News

From Gamers.com:

Sega recently held a press conference at the Tokyo Stock Exchange, and the results of the first half of the fiscal year are a little less than stellar.

Tetsu Kayama, COO for Sega Japan, commented on several points, including the performance of the Sega Sports brand. Kayama explained that Sega Sports lost 6 billion yen this half as a result of Sega's overconfidence. For example, only about 400,000 copies of NFL2K3 have been sold from the original shipment of 1 million copies. NBA 2K3, however, showed stronger sales of about 500,000 to 600,000 units.

Counting all ten of Sega's development studios, the company made a net loss of 1.5 billion yen this half. Sega is currently considering a business plan for the next fiscal year that will include fewer titles and genres to hopefully break even at 11 million yen. Projected sales say that 3 of those million will come from the homeland, with 6 million coming from North America and an extra 2 million from Europe.

To cut costs, Sega is considering withdrawing from the NCAA franchise and concentrating on only four major sports. Additionally, sports titles for the GameCube may be cut entirely as a result of lower sales and increased production costs. To increase potential sales, Sega is also considering expanding "Entertainment Titles" (such as Sonic or VF4) to all consoles instead of just one.

Of course, these decisions are pending as Sega debates them internally. Kayama says to expect announcements next month.

Source: Gamers.com

There's a new Sonic cell phone game out in Japan. You can see pics of it at Sonic Team's site right here.

Source: Sonic Team

From XenGamers:

Sega has signed an agreement with RealNetworks to begin offering classic games for the PC through a broadband service entitled RealOne Arcade. For the first time gamers may now download the official versions of four classic titles to their PC with the debut of the Sega Channel on RealOne Arcade (www.realonearcade.com/sega/). Additional Genesis games are scheduled to be offered on a regular basis. Gamers may try free demo versions of each game and may purchase the full version, which will include complete game features and functionality, for $14.99 each to permanently add it to their RealOne Arcade library. The Sega Channel will debut with four titles including Sonic the Hedgehog and Ecco the Dolphin. Sega Classics software lineup will also include: Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine, Columns III, Phantasy Star II, Shinobi III Return of Ninja Master, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Toejam and Earl, Vectorman, and Virtua Fighter 2.

"RealOne Arcade provides new opportunities for the gaming industry to unlock their archives as well as a simple and compelling platform for Sega enthusiasts to play their all-time favorite games," said Ted Woolsey, Business Development Director, Games Division, RealNetworks, Inc. "We look forward to working with Sega.com to launch additional games for the PC and provide a seamless experience for an entire new generation of gamers."

Source: XenGamers

IGNCube reviews the Sonic Mega Collection.

Dennis Spielman of Shadow of a Hedgehog has posted this review and screen shots of the Sonic Mega Collection for the GameCube. He also ripped and upload an exclusive movie clip showing off the menus and some of the extra goodies the Sonic Mega Collection. Check it out.

From SwirlVision

SAN FRANCISCO - (November 12, 2002) - SEGA(R) of America, Inc. today announced the release of "Sonic Mega Collection(TM)" for the Nintendo GameCube(TM). "Sonic Mega Collection" is a "must have" for long time fanatics and newcomers to the series alike, featuring seven classic Sonic The Hedgehog(R) games from the SEGA Genesis(R), five additional unlockable games and a Sonic museum filled with art, comics and more.

"Sonic Mega Collection" includes seven of the most-loved Sonic games of all time, including: "Sonic The Hedgehog(R)," "Sonic The Hedgehog(R) 2," "Sonic The Hedgehog(R) 3," "Sonic & Knuckles(TM)," "Sonic 3D Blast(TM)," "Sonic The Hedgehog(R) Spinball (TM)" and "Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine."

"A new generation of fans have recently discovered what us older gamers have know forever - that Sonic rules!" said Mike Fischer, vice president of entertainment marketing, SEGA of America, Inc. "Now old-school gamers like me can relive some of the most influential games of all time, and new fans of the series can experience all the classic games that made Sonic a superstar!"

Loaded with hyper-speed ring collecting fun, "Sonic Mega Collection" features SEGA's mascot and all his friends in some of their greatest adventures ever. The game also includes a collection of comic, concept and cover art and many more surprises.

"Sonic Mega Collection" is rated "E" for Everyone and is available at retailers nationwide for an MSRP of $39.95.

Source: SwirlVision

From XenGamers:

Sega has signed a two and one-half year contract that will allow House of Brussels Chocolates to manufacture a special Sonic the Hedgehog candy bar. Brussels plans to launch the candy bar in early 2003 with initial distribution to retailers like convenience stores and video outlets.

"The development of a Sonic the Hedgehog candy bar marks an important new focus for House of Brussels Chocolates," said Grant Petersen, Chairman of House of Brussels' parent company Green Fusion. "While we will continue to produce the high quality, premium chocolates that has gained a high reputation in Canada and the United States, we now will be making a chocolate aimed at the untapped dynamic youth market. This market is significantly larger than our current adult focus and with a product that all the youth recognize, it is assured of becoming a major marketing success. All of the taste tests that we have conducted on our new Sonic the Hedgehog candy bar have been overwhelmingly positive."

Source: XenGamers