Author Archives: Ben

Bayonetta 2 announced for Wii U

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Nintendo (not SEGA) will be publishing Bayonetta 2, which was just announced exclusively for the Wii U. This time it appears that Kamiya will not be in the director’s chair, presumably because he’s been busy with Platinum’s other Wii U exclusive, P-100, which has now been named The Wonderful 101.

No other details were given at Nintendo’s conference this morning aside from a small teaser with no gameplay footage, but more will be sure to come.

Update: SEGA has just spoken out about this announcement on Twitter, replying that they will be working with both Nintendo and Platinum Games as an “advisor” to the project. In light of this, I’m re-branding this post as SEGA news, as it looks like SEGA is still involved in some capacity.

That said, it’s fairly clear that Bayonetta 2 is really Platinum and Nintendo’s show. This more than anything seems to signal the end of SEGA and Platinum Games’ partnership.

What do you think about SEGA letting one of their most iconic characters and franchises of this console generation slip away? Or are you just too excited about Bayonetta 2 to care? Hopefully the latter, we need games like this to sell.

Update 2: Post updated with trailer.

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Aliens: Colonial Marines multiplayer to have female characters afterall

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Looks like the fans have gotten their wish.

In a decision that prompted much in the way of backlash, Gearbox had originally said that female characters would not be playable in the multiplayer for Aliens: Colonial Marines. This was despite the strong female presence that has always existed in the Alien films, and it was a choice that had many fans upset.

It looks like they can now rest assured, as Gearbox has now definitively stated that, yes, female characters will be playable afterall.

“We realized some people were starting to feel bad,” Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford said during a panel at PAX. “We exist to entertain people.”

He then revealed Jennifer Running, a female marine who will be playable in co-op.

“I want everybody to be clear that there are playable females in both the multiplayer and the campaign,” he went on to say.

Aliens: Colonial Marines releases, female characters and all, in February of next year.

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Assassin’s Creed III director blasts Japanese storytelling, calls out Bayonetta

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Well, this quote can be put on the short list of industry opinions that have had my jaw drop.

In an interview with CvG, Assassin’s Creed III creative director Alex Hutchinson goes on what I can only describe as a rant against Japanese storytelling and journalists’ response to it: or, as he calls it, “subtle racism.”

“I think there’s a subtle racism in the business,” Hutchinson said when asked about Nintendo and their yearly franchise installments, “especially on the journalists’ side, where Japanese developers are forgiven for doing what they do. I think it’s condescending to do this.”

When prompted further, the creative director brought up Bayonetta:

“Just think about how many Japanese games are released where their stories are literally gibberish. There’s no way you could write it with a straight face, and the journalists say, ‘Oh it is brilliant.’ Then Gears of War comes out and apparently it’s the worst written narrative in a game ever. I’ll take Gears of War over Bayonetta any time.”

Do you think there’s an inherent bias in the industry press towards Japanese games? Sound off in the comments below.

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Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed Wii U features revealed

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Eurogamer has shared some details straight from developer Sumo Digital on the Wii U version of Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed.

The Wii U GamePad screen will double as a rear-view mirror as well as a weapon’s eye view; once fired, you’ll be able to use the screen to guide homing rockets to their targets. This comes with a risk, of course, as racers doing this will be taking their eyes off the main screen. In addition, the game will also support Remote Play.

The Wii U, which Sumo Digital claimes is at least on par graphically with the PS3, will launch later this year, probably at around the same time as Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed, which releases in November.

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Hideki Kamiya says he’d make a sequel to Viewtiful Joe before Bayonetta

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It’s no secret that there’s a been a strong demand amongst the SEGA fanbase for a sequel to Bayonetta, the popular beat-em-up from Devil May Cry creator Hideki Kamiya. With years having passed since Bayonetta graced consoles and with Platinum Games and SEGA seeming to have parted ways, a sequel (at least, from Kamiya and his team) has seemed less and less likely as time has gone on.

That said, the subject did come up in a recent Famitsu interview, though Kamiya’s answer may not be the one fans were hoping to hear. When asked whether he’d rather develop a sequel to Bayonetta or Viewtiful Joe if given the chance, it turns out he favors the latter.

As a person who really enjoyed Viewtiful Joe and found Bayonetta to be rather annoying, this is actually positive news for me, though I’d imagine many SEGA fans won’t see it that way. Fans shouldn’t give up hope entirely, however, as Kamiya goes on to mention that he and one of Bayonetta’s producers have occasionally discussed the idea of doing a sequel or spinoff; usually, he says, while drinking beer.

Take from that what you will.

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PSO II players top 700,000: SEGA considering international servers

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Phantasy Star Online II seems to be off to a strong start.

The free-to-play online RPG has been out in Japan since July 4th and in that time has amassed 730,000 registered players worldwide, SEGA reports.

With a Western release not planned (for whatever reason) until sometime in 2013, the number of Western users currently playing has been great enough that SEGA is now considering opening up international servers for the Japanese version.

The game is set to receive multiple updates this August.

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Toejam and Earl and its sequel on their way to XBLA and PSN

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Let’s categorize this one under “it’s about frigging time.” It’s being reported that our favorite alien duo from the Genesis era, Toejam and Earl, are on their way to Xbox Live Arcade and PSN sometime in the near future.

Toejam and Earl and its sequel, Toejam and Earl in Panic on Funkatron, have both been available digitally on the WiiWare service for years, though this release will mark their first stint on HD consoles.

Though SEGA has yet to confirm the news (letalone offer a release date or price point) series creators Greg Johnson and Mark Voorsanger have reportedly verified its legitimacy.

As far as this potentially leading to new adventures starring Toejam and Earl down the road, Johnson seems hopeful.

“I particularly want to create a new cross platform multi-player version of TJ & E and set the characters in some new environments – but with the original rogue-like game-one game play,” Johnson said. “I get so many requests from fans.”

He also makes it clear though that nothing is currently planned.

We’ll update you with more details as soon as SEGA makes them available.

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IGN holding Anarchy Reigns live stream with Platinum Games on August 9th

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IGN will be celebrating the release of Anarchy Reigns by holding a live stream Thursday the 9th of August at 5 PM Pacific time. Platinum Games staff will be playing along with IGN, in addition to answering Twitter-submitted fan questions via Skype.

The live stream will last for one hour and will be viewable on IGN, right here.

Anarchy Reigns was delayed in Western territories to 2013. In the wake of that unfortunate news, Platinum Games had encouraged disheartened fans to simply import the title from Japan, where it was recently released.

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Sonic the Hedgehog voice actor Roger Craig Smith to feature in Wreck it Ralph

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When we reported last week that Sonic would have a cameo appearance in Disney’s upcoming video game-themed CG film, the immediate question on many fans’ minds was whether Sonic would have a speaking role, and, if he did, whether voice actor Roger Craig Smith would play the part.

It looks like we now have the answer, as Disney today revealed the rest of the voice cast for the film, and Roger Craig Smith is indeed listed as playing Sonic the Hedgehog. Several voice actors from the Street Fighter video game series will also be making appearances in the movie that looks like a giant love letter to video gaming.

Wreck it Ralph opens November 2nd in North America.

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Rhythm Thief is out now in North America: Check out the launch trailer

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It’s sure taken its time getting here, but North American 3DS owners can now get their hands on Samba de Amigo director Shun Nakamura’s latest rhythm adventure.

Combining rhythm mini-games with puzzles and light exploration elements, the game’s a good bit of fun and has no shortage of charm.

Check out its official launch trailer above and be sure to pick it up while you can still find it.

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Fans unhappy about lack of female characters in Colonial Marines multiplayer

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It seems that many are unhappy about the character creation system in Aliens: Colonial Marines’ multiplayer mode, specifically, in its lack of female options. It’s a strange thing indeed, especially given the importance females have played in the Alien films: according to Gearbox, however, though your multiplayer character will be customizable, you’ll only have the option to create a male.

A petition written by Aliens fan and female video gamer Melissa K has received close to 2,000 signatures since early June and can be viewed after the break. In it, she affirms her support for Gearbox Software, and specifies that their position is not one of outrage, but of something that they feel is a core part of the Aliens franchise and should be addressed.

What do you think? Should Gearbox change the multiplayer (even if it means delaying the game yet again) to allow for female characters, or is their (confirmed) presence in the game’s single-player enough? Leave your comments below and Continue Reading to check out the petition.

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Hands-on with Rhythm Thief: Find out why this should be on your radar

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There’s no doubt about it; there are many games out there, all of them vying for your money and attention in a competitive marketplace. At a time when the industry’s favoring, by and large, a play-it-safe approach to development, it’s always a breath of fresh air when a game surfaces that feels like something truly unique. Judging by its latest demo (now available on the 3DS’ North American eShop) Rhythm Thief and the Emperor’s Treasure is one such game.

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Project X Zone releasing the same day as Bravely Default in Japan; Place your bets, ladies and gentlemen!

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Looks like RPG fans on the 3DS will have quite a choice to make this October. It’s being reported that SEGA’s mashup with Namco and Capcom, Project X Zone, will be releasing not only in the same month, but on the same day, as Square-Enix’s upcoming handheld RPG, Bravely Default.

Both titles will see release for the 3DS on October 11th in Japan, with no Western plans yet announced for either; given Square-Enix’s localization track record in recent years, however, Bravely Default’s Western release is looking a bit more likely.

Do you think it’s a smart idea to go up against Square-Enix? Or does Project X Zone have the brand name recognition to crush the new IP? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

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Rhythm Thief not cancelled! Demo arriving this summer

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Though it was only given a brief mention at Nintendo’s 3DS-specific E3 press conference, it serves as confirmation that SEGA’s Rhythm Thief is indeed still going to see release in North America. A demo will be released this summer, which hopefully indicates a release date in the very near future.

The well-received rhythm game is already available in Europe and Japan.

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Round Table: Our thoughts on Sonic 4: Episode II

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If you can believe it, it’s actually been over a year and a half since the first episode of the polarizing Sonic the Hedgehog 4 series of games hit digital download services. But after what felt like an eternity, the adventure can finally be continued. And what did the good ol’ SEGAbits staff think of the long-in-development Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II and the reception it has received so far? Read on to find out, and don’t forget to comment and leave your own thoughts on the game below!

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