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Sega, naturally, is looking at new ways to handle their expertise. From Gaming Age:

Sega is looking towards non-game areas to boost profitability. The new strategy should help the company spread its wings to gain revenue on top of traditional videogame sales.

Munehiro Umemura, a general manager for Sega's future entertainment division, told a news conference that Sega's computer graphics technology and know-how in content development and in managing arcade facilities should present opportunities.

Non-game ventures include educational software that uses computer graphics, and training software such as computer simulations of earthquakes. The new businesses are expected to make up more than 10% of sales in the next five years.

Source: Gaming Age

Many people have now reported getting their hands on copies of Sonic Adventure 2, and SegaDojo, with no doubt a lot of other sites, have confirmed Sega's shipping of the game.

As I said on the Mobius Forum, 'Let the Chao(s) begin...'

There has been a ton of confusion over just when SA2 is supposed to come out. Different branches of SEGA and numerous gaming news sources put the dates as June 19, 21, and 23. Some software retailers are saying it's going to be released on Junew 20. Of course, SHQ will report it as soon as the game is spotted in stores or a definite release date is confirmed.

The following is from SegaDojo:

A few interesting tidbits that was recently put into public (although not surprising). It seems that Sega Corp. has become the largest shareholder in CSK along being the second largest investor in NextCom KK. This news was recently posted in the Nihon Keizai Shimbun Saturday morning edition. After Isao Ohkaw, the company's former President and Chairman, passed away in March, he donated his stakes to the company. With Sega holding 4.4 million shares (or 5.9% in stake) in CSK along with 19.88 million shares of it's own company (or 12.2% in stakes), it will be very interesting to see what the financial state will be for them in the near future.

Probably not particularly interesting for most folks out there, but this is worth noting, nonetheless.

Source: SegaDojo

Recently, there have been a lot of questions about DiC's "Sonic" (cartoon series unspecified) DVD release. People have been asking abut it at video stores only to get weird looks from confused clerks. Well, we don't know when it's coming out, but it is still planned forr the market. Sonmanic wrote DiC and got this response, reconfirming the videos.

Thanks for your interest in Sonic. Yes, it is true, we will be releasing Sonic on Home Video and most likely DVD as well. There will be a Sonic release this year and most likely some in 2002 as well. We are working with Sega on cross-promotional activities to tie in with the 10th anniversary of Sonic. Unfortunately, as of now, that is all the information we can release.

Again, thanks for being a loyal supporter of Sonic!

Jedd Gold
Manager, Marketing & Promotions
DIC Entertainment

It's Sonic's tenth anniversary in Japan, and to celebrate, Sonic Team is holding a birthday party! The party is set to take place in Japan on June 23rd starting at 8:00 (in Osaka) and June 24th starting at 4:30 (in Tokyo). Those who attend will get to meet members of Sonic Team and socialize with fellow rabid fans and Sega of Japan PR reps.

Believe it or not, it's actually suggested that you bring a present for Sonic! Sonic Team does ask that you not bring anything too valuable, though. Those who attend will receive a special piece of Sonic merchandize which we presume will be sellable on Ebay for thousands and thousands of dollars fifty years from now.

We've heard that Sonic Team is hoping to hold similar events in America, although nothing has been confirmed at this point. Sega of America… how about it?

If you're in Japan, turn to this page for more details.

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Source: DCIGN

Dreamcast.ign.com have released 4 interviews. From SEGAs Hitmaker (Crazy Taxi), Smilebit (Jet Set Radio), Amusement Vision (Planet Harriers), and of course, Sonic Team's own Yuji Naka. Only a few questions were asked unfortunately, as they did not have enough time to give a full interview (it's not like we don't know all about whats coming out anyway) so enjoy.

Source: Sega Unleashes Interviews by IGN

Wizzywig is offerring Sonic 10th Anniversary Plushies for pre-order. The five plushies to choose from are of Sonic, Tails, Shadow, Rouge, and a Chao. More information is at their site under Preorder Toys or Characters (and then Sonic).

Source: Wizzywig.com

Gaming Age has provided more news to make us envious of Japan... I guess the Sonic crew's gonna be in the PSO Ver. 2 lobby between June 16-30 over in Japan... follow this link to more info, including screens.

There's another short interview with Naka on IGN, this time asking him what he thinks of the gamecube. Read the article here: http://cube.ign.com/news/35432.html