Good evening, and happy Columbus Day, Yom Kippur, and/or Thanksgiving (in Canada, that is.) Today, I have a couple things to pass along to you, including Malaysia banning arcade games, Samba maracas at EBWorld, and Daytona getting a date...man, some have all the luck...
Reports out of Japan indicate that Sonic Team is keen on the whole worldwide launch thing. Apparently, Sonic Adventure 2 is now set for a worldwide simultaneous release, meaning gamers in America, Japan and Europe (but probably not Australia - as usual :( ) will take to the speedy blue hedgehog's latest exploits at around the same time.
So no waiting this time for an indefinite period in America - and gamers in Japan won't have to shell out cash at some later date for an improved version of the game. In theory at least - Phantasy Star Online was originally scheduled for simultaneous worldwide release, but the US version is coming out one month later. Hey - one month is close enough! :)
Source: IGN DC
I had been wondering why I couldn't get into Gamefan to find news (let alone even loading it) and now I know why. I can't think of any Sonic websites that are hosted there but if you know any of them it may be wise to tell them to move before tomorrow or find a temporary spot.
Following a turbulent merger with Express.com, GameFan appears to have pulled the plug on all of its hosted websites. The main GameFan website is down (supposedly for an almost permanent period) while popular sites such as VoodooExtreme are unreachable. Apparently Express.com found hosting sites to be "no longer supported under our business model." A full version of the email sent out to hosted sites appears below.
Dear GameFan Network Associate:
We regret to inform you that Express.com will no longer be offering the courtesy of hosting services to its GameFan Network Associates. We have found that this service can no longer be supported under our business model, and we will do whatever we can within reason to facilitate any transitional requirements. The timing for this is as soon as possible, and is to occur no later than Monday, October 2, 2000. To be clear, any GameFan Network Associate site that has not been moved off Genuity s servers by 11:59 PM October 2nd will effectively be shut down, so it is critical that you take independent action to retrieve and independently procure hosting provider for your site(s).
A pretty rotten thing to do on such extremely short notice. :( Good luck to those hosted with them.
You heard it here first. Sonic Underground has its own video game! Manufatured by Tiger Electronics, the SU game is a hand-held LCD (Liquid Crystal Display).
6 stages of Sonic Spin Dash action!
Keep the marble rocketing around the game for added Sonic speed!
Sensational Sonic sound effects from the new hit TV show!
Nothing can stop you when you're riding [Manic's] hover board!
Grab your guitar and chase off Sleet and Dingo with some awesome guitar riffs!
Use your Super Sonic Spin to flatten the Swatbots!
"Sonic Underground" features SONIC THE HEDGEHOG, his brother MANIC, and his sister SONIA. They fight to free their enslaved planet, MOBIUS from DR. ROBOTNIK, his evil cohorts, SLEET and DINGO, and the merciless SWATBOTS. With the help of [Manic's] hover board, your gutair, and your famous Sonic Spin Dash, help Sonic make the world a more creative, musical place!
These games can be found at Big K-Mart, and are priced at about 12.99.
An addendum to True Red's post, here is EVERYTHING that I could culminate from the chat. VERY BIG THANKS to Brian Sapinski and True Red for filling in gaps and posting since I could not attend.
I was there for the majority of the chat and here is some info first about upcoming stuff and then direct quotes made by Ken during the chat.
1) Julie-Su returns along with Simon and Floren-Ca (her step-parents) in Sonic #98
2) Dimitri becomes Enerjak in Sonic #100
3) Charmy is back in Sonic #93 because Sonic #92 is going to be the Sonic Shuffle adaptation
4) Ken's not sure if Tikal will return
5) Nic and Nack aren't going to be the only ones hunting Knuckles in Sonic #91
6) Tails and Knuckles will be working together during "The Chosen One" storyline (Sonic #95-97).
Here are some direct quotes from Ken Penders that I managed to copy and paste (mostly from the Q&A part):
Sega is going to exert more control in rgards to using the series as much as possible as a promotional vehicle
Sega will have us adapt any SONIC game they put out. That's called marketing, and we can't refuse to
There won't be any Chaotix stories, Blue Raven, but the characters will be making appearances I just can't say when they will do so other than Charmy
[on Knuckles series] That's why the book is no longer published, because even Archie had a difficult time getting the books into the stores
It'll be sometime after #100 before we can address Remington and his secret
I highly doubt Knuckles will be on speaking terms with many people, let alone Sally after SONIC #100
Just to give you some idea of the insanity in producing the latest issues we've been barely getting the books out before deadline due to a lot of miscommunication and other snafus
Geoffrey will become more involved with Sally, for instance
Sally will re-examine her feelings towards Geoffrey
Keep your eyes on Mina, everyone, as her role is going to increase as well
SONIC #100 will involve a crossover with SONIC and KNUCKLES
Xenin could return, Mariah, but I'm not sure when, because I'm more concerned with Enerjak and the events leading up to SONIC #100.
Manny is no longer associated with the books in any way. He's too busy working for Nickelodeon
[on Lara-Su] I haven't worked out her color scheme yet, although I know I'll have to real soon as she will be appearing sometime between SONIC #100 and #112
Something does happen to one of Sonic's parents by #100
We will be addressing whatever happened to the Overlanders
You will meet the Ultimate Villain in SONIC #100
I don't think we'll see much of Remington or Komi-ko beyond a token appearance, unless...
My edit: the chat moved too fast for me to copy the rest of the statement, but Ken and Justin have proposed a mini-series to the publishers and they're waiting for approval or disapproval
If you missed the chat, there's most of the relevant Sonic/Knuckles info.
A solid blue VMU will be released in Japan December 21st, the same date as Phantasy Star Online. It will carry the Sonic Team logo and Sonic characters, but pretty much remain the same as a regular VMU. Still, if you want one, check the import retailers in late December, possibly even January 2001.
Source:The Super Sonic Zone
Good evening friends, sorry for being a bit late on my news, but it happens. Today, we find Sega potentially committing cybersquatting, nominations for the Sonic Emmy Awards announced, and the number of PS2s available come the 26th of this month have been cut in half.
Yes people,I'm afraid there over. :( This stiinks! >:(
Yes you heard it right folks, Sonic Team has released a newer version of the SA2 movie with more action! See Sonic interact with Chao, Dr Eggman in battle, Sonic skyboarding and more!
You heard it hear first folks, at Sonic HQ!
Check it out here! http://www.bcast.co.jp/webevents/sega/sonic_l.asx