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Archive for the ‘News’ Category

SEGA To Continue IP Reinvention

Wednesday, August 24th, 2011

VG247 have unveiled an exclusive interview with SEGA boss Mike Hayes that reveals the company is constantly looking back at its’ catalogue for IPs to reinvent.

Hayes said, “We constantly review the IP we’ve got in the locker because that’s one of Sega’s big advantages, and when we bring it out and do it properly, like re-imagine Sonic or doing Sega Rally Arcade Online and stuff like that, we have success. Some of it when we try and do it, like Golden Axe on PS3 and 360, it didn’t do so well. So we carefully look at each IP and every month, we review the locker of IP and think, ‘how could we release those and if so, what are we going to? Will it be a big game, digital, free-to-play?’ We constantly look at it. What I can say is that you will continue to see a reinvention of classic Sega IP coming to various platforms over the next three-five years.”

VG247 also asked whether Shenmue City, the mobile game from Yu Suzuki would be making a Western appearance. Unfortunately the answer was “There are no plans for Shenmue City.”

The other little tidbit we’d like to bring up is in this little comment, “Shinobi on 3DS is a good example and some of the digital games we’re releasing are good examples, like the Golden Axe redux and stuff like that. So you’ll see more of it, but we literally look at it all the time.”

Golden Axe Redux? Did we miss something here? Is Hayes referring to the SEGA AGES version of Golden Axe, Golden Axe: Beast Rider or a new Golden Axe remake that we’ve yet to hear about? Intriguing!

[Source: SEGAbits]

First Rhythm Phantom Thief R Screenshots UPDATE

Wednesday, August 24th, 2011

The ridiculously titled Rhythm Phantom Thief R: Inheritance of the Emperor Napoleon (what a mouthful) that was announced earlier today now has screenshots. Andriasang released a set of screens giving us the first insight into this game’s graphical style.

Check them out by clicking this link.

This is shaping up to be a rather endearing (and very Japanese) title! Is a Western release on the cards SEGA? The 3DS needs all the games it can get!

EDIT: Eurogamer have recieved word from SEGA that they “should have some news for you soon” regarding a Western release. Exciting!

[Source: SEGAbits]

New Batch of Shinobi 3D Screenshots

Wednesday, August 24th, 2011

Famitsu have released a fresh batch of Shinobi 3D screens.

You check them out by clicking this link.

We’re still on the fence regarding this 3DS title. The graphics are a little poor and we’re getting a distinct whiff of the ‘meh’ PS2 Shinobi, but gameplay trailers have looked quite fun. Come on SEGA, don’t muck this one up! We don’t want to see the Shinobi series go the way of the dodo!

[Source: SEGAbits]

Phantasy Star Online 2 Screenshots Are Pretty

Wednesday, August 24th, 2011

Check out these awesome new Phantasy Star Online 2 screenshots courtesy of Eurogamer. They’re so damn pretty!

Click here to be taken straight to the gallery.

Phantasy Star Online 2 launches later this year on PC in Japan. A western release has not been announced at this time.

[Source: Eurogamer]

New Seaside Hill And Spagonia Screenshots From Sonic Generations

Wednesday, August 24th, 2011

SEGA have just uploaded some new screenshots to their Flickr set for Sonic Generations. The 2 new stages that are heavily featured are Seaside Hill from Sonic Heroes and Spagonia’s Rooftop Run from Sonic Unleashed.

Click here to see the full set at Flickr.

We’re a big fan of that Labyrinth Zone throwback featured in Classic Sonic’s version of Seaside Hill!

[Source: SEGA Flickr]

SEGA Developing New 3DS Rhythm Game

Wednesday, August 24th, 2011

SEGA of Japan have revealed they’re developing a new IP for a 3DS rhythm game. The game is literally translated from Japanese to English as “Rhythm Phantom Thief R: Inheritance of the Emperor Napoleon”. Catchy.

The game will mash up rhythm gaming with adventure elements. You play as Phantom Thief R who wanders Paris with his dog Fondue, stealing treasure from historical landmarks like Notre-Dame and The Louvre. The rhythm part of the game kicks in when you are sneaking into these landmarks to steal their treasure. Tilt controls have also been confirmed.

The game will get a proper announcement next week and Famitsu are reporting that the game is half-finished at this time.

[Source: SEGAbits]

Past Yakuza Games Unlikely To Appear on 360

Wednesday, August 24th, 2011

In a recent interview with Eurogamer, Toshihiro Nagoshi has stated that the Yakuza series will likely never get ported to the X-Box 360.

Nagoshi explains, “At the beginning of the project we spoke to all the platform holders including Sony and Microsoft. Every platform holder was negative about this prospect, but we kept on pushing because we believed in the potential, and as we kept going one platform holder that showed interest and saw the prospects of this title was Sony. That’s how we started working with them, and that’s probably not going to change.”

Nagoshi added, “The basic style and mechanics is really an old game that started on PS2 and continued on PS3. Times keep changing, and if we started on some new games they would be in a very different shape – so the last game was the end of one particular era.”

End of an era, eh? Can we expect more from the Yakuza series on different platforms? Only time will tell!

[Source: Eurogamer]

Takashi Iizuka Says Sonic 4 Episode 2 Is Slated For 2012

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011

Takashi Iizuka, the current head of Sonic Team has revealed that Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 will launch in 2012. A specific date was not given.

In regards to the 2 year delay between episodes, Iizuka has said that “It was always the plan.” He continues, “We knew about the anniversary year, and Generations was planned way in advance. It was always our plan to release Episode 2 after Generations.”

Iizuka has also confirmed that a 3rd episode is currently not on the table. “We can’t say if there’s going to be Episode 3 or not.”

[Source: Eurogamer]

Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown Confirmed for XBLA & PSN

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011

Exciting news! Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown, the arcade-only update to Virtua Fighter 5 is finally getting a home console release!

The game will release on X-Box Live Arcade and Playstation Network instead of receiving a boxed release like the original. They are set for a Summer 2012 launch.

New features include:

– An overhaul of the game’s mechanics, balance and animations
– A new one-on-one online battle mode and a new single-player mode
– New arenas (including those with fences and walls that are different for every round)
– Customisable character items
– Two new characters: Taka-Arashi and Jean Kujo.
– Simplified controls for new players

EDIT – Full press release courtesy of SEGA:

LONDON & SAN FRANCISCO— 23rd August 2011—SEGA® of Europe Ltd. and SEGA® of America, Inc. today announced that Virtua Fighter™ 5, the latest title in its celebrated fighting franchise, will see a grand update and expansion released as a standalone title for both Xbox LIVE® Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.and PlayStation® Network. The new game, entitled Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown, will contain a full overhaul of Virtua Fighter 5’s mechanics, balance and animations, along with new game modes, new dynamic fighting arenas, a massive collection of customisable character items and two all-new characters added to the roster. Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown is expected to be available in Summer 2012.

“Virtua Fighter 5 has always been an authentic arcade fighter, even when played from the comfort of a home console. And, like any proper arcade dynasty, we’ve continued to support, expand and tweak the game in the years since its release,” said Haruki Satomi, Vice President of Digital Business at SEGA of America and SEGA Europe. “With Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown, we get to bring the ultimate expression of competitive one-on-one gaming to console players in one perfect package.”

Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown contains the definitive version of VF5, refined over the years since its original arcade debut. The new release also adds an extensive list of features never before seen on consoles. VF5FS will include:

• The Perfect Fighting Experience: Virtua Fighter 5’s signature style of hand-to-hand combat, with revised mechanics, balance, timing and more, along with simplified controls for new players while retaining the depth that veterans demand
• Dynamic and Interactive Arenas: Fighting areas in new shapes and sizes, including arenas with fences and walls that are different for every round – take unexpected advantage of fighters’ new wall-based moves, or break through the fences with special attacks
• A Mode for Every Fight: Dominate the leaderboards with Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown’s extremely responsive one-on-one online battle system, widely praised for having little latency, or take on an army of opponents yourself in a new single-player mode
• Customized Combatants: Enter the ring with one of 19 playable characters, including fan favorite Taka-Arashi from Virtua Fighter 3 and an all-new character, Jean Kujo, and customize them with unique costume and character items

For more news, follow SEGA on Twitter @SEGA or “like” us on Facebook www.facebook.com/sega.

[Source: Eurogamer]

Sonic CD Coming to X-Box Live Arcade

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011

Sonic CD is coming to X-Box Live Arcade thanks to Microsoft community bloke Major Nelson (awesome name)!

Nelson let the news slip on his personal blog, revealing that the game will be playable at this year’s Penny Arcade Expo Prime in Seattle.

There is currently no official word from SEGA, but as soon as there is this story will be updated with any further information.

[Source: The Sonic Stadium]

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