Nagoshi hopes his Yakuza studio is the next AM2

[Logo for  Ryu ga Gotoku Studio]

We grew up as SEGA fans, so when we hear AM2 a rush of games pop into our head, most of them damn amazing. Its hard not to love AM2 when they release such quality software like Virtua Fighter series, Outrun, Shenmue, and many more classics.

Nagoshi was asked in the panel if he wanted his team,  Ryu ga Gotoku Studio, to be a landmark team the same way AM2 was for SEGA. Nagoshi says he hopes it happens and he also wants people to see them as a studio that brings out quality games.

As for Nagoshi leaving SEGA, it isn’t true.  Ryu ga Gotoku Studio actually works in the SEGA building. So false.
[Source: AndriaSang]

Yakuza 5 engine is going to get a major overhaul


Hey, I love Yakuza games. They are great, but they seem to be getting too “samey” with their (usually) early releases. Seems that Nagoshi knows this, so he is proposing major changes coming to Yakuza 5. Nagoshi says play style and technology will get a overhaul in the next version of the game, the way the drama and story plays out, not so much.

The other thing he said that was changing was the game’s “setting”. Now this does not mean the location, but how the game is design. They will take a different approach. They said they could have kept the same design from past Yakuza titles and get it out there fast, but they are not doing that. Means we will have to wait longer for the title.

Nothing much was said about Yakuza 5, seems that we will have to wait for Tokyo Game Show to get more information.

[Source: AndriaSang]

SEGA announces Brick People for iOS

The Brick People arcade game is being ported to iOS devices! . That means iPhones, iPad and iPod Touch.

  • Tactile Gameplay: Build towers and bridges for the Brick People by pulling bricks from the stack and dropping them into place, using the iOS’ multi-touch interface
  • Build with a Buddy: Compete head-to-head via Wi-Fi to out-build your friends, or compete on a single device in the iPad version
  • See How You Stack Up: Build your Brick People reputation by going for high scores on the Game Center leaderboards, and tweet your tallest towers

The game is set to be released this Autumn. So get your iDevices ready! Now if only they would announce this for Android!

[Source: SEGA.Blog]

First Black Panther 2 screens and artwork hits the web

SEGA and Nagoshi held their press event today, confirming everything that Famitsu spoiled was true. That means that SEGA now has a studio just for Yakuza games called Ryu ga Gotoku Studio (Like a Dragon Studio).

The new team has all the main players from the Yakuza franchise. This includes Toshihiro Nagoshi, Masayoshi Kikuchi, Daisuke Sato, Yojiro Ogawa, and Masayoshi Yokoyama.

The new Black Panther game is a direct sequel to the first game, you will play as the same young lead. Not only that, you will have 3 new characters to play as, much like Yakuza 4’s set up. The game is also looking impressive for a PSP title.

PS3 exclusive House of the Dead: Overkill – Extended Edition level revealed


[Yes, its called “Creeping Flesh”]

The first exclusive level had you playing as Varla and Candy, this second level does too. This time you find yourself in a local slaughter house.

The slaughter house will feature new mutants with extra flesh on them, thus they will be able to take more gunfire. Not to mention the whole slaughterhouse seems to be made up of flesh, so its looks like a meat wall. Carnivore delight.

SEGA does give us a tease at the boss, known as Meat Katie, a cleaver wielding cow stuck in a meat factory. SEGA teases that you will need a lot of good reflexes, steady aim, and perseverance, to beat this melee wielding super cow.

SEGA have also confirmed that the title is a ‘exclusive’ Playstation Move title. Meaning you will need Playstation Move to play it, unless its a mistake. The game hits store shelves in North America on October 25, 2011.

Guardian Heroes NOT Available Tomorrow….@#$%!!!!

That’s right! According to Major Nelson, the XBLA HD version of Guardian Heroes drops tomorrow (that’s Wednesday 8/31) at the low price of 800points! ($10 USD) Considering how much a Saturn copy goes for on E-Bay, that’s a steal! Now it’s time for me, George, Aki, Sharky and the rest to fight over who gets to review it.

UPDATE: Major Nelson messed up. It’s not coming out today. Sorry. (:-(

Big announcement from Nagoshi incoming?

Toshihiro Nagoshi certainly seems to be busy these days. He’s currently hard at work on his new IP, Binary Domain, which is set to launch in early 2012. But that’s not all; Andriasang’s reporting that Nagoshi will be making a big announcement on August 31st during a press conference, which you’ll apparently be able to view here…somewhere. Stay tuned.

[Source: Andriasang]

Sonic the Hedgehog gets 20th anniversary shirts in Japan

SEGA Japan is releasing a couple of Sonic 20th Anniversary shirts, they are both pictured above. The one on the left, with the image of Green Hill Zone from Sonic Generations, will cost you 6,300 yen ($82 USD). Yeah, swagger money.

If you like the more simple type design on the right, it will run you 3,045 yen ($40 USD). If you have the cash to pay for them, more power to you.

[Source: Sonic Stadium]

Valkyria Chronicles 3: Extra Edition looking more likely

As we recently reported, rumors are swirling about a Valkyria Chronicles-related announcement at the upcoming TGS due to a small tease on SEGA’s website. Well, from the looks of it, the secret may have been spoiled a little early. Japanese retailer Game Star has listed a Valkyria Chronicles: Extra Edition for a November 23rd release date, making it look incredibly likely that a budget-priced Valkyria Chronicles 3 is indeed on the way to Japanese PSPs.

While Western gamers may gain some hope from the idea that SEGA is not yet done with Valkyria Chronicles 3, no North American or European release has thusfar been announced for the title. Time will tell if that remains true for Extra Edition.

[Source: Andriasang]

Update: It is now being reported that SEGA will be re-releasing….the re-release of Valkyria Chronicles 2 as well, now for an even lower price of 1,890 yen. According to the same retailer, both these low-priced versions will be released on November 23rd.

Binary Domain screens shows allies and enemies

The latest batch of Binary Domain images have been released and they show a group of enemy types as well as some of the characters the player will get to meet in the game. One in particular that stands out is a NPC that will become part of your team, a French military robot known as Cain who sports stylish fashion wear for a combat machine. Along with Cain, the images show what I would presume is the chief antagonist Amada, the man responsible for the outbreak of the “Hollow Childs” and other characters that you will meet, such as a teenage Japanese girl and a police officer who was seen in the story trailer SEGA released some time ago now. The enemy types range from heavy gunners and snipers to the giant robot spider boss that has been seen before. The underground locals of Japan are also shown. Hit the jump after the break for a wealth of Binary Domain screenshots.

Sonic CD skips Nintendo platforms due to size limit

It’s weird seeing Sonic CD announced for a ton of platforms, even one that always gets left out like Android, but not Wiiware. Why is that you ask? It seems that Nintendo has a strict 40mb size limit on files and to port the cd quality sound from Sonic CD, it would have exceed that. Since Nintendo won’t budge, no Sonic CD for Nintendo fans.

Is it just me or is it weird that SEGA has standards for their ports? I mean, if you have seen how they usually treat their Genesis ports, one would think they are just in it for the quick cash.

[Via: Sonic Stadium]

Rise of Nightmares: Undead Spokesman trailer scares casuals

[“Chainsaw! Keep it gangster you two”]

SEGA’s Pax 2011 trailer for Rise of Nightmares takes the comedy route once again, this time mocking the casual gamer just a bit.

SEGA is really planning on trying to show Kinect audiences that this is a different game. Will they be interested? We shall see.

SEGA teases upcoming Valkyria Chronicles news


We are slowly heading into next month, which will be the month SEGA Japan shows off titles at the Tokyo Game Show… now all of a sudden they are teasing news on their site? Shocking? This time last year they started teasing Valkyria Chronicles 3 for the PSP. What do you think it is this time?

There is one small issue, the site says its a ‘small update’. This probably wouldn’t be a new game. Maybe an art book? How about Valkyria Chronicles 3 extended for Vita? Yeah, that would rock.

[Source: Andriasang]