First Dawn of War III gameplay footage emerges

SEGA and Relic Entertainment have now shown the first glimpse at gameplay for their upcoming game Dawn of War III. While the first trailer they showed had a dark paint like art style, making some fans think that was going to be what the game looked like. It seems the actual game will have a more ‘comic book cartoon’ like art style. Also surprising to see how much color the game has, which in my opinion is a good thing.

I know Dawn of War III isn’t on every SEGA fans radar, but what do you think of the gameplay shown? Let us know in the comments below.

Archie Comic’s “Sonic: Mega Drive” sequel issue announced, titled “Sonic: Mega Drive – The Next level”

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Back in February we were very excited to share the news that Archie Comics would be releasing a special one shot special comic in celebration of Sonic the Hedgehog’s 25th anniversary. Dubbed “Sonic: Mega Drive”, the story was said to take place in the games continuity, just after the events of Sonic & Knuckles, and would feature the original classic Sonic designs. Written by Ian Flynn and drawn by Tyson Hesse, creator of the web comic Boxer Hockey, “Sonic: Mega Drive” looked and sounded like a classic Sonic fan’s dream comic.

There were hopes that if the one shot sold well, we’d see a sequel or ongoing series. But, in an interview with IGN, editor Vincent Lovallo shared some news… it looks like we won’t have to wait! Before “Sonic: Mega Drive” even has a chance to release on July 6th, Archie and SEGA have decided to move forward with a sequel entitled “Sonic: Mega Drive – The Next level”. Also a one shot, “Sonic: Mega Drive – The Next level” will follow the events of “Sonic: Mega Drive”. Also of note, when asked if the story will tie into the ongoing Sonic comics, which is a separate continuity, Lovallo said “It will, but I can’t say how at this time.”

After the break, check out a gallery of images including a peek at the inside of the first one shot.

[Via: IGN]

SEGA News Bits: Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice Launch Day Edition Revealed

After a lengthy delay, Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice for the Nintendo 3DS is on its way with a release date of September 27th in the Americas and a recently revealed launch edition. In this SEGA News Bits, George and Barry discuss the upcoming game, the delay, its E3 showing and the Launch Edition itself. As for the European release, no word yet on a Launch Edition, however the game will be releasing across the pond on September 30th. We’ll know ourselves how the game plays after this year’s E3 and the Sonic 25th Anniversary party.

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Sonic the Hedgehog heading to LEGO Dimensions

Back in May we reported the rumor, but now it is official. Sonic the Hedgehog is heading to LEGO Dimensions! Revealed in an E3 Expo Trailer for the game is a number of new franchises hitting the Lego toys-to-life multi-platform game, including Gremlins, Harry Potter, Adventure Time, The A-Team and others. At the moment, not much more is known. Sonic the Hedgehog could be a minor addition by way of a Fun Pack (figure and item) or a full-blown Level Pack (figure and items, plus levels) or a Team Pack (multiple figures and items). Sonic Stadium did spot the Tornado in a LEGO Dimensions graphic (seen after the break), so it is possible we will at least get a Fun Pack of Sonic and the Tornado.

More news as we hear it.

SEGA and Atlus’ Full E3 2016 Stage Schedule Revealed

SEGAATLUSThe full stage schedule for SEGA & Atlus’ stage shows has been revealed via RPG Site’s twitter account. SEGA and Atlus have multiple ‘special presentations’ at the event, what will be at the presentations? I guess we will find out soon enough since E3 2016 starts on June 14th!

This is SEGA/Atlus’ E3 2016 stage schedule:

Tuesday, June 14

  • 1:00 PM: Special presentation.
  • 2:00 PM: Yakuza 0 presentation with series creator Toshihiro Nagoshi.
  • 3:00 PM: Persona 5 character design talk with character designer Shigenori Soejima.
  • 4:00 PM: Special presentation.
  • 5:00 PM: The King of Fighters XIV pro exhibition matches.

Wednesday, June 15

  • 11:00 AM: Persona 5 exclusive E3 print autograph session with Shigenori Soejima.
  • 12:30 PM: Special presentation.
  • 2:00 PM: The King of Fighters XIV pro exhibition matches.
  • 3:00 PM: Yakuza 0 demo.
  • 4:30 PM: Special presentation.

Thursday, June 16

  • 11:00 AM: Persona 5 fan Q&A with Shigenori Soejima.
  • 12:00 PM: Special presentation.
  • 2:30 PM: The King of Fighters XIV pro exhibition matches.
  • 3:30 PM: Special presentation.

I’m assuming SEGA and Atlus will be live streaming their stage shows on their respective online streaming channels like Twitch. I mean, if they don’t then whats the point? What are your thoughts on SEGA and Atlus’ E3 2016 stage schedule? SEGA is back with stage shows, hyped?

SEGA bringing Zero Latency’s VR multiplayer game to Japan

It seems that SEGA of Japan is showing some interest in the world of Virtual Reality. SEGA Live Creation announced on Tuesday that it will be bringing Zero Latency (and its technology) to Japan. The VR system including software was built by a Melbourne-based company and features a free-roaming virtual world with built-in multiplayer.

So what is SEGA going to do with the game? Well from July 16th the game will have a permanent home in SEGA’s Joypolis in Tokyo. This isn’t just software as the team created its own VR headset that allows for players to roam huge warehouse sized areas, unlike something like HTC’s Vive that only does smaller rooms. SEGA seems rather impressed by the technology:

“When we first tried the Zero Latency experience we were blown away. We are only at the early stages of understanding what free-roam VR is capable of. It’s one of the most exciting technologies coming to market today.” – Kazuhiko Hayami of SEGA Live Creation

Zero Latency announced they are developing a shorter, more arcade-style version of their zombie shooter for SEGA’s Japanese launch. The team still has deals to bring the technology to USA, China, Europe, and Australia but isn’t ready to talk about that.

[Source: Mashable]

SEGA and Atlus E3 2016 line-up revealed

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SEGA has just issued a press release laying out just what attendees can expect to find at their E3 2016 booth, which as we’ve detailed before will be shared with Atlus. While the press release was issued by the London offices, the booth itself is being run by SEGA of America and Atlus USA, however there will be select titles that will also be making their way to Europe. First up is Relic Entertainment’s Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III, which is set to release in 2017 for Microsoft Windows PC. SEGA’s Yakuza 0, due out in 2017 for PS4 in the Americas and Europe, and Atlus’s Persona 5, due out in February 2017 in the Americas, will also be playable. Sonic will also have a presence with Sonic Boom: Fire and Ice for the Nintendo 3DS which is due out in the Americas and Europe in September 2016. And last but not least, 7th Dragon III Code: VFD for the Nintendo 3DS, which is due out in July 2016 in the Americas, will also be on display.

Jurgen Post, COO For SEGA Europe Ltd., called the lineup “one of the strongest line-ups we have had at E3 for quite a few years”, which is arguably true. Though given SEGA didn’t have a booth in 2015, and 2014 heavily featured the critical bomb that was Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric, it’s not hard too hard to declare 2016’s showing as a strong one comparatively. Personally, I think 2016’s E3 lineup is lacking that one big new title that 2014 had with Alien: Isolation. Yakuza 0 and 7th Dragon III Code: VFD are sure to be fun, but they are also titles that have already been released in Japan for some time. Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III and Persona 5 both look great, but I wouldn’t say Warhammer is game your average SEGA fan has been chomping at the bit for, and obviously the other is an Atlus title. Also of note, no signs of any Xbox One or Wii U games.

Still, it is great to see SEGA returning to E3 and we wish them a great show. Hopefully this is just a baby step after their massive restructuring and we have more reveals to come leading up to or after the event. Sonic fans and even SEGA themselves have been heavily teasing that the Sonic 25th Anniversary event in July is something to watch out for, so maybe the big new Sonic game will be revealed there amongst one thousand fans who will undoubtably spread the word via fan sites and social media rather than at a trade show.

SEGA News Bits: SEGA to Shut Down Sonic Runners

Sonic Runners has traversed a rocky road, after personally disappointing us in 2015 and ending up a financial failure in SEGA’s eyes. Now, SEGA Networks has confirmed that the game will be shutting down in late July. In this SEGA News Bits, Barry and George break down what they think caused Sonic Runners to be killed, if we can expect to ever play the game after its servers shut down and what lessons SEGA could learn from the game’s failures. It’s not all negative, as we also talk about what we liked about the game and give it a fitting eulogy.

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Wonder Boy III: The Dragon’s Trap remake revealed

2016 continues to be the year of retro revivals, as a remake of the SEGA Master System classic Wonder Boy III: The Dragon’s Trap has just been announced. Published by DotEmu and developed by Lizardcube and based on Westone Bit Entertainment’s original game, the Wonder Boy III: The Dragon’s Trap remake is said to be made with the blessing of LAT and the cooperation of series creator Ryuichi Nishizawa. The game seemingly has no connecting with Wonder Boy and the Cursed Kingdom, despite also being made in cooperation with Ryuichi Nishizawa.

Interestingly, no mention of SEGA is made anywhere on the remake’s site, despite SEGA seemingly owning Wonder Boy. However, it is noted on the game’s website that “with the help of Ryuichi Nishizawa (Westone), Shinji Fujiwara (LAT), and a relentless commitment of DotEmu to untangle a bunch of documents covered in pixellated dustwebs, we have licensed the IP to create this new version (a first since 1994).”

The game has an unknown release date, and platforms are listed as consoles and PC. Check out the trailer above, and after the break read the full press release and check out some screenshots and artwork. More news on the remake as we hear it!

Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice Launch Edition announced for the Americas

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SEGA is at it once again with their launch editions. In the past we’ve seen everything from stickers to lanyards to art books. Now, Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice for the Nintendo 3DS will have its own launch edition featuring a collector’s box and a special DVD featuring three episodes from the TV series for $39.99. The episodes include “Chili Dog Day Afternoon”, “It Wasn’t Me, It Was the One-Armed Hedgehog” which features Metal Sonic, and the season one finale “It Takes a Village to Defeat a Hedgehog” which sees the introduction of Shadow the Hedgehog. The launch edition is, so far, exclusive to the Americas. This will mark the Sonic Boom TV series’ DVD debut in North America, as the UK has been seeing volume releases of the series with “Sonic Boom Volume 2: Hedgehog Day” releasing this past week.

Also revealed, though speculated by us for some time now, is that Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice will be playable for the first time at E3 in the SEGA of America/Atlus USA booth. Meanwhile, SEGA Europe will showcase the PC side of things and other games in a meeting room at the Concourse Level at booth OFMR 8413. It’s confusing, we know.

After the break, read the full press release.

SEGA announces ‘Hatsune Miku Symphony’ full orchestra concert

20160530_101229SEGA has announced that they will be putting on the very first Hatsune Miku orchestra concert. They are calling the event ‘Hatsune Miku Symphony‘ and will be performed with Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra.

The Hatsune Miku Symphony will be performed at Chiyoda Ward of Tokyo on August 26, 2016. Hologram Hatsune Miku will be singing during the concert, of course.

Hatsune Miku Symphony tickets are set to cost 8,000 yen ($72 USD) for A-seats, 9,000 yen ($81 USD) for S-seats, and 14,800 ($126 USD) yen for ‘Special Seats’ that include limited edition goods. Tickets go on sale starting June 28th.

SEGA’s survey asks fans about possible Sonic crossover games

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[Art by Haysey84]

During SEGA’s survey, they had a interesting bit where they asked fans what Sonic crossover games people were interested in. Franchises/companies included: Adventure Time, My Little Pony, Pixar, Capcom, Looney Toons, Disney, Nintendo, and of course Dragon Ball Z. I think its safe to say that Sonic the Hedgehog fans will find all these franchises appealing one way or another.

Here is the screenshot of the question:
3070658-1I’m 100% OK with Sonic crossover games, as long as they are handled with more care than we have seen with their Sonic & Mario At the Olympic Games titles. Can we not make them some low budget mini games compilation? That would be great.

What franchises would you like to see Sonic the Hedgehog crossover with? Let us know in the comments below.

[Via: Gamespot]

Mobile game Sonic Runners to shut down on July 27th

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Sayonara, Sonic Runners. According to the Sonic Runners official site, the mobile experience from SEGA’s Sonic Team is coming to an end on July 27th, 2016. Released in late February last year, Sonic Runners made waves as being the first smart phone Sonic game to carry the Sonic Team label and seemingly be developed by members of Sonic Team themselves. Unfortunately, one year later it was revealed that SEGA Japan deemed the game a failure. While it was raking in over 30 million yen per month, it wasn’t enough to keep it afloat as SEGA has announced the game’s service will close on the aforementioned date of July 27th.

After this date, the game will no longer be playable at all as it relies on a mobile connection to the game’s servers to operate. There has been no word of an offline version being available. After the break, check out the full announcement.

Original Sonic Adventure Sega Dreamcast website returns thanks to a true blue fan

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Remember the days of logging on to the Internet using your Sega Dreamcast? Even when games didn’t tout online multi-player, more often than not you’d encounter a webpage option which allowed you to visit the game’s website through the in-game menu. Of course, as time passed many of the Dreamcast webpages have since gone offline, into disrepair, or were bought up by some porn site. Thankfully, fan and friend of TSSMB member JmTsHaW purchased the sonic-adventure.com domain and has (mostly) restored the Sonic Adventure’s original site in all its 640 pixel wide glory! Features include the Updates Archives, Community links including Chao Gardens, Hints and Support information. Very cool to see this piece of SEGA internet history back up and running. Check it out for yourself here, bonus points if you use the Dreamcast.

Madeon & SEGA collaborating on a “new Sonic game trailer”

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We have information that a new trailer is in the works and that licensed music will be used from Madeon, whether it’s for the new Sonic game constantly teased or something related to Sonic Boom Fire & Ice. Either way, the official Twitter for popular French musician Madeon and Sonic the Hedgehog accounts have talked about using Madeon’s music in a Sonic trailer. The exact context though is ambiguous, such as which song from Madeon or for what game.