News

From Swirlvision:

Sega held a strategy conference last week, outlining their future plans and setting new guidelines to cut costs and to develop new software. Tetsu Kayama, Sega's CEO, emphasized their "5-tier" approach concerning what types of games will be produced. New titles will now fall under one of 5 categories: Standard, Series, Spectacular, Sports, and Arcade.

Kayama-san stressed the importance of their Sports line. He stated that Sega would use new marketing strategies and bold campaigns to bolster their sports division and thoroughly compete with the likes of Electronic Arts by the time the newer generation of consoles are on the market.

The Standard line of games, which include such titles as Sega Rally and Virtua Fighter would see further continuations and support.

The Series line of games, which include such long running staples as Sakura Taisen and Sonic: The Hedgehog will see extensions in the forms of side-stories and spin-offs.

The Spectacular line of games will be reserved and used towards new and original content.

And finally, Sega still believes in the Arcade line of games, and that there is still a market in the Arcade sector for a variety of entertainment.

This new focus will be overseen by key individuals, including Yuji Naka (Sonic Team), Yu Suzuki (Sega-AM2), Hisao Oguchi (Hitmaker), and Toshihiro Nagoshi (Amusement Vision). Collaboration projects between Sega's studios are expected to fuel and expand this new strategy.

In addition to the home software market, Sega will also continue dwelving into mobile phone and Internet-related sectors. Different media, such as movies, animation, television programs, etc. are further ventures Sega will be tapping into as well.

Source: Swirlvision

SEGA and THQ Interactive issued an official press release today confiriming that Sonic Advance 2 will be released in North America this Spring. The press release is as follows:

CALABASAS HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 30, 2003--THQ® Inc. (NASDAQ:THQI) and SEGA® Corporation today announced "SONIC ADVANCE(TM) 2," the sequel to "SONIC ADVANCE(TM)" -- one of the top-selling Game Boy® Advance games of 2002. "SONIC ADVANCE," released in February 2002, has sold through more than 500,000 units in North America alone according to NPD TRST data. "SONIC ADVANCE 2" is scheduled to ship in spring 2003. "With sales in excess of a half-million units, we are delighted with the success of the original `SONIC ADVANCE' on Game Boy Advance," said Alison Locke, executive vice president, North American Publishing, THQ. "SEGA's famous Sonic brand has been a breakout hit on the Game Boy Advance platform and we look forward to the release of `SONIC ADVANCE 2.'"

"`Sonic The Hedgehog' is one of the most widely recognized video game characters of all time," said Shinobu Toyoda, executive vice president of content strategy and business development, SEGA of America, Inc. "Sonic titles have consistently been top-sellers for SEGA, and we expect continued success with `SONIC ADVANCE 2' on the Game Boy Advance platform."

About "SONIC ADVANCE 2"

In "SONIC ADVANCE 2," Dr. Eggman is up to his old tricks again, and the world's fastest hedgehog must put a stop to it. Sonic, Tails and Knuckles are back with new character Cream the Rabbit, racing through new environments and battling new foes. "SONIC ADVANCE 2" features multiplayer fun for up to four Game Boy® Advance systems using the Game Link® Cable. Players can raise their favorite Chaos and play mini games within the Tiny Chao Garden. Players can also play with their Chao in "Sonic Adventure(TM) 2 Battle" on Nintendo GameCube(TM), by connecting their Game Boy Advance to their Nintendo GameCube console.

Source: *Planet Gamecube*

Check out the Sonic Team website. It appears that Amy is an unlockable secret character in Sonic Advance 2.

Source: *Sonic Team Japanese Website*

The new Sonic anime series, Sonic X, premieres in Japan on April 3, at 6:00 PM, and from that point every Thursday at six. It will be airing on TV Tokyo.

Source: *The Sonic Foundation*

Source: *TV-Anime.info*

I just got a brochure of the new sonic tv series today! All i have to say this series is gonna kick! japanese style sonic means fast and a lot of action! so far there are 26 episodes each 30 minutes long produced by TMS

Archie's Sonic The Hedgehog #119 is in comic shops today.

Source: Diamond Comics

From Sonic Dimension:

For the lucky folk with a copy of Sonic Advance 1 and/or 2 who can attend the World Hobby Fair, Sonic Team has some rare Chao and nice merchandise for you, as well as a contest and photo op...

From Swirlvision:

Peter Moore, Sega of America's president and chief financial officer, resigned today after 4 years with the company. Because of company policy, the reasons for his resignation remain undisclosed. The press release:

SEGA of America Announces New President and CEO
Friday January 17, 4:20 pm ET

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 17, 2003--SEGA® of America, Inc. today announced that Peter Moore, president and chief operating officer, has tendered his resignation. Effective immediately, Tetsu Kayama, chief operating officer of SEGA Corporation, will assume the expanded role of president and chief executive officer of SEGA of America, Inc.

"We thank Peter Moore for his four years of service at SEGA and wish him well in his future endeavors," said Tetsu Kayama, chief operating officer, SEGA Corporation and president and chief executive officer, SEGA of America, Inc.

Press Release Source: SEGA of America, Inc.

Source: Swirlvision