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
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
Remember "Many Hands," credited for Sonic Super Special #15? Art duties for the main Sonic stories in the Archie comic are slated to be taken over by "Many Hands." This will start with Sonic #113.
From Comics Continuum:
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #113
Written by Jay Oliveras and Karl Bollers, art by M. Hands.
"Cry of the Wolf." Last month readers said goodbye to Lupe and the Wolfpack. This month, witness how they first met and teamed up with the Freedom Fighters. Adapted from a classic episode of DIC's Saturday morning Sonic animated series, "Cry of the Wolf" is an issue-length epic which finds the classic incarnation of Sonic and his friends up against the original Dr. Robotnik and Snively, out to unleash their secret weapon.
Read the full story here.
Ok, the bit about Many Hands taking over is a joke. :P It's just for this issue.
Finally, some news that brings a smile to my face.
It's come to my attention that in the latest issue of CoroCoro Comics, notorious for publishing the new serialized Sonic manga in Japan, an odd message was printed after the most recent installment. It said that starting next issue, Harukaze Santa will no longer be writing or drawing the Sonic manga. However, the manga WILL be continuing, and take a new direction at that.
Brimming with curiousity upon hearing this, I decided to do a little research on the topic. In the end, my fellow Sonicphiles, I have uncovered some very pleasant news in a Japanese article I found:
Naoto Ohshima (Sonic's mother), HIMSELF will be writing and drawing a brand new Sonic manga in CoroCoro comics. There's only one thing I have to say:
^__________________^
This is beyond fabulous. For those of you not in the know, Ohshima was the original designer for Sonic, Eggman and the classic furries. He was also the genius that brought us the visual masterpiece that was "Sonic CD", which many consider to be, visually, the best Sonic game EVER. He created Amy Rose, the Chaotix and, most importantly, METAL SONIC. He had recently left Sega and Sonic Team to begin his own development company, Artoon, who have so far churned out the mediocre GBA game Pinobee.
"When I first found out Sega was publishing a new manga," said Ohshima in the article, "I thought it was a great idea. It's been years since there's been an offical manga for Sonic, much less a good one. I was okay with the idea of Mr. Harukaze doing it at first, but when I thought about it I finally decided to myself how because I no longer work on the Sonic games I should, as his original designer, be the one to bring Sonic to life in this way".
Ohshima said the manga, which will begin publishing in three months time, will follow the existing Sonic stories rather than original adventures. He'll start with one 30 page intro comic (which he promises will be a visual delight whether or not you're a fan of Sonic games), and then jump straight into the "Little Planet saga" (I'm placing my bets on this being a Sonic CD adaptation). According to Ohshima, this new manga will have the same kind of flare that he put into Sonic 1 and Sonic CD designs.
Apart from being able to keep it alive along to even get as far as Sonic Adventure 2 (which he claims to have a slightly different view on), one of Ohshima's sincerest hopes is that this new manga will make it to the West.
"Sonic is a strange character," he also said, "he's been successful in the United States for the exact reasons that he's popular in Japan. That's a real rarity for characters created on the other side of the world. And yet at the same time, neither side has been given the opportunity to appreciate the true integrity with which Sonic was created, and that he carries on to this very day in both the storyline, the world and the character. I hope this manga can finally open that window to everyone, even outside Japan. That is if I can ever get it rolling".
This, my friends, truly is a time for people from ALL parts of Sonicdom to celebrate.
The article translated pretty easy through a basic AltaVista translator from the source, and some clarification from friends. The only thing I couldn't figure out, however, was the title of the article, which was "Yongatsu no Baka".
After a few delays caused by server problems, Other-M has released thier latest issue, as well as a few other updates. Check it out now!