News

From XenGamers:

Sammy president Hajime Satomi recently revealed preliminary details regarding the proposed structure of his company's merger with Sega. Under the terms of the deal, both companies would retain their own brand identities. However, the merger would call for the integration of properties held by both Sega and Sammy. Specifically, Sega would support Sammy's low-cost arcade platform AtomisWave with several of its popular brands of software. Likewise, Sammy would release Pachinko products that would be branded with Sega characters. The ideal scenario, according to Satomi-san, would be a merged company that allowed for a fusion of product lines and retained brand identity. For reference, Sega's proposed merger with Sammy is expected to be complete by October 2003.

Source: XenGamers

From Swirlvision:

Sega's annual GameJam show will play host to a bevy of titles this year. To be held at the Ariake Hall in Tokyo, Japan, Sega will displaying such titles as Initial D: Special Stage (PS2), Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution (PS2), Virtual-On: Marz (PS2), F-Zero (Arcade/GC), Sonic Adventure DX (GC), Panzer Dragoon Orta (Xbox), and many more which will be playable.

In addition, Sega will hosting competitions for some of their arcade titles, like Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution, Initial D: Arcade Stage - Version 2, World Club Championship Football 2, and more.

The GameJam Storm event will be held from April 5th to April 6th.

Source: Swirlvision

There are new Sonic Adventure DX screenshots available at Next Level Gaming's website.

Source: *Next Level Gaming*

For some reason spoilers for Sonic #124 weren't released, but if you want to know the story for #125...

From XenGamers:

Sega has reportedly signed a deal with TV Tokyo to develop a new animated series entitled 'Sonic X' in Japan. Scheduled to debut on April 6, the storyline of the series will follow Sega's Sonic Adventure game series, in which Sonic and his pals battle the evil Dr. Eggman for control of the legendary chaos emerald. According to Sega representatives, the half-hour show will be broadcast weekly at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday mornings. Promotional advertisements for the series including television commercials are scheduled to begin airing early next month. It's currently unknown whether the new animated series will be distributed outside Japan.

Source: XenGamers

Sonic Team have just updated their site with now info on the new animated series, Sonic X. There are some high quality pictures and a little bit of info on new merchandise. Check it out here:

Sonic Team: Sonic X

And lookie here folks, merchandise: www.sonicteam.com/sonicx/goods.html

Source: Sonic Team

Archie's Sonic The Hedgehog #120 is out in comic shops today. The shipping list has a notice for those who live on the East coast that comics may be delayed because of the blizzard earlier this week.

Source: Diamond Comics

Beggining this summer, SEGA and McDonalds Fast Food are going to release a series of Sonic the Hedgehog and Super Monkey Ball themed toys to go inside McDonalds Happy Meals.
Full Press release is as follows:

SAN FRANCISCO - (February 18, 2003) - SEGA(R) of America, Inc. today announced it has entered into an affiliation with McDonald's(R) Corporation, the world's largest quick service restaurant to create a new line of McDonald's Happy Meal(R) premiums. Based on two top-selling SEGA franchises - Sonic The Hedgehog(R) and Super Monkey Ball(TM), the premiums will come alive this summer at participating McDonald's restaurants throughout North America. "Sonic The Hedgehog and Super Monkey Ball are two of SEGA's most popular video game franchises," said Mike Fischer, vice president of marketing, SEGA of America, Inc. "SEGA's affiliation with McDonald's affords us the opportunity to generate increased exposure for these properties among a growing universe of gamers."

"We believe consumers will have a great reaction to the innovative Sonic The Hedgehog and Super Monkey Ball premiums found only in McDonald's Happy Meals this summer," said Karlin Linhardt, senior director, U.S. marketing, McDonald's Corporation. "SEGA's properties are extremely popular and we look forward to bringing them to McDonald's consumers through this unique Happy Meal offering."

The premiums will be supported by significant marketing campaigns from both companies. Details on the premium items and marketing plans will be announced at a later date.

Source: *Planet Gamecube*