News

Posted by the venerable Ken Penders on his messageboard, which it would seem quite a few people missed:

I was approached by one of the producers who had been involved with a Dreamworks animated project about the possibility of an animated Knuckles film based on the comics series. Some initial discussions took place, but because there were was some question as to the availability of the rights, the project went nowhere.

Currently, Sega's contention is that if such a project were to be done, they would want both Sonic and Knuckles involved. This, in fact, is the approach they're taking with the latest animated series currently in production, as well as another animated project currently in development with my involvement.

The only thing I can say at this point is that if the second project does come to pass, besides Sonic, Knuckles, Tails and Doctor Robotnik - which is a given - there's a better than even chance that Sally, Bunnie, Antoine, Rotor, Julie-Su, Lara-Le, Locke, Snively, Crabmeat, Jules, Bernie, Rouge and Shadow will also be featured. And if they can't play a main part in the story, it's also possible Vector, Mighty, Espio, Geoffrey and Hershey will be featured in quick cameo appearances.

I'll release more details when the time is right. Stay tuned.

Those of us who follow SegaSonic know the first production to be the recently announced new Sonic anime project Sega let out of the bag a while back.

There's no guarantee anything will come of it, but it's nice to envision, yes?

Source: Ken's Comic Book Stories & Art

November 1st marks the opening of registration for any fan comic makers out there who want to join in on the first ever online comic convention for Sega's little blue mascot. Already, we have confirmations from some participating comics such as SVT's Sonic Shadows; Sapphire Luna's Shadow & Light; Rafael Valencia's Bright & Shiny Future, and more!

If you have a comic... that you want to show off at this event, go to www.svtcc.cjb.net and fill out the form with the required information. If you don't have a button/banner, that's okay. Mention it in an e-mail. If you don't have a working link, make up your link and send it in and BE SURE to use THAT link when you finally have your booth up and rolling.

If you just want to come... and be a spectator of this event, you're more than welcome to. Join us December 14th!

To learn more information about this convention, sign up for the newsletter at the 'Enter' link of the homepage. Many newsletters have already been sent, so you can catch up on old newsletters at the messageboard link.

This treat is no trick, folks. BumbleKing Productions, the label that produces Other-M, made a huge Halloween update. The update includes the landmark issue of Other-M #20, a hefty update in Ask the Three B's!, the launch of Other-M: International, as well as other updates!

Happy Halloween!

From IGNCube:

Sega has established a new supervisory body to oversee its game production and development strategies for both console software and arcade games, reports the latest issue of the Nikkei Weekly. This organization bureau will be composed of four people, led by Hisao Oguchi of the Hitmaker division.

The creation of this body is apparently also to be accompanied by a centralization of Sega's game development, which has for some time been carried out by a series of relatively disparate development teams -- Hitmaker, Smilebit, AM2, and so on. Though those teams will retain their autonomous identity, development will be more closely supervised from Sega's central headquarters from now on.

If Sega's internal shakeups lead to a direct influence on its present and future games, we'll be sure to bring you further news on the story as it arises.

Source: IGNCube

Sega has cemented plans for a series of Game Party events across Japan dedicated to its upcoming GameCube and GameBoy Advance software lineup. Scheduled to begin on November 2, the events will offer Japanese players the opportunity to experience Eternal Arcadia Legend (GameCube), Phantasy Star Online: Episodes 1 & 2 (GameCube), Sonic MegaCollection (GameCube), Super Monkeyball 2 (GameCube), and Sonic Advance 2 (GameBoy Advance), among others. The Game Party events will reportedly be held at participating Ito-Yokado and Jusco retail stores across Japan.

Source: XenGamers

Segas stock reached a new low today with the revelation that their North American sales had come in extremely under expectations. While Sonic Team titles sold extremely well, Sega only sold 400,000 copies of NFL2k2, a title which they expected to sell 1.5 million copies.

This could be a serious hitch in Sega's plan to become the number one publisher in North America.

Source: *Reuters*

Joyride Studios is currently advertising their line of action figures based upon video game characters. They recently deployed a 30 second advertisement on Cartoon Network showing them off. Sonic is in the commercial, where he is seen briefly, trapped in a glass cage.

Source: *Joyride Studios*

Two reviews of the Sega Smash Pack for the GBA. One review is from Gamespot and the other is from IGNPocket.

Sources: Gamespot & IGNPocket

Candystand has added an online version of Sonic Spinball! Check it out at http://www.candystand.com/games/cs_shock_scsp.htm
I also heard that it's a promo for the GBA version of Sega Smash Pack, which also has Sonic Spinball. Top scores wins a GBA and Sega Smash Pack to go with it.

IGN recently did an analysis of Sega's sales since entering the third party market. They report that among Sega's console games, Sonic Adventure 2 Battle has far and away sold the most copies, while most of their other gamecube games have flopped. Unfortunately, there was no mention of Game Boy Advance sales, and how Sonic games on that platform had sold.

Graph of Sega's sales

Source: *IGN*