Author Archives: Kori-Maru

New Virtua Fighter Game In Development According to Executive Vice President Head of Global Transmedia Group SEGA, Justin Scarpone

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In a published interview about why SEGA is reviving their classic IPs across media with Executive Vice President Head of Global Transmedia Group SEGA, Justin Scarpone, with Video Game Chronicle, he was asked how challenging it would be for SEGA to revive their IPs that are nearly 30 years old to resonate with a modern audience.

He responded that the IPs would need to be reinvented with persistent slate plan, marketing initiatives, product, and more transmedia. Scarpone would also confirm that numerous SEGA Legacy IPs are currently in development, including Virtua Fighter. Here is a snippet of the interview:

“So we have a suite of titles in development right now that fall into that legacy bucket, which we announced last year at The Game Awards; Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio, Streets of Rage, Shinobi, and we have another Virtua Fighter being developed. And so all that’s very exciting. And then in certain instances, we’re also doing animation series, or live-action films to augment that and be part of those roadmaps.” – Justin Scarpone, Executive Vice President Head of Global Transmedia Group SEGA

It’s been sometime since we seen a new Virtua Fighter title (with the exception of VF5: Ultimate Showdown). Are you all excited to see a new Virtua Fighter game in the works? Let us know in the comments below!

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Paul W.S. Anderson set to direct and write The House of the Dead Film

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According to Deadline, there is a new House of the Dead movie in the works with Paul W.S. Anderson (Mortal Kombat, Resident Evil) writing and directing the upcoming film. Anderson will produce alongside his partner Jeremy Bolt, Sega’s Toru Nakahara will produce along with Story Kitchen’s Dmitri M. Johnson, Mike Goldberg and Dan Jevons. Timothy I. Stevenson will be executive producer.

The plot of the film will be based on the third installment in the franchise, The House of the Dead III, with Lisa Rogan in search of her father and Daniel Curien, who’s the son of the man who caused this mutant outbreak in the first place and who has to deal with the sins of the father. The film will take place in an abandoned research facility where these creatures were hatched, before, as Anderson quipped, “the inmates took over the asylum.” The filmmakers say these inmates are way more capable killers than zombies.

They will pitch the project immediately, with plans to be in production by mid- to late-2025. Anderson is repped by Ken Kamins at Key Creatives & Alexander Lea at Wiggin, Bolt by Alexander Lea at Wiggin LLP, and Story Kitchen by WME and Pryor Cashman. Toru Nakahara negotiated on behalf of Sega. Check out concept art for the film in the next section of the article.

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SEGA and PDP Debut New Sonic Realmz Wireless Controller: Shadow Space Colony ARK

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Today, SEGA and PDP unveiled the all-new Sonic REALMz: Shadow Space Colony ARK Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch systems. The new Sonic REALMz: Shadow Space Colony ARK controller celebrates the immersive universe from Sonic games, including the just launched SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS, with an exciting design featuring a collectible Shadow figurine set in the controller’s grip.

Sonic fans can pre-order the Sonic REALMz: Shadow Space Colony ARK controller today from www.pdp.com and participating retailers for $64.99. The Sonic REALMz: Shadow Space Colony ARK controller launches in the U.S. on December 7, 2024. The controller will be available in the UK and Europe on January 10, 2025.

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SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS Arrives on Consoles and PC Today

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Today, SEGA launched SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS, the definitive blend of Shadow, Classic Sonic, and Modern Sonic gameplay. SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS introduces a brand-new Shadow story campaign featuring the new Doom Powers, as well as a complete remaster of the original Sonic Generations™ for the latest console era.

SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS is now available both digitally and physically starting at $49.99 USD on PlayStation®5 (PS5®), PlayStation®4 (PS4®), Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, the Nintendo Switch™ family of systems, and PC.

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SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS Surpasses One Million Units

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With SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS officially releasing to all major platforms today, SEGA has announced that the title has surpassed one million units in worldwide sales!

SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS brings together Classic Sonic, Modern Sonic, and Shadow in an all-new collection featuring iconic 2D and 3D Sonic levels within two completely unique experiences, making it a standout game for 2024.

In the newest entry to the Sonic franchise, players will dive deep into Shadow’s dark past in a brand-new story campaign introducing never-before-seen abilities for the character, while also experiencing a complete remaster of the original Sonic Generations for the latest console era.

Check out the official press release on the announcement in the next section of the article.

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Prime Video Like a Dragon: Yakuza – Review

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Thanks to Amazon Prime Video, we had the chance to preview the first three episodes of Like a Dragon: Yakuza. Based on SEGA’s global hit video game series, this crime-suspense-action adaptation spans two decades—1995 and 2005—following the lives of childhood friends and exploring the lasting consequences of Kazuma Kiryu’s choices. Kiryu, a feared Yakuza warrior, is renowned for his combat skills and strong sense of justice, duty, and humanity.

But does this adaptation live up to the video game’s reputation for fans, and is it worth watching for newcomers to the series? Check out our review in the next section of the article.

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

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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

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

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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

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

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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!

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

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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.

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Universal Pictures To Adapt Shinobi On The Big Screen

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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!

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

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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!

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

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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!

 

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

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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.

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

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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!

 

 

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