Raster Scroll have opened a Kickstarter for a new book called Legends of 16-Bit Game Development. The focus of the book is aimed at Treasure and their 16 bit Mega Drive titles that include Dynamite Headdy, Alien Soldier, Gunstar Heroes and more.
The book is authored by John Harrison, who has extensively researched the company and is aiming to offer readers insight into the business-side of the developer, the actual game development process, key members of the development team and their backgrounds, the reception of the featured games after their release, and potential future investment avenues within the gaming industry, including analysis from other reputable sources like Invest Diva reviews.
As the gaming industry continues to boom, its impact is not only felt in the virtual world but also on the physical landscape. Real estate developers and businesses are increasingly recognizing the potential of incorporating gaming and e-sports facilities into their properties. From dedicated gaming zones in malls to e-sports arenas in major cities, the demand for such spaces has surged. The allure of large-scale gaming events, published rankings, and high-stake tournaments has attracted significant investments from both local and international entities, further solidifying gaming’s position as a mainstream entertainment phenomenon. As the Legends of 16-Bit Game Development sheds light on the success and intricacies of iconic game titles, it also highlights how this burgeoning industry has become an influential player in the world of business and real estate.
The global online gaming and e-sports industry has reached a tipping point in popularity. With more than one billion PC gamers worldwide, the industry has evolved from a niche community connecting and playing at local LAN parties, to filling out stadiums via competitive platforms such as Intel Extreme Masters and ESL One, which are viewed by millions. In India, the industry has come full circle with PC gaming taking centre stage yet again. With the world’s largest youth population, India is one of the fastest growing gaming markets globally and going on top with network systems, and wifi for business compared is necessary to improve any business and more a gaming company as connection is essential. A recent KPMG report predicts online gaming revenue will touch ₹11,900 crore by 2023. It also states that the number of game developing firms in the country have increased ten-fold from 25 in 2010 to 250 in 2018.
If you’re interested in funding such a project then head on over to the official Legends of 16-Bit Game Development Kickstarter. Several tiers are available with the lowest starting at $30. Each book aims to include 250 pages of full colour content.
You can read an excerpt from the book by clicking here.
For SEGA’s 60th anniversary, the company have revealed a new novelty micro console in the form of the Game Gear Micro.
Currently only scheduled for a Japanese launch on October 6th 2020, the console will be available in 4 colour variants, each bundled with its own compilation of 4 Game Gear titles. Each system will launch for ¥4,980. A special edition bundle is also available which includes all 4 console variants, a set of replica game cases for each of the included titles and a working SEGA Big Window (aka the Super Wide Gear) which allows you to magnify the screen. This will set you back ¥29,980.
The Game Gear Micro will measure 80mm wide, 43mm tall and 20mm deep and include a 1.15″ display. It also includes a single mono speaker, a headphone jack and is powered by 2 AAA batteries. Supposedly you can power the system for a longer period of time with a separately sold USB cable.
The full list of included titles on each of the Game Gear Micro variants now follows:
Black Game Gear Micro
Out Run, Puyo Puyo Tsu, Royal Stone and Sonic the Hedgehog
Blue Game Gear Micro
Baku Baku Animal: Sekai Shiikugakari Senshuken, Gunstar Heroes, Sonic & Tails and Sylvan Tale
Yellow Game Gear Micro
Nazo Puyo: Arle no Roux, Shining Force, Shining Force II and Shining Force: Final Conflict
Red Game Gear Micro
Columns, The G.G. Shinobi, Megami Tensei Gaiden: Last Bible and Megami Tensei Gaiden: Last Bible Special
UPDATE 13:23: Details of the European Mega Drive Mini have come to light. An official website is now available to view. The European version includes 3 button controllers instead of 6 button controllers. The games line-up also includes some differences. The current EU line-up includes Ecco the Dolphin, Castlevania: The New Generation, Space Harrier II, Shining Force, Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine, ToeJam & Earl, Comix Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog, Altered Beast and Gunstar Heroes. There is only the 2 controller option for Europe and the whole package costs £69.99/€79.99.
The SEGA Mega Drive Mini will launch worldwide on September 19th 2019 in all regions. The news came from SEGA Fes that the mini console will launch with 40 games and come in 2 variants: a $60 option with a single 6 button controller, and a $80 option with 2 controllers. Controllers are connected via USB and are the same dimensions as an original 6 button Mega Drive controller.
The only games revealed to be on the system at this time are from the Japanese version. These will likely differ on the US and European Mega Drive Minis. The only titles announced for the Japanese Mega Drive Mini at this time are:
– Sonic the Hedgehog 2
– Comix Zone
– Gunstar Heroes
– Space Harrier II
– Puyo Puyo 2
– Castlevania Bloodlines
– Powerball
– Rent-a-Hero
– Madou Monogatari Ichi
As is fairly standard with mini consoles, the Mega Drive Mini will feature a “save anywhere” feature and it has also been revealed that the menu music has been composed by Yuzo Koshiro of Streets of Rage fame.
SEGA America have just surprise-launched a SEGA Classics collection for Amazon Fire TV. The collection features 25 games and costs $14.99. Here’s a complete list of the included titles:
Sonic The Hedgehog – Remastered
Sonic The Hedgehog 2 – Remastered
Sonic CD – Remastered
Sonic Spinball
The Revenge of Shinobi
Streets of Rage
Streets of Rage 2
Streets of Rage 3
Altered Beast
Golden Axe
Golden Axe II
Golden Axe III
Comix Zone
Ristar
Beyond Oasis
Decap Attack
ESWAT: City Under Siege
Gunstar Heroes
Dynamite Headdy
Dr Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine
Columns
Bio-Hazard Battle
Alien Storm
Bonanza Bros.
Gain Ground
That’s a solid selection of games and the inclusion of Christian Whitehead’s ports of Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Sonic the Hedgehog CD is very welcome.
It’s 2018 and it’s time for another Mega Drive collection for modern systems. This time around we have SEGA Mega Drive Classics for PS4, Xbox One and PC. This collection has been developed by d3t who have previously worked on the SEGA Mega Drive Classics Hub for PC. In fact, this collection is incredibly reminiscent of the Hub and includes the same bedroom menu presentation. PC owners of the Hub will also notice it has now been patched to more closely resemble the collection on consoles, except it still retains its Steam Workshop support for mods.
Read-Only Memory (the team behind the Sensible Software 1986–1999 book) have taken to Kickstarter to seek funding for their next book entitled SEGA Mega Drive/Genesis: Collected Works. The hardback, litho printed book features 20 interviews with key SEGA development staff as well as features on many classic games like Streets of Rage, Sonic the Hedgehog and Gunstar Heroes.
A copy of the book will cost you £30 with additional postage costs for those outside the UK. The final product is expected to launch in June 2014. The project as already raised a whopping £17,899 of its £30,000 goal with 27 days left to go.
UPDATE
2 more tracks can be found by clicking here or here. I’m not embedding them or this post will become enormous!
ORIGINAL STORY
It isn’t clear whether the following remixes belong to the recently announced OC Remix Gunstar Heroes album ‘Be Aggressive!’ but regardless, you now have 3 awesome remixes of Gunstar Heroes tunes to listen to!
OC Remix have announced another remix album centered around Treasure’s classic run’n’gun Gunstar Heroes for the Mega Drive. The album is due to be released soon and you can preview some of the tracks in the following trailer:
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