News

This news comes from Gamespot:

A new Sega offshoot company will start producing wireless content.

Sega.com has announced the launch of a new company called Sega Mobile, which will be responsible for bringing Sega games to cellular phones and PDAs in North America. Sega has already created a wide range of games for these devices in Japan.

"Staying true to our history of innovation in the gaming industry, Sega.com continues to push the boundaries and expand the video game market into new territories with the launch of the Sega Mobile division," said Ryoichi Shiratsuchi, CEO of Sega.com and general manager of Sega Mobile Japan. "Bringing great Sega content to wireless platforms is another step toward Sega.com's goal of bringing networked gaming to all devices and thereby extending the pastime to mainstream audiences across the world."

The first wireless game scheduled for release in North America will be Monkey Ball in the summer. It will be followed by Pengo, Flicky, Puyo Puyo, and Monaco GP.

By Giancarlo Varanini

Source: Gamespot

A while back issue 3 of the Sea3on Comic by the FUS Team was postponed indeffinatly. Just like Sonic Xtreme, only unlike Sonic Xtreme, it's recently been finished.

If you don't know, this comic focuses on completing the unfinished SatAM series and follows Ben Hurst's plans, who was the main writer of SatAM.

Go here to download issue 3 and others if you've missed them.

This bit of an update comes from Gamespot:

The two companies resolve the legal battle over Sega's NBA 2K2 ad campaign.

In February, Nike filed a lawsuit against Sega because of the company's TV ad for NBA 2K2, which closely resembled Nike's "Frozen Moment" ad campaign. This past week, Nike and Sega agreed to a settlement in which Sega must pay for Nike's legal fees and donate $50,000 in Nike's name to the Boys & Girls Clubs of both Portland, Oregon, and Memphis, Tennessee. In addition, Sega and the Leagas Delaney advertising agency must issue an official statement of apology to Nike.

"We filed the lawsuit to serve notice that we will defend our copyrights and are pleased with how the matter has been settled." said Jim Carter, Nike general counsel, USA. Mariano Diaz, director of the Nike Foundation and Nike's liaison with the Boys & Girls Clubs added, "We are pleased that the settlement will help Boys & Girls Clubs programs, which support positive youth development."

By Giancarlo Varanini

Source: Gamespot

I emailed DIC a few days ago and I just got this email back.

Thank you for your inquiry regarding Sonic the Hedgehog.

My name is Sherrie Ward-Guerrero and I work in the Home Video department at DIC. I am currently working on getting Sonic released on DVD in the UK and hope to have it available for purchase very soon. I'll do my best to keep you posted on the details when they become available.

Best regards,

Sherrie

The following is from XenGamers:

While Sega announced plans to release the GameCube version of Phantasy Star Online at their recent GameJam event, players were left with several unanswered questions. In an effort to rectify the situation, Sega released a statement today outlining their plans. Specifically, the trial version of Phantasy Star Online for the GameCube won't be broadband compatible. According to Sega, this is due to Nintendo's decision to release the GameCube broadband adapter separately this summer. While the finished version of Phantasy Star Online is expected to be broadband compatible, it's unknown whether the broadband adapter will be released simultaneously with the game in Japan. More important, online play will be free for the trial version, though possible server fees for the finished version remain undisclosed.

In terms of hardware availability, the GameCube modem and keyboard will be available for purchase separately in Japan. While individual pricing hasn't been announced, Sega plans to offer bundles including the aforementioned peripherals and Phantasy Star Online.

Source: XenGamers

Yu Susuki has done it again:

SAN FRANCISCO - (April 2, 2002) - SEGA® of America today announced that its critically acclaimed fighting game, "Virtua Fighter(tm) 4" for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, was the #1 selling title on the platform during its first week of sales according to independent retail data from NPD TRSTS (week ending 3/23). With lightning-fast gameplay action, breathtaking graphics and all new modes and features, "Virtua Fighter 4," was recently named the "Best Fighting Game Ever Made," by gaming enthusiast publication Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine.

Created by legendary video game developer, Yu Suzuki, "Virtua Fighter 4" is the next generation in SEGA's blockbuster "Virtua Fighter(tm)" series. Including a new fighting engine built for speed and arcade-perfect graphics, "Virtua Fighter 4" adds an all new Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) "Training Mode," which allows players to coach their own computer-controlled character and challenge it to a match against their friends. Packed with new features, the game also includes ultra-high polygon character models, totally customizable fighting styles and new characters Lei Fei and Vanessa Lewis.

"'Virtua Fighter' is one of SEGA's top franchises and bringing it to PlayStation 2 was a monumental occasion for us," said Peter Moore, president and COO, SEGA of America. "With our incredible development talent bringing both our established franchises and new content to all platforms, SEGA is already a heavyweight publisher in the industry." "Virtua Fighter 4" for PlayStation 2 is rated "T" for Teen, and is available now at retailers nationwide for $49.95.

Jacky Chang, SwirlVision.com

No surprises here...

Source: SwirlVision

This is news a lot of people are looking foward to, I'm sure. ToeJam & Earl 3 now officially finally has a home on the X-Box. Read about it here. Also has links to the first shots.

Source: XenGamers

Let's read this stuff from XenGamers, shall we?:

Sega held their second annual GameJam event last week at the Tokyo International Forum. Drawing an estimated audience of 24,760, the two-day event is essentially a public preview of Sega's software lineup. At this year's show however, Sega had several surprises in store for attendees. To begin, SonicTeam producer Yuji Naka finalized details for the GameCube version of Phantasy Star Online. While the finished version is scheduled for release this summer, Sega plans to release a trial version of Phantasy Star Online for the GameCube this May. Players will be able to preorder the trial version and a GameCube modem for 9800 yen. A separate package consisting of the trial game, modem, and keyboard will also be available for 16600 yen. For reference, the finished version will be officially entitled Phantasy Star Online: Episode I & II.

Continuing, Sega-AM2 producer Yu Suzuki confirmed plans for two new GameCube titles, Virtua Fighter Quest and Beach Spikers. Virtua Fighter Quest is described as a mixture of action and RPG elements, and is scheduled for release in 2003. Beach Spikers will be a home translation of Sega's arcade volleyball title, scheduled for release in 2002. According to Suzuki-san, the GameCube version of Beach Spikers will include twice as many teams as its arcade counterpart, and several new play modes including World Tour and A.I., amongst others. AM2 representatives also confirmed plans to release Ferrari F355 Challenge, the second installment in Sega's racing-sim series for the PlayStation 2 this summer. Other titles in development include Power Smash 2 and Aerodancing 4 for the PlayStation 2.

Later in the exhibition, Sega subsidiary Red Entertainment unveiled GunGrave, a new mech-shooter in development for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox. Scheduled for release this summer in Japan, the game will feature the designs of famous anime director Yasuhiro Naito. While storyline specifics remain undisclosed, GunGrave was shown in playable form at the show.

In terms of playable titles, Sega had an extensive lineup onhand including Gun Valkyrie (Xbox), Sega GT 2002 (Xbox), Shining Soul (GameBoy Advance), REZ (PlayStation 2), PowerSmash 2 (PlayStation 2), Phantasy Star Online (GameCube), Crazy Taxi (GameCube), GunGrave (PlayStation 2), Switch (PlayStation 2), Maze of the Kings (Arcade), Pinball of the Dead (GameBoy Advance), and Soul Surfer (Arcade), amongst others. Below are a handful of pictures taken on location this weekend, our thanks to Tsuno Okashi and Gpara.

I like what they're doing over there with PSO... now only if they did that over here.

Source: XenGamers