Aliens: Colonial Marines Overhaul Mod Version 5 released

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Aliens: Colonial Marines might have released as a huge disappointing game with a ton of broken promises but that isn’t stopping fans from fixing the 2013 disaster piece of a game. The peeps over at Templar GFX Modding have now released the fifth version of their Aliens: Colonial Marines overhaul mod which aims to make the game a somewhat more playable video game.

According to the version five update changes the game will improve visuals on all levels. This includes things like permanent decals and improved Pixel Shader for graphics. The mod is also aiming at improving the AI on both human and xenos including the dodging and jumping. You can see all the changes below. I’m honestly sad that SEGA mishandled the Aliens license the way they did, seeing as how the game’s fans are passionate enough to fix the terrible game, even half a decade after release. The saddest part is, SEGA should have shut and fixed it themselves. Regardless, you can see the notes after the jump and download the latest mod right here.

[Via: DSOGaming]

Camelot Software wants to make Shining Force IV

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Camelot game producer Hiroyuki Takahashi joined a held conference in Japan titled “3rd Game Business Archive” along with Treasure President Masato Maegawa (where he teased an upcoming announcement) and Former Compile director Masamitsu “Moo” Niitani. During his talk he went into detail on Shining Force sale figures and numbers from games way back in the day. This is some of the information he discussed:

  • Shining in the Darkness shipped 300k units in Japan, while he states that it was about half the Mega Drive units sold at the time, its not 100% true. As of March 1991 the Mega Drive had 1.90 million units in Japan.
  • Shining Force CD was created for the team to practice on SEGA CD hardware, that’s why they added bonuses.
  • Hiroyuji Takahashi has confirmed that he would like to make Shining Force IV.

As you already know, Camelot Software had a falling out with SEGA after the development of Shining Force III on the SEGA Saturn. Shortly after they went on to work with Nintendo on the highly acclaimed Golden Sun series then after started making various Mario sport titles. If SEGA is serious about reviving older IPs on its road to 2020, then they should totally take Camelot Software up on this offer.

[Via: ResetEra]

Treasure President teases announcement for 2018, vows never to work on social games

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The last time we heard about Treasure, we ran a rumor that the company was going to stop making new games. Is it true? So far it has stayed true since the companies last ‘new game’ was Gaist Crusher God which was released back back in 2014. Since then Treasure Games hasn’t made a single brand new game. Rumors suggested that the company was going to continue as an IP holding company. Now according to a Japanese twitter user, Treasure President Masato Maegawa stated that he has an announcement coming in 2018 and that Treasure games won’t make a social game (usually mobile games) as long as he lives.

“I’ll never work on social games for as long as I live! I’ll have something to share next year” – Treasure Games President Masato Maegawa

Maegawa also complained that there was a total lack of communication at SEGA during the Mega Drive, especially during the time they developed Yu Yu Hakusho. He also revealed that Gunstar Heroes shipped 70k units in Japan and 200k abroad. Said the initial 10k print run in Japan sold out fast. Treasure Games’ president also wished that SEGA would have their own ‘Mega Drive Mini’ much like what Nintendo offers.

According to twitter user @gosokkyu, this lines up with what he has heard about from Treasure, that most publishers are only wanting them to work on mobile or ‘social’ type games. I’m glad to see a Japanese developer that doesn’t want to succumb to mobile gaming. Some developers just don’t transition over well and since a lot of Treasure Games are about the gameplay, I don’t think it would work out on mobile. But hey what do you think this announcement will be? Are you excited? Sound off in the comments.

[Via: ResetEra]

SEGA News Bits: Sonic Forces Demo Impressions (PS4 & Switch)

Just the other day Sonic Forces Japanese demo hit both PSN and Nintendo’s eShop, unsurprisingly today we get to talk about our thoughts on said demo. Today on the SEGA News Bits we discuss Sonic Forces demo including Modern Sonic gameplay, Classic Sonic Gameply, Avatar style gameplay and of course discuss the differences between the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch versions of the game. So listen in on the episode and let us know in the comments below what you thought of the Sonic Forces PSN & Switch demo.

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Sonic Forces demo hits PS4 and Nintendo Switch’s Japanese stores

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SEGA has released the Sonic Forces demo in Japan on both the PlayStation 4 and the Nintendo Switch. The demo will let you play through three separate stages, one for each playable version including Modern, classic Sonic and avatar hero. Each stage is on a timer.

As for both demos, the Nintendo Switch version is 573MB in size while the PlayStation 4 version comes in at 1.9GB in size. That’s quite the difference. Will you be making a Japanese account on either consoles to try out Sonic Forces? Or will you just wait for it to be released in English?

Sonic Mania physical version coming to Nintendo Switch, hints ESRB

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Sonic Mania has been out for a few months and while the game got physical collector’s edition, the game itself was never available in a physical medium. There is still a pool of gamers that are hoping SEGA does a physical version of the game and that might be happening. Earlier today, the ESRB twitter account posted a updated ESRB rating for Sonic Mania. If you look into the replies, someone already asked what we are all thinking: Why re-rate a game that has been out for months? ESRB’s reply:


When the ESRB account was pressed more on its reply, it said they don’t know if Sonic Mania is going to be released physically and that they only rate games. But they did say that all physical games need a ESRB summary, which is why the rating had been updated. We could be seeing a physical version of Sonic Mania, at least on the Nintendo Switch. Would you buy Sonic Mania again and if so, how much are you willing to spend on a physical version of the game?

Update: According to Sonic the Hedgehog social media manager Aaron Webber, this ESRB update actually has to do with the Collector’s Edition. Still not adding up why they would update the ESRB summaries months after the game released.

You can finally play as Splatterhouse’s Rick Taylor in Streets of Rage 2

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A new Streets of Rage 2 hack has been added to the Romhacking database. Just in time for October, you will be able to play as Splatterhouse‘s Rick Taylor! The rom hack replaces the character Max with Rick Taylor, taken directly from Splatterhouse 3. The hack replaces Max’s voice with ones from Splatterhouse 3 and even increases the characters stats.

Obviously this small rom hack won’t be setting the globe on fire, but its cool to have small rom hacks like these come out throughout the year. Splatterhouse x Streets of Rage 2, who’d of thunk it? I guess fans, right?

SEGA News Bits: Sonic Forces Hooters Japanese Promotional Event

Today on the SEGA News Bits we will be going all the way to Japan to look at the Sonic Forces x Hooters crossover promotional event that is going on right now! Well, maybe we won’t be going there in person but thanks to the power of the internet we can see what the Sonic Forces x Hooters crossover event has to offer. On this episode of the SEGA News Bits we look at the Sonic Forces Hooters event, talk chili dogs, and give our thoughts on the promotion. What do you think of Sonic Forces having a promotional event at Hooters? Let us know in the comments below.

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SEGA News Bits: SEGA Opens Official Online Shop in America

SEGA has officially launched their SEGA Shop store in the Americas, allowing the company to extract even more of your hard earned cash in exchange for more SEGA goodness. On this episode of the SEGA News Bits we discuss our thoughts on the SEGA Shop, we talk about some of our favorite items and discuss IPs we would like to see represented on the online store in the near future. Give the episode a listen and let us know what you think of the newly launched SEGA Shop in the comments below!

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SEGA News Bits: Sonic Forces Space Port Gameplay And Infinite Boss Battle Revealed

Sonic Forces comes out next month and SEGA is getting ready to let new information out of the bag. Earlier today they revealed the Space Port gameplay, Rental Avatar hero mode and even the first glimpse at a Infinite boss battle. On this episode of the SEGA News Bits we discuss all the new information, talk Sonic Forces‘ marketing and did Sonic Team referencing Rent-A-Hero? Let us know what you think of the ‘new’ Space Port gameplay, the Rental Avatar hero mode and of course the first look at Infinite in action in the comments below.

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Creative Assembly shares rejected Halo Wars 3 concept artwork

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If you didn’t already know, SEGA owned studio The Creative Assembly (Total War series), was the developer behind Microsoft Studios’ Halo Wars 2 on the Xbox One and PC. It seemed that the team was ready to move on to Halo Wars 3, at least according to Brad Wright, senior concept artist for Creative assembly who posted rejected art work for the project on his ArtStation account (now removed). Originally the site’s discription said:

“Surprisingly I got the all clear from Microsoft to show this cancelled pitch material. We did some proposals for Halo Wars 3, I had to introduce space battles into the game style, as well as having your capital ship as your home base, to prep your ground forces.” – Brad Wright, Senior Concept Artist The Creative Assembly. 

Oddly enough it has  changed to a generic description of “Halo Wars 2 additional work done for Creative Assembly for Halo Wars 2. Property of Microsoft”, then after deleted. Brad has yet to explain why the sudden change, but I assume that maybe Microsoft had a change of heart with him sharing unfinished concepts for a unannounced sequel. I hope Brad Wright doesn’t get in trouble for sharing the concept artwork, because it looks really awesome. What are your thoughts on the Halo Wars 3 concept pitch? Intergalactic space battles? Yes, please.

[Source: Eurogamer]

SEGA News Bits: Sonic Forces Comic Book Tie-In Discussion

The first, free digital issue of the Sonic Forces tie-in comic being titled ‘Moment of Truth‘ has been released by SEGA. This promotional tie-in issue is set to give users a taste of one of the many created avatars that have joined our Sonic the Hedgehog heroes in the fight against Eggman. On this episode of the SEGA News Bits we will give you our opinion on the Sonic Forces ‘Moment of Truth’ tie-in comic, our thoughts on the story, tone, and what we will like to see in future issues. Tune in and let us know what you’re thoughts on the Sonic Forces ‘Moment of Truth’ promotional tie-in comic!

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SEGA News Bits: Sonic the Hedgehog Comics Return April 2018 Discussion

We all know the long story about how SEGA and Archie had a disagreement with the Sonic the Hedgehog license and that they are now relaunching the long running comic book series under publisher IDW. Thanks to the New York Comic Con ‘IDW Sonic Comic Town Hall panel’ we now know new information on the relaunch that has been confirmed for April 2018. On this episode of the SEGA News Bits we talk about getting four issues in April 2018, Ian Flynn being named head writer, Tyson Hesse doing promotional art for the event, and the return of The Freedom Fighters? Tune into the episode and let us know your thoughts on the IDW Sonic the Hedgehog comic book relaunch in the comments below!

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SEGA News Bits: Sonic Forces PSN Trophies Leak, Reveals New Info

Welcome to a new SEGA News Bits, today we will be discussing the Sonic Forces early PSN trophies leak that happen yesterday. On this episode I’ll be going through all the interesting information that the leaked PSN trophies revealed including Silver Moon Rings, Secret Stages, Daily Missions, and lots more. So tune in and let us know what you think of Sonic Forces’ PSN Trophies and are you planning on getting a Platinum on it? Let us know in the comments below.

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