This moment with SEGA

[Augustus Caesar]

SEGA of Japan announces new Bleach game for the Wii with Wi-Fi
"September 8, 2008 - Bleach is coming back to the Wii for a second go, and this time it's got more than just gimmicky motion controls. Sega Japan has announced Bleach Versus Crusade, a new Wii adaptation of the popular anime.

While details on the game are scarce, a teaser official site opened up by Sega promises "multi battle action" gameplay in a free-roaming 3D environment. Sega is including multiplayer options for two player split screen and even online play!

In development by the developers of Sega's Bleach DS titles, the new game will is being planned for a Winter Japanese release. The official site has a few thumbnail screenshots, which will have to hold you over until the site's full opening on the 29th."

http://wii.ign.com/articles/908/908391p1.html

SEGA of Japan announces Shining Force Feather for the DS
"Famitsu reports that the game will be a Strategy RPG - similar to that of the original (and best) Shining Force titles. However, looking at the screenshots it is clear that the game is not quite the same, as the standard ‘tactical grid’ is no longer present and characters now have their own circles surrounding them.

More details and story information, after the break:

The game takes place 3,000 years following the war between the Shining Force warriors and enemy forces known as the Kyomu. The war is remembered primarily as artifacts.

Players take control of main character Jin, a treasure hunter and wanderer, who searches for artifacts and relics from the war.

On one of his treasure hunts Jin discovers a young lady, Alfeen, who is actually a machine. A left over from the war of 3,000 years ago. She was a backup control unit and was never put to use, (which is why she is still intact). Believing Jin to be her master, she powers up an air ship that was used during the Shining Force times.

The game begins with Jin and Alfeen travelling the world together. Joining them is Jin’s childhood friend, Bail, a centaur.

Here’s a few other things that we know so far:

Developed by Flight Plan (Summon Night series)
Producer is Sega’s own Yoichi Shimosato (Shining Force III, Exa, and World Destruction)
Character designs by Pako (Shining Force EXA) and Noiji Ito (Haruhi Suzumiya series)
Strategy RPG
Top-down, isometric view
Turn-based movement while on the field (similar to originals)
Sideview once battles take place
Completely 2D
The battle system will allow players to team up their forces for combination attacks.
I sure hope that this game is a return to form, from the subpar PS2 games of late. Perhaps Sega might be interested in restarting the good old Shining Force games afterall. It would be great to see some Shining Force 3 action on XBLA.

The game is 6o% complete as of right now, and has a Spring 2009 release date in Japan. No news if it will be coming out in the west (it had bloody better!)."

http://www.seganerds.com/2008/09/03/new ... announced/

Worldwide Soccer Manager to feature new 3d engine
"SEGA® of America, Inc. and Sports Interactive today announced that Worldwide Soccer Manager™ 2009 for the Games for Windows® platform from Microsoft and the Apple Macintosh will be released on November 18, 2008 and will be distributed exclusively in North America at Amazon.com. Worldwide Soccer Manager 2009 hosts a vast array of all-new features including the debut of a real-time 3D match engine making it the most in-depth soccer management game ever created.

The Worldwide Soccer Manager™ match engine is being brought into full 3D with motion captured animations for each player, developed in conjunction with SEGA’s in-house studio, Sports R&D Division. Players can now watch their matches in real-time 3D from multiple camera angles, and replay any part of the match using a new match time bar that flags the key moments in the game. Players can also customize their match view by choosing the information they would like to view during the match, be it the latest scores or player performance stats for the match; arranging this information on-screen using a new drag-and-drop widget system lets players customize their match day screen to best manage their team.

“With the 3D view of the match engine, and dozens of animations for each player, this year is definitely one of revolution for the Worldwide Soccer Manager™ series,” commented Miles Jacobson, Studio Director of Sports Interactive. “We always said that we wanted to make the in-game match engine fully 3D but that we wouldn’t do so until we were confident that it was technically possible, and after nearly 3 years work and with huge thanks to Sports R&D Division, it’s now here.”

Worldwide Soccer Manager 2009 will implement Major League Soccer-specific rules in order to better simulate MLS team management parameters. An example of this is the MLS Designated Player Rule added to ensure that teams are able to sign one player outside of the salary budget; or by gaining a second designated player slot in a trade. You can also offer your designated player slot to other teams.

Worldwide Soccer Manager 2009 will also allow players to receive additional help from their Assistant Manager with pre-match and in-match feedback on how the team is performing as well as hints provided on how the team could play better. Having the advice of a good Assistant Manager will be an invaluable asset when players can’t figure out why their tactics aren’t working, why the opposition seem to effortlessly demolish their team or why a new signing isn’t fulfilling his potential.

Worldwide Soccer Manager 2009 also sees the introduction of press conferences for the first time. Players will attend press conferences before and after matches with local and national journalists. They must choose their answers carefully because their responses could come back to haunt them in the media at a later date. The media system has also been vastly improved to provide the player with an unprecedented level of detail on what’s going on at their club and the in-game soccer world as a whole.

The entire trade system has been completely overhauled and re-written providing an even more realistic simulation of real-life soccer, with the addition of trade rumors so you can view the hottest news on which players are being speculated on and who’s said to be interested in securing their services.

Players can be trained to learn a wide variety of ‘preferred moves’ to add to their game on the pitch that are applicable to their played position; for example, central defenders can be trained to hold onto possession or wingers can learn to cut inside to bypass the full backs.

Worldwide Soccer Manager 2009 also allows gamers to play as a female manager for the very first time. The game will also be fully updated for the new 2008/09 soccer season with all the latest league, team and player data, featuring over 5,000 playable teams from over 50 countries and more than 350,000 players and staff from around the world, drawn fresh from the famous Sports Interactive database.

Worldwide Soccer Manager 2009 for the Games for Windows platform from Microsoft (Windows XP & Vista) and Apple Macintosh (OS10.3.9 and above) are set for release on November 18, 2008. Additional features will be announced closer to the launch of the game in November.

For further information on Worldwide Soccer Manager 2009, please go to http://www.sega.com/games/?g=527"

SEGA Toys' healing log
Iyashi Bo Healing Log by Sega Toys $79.00

Fantastic 3-D natural sounds of waterfalls, chippering and wind chimes …

Subtly enhance any room when relaxing ambient sounds begin, and the source is the Iyashi-log. Shaped as a piece of Japanese-style charcoal (a traditional sign of cleanliness), the Iyashi Healing Log blends perfectly into any room and adds beauty not only as a sound source, but in style as well.

Reduce stress and enjoy a wonderful atmosphere.

http://www.kilian-nakamura.com/catalog/ ... -p-63.html
http://www.japantrendshop.com/pictures/ ... trends.jpg

SEGA Toys' Homestar EXTRA Planetarium
""Erstwhile known as Homestar EX, Sega Toys will soon be releasing Homestar EXTRA, a home planetarium system. Aside from being a home planetarium, Homestar EXTRA is also marketed as a system for schools, bars, and other more professional venues. It exhibits five times the brightness of earlier version, Homestar Pro, and hence can be used even in dimly lit rooms.

Additionally, while the Pro version only has 10,000 stars and clusters, EXTRA can have 45,000 to over 120,000. It also has a shooting star function that instructs falling heavenly bodies to appear in random locations on the projection and in random times. Homestar EXTRA will start shipping on December with a multifunction remote control for an expected retail price in the range of $700 to $800. "

http://www.gearlog.com/2008/09/sega_toy ... _bring.php

SEGA Toys' new dog Lucky
"Be afraid. Be very afraid. "Lucky" is coming, and I don't think he can be stopped. Just check out the video. Lucky is a fluffy little robot dog developed by Sega Toys. He's incredibly cute and obedient (for now at least). Lucky does tricks like handstands; he barks when spoken to; and he is subtlety racist ("herro"? come on!). All the while he is biding his time, I'm sure, until he gets the signal. A switch will go off in his head and we'll all be doomed.

Resistance is indeed futile. I mean, just look at him. How is anyone supposed to resist that? No word yet on when he'll make his debut in the U.S., but I'm sure he has a plan for us as well."

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10032603-1.html

The Creative Assembly releases new Stormrise trailer
"Sega and Creative Assembly have dropped off a new trailer and screenshots for their console RTS Stormrise.

Everyone else is taking a crack at getting strategy games working properly with a joypad, so why not the house behind Total War?

Sega promises that Stormrise will utilise a "simple yet effective control system tailored specifically for consoles, which allows easy unit selection, rapid navigation and precise deployment."

We'll wait for a hands-on before we believe it, though. It's currently down for a 2009 release on Xbox 360 and PS3."

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/ar ... ?id=197045

Yakuza 2 in stores now for $29.99!
September 9, 2008 - SEGA of America, Inc. today announced that Yakuza 2 the thrilling action-adventure game for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system is shipping to retailers across North America. From the creative minds that brought the critically acclaimed Yakuza, famed producer Toshihiro Nagoshi and award-winning novelist Seishu Hase join forces again to draw players deeper into the notorious Japanese underground organization where honor and respect are regarded above all else.

The story takes place a year after Kazuma Kiryu leaves the life of the Yakuza and his post as Head of the Tojo Clan. However, his peaceful, normal life is short-lived when the threat of an all-out gang war pulls him back into the life he is trying to leave behind. The journey into Japan's dark underworld continues as Kazuma returns to uphold his former clan's honor and to discover the mystery behind the endless conflicts that is pushing the Yakuza clan to the brink of war, all while trying to avoid the police and the Korean Mafia.

Yakuza 2 delivers stylish gameplay with its improved fighting engine and a new cinematic storyline that will plunge players further into the gritty, genuine portrayal of life in the Yakuza. The game expands the world of the Yakuza with two cities for players to freely explore -- from urban nightclubs to actual licensed shops and restaurants. Players will experience twice the brutality by executing fierce, jaw-breaking attacks on enemies with the enhanced Heat Gauge. Yakuza 2 accurately depicts Japan's urban landscape to give players an authentic experience as a high-ranking member of the Yakuza clan.

About SEGA of America, Inc.:

SEGA of America, Inc. is the American arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA Corporation, a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment both inside and outside the home. The company develops, publishes and distributes interactive entertainment software products for a variety of hardware platforms including PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. SEGA of America's Web site is located at www.sega.com.

About SEGA Europe Ltd.:

SEGA® Europe Ltd. is the European Distribution arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA Corporation, and a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment both inside and outside the home. The company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive entertainment software products for a variety of hardware platforms including PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. The SEGA Europe Ltd. Web site is located at www.sega-europe.com.

Yakuza 3 screenshots released
http://www.seganerds.com/2008/09/14/bet ... -released/

Vivid Imaginations releases Dinosaur King toys to the UK
"Vivid Imaginations will launch US toy brand Dinosaur King in the UK next year. The range, aimed at boys aged between four and nine years old, has been developed from an animated TV show.

The company has signed a distribution deal with manufacturer 4Kids Entertainment to distribute the toys. The range will include dinosaur figures and role play items inspired by the series, currently airing on Jetix in the UK.

The launch campaign will be created in the US by Vivid's distributor partner Playmates. The ads will then be adapted by agency Focus on Kids for the UK and Ireland.

The Dinosaur King TV series has been running on Jetix since the start of 2008 and is currently the network's top-rated show for Kids four to 15 year olds, and it is due to run on free-to-air channels early next year.

The TV show is based on an arcade and collectable card game, created by Sega, and it chronicles the adventures of Max and his two best friends Rex and Zoe, who have discovered a mysterious set of dinosaur cards and a stone slate that have the power to bring dinosaurs back to life."

http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/item/62226/254/260/3

Short clip of Aliens: Colonial Marines
http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/54467

New Sonic Unleashed video
http://blogs.sega.com/usa/2008/09/12/un ... y-trailer/

SEGA Rally 3 heading to arcades
"There was quite a shocking press announcement late last week - SEGA Rally 3 exists and will be coming to arcades very soon. The game's actually a tweaked, 60fps version of the recent remake for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC, with a few enhancements designed to make it more thrilling for the arcade crowd...

Even though the console remake of SEGA's classic racing series didn't exactly set the sales charts on fire last year, it'll be good to see the SEGA Rally brand back where it belongs - in the dark corners of the pubs and airport departure lounges of the nation. "

http://www.xboxer.tv/2008/05/sega_rally ... eturn.html

Shenmue tidbits
"At the Games Convention 2008, Takenobu Mitsuyoshi, the sound director of Shenmue
and the composer of Shenmue Theme, played part of Shenmue Theme on the piano.

Here's a photo report in a Blog on IGN:

http://blogs.ign.com/Player1Wins/2008/08/26/100030/

And, you can view his performance on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7Id6fxQ0L0

I wonder if any of the members here went there to see this... "
http://shenmue.planets.gamespy.com/foru ... hp?t=37585

"Looking up some Shenmue videos on youtube and came across these...

Erhu Soloist/Conductor: NG Seng Hong
Pianist/Arranger: TAN Kah Yong
Performed by People's Association Youth Chinese Orchestra
Venue: Singapore Conference Hall, 23rd Dec 2006

Theme to 'Shenmue' Part 1
1. "Shenmue"
2. "Shenfa"

Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrNCP6XuL9A

Theme to 'Shenmue' Part 2
3. "Endless Earth"
4. "The Morning Fog's Wave"
5. "The Lion's Banner"
6. "A New Journey"

Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwcLbGTVybc "
http://shenmue.planets.gamespy.com/foru ... hp?t=37513

"Does anyone remember Master Wu Lianzhi of Bajiquan? His name in Japanese, Go Renshi,
is found among the Credits for Shenmue as "Hakkyoku-ken (Bajiquan) Motions Supervisor."
I've found this video of a TV documentary in his official website.

http://www.wsbjq.com/eindex.asp

Here's the links to the same videos on YouTube, if you prefer a bigger (not clearer) screen:

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_vMgAX4vNw
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hA85hYDJSx8
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFMxZJjHGQk
Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rL2pweiXqhU


Some of you might remember that part of the interview with Yu Suzuki was included in
the Chinese video that was introduced before in this topic of mine:

http://shenmue.planets.gamespy.com/foru ... p?p=720838


EDIT: I realized Part 4 includes a scene where Yu Suzuki met Master Wu 13 years later
when Yu-san visited Shanghai to unveil Shenmue Online. (at 5:15 in the video)"
http://shenmue.planets.gamespy.com/foru ... hp?t=37549

And last but not least...
Happy belated birthday, SEGA Dreamcast! On September 9th, 1999 (9/9/09), the DC was born in the United States after heavy marketing by Bernie Stolar's SEGA of America, and the 9/9/09 campaign, and launching with Sonic Adventure and some other great games. Long live SEGA!