EUGENE, OR - July 17, 2000 - Since 1998, Sierra On-Line has been
collaborating with the folks at Hershey Chocolate(r) and this year is no
exception. Sierra Attractions, HERSHEYPARK(r) and Hershey Foods
Corporation have teamed up to bring virtual pinball fans a nice twist with
thrills and a kiss. The latest release in the popular 3-D Ultra(tm) Pinball
series due out in August, 3-D Ultra(tm) Pinball: Thrill Ride, will have
elements from HERSHEYPARK incorporated into the game and be
supported through a nationwide Back-to-School promotion with Hershey
Foods.
"For the first time, our product development team was able to plan a timed
release to coincide with the national consumer promotion opportunity," said
Ted Mandelkorn, director of partner promotions for Havas Interactive.
"The consumer promotion offers Hershey's customers a chance to play a
product before it even hits retail shelves. This is truly an exclusive
experience. And, this is what true 'partnership' is all about: both sides
leveraging their respective strengths in compelling and creative ways for
the benefit of both parties and more importantly, the customer."
The content from HERSHEYPARK is subtle and will actually enhance the
consumer's gaming experience. In addition to incorporating a number of
the HERSHEYPARK coasters like GREAT BEAR(r), The Wildcat and
LIGHTNING RACER(tm), virtual pinball fans will find cyber treats from
Hershey Foods in the Concession Stand area of the main table
appropriately named "Chocolate World".
To support the product, Sierra has partnered with Hershey Foods to
conduct a CD-ROM demo giveaway during Hershey's Annual
Back-to-School candy promotion during the months of July through
September. Consumers can obtain the CD-ROM demo by either
purchasing three bags of qualifying Hershey's candy, using the mail-in
coupon, or purchasing the 60-ct. snack size assortment with the CD-ROM
inside. The special promotional CD-ROM demo will feature an exclusive
preview of 3-D Ultra(tm) Pinball: Thrill Ride, Hershey's Theme Pack,
Internet Safety Tips from FamilyPC, $5 mail-in rebate good on select Sierra
titles and much more. In addition, there will be a free standing insert
included in the Sunday, August 6, 2000 edition of nationwide newspapers
for a $1 off coupon on Hershey's chocolate products and the CD-ROM
redemption coupon.
3-D Ultra(tm) Pinball: Thrill Ride integrates the traditional 3-D Ultra(tm)
Pinball arcade style with the thrilling, adrenaline pumping excitement of a
theme park to deliver a fun-filled spree through a virtual amusement park.
Thrill Ride offers 15 action-paced rides represented on the game's main
and mini tables, complete with a special nighttime mode with fireworks
display. 3-D Ultra(tm) Pinball: Thrill Ride will support Windows(r) 95/98 and
Macintosh on CD-ROM with a suggested retail price of $29.95. For more
information, go to www.nowthisisfun.com.
HERSHEYPARK, the 110-acre theme park with more than 60 rides and
attractions, welcomes its 8th roller coaster the LIGHTNING RACER(tm) - the
first wooden racing/dueling roller caster in the US- for the 2000 Season. For
information call 1-800-HERSHEY or visits www.HersheyPA.com.
Sierra On-Line, Inc. (http://www.sierra.com/) is one of the original
developers and largest worldwide publishers of interactive entertainment
and productivity software. Sierra is a division of Havas Interactive, a global
leader in interactive content, and is one of the world's largest publishers of
education, entertainment and home productivity software. Its divisions,
Blizzard Entertainment(r), Coktel, Knowledge Adventure(r), Sierra(tm) and
Flipside.com(tm) are famous for releasing critically acclaimed and award
winning titles. Havas has operations in the US and in Europe and is a
subsidiary of the French publishing house Havas, part of Vivendi
Communications.
