Yearly Archives: 2025

PlatinumGames “saddened” by current Japanese gaming industry

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PlatinumGames President and CEO Tatsuya Minami recently wrote a blog post that can be seen at their website, and it’s clear that he’s not too thrilled at the moment with the Japanese gaming industry.

His problems with the current state of game development, especially in Japan, stems from what he sees as a lack of original content being created as franchises grow “ever longer.” He’s saddened by what he sees as too few Japanese developers creating games with “new” at their core, and Japanese games are, as a result, failing to achieve worldwide acclaim; in short, Minami says, Japanese developers have lost their vigor.

Going forward, the CEO promises that PlatinumGames will continue to strive to provide fresh and original content to a worldwide audience, and hopes that they will inspire other Japanese developers to do the same.

“At PlatinumGames, we strive to be the face of Japanese game studios on the worldwide stage. We want our contributions to not only be towards the games industry as a whole, but also be contributions towards our homeland of Japan. That is the principle that will guide our company into the future.

We aim to bring happiness to gamers worldwide. We seek to ignite a Japanese games revival. And our troops will have the highest morale.

We’re in this fight for the long haul.”

Tatsuya Minami
President and CEO
PlatinumGames Inc.
Spring 2011

To check out the full post, hit up their website.

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SEGA Sequel Saturdays: Yakuza 5

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Hey guys, hope everyone in Internetland enjoyed their April Fools day! Welcome to Episode 11 of SEGA Sequel Saturdays. This week I’ll be expressing my thoughts on the (inevitable) sequel to a game that just released, Yakuza 4. SEGAbits’ official review will be up soon, but you can read my own opinion on Yakuza 4 at my blog, here. I feel that Yakuza 4’s a fun game with lots and lots to do and some great storytelling, but at the same time, its formula is really beginning to show its age. I don’t think Yakuza 5 is even worth announcing if we’re not going to be getting some big changes and updates, and here’s what I think they should be.

Continue Reading ➜

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Captain America Super Solider box art looks like this

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If you are like me, you have probably stayed up sleepless nights hoping that SEGA would release box art for Captain America Super Solider. Well, today is your day. Here they are.

Wait, you don’t own a Playstation 3? Well we have the other 3 console versions down here at the bottom. Game is hitting retail shelves on July 11th.

[Source: Buzzfocus]

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Virtua Tennis 4 PSN Trailer

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“The No.1 Tennis Game Returns!”

Here is the PSN trailer for Virtua Fighter 4, highlighting the PS3 exclusive content like the choice between the Move or standard control scheme, the 3D option and the exclusive mini games. It also highlights some pretty good animations, graphics and ‘match momentum’, what ever that means! Not to mention brand new World Tour mode, Character creation and Online modes for up to 4 players!

The game looks awesome and releases in April 29th.

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MLB Manager Online Launch Trailer

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Check it out! Here is the launch trailer for SEGA’s totally free to play, browser-based game: ‘MLB Manager Online’.

Now you can create, manage, and improve your fantasy baseball team in a head-to-head competition featuring all MLB players, teams, and managers.

You can play right away, totally free at MLBManagerOnline.com

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ESRB rates Monster World IV for XBLA and PSN

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Damn right! Monster World IV wasn’t released here in America and it feels good having something like this to look forward to. The game originally came out on the Genesis/Mega Drive, so expect some of those glorious 16-bit graphics.

The info comes from ESRB, who rated the title for both XBLA and PSN. If you remember we posted a rating story for this game before, Australian rating. Can we pretty much confirm it now?

Oddly enough Wiiware wasn’t on there, even thought it has gotten Monster World games, including this one in Japan. Odd?

[Source: Joystiq]

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Virtua Tennis 4 on Playstation 3 gets exclusive content

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SEGA has just confirmed that the Playstation 3 version of Virtua Tennis 4 is getting exclusive playable characters. These include Boris Becker, Stefan Edberg and Pat Rafter. As well as two minigames. The first one is Pin Crusher which is made for regular controllers in mind and the other is Net Blitz which is Move exclusive.

There is also a minigame being made for PlayStation Home Central Plaza that will launch with the start of the French Open. To check out the message SEGA sent out, hit the jump.

Continue Reading ➜

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Motion Control in Virtua Tennis 4 only for mini-games

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Expecting motion controls (Move, Kinect, Wii Motion Plus) for the upcoming Virtua Tennis 4? According to CVG, you’re out of luck. Mini-games and Motion Play modes are said to allow for the motion controls that will be advertised on the game’s box, while the career mode, online play, and tournaments are said to only support standard controller configurations. Weird, right?

Well, that’s not all. Gamers who were planning on picking up the Wii version should take note that this version will not allow for nunchuck or classic controller support, instead, you’ll be forced to hold the remote sideways and use the d-pad. Yes, really.

The game comes out May 10th in North America and May 14th in Europe, though if you only own a Wii, I wouldn’t bother.

[Source: CVG]

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Virtua Tennis 4 Announced for PC!

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Sega have announced Virtua Tennis 4 will also be available for PC. Virtua Tennis 4 will be available via digital distribution such as Steam across Europe and North America. Both versions of the fast paced arcade and home console tennis smash hit will be available summer 2011.

As with the upcoming console versions, Virtua Tennis 4 for PC contains an enhanced online mode including leader board support and a new social clubhouse where players can invite their friends over for party games and exhibition matches.

Continue reading for the official press release!

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PSN: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 & Yakuza 4 dynamic theme coming next week

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[Sorta related]

The next Playstation Store update will have a few SEGA items most of you might be interested in. First Playstation Plus members will get Sonic the Hedgehog 2 for free, its a week exclusive. So those of you who are not members can get it on April 12th for $4.99.

For Yakuza 4 players, the Yakuza 4: The Men of Yakuza 4 Dynamic Theme will be out by the next update. Playstation Plus users get it for free, regular members can nab it for $2.99.

Talking about Yakuza 4, we should be having our Yakuza 4 review up tomorrow. Don’t miss that.

[Source: Playstation.Blog]

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Super Monkey Ball 2 coming to Windows Phone 7

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Seems that SEGA is kin on supporting Windows Phone 7, last game they announced was Sonic 4 and now they are announcing Super Monkey Ball 2. The game will be released on April 6th and cost $4.99.

If that wasn’t enough for users, you can try the game before you buy. The full game will come with over 115 courses, so might be a steal for the price of entry.This is most likely the iOS version for WP7.

[Source: Appmodo]

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VF5 Final Showdown update hits arcades next month

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The new issue of Arcadia teases a new Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown update. They gave out some information.

  • The release window for the new update is April. Most likely to released before Golden Week.
  • The bound system will be reworked, no longer allowing you to bound a character more than once. Issue with the current build is that wall combos can take off up to 50% of your health, now when it’s down the second time they won’t bounce as high and stay closer to the ground.
  • All characters will be tweaked for better balance. Here is a promotional video teasing new the changes.
  • VF.net service will be upgraded. The match videos users create will now have info displayed if you turn on the ‘frame data display.’

This is all the information that we know about the newest update. We here at SEGAbits are still waiting for our console port. Lets do this SEGA. Hit the jump to see the top 10 played arcades according to Arcadia.

Continue Reading ➜

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SEGA announces co-op shooter Renegade Ops

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SEGA announced that it will be publishing Avalanche Studios‘ (Developers of Just Cause) Renegade Ops  later this year. The game will be a downloadable title on Xbox Live Arcade, Playstation Network and PC digital download.

“Renegade Ops is SEGA’s first new IP on the digital space and we are thrilled with the remarkable visual look and extensive features that the game has to offer. It has been a great opportunity to work with a team as successful as Avalanche Studios,”- Haruki Satomi, Vice President of Digital Business at SEGA.

The game will allow players to play co-op offline 2 player split screen or up to 4 players online.  The game has you trying to stop Inferno, a madman trying to take over the world.

For the press release, hit the jump.

Continue Reading ➜

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IGN presents Yakuza 4: Fact or Fiction?

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IGN has today released a feature entitled Yakuza 4: Fact or Fiction, where author Jake Adelstein and editor Daemon Hatfield sit down to discuss Yakuza 4. Jake has lived in Japan as a reporter covering the crime scene, and here he uses his knowledge to discuss the Yakuza and Yakuza 4’s relation to reality.

This is just a fun feature, nothing to get upset about, Yakuza fans. In fact it’s a genuinely interesting look at the Yakuza, how accurate the game’s hostess bars are, the possibility of the ramen shop scene being based on a real-life incident, and more. An interesting feature worth a look for fans of the Yakuza games.

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