From: virtual8@well.sf.ca.us (Gregory Peter Panos)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: INDUSTRY: Horizon/Paramount Press Release, STAR TREK VR Centers
Date: 5 Oct 92 08:25:15 GMT
Organization: University of Washington
Originator: hlab@milton.u.washington.edu



Here is the official Press Release from Paramount Pictures on the deal
with Edison Brothers Stores / Horizon Entertainment Division regarding
the STAR TREK Virtual reality centers to open in a mall near you (in
the future). Note: I met with Brandon Tartikoff back in June and he
told me about this deal. I was promptly called by Daily Variety and
reported to them what I heard in July when they quoted me about this.

I also spoke to Andy Halliday, President of Horizon Entertainment at
the Meckler VR conference regarding a co-promotion on the 1-(900)
VIRTUAL "Virtual Reality Information Line", which has been on-line
since May. He didn't seem to be aware of any value (relating to his
interests) in any promotion and I got the distinct feeling from him
that he was unconcerned with educating his present and potential
customer base as to the real and varied applications for this
important new technology.  They already have an 800 number to act as
an information hub and lure interested parties to their attractions.
He who pays gets to say! It is my sincere hope that companies that
cash in on this important new field will be responsible for education
about its positive social value and available opportunities for us
all.
 
The following was OCR captured and processed and is being posted
compliments of SophisTech Research and 1-(900) VIRTUAL :
 
Gregory Peter Panos --- Oct 4, 1992
 
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                       PARAMOUNT PICTURES
 
                   CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS
 
                                        Contact : Harry Anderson
                                                  213/956-5845
                                                       or
                                                  James Arnold
                                                  213/956-5767
 
                    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
STAR TREK BEAMS INTO MALL ENTERTAINMENT Paramount Pictures
and Edison Brothers Entertainment Inc. Sign Virtual Reality
Licensing Agreement
 
 
HOLLYWOOD, September 24 -- Paramount Pictures has entered into a
licensing agreement with St. Louis-based Edison Brothers
Entertainment Inc. under which Edison Brothers will develop
shopping mall-based virtual reality entertainment centers themed
after the Paramount television series "STAR TREK: The Next
Generation," it was announced today. Making the annou@cment were
Brandon Tartikoff, chairman of Paramount Pictures, and Andrew Newman,
chairman of Edison Brothers.
 
"For 25 years, STAR TREK has been synonymous with the ultimate
in technology," Mr. Tartikoff said. "Our agreement with Edison
Brothers will, for the first time, permit STAR TREK fans across the
country to actually board the USS Enterprise and experience the
excitement and adventure of the 24th Century today."
 
 
One of the largest lessees of mall real estate in the United States,
Edison Brothers will unveil the first STAR TREK center in 1993.
Initial plans for the centers include virtual reality attractions
as well as restaurants and merchandise areas. Visitors to the
STAR TREK virtual reality centers will choose among a number of
game scenarios and the characters they want to portray. Many of
the famed elements of the Enterprise -- including the bridge,
the holodeck, the transporter room and engineering -- will be
recreated as environments for the various virtual reality and
simulation attractions.
 
"We are enthusiastic about teaming up virtual reality and STAR
TREK to create the ultimate in experiential retailing," Newman said.
"The odyssey of STAR TREK is virtually real to millions of Americans.
We're proud to be associated with one of the entertainment industry's
premiere properties of all time."
 
Considered to be the boldest innovation yet in entertainment
technology, virtual reality gives a participant the ability to
move about and interact with others in a "virtual world." The STAR
TREK virtual reality attractions are expected to incorporate software
created by Spectrum HoloByte Inc., the Alameda, Calif. based enter-
tainment software company that holds the license for home computer
and video game software based on "STAR TREK: The Next Generation."
 
Edison Brothers Entertainment is a division of St. Louis-based
Edison Brothers Stores Inc., which owns and operates more than
2,800 speciality stores in all 50 states. Its apparel and footwear
operations include such national chains as J. Riggins, JW/Jeans
West, Oaktrees, Bakers, Leeds and Wild Pair. Its entertainment
units include Time-out, Space Port and Exhilarama entertainment
centers and Dave & Buster's restaurant entertainment complexes.
Edison's Horizon Entertainment division is the exclusive U.S.
distributor of Virtuality, the only virtual reality entertainment
system currently available to the public. "STAR TREK: The Next
Generation" is currently beginning its sixth season on television.
It is the highest rated weekly series in first-run syndication and
is seen on more than 200 stations across the nation, Paramount
Pictures is part of the entertainment operations of Paramount
Communications Inc. ###
 
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