Author Archives: Aki-at

SEGA in the Charts: MediaCreate charts for Feb 03 – Feb 09 2014

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It’s not been long since the last “SEGA in the Charts” posts where I reported the sombre news of SEGA’s rhythm dance title Umetaki 575 failing at retail. This week however we see one of SEGA’s big hitters arrive in the Japanese market, the latest entry into the Puyo Puyo series where SEGA mixes and matches it’s traditional puzzle series with the 80s classic Tetris. Launching on several SKUs (Nintendo 3DS, Wii U and Sony Playstation 3 and Vita) promises to be one of SEGA’s strong sellers this year, hit after the break to find out how well the title did.

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SEGA in the Charts: MediaCreate Charts Jan 20 – Jan 26 2014

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SEGA’s latest dance rhythm title Utakumi 575 has entered the Japanese chart at 13th selling 9,701 units, managing to sell between 40% – 60% of the initial shipment sent to retailers (Roughly between 16,168 – 24,252) Considering the push SEGA is giving the title (Complete with an animated series that has been airing from January 8th this year) it is no doubt selling well below SEGA’s expectations. SEGA would be hoping that they could enjoy stronger sales in the coming month from their software. With Project Diva f 2nd, Ryu Ga Gotoku Ishin and Phantasy Star Online 2 Episode 2 on the horizon, SEGA should hopefully make up for the failure of their latest stab at the dance rhythm genre.

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Petition to bring SEGA’s Japanese titles to PC!

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Following the response from SEGA in the above picture, GAF member TaroYamada (With the help of GAF member Grief.exe) has just started a petition to bring over SEGA’s Japanese output onto PC. The three initial titles suggested, Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown, Vanquish and Bayonetta, should be stressed are only part of a grander scheme. The true purpose of the petition is to adjust SEGA Japan’s perception of PC as a platform so that future Japanese made SEGA titles may also get a shot of appearing on PC. The mission statement of the petitions follows as such;

It’s targeting games that are a perceived lower risk, please note that even if you disagree with the initial suggestions a massive part of this effort is about adjusting SEGA’s perceptions of what the PC market is open to concerning their content.

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Alien: Isolation screenshot shows off freakishly large Alien

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It hasn’t been long since the last batch of screenshots for Alien: Isolation by The Creative Assembly that SEGA are already rolling out some new screenshots featuring the universe’s deadliest killer. This time we get to see the titular antagonist sheer size as he appears hunched back and wandering through the space station Sevastopol for the protagonist, Amanda Ripley. But that’s not all as we also get confirmation for the first time that androids will be appearing and one poor individual seemingly to have come face to face with the Xenomorph. Hit the jump to see all the new screenshots.

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Toshihiro Nagoshi is headed to E3

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SEGA’s Chief Creative Officer and head of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s Toshihiro Nagoshi is headed for E3 as he is set to leave Japan for a week. In a blog post today he said that E3 is the time when game industry people all leave Japan for a week. He will be taking the late night flight out of Haneda. Not one to come off as being lazy, Nagoshi is already started to get worried about the work he will leave building up in his office once he returns to Japan. Wither he is there on official business or just enjoying E3 is not known, but the Yakuza fan in me hopes that Yakuza 5 would be announced for Western release. Unlikely but hey, it’s nice to dream from time to time.

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Double Fine and SEGA title revealed to be “The Cave”

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SEGA’s latest partnership with a third party developer ought to get a few fans excited, as Double Fine will be teaming up with the Blue Skies developer to develop a 2.5D adventure. The game will allow players to take control of one of seven characters, all with their unique abilities and story. Being headed by Ron Gilbert, the title is set to take players into the Cave, which happened to be a talking cave earlier in development, a talking cave that has tried its hand in dating. If that has interested you, head over to Destructoid for further information on the game. It is set to be available for Playstation 3, Xbox360 and PC with a release date sometime in 2013.

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First Yakuza 5 screens hit the web

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As promised, Yakuza 5’s first screenshots have been released onto the web, which show the updated graphics engine being used to run the newest installment in SEGA’s long running Ryu Ga Gotoku series. Featured in these screenshots are all five major characters and the new locals that will be used in Yakuza 5. The game is set for a December release in Japan and one can hope Western fans do not have to wait for long. Hit the jump to see the screenshots.

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Yakuza 5 Famitsu interview fully translated

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A kind soul (Captain Epic) over at the SEGA official forum has translated, in full, the Famitsu interview that series producer Toshihiro Nagoshi provided. In it, some extra bits of information were shared, such as the exact date the game is set for (December 2012) and the backstories of certain characters were explained further. It seems that series lead Kazuma Kiryu chose to leave his duty as head of the Sunshine Orphanage to investigate events in Fukuoka as a taxi driver under a false name. Also explained further is the basic plot for the latest installment of SEGA’s action adventure title, in which the Tojo Clan and the Omi Alliance are set for war and the clan’s sixth chairman Diago Dojima must create alliances with other clans all over Japan to help in the fight against the Omi Alliance. For the complete translation of the Famitsu article, hit the break!

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SEGA Sammy announces profits of ¥21.8 billion/$271 million for Fiscal Year 2012

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In SEGA’s first report since the recent news of the restructuring of their consumer division, this was always bound to be an interesting report. The numbers show a very mixed picture for the group as the Pachinko and Pachislot segment operating profits (¥71 billion yen/$889.4 million) and arcade sales (¥7.4 billion/$92.8 million) were quite healthy whilst amusement centres posted minor operating profits (¥355 million/$4.4 million) but the consumer division fared less well, hit back after the break to find out how much money SEGA’s consumer division lost for them.

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The Creative Assembly’s up and coming Alien game listed for future consoles

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It seems that the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 is not the only console that the Creative Assembly’s Alien game is coming to. According to a recent job listing in which the developer is looking for a multiplayer/gameplay programmer to help create “a AAA multi-platform title on current and future generation consoles set in the Alien universe” This implication of future consoles could mean the successor to the Xbox 360/Playstation 3 or as implied elsewhere, perhaps closer to being made available on the Wii U. SEGA’s other Aliens title, Aliens: Colonial Marines, is also being produced for the Nintendo Wii U so to have a version of the Creative Assembly’s Alien title would not be out of the ordinary.

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SEGA West boss Mike Hayes set to part ways this summer

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Announced this morning is that SEGA Europe and America CEO Mike Hayes is set to leave the company in the coming summer. Hayes has been CEO of SEGA Europe for 8 years and took on responsibility from Simon Jeffrey as CEO of SEGA America when the former LucasArts CEO was relieved of his duties. Hayes’ own personal ambition now is set to be on non-exec roles within and outside of the industry. Speaking to MVC, Naoya Tsurumi released the following statement;

“Mike has achieved a huge amount during his time at Sega and we thank him for the amazing things he has accomplished. Mike is a great character and very passionate about the industry, he helped steer the extraordinary growth of Sega and has built an exceptional team of professionals that will stand us in good stead for the future.”

Mike Hayes is set to leave the company having helped established a stronghold in Europe and the successful purchase of both critically acclaimed and commercially successful studios Sports Interactive and The Creative Assembly. Though towards the end of his tenure, he seemed to have provided mixed success for SEGA, Hayes’ contribution should see him leave with a good legacy at SEGA Europe. Jurgen Post, SEGA Europe’s current COO, is set to succeed Hayes although at this time, it is unclear if he is set to become CEO of both SEGA Europe and America, or if the roles will once again be split.

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Want to go down a sexy lady? Super Monkeyball: Banana Splitz has your back!

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For long term fans of the series, having a woman in a bikini may be the last thing you would expect but here we are, with SEGA confirming that Gravure model Yukie Kawamura will have a level designed around her, how to say, assets? As AiAi charges down to the goal post, players will have to make sure they navigate past the bumps in the level.

But those expecting this level to be available in the Western versions will be disappointed, as the Japanese version of the title is rated C (One rating level below the adult rating in Japan) whilst the game is E for Everyone, though perhaps yet another indication that this Monkey Ball is aimed at adults unlike the recent releases in the series. Hit the jump after the break for more screenshots.

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Preview footage of Hell Yeah! Arkedo and SEGA’s chainsaw bunny platformer

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Arkedo’s up and coming strange but yet fantastic looking title Hell Yeah was shown at PAX and it is the first time we got to see a decent amount and also plenty of focus on the gameplay. Project Hell Yeah! promises to feature over a hundred different enemy types and a good deal of customization. We also find a rough release date for the title, with Arkedo’s Camille Guermonprez saying we should expect Hell Yeah! for PSN, XBLA and Steam in mid-summer.

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Shining Force Cross: Elysion gets opening and tutorial

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SEGA’s ongoing Shining Force Cross have been given it’s third update in the form of Shining Force Cross: Elysion. Originally announced back in 2009, Shining Force Cross has gone to be one of SEGA’s strongest earners from sales and revenue generated from their own amusement centres and this latest expansion promises new character types for the player, new stages and of course, bosses and enermies. Unfortunately like many of SEGA’s arcade titles, the title has been left to stay in Japan and would be another in the long line of arcade titles people would like ported to consoles. Click after the break to see a video tutorial of the new features added to the title.

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