SEGA Talk #150: Sonic Frontiers (2022)

Welcome to SEGA Talk! Today, we’re taking a riskier than ever journey into the uncharted territory of Sonic Frontiers. Is this open-world adventure a groundbreaking leap forward for the franchise, or a misstep that’s left fans feeling lost and confused? We’re talking cyber prisons, AI dads, and the potential for a franchise-changing shift. So, fasten your seatbelts, we are in for a wild ride!

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Feel the Magic: XY/XX/I’d Die For You 20th Anniversary livestream & music announced for December 1st

The stylish 2004 DS romantic microgame video game made by Sonic Team is getting a 20th anniversary in-person livestream event on December 1st, 2024 at 7pm GMT, located at Loft PLUS ONE in Kabukicho, Tokyo. Led by series and game director & developer Yoshinaga Takumi, the livestream will house a variety of guests from the game, including sound director Hataya Takashi, and lead vocalist & music-star legend Takenobu Mitsuyoshi, and MC’ed by Kensaku Nishimura. It will house a fun Q&A, a lookback at some developmental history, and even provide performances by Mitsuyoshi-san himself. You can still buy additional tickets for the event, but they are almost sold out. Luckily you can buy a livestream ticket to watch the event on their website. You can also find more information here at the link.

SEGA x AirAsia Airlines collab with Sonic the Hedgehog & Persona 5 themed planes

SEGA & AirAsia has recently announced and officially reveals themed flights featuring Sonic the Hedgehog & Persona 5. This comes as a push from SEGA to develop their brands outside of gaming, and in an interview with President & COO of SEGA Shinji Utsumi, he says: “that the synergy created by the collaboration of travel and gaming, two forms of entertainment, will bring us new discoveries.” The Sonic themed plane is an Airbus 330, while the Persona 5 plane is an Airbus 320 and will fly over 100 destinations all throughout major cities in Southeast & Pacific Coastal Asia, including Tokyo, Seoul, & Shanghai. The Sonic plane is adorned with Uekawa style art on the outside & parts of the inside with a Sonic x Shadow collab on the inside compartments and seat backs, while the Persona 5 plane has it’s awesome Soejima stylized art on the outside.

Experience Review: CAMP Meet & Greet with Sonic the Hedgehog

With Sonic X Shadow Generations just days away, SEGA has gone all out in the lead up to the game with cafes, concerts and touring motorcycles. One such event that should not be missed is the Sonic the Hedgehog meet and greet at Camp stores across the United States!

Taking place in Atlanta, Dallas and Chicago, this limited time event allows young fans and families to meet Sonic himself for a digital and printed photo, take part in a Sonic music dance party, put on some Sonic and friends temporary tattoos, color Sonic coloring sheets and decorate your own frame to hold your photo with Sonic. Thanks to our friends at SEGA, we were able to attend the local Camp store and experience the meet and greet for ourselves!

SEGA set to open an official store in Shibuya for next summer

SEGA’s Head of Global Transmedia Group, Justin Scarpone, spoken with VGC at Gamescom Asia that the company plans follow steps from Nintendo, Capcom, and Square Enix to open its own official store in Shibuya’s Parco department complex with another store opening in Shanghai, China. The decision to launch a physical SEGA outlet was motivated by the desire to put the SEGA brand in front of more consumers in order to strengthen it and to look after fans with the already surprising amount of fandom as a brand by offering new experiences to them.

With the success of the Sonic movies and licensee deals such as Lego, SEGA’s transmedia business received a strong growth in revenue as the company now generates nearly $1 billion in annual retail sales of toys, clothing, and merchandise alone. He also noted that partnerships such as Paramount, Netflix, and even Roblox, helped the company reach a broader audience.

Scarpone’s ultimate goal is to replicate that success with other IPs such as Persona, Like a Dragon, and other SEGA IP in other territories. SEGA had a great history of having numerous stores in Japan such as the SEGA Specialty Stores until it gaming landscape changed and online shopping became more prevalent in the early 2000s. Seeing this plan come to fruition would be a dream come true for SEGA fans to visit. Will you visit the SEGA Store in Shibuya and Shanghai? What SEGA merchandise would you like to see in the official store? Let us know in the comments below.

Source: VGC

New Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Showcases Naval Combat Gameplay and New Release Date

During the Xbox Showcase, SEGA showcased brand new gameplay of the navel combat in the latest trailer of Like a Dragon: Yakuza Pirate in Hawaii where players guide Majima and his crew to battle against other pirates of sea in ship-to-ship combat.

The trailer also provided a sneak peek into the start of Goro Majima’s pirate life on the high seas, the secret island of Madlantis, where multiple criminal organizations thrive, and new information about customizing your pirate ship “Goromaru.”

In other news, Executive Producer and Director of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, Masayoshi Yokoyama, has officially announced that Like a Dragon: Yakuza Pirate in Hawaii will now be releasing on Febuary 21, 2025, a week from the original planned release date.

Pre-Order on Amazon

Standard Edition: PlayStation 4 | PlayStation 5 | Xbox Series X

Collector’s Edition: PlayStation 5 | Xbox Series X

SEGA Releases Final Episode of “SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS: Dark Beginnings”

Today, Sonic Team released the third and final episode of the SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS: Dark Beginnings prologue animation, following Shadow the Hedgehog as he dives into his tragic past to confront the origins of his haunting nightmares of conflict and loss.

In Episode 3, Shadow leads Rouge and Omega into the heart of a G.U.N. military facility in his search for answers. The military organization that did so much harm to him in the past is now the only thing between him and his goal: the Space Colony ARK!

What did you all think of the final episode of SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS: Dark Beginnings? Let us know in the comments below!

Metaphor: ReFantazio Launch Trailer feat. Cover of Radiohead’s “Burn the Witch”

Today, ATLUS released the launch trailer for their highly anticipated fantasy RPG Metaphor: ReFantazio featuring a cover of Radiohead’s “Burn the Witch” by Mark Evans and Mel Guerison.

From the creative minds behind Persona 3, 4, and 5 comes Metaphor: ReFantazio, a unique fantasy world, where your protagonist will journey alongside his fairy companion, Gallica, to lift the curse from the kingdom’s lost prince. Control your destiny, face your fears and awaken magical “Archetype” powers that lie dormant in your heart. 

 

A free Prologue Demo is now available on all platforms for those eager to get a head start on their adventures in the United Kingdom of Euchronia. Progression from the demo carries over to the full version of the game.

 

Metaphor: ReFantazio will be available October 11, 2024 on Xbox Series X|S, Windows, Steam, PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 with pre-orders available now on the official website.

Universal Pictures To Adapt Shinobi On The Big Screen

According to Variety, Universal Pictures will be producing a film adaptation of SEGA’s Shinobi  and the studio has enlisted “Extraction” filmmaker Sam Hargrave and producer Marc Platt to adapt the ninja action-packed franchise for the big screen.

Ken Kobayashi, known for his work on “Sunny” and “Move On”, will be writing the screenplay for “Shinobi.” Platt and Adam Siegel will produce through Marc Platt Productions. Dmitri M. Johnson will produce through Story Kitchen. Toru Nakahara will produce through Sega.

Mike Goldberg will executive produce alongside co-producer Timothy I. Stevenson. Universal’s senior VP of production development Ryan Jones and director of production development Christine Sun will oversee the project for the studio.

SEGA has been on a roll with film and tv adaptations as of late along with the recent announcement of returning IPs currently in development. This is a great way to introduce their retro titles to a newer audience.

What are your thoughts on Shinobi and other SEGA IPs getting media adaptations? Let us know in the comments below!

Alien: Isolation Sequel Officially in the Works as Game Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Today marks a milestone for Creative Assembly as they celebrate the 10th anniversary of Alien: Isolation. Known primarily for their Total War series, Creative Assembly took a bold step into the survival horror genre with Alien: Isolation, aiming to deliver an authentic experience that captured the essence of Ridley Scott’s original 1979 Alien film. The result was a game praised for its tense atmosphere, masterful sound design, and innovative AI mechanics.

Alien: Isolation became a commercial success, standing out in a crowded market by staying true to the slow, suspenseful horror of the original movie. Rather than focusing on action, the game prioritized survival, which set it apart from many other titles in the Alien franchise. Fans were also able to connect with Amanda Ripley, the protagonist and daughter of Ellen Ripley, whose story added emotional depth and further expanded the Alien franchise lore.

Now, in celebration of the game’s 10th anniversary, Creative Assembly’s Creative Director has officially confirmed that a sequel is in development. Fans of the original can expect more of the same nerve-wracking tension and survival gameplay that made Alien: Isolation a great experience for many players around the world.

Have you played Alien: Isolation, and are you excited about the sequel? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Garfield: Caught In The Act The Lost Levels finally found and shown off publically

In a fantastic moment of lost Sega history now found (As well as on a Monday, much to Garfield’s dismay), the “Lost Levels” ROM for Garfield: Caught in the Act (1995) has finally resurfaced after 29 years (give or take). It was set up for the public to play at Portland Retro Gaming Expo this past September 27th-29th 2024.

A long video of the game was uploaded onto YouTube by PZTunleaded, who stresses in the video description that they are not the one to have found the ROM, despite what the above tweet from Lost Media Busters claims. PZTunleaded was only a guest at the expo and wanted to show everyone the game in action. They also promise in the description that the game ROM will eventually be shared with the public online and to not “be a nuisance and/or a menace pls”, so kindly cool your jets and be patient. No need to kick anyone off of any tables. You can see the video beyond the break.

SEGA Talk #149: Official Dreamcast Magazine (1999-2001)

On this SEGA Talk, we page through each issue of the North American Official Sega Dreamcast Magazine! What articles caught our attention? How did the magazine come to be? Joining us via archival SEGAbits interview clips are magazine staff members Simon Cox and Francesca Reyes to give us an inside look at working with SEGA, the final days of the Dreamcast and more on SEGA TALK!

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Support us on Patreon! Get early access, have your memories read on the show, select the games we talk about!

SEGA Releases Episode 2 of “SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS: Dark Beginnings”

Today, Sonic Team released the second episode of the SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS: Dark Beginnings prologue animation, following Shadow the Hedgehog as he dives into his tragic past to confront the origins of his haunting nightmares of conflict and loss.

In Episode 2, Shadow’s search for answers brings him into the crossfire with his allies and Dr. Eggman, making him question if his quest for closure is worth the risks that accompany it.

The third and final episode of SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS: Dark Beginnings airs on October 10, 2024.

What did you all think of the second episode of SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS: Dark Beginnings? Let us know in the comments below!

 

Sonic the Hedgehog Teams Up with King Ice for a Brand-New Jewelry Collaboration

Today, SEGA announced an exciting collaboration between Sonic the Hedgehog and leading streetwear jewelry brand, King Ice. The new collection, priced at $150 USD per piece, includes iconic characters Blaze, Metal Sonic, Silver and Super Silver!

Read more information on the collaboration and view screenshots of the products in the next section of the article.

SEGA Releases First Episode of “SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS: Dark Beginnings” Animation

Today, Sonic Team released the first episode of the new SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS: Dark Beginnings prologue animation, following Shadow the Hedgehog as he dives into his tragic past to confront the origins of his haunting nightmares of conflict and loss. The first episode centers around Shadow’s memories with his childhood friend, Maria.

The release schedule for the remaining SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS: Dark Beginnings episodes will be released on the following days:

  • October 3, 2024 – “Episode 2: Finding the Way”
  • October 10, 2024 – “Episode 3: To the Ark”

What did you all think of the first episode of SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS: Dark Beginnings? Let us know in the comments below!