware system. Three cartridge-based software titles will be introduced at launch, followed by two to three new titles each month. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the software will range from approximately 5,000 to 7,000 yen. Nintendo projects Virtual Boy sales in Japan of three million hardware units and 14 million software units by March of 1996.
Virtual Boy combines 3-D image immersion technology developed by Nintendo with proprietary display technology created by Reflection Technology, Inc., of Waltham, Massachusetts, and licensed exclusively within the video game market to Nintendo on a worldwide basis. Reflection is a recognized leader in miniaturized display products and holds exclusive worldwide patents for technology that incorporates color matrix LED (light emitting diode) displays which, when combined in the stereoscopic Virtual Boy, produce a complete 3-D experience.
“It has always been Nintendo’s strategy to introduce new hardware systems only when technological breakthroughs allow us to offer innovative entertainment at a price that appeals to a worldwide audience,” said Nintendo Co., Ltd. President, Hiroshi Yamauchi. “Virtual Boy delivers this and more. It will transport game players into a ‘virtual utopia’ with sights and sounds unlike anything they’ve ever experienced — all at the price of a current home video game system.”
Virtual Boy is a stand-alone, table-top unit which does not connect to a television screen. It is powered by six AA batteries. Accessories will include an AC adaptor and a rechargeable battery adaptor, which will be sold separately.
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Nintendo’s U.S. subsidiary, Nintendo of America, will officially unveil Virtual Boy hardware and software at the Winter Consumer Electronics Show (WCES) on January 6, 1995 in Las Vegas. The product will be released in the Western Hemisphere in April of 1995. Manufacturer’s suggested retail prices will be announced at the WCES.
“We are very confident of the market potential for Virtual Boy,” said Nintendo of America Chairman, Howard Lincoln. “Nintendo is extremely excited with the tremendous opportunity which this exclusive technology affords.”
Reflection Technology, Inc. is a world leader in virtual display technology and mobile messaging. Reflection develops and markets virtual displays and products that incorporate these displays. Reflection’s patented Scanned Linear Array (SLA) displays are being used in a new generation of products that are expanding the horizon of the telecommunications and consumer electronics markets.
Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, is the leader in the worldwide $15 billion retail video game industry. As a wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Washington, serves as headquarters for Nintendo’s operations in the Western Hemisphere where more than 40 percent of American homes own a Nintendo system.
Virtual Boy is a trademark of Nintendo
Reflection Technology will be in the Cellular Alliance Booth, L4216 at COMDEX in Las Vegas, Nov. 14-17
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(00028331)
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