CVG is running a article where they ask game producers for their secrets on how they create the types of games they do. Well, one of these producers asked a question was our favorite Takashi Iizuka, he shares his secrets on creating a 2D platformer like Sonic 4.
“I think there are various kinds of 2D platformer and each one of them focuses on different game elements. In the case of Sonic games, I put a premium on the game tempo of the stage.
SEGA’s Total War franchise is highly successful, will you need to buy new hardware for the next title? Most PC gamers won’t, but I will probably need to get at least a new graphics card. I’m a noob and use ‘on board’ graphics still. Don’t laugh!
Minimum Specs (Required for playing Total War: Shogun 2):
Recommended Specs (Recommended for optimum game play of Total War: Shogun 2):
The game is hitting stores & Steam on March 15th. If you like head slicing Samurai and shadow lurking ninjas, this game is for you.
[Source: SEGAPR]
Seems that the Yakuza development team is showing some Shenmue love by giving players the ability to drive a forklift in the zombie filled city in their upcoming Playstation 3 exclusive.
The forklift was listed in the latest Famitsu magazine, which listed a bunch of other vehicles a player could use. This included tanks, armored cars and bulldozers. So maybe a forklift is the least badass of the vehicles announced.
It has also been confirmed that crazy Goro Majima will be able to use a flame thrower, chainsaw and rail gun. Each character will have their own unique weapons.
[Source: Siliconera]
UK’s Official Nintendo Magazine has put up a preview for Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2. The preview was posted over in the Sonic Stadium forums, no scans as of right now. They did say that one of’ Sonic’s old side kicks will come back, most likely being Tails. But they also said this:
“Other than that, we’d expect more of the same from Episode II. More loops, more speed, more proper old-school Sonic physics and more awesome fake Mega Drive music complete with rubbish drum samples. Just the way we like it.”
Hard for me to take a magazine seriously that thought the first game had ‘proper old-school Sonic physics’. It didn’t. Unless they meant this new one had ‘more proper’ old-school physics, but I doubt that. Word for word preview after the jump.
[Via: TSSZnews]
Hardcore SEGA fans with a 360 rejoice, you can import the Virtual-On Force if you really want to, since it has just been confirmed that it is region free, not only that it comes in English.
Play-Asia has the import friendly games, even a cheaper Asia version if you don’t want to shell out a ton of money for the Japanese edition. SEGA West has not announced a release over here and I doubt we will get one.
[Source: Siliconera]
[Pictured: SEGA Studios Australia’s Kim Sellentin]
GameSauce recently had a behind the scenes look at SEGA’s Kim Sellentin’s job over at SEGA Studios Australia, where she produces titles. I always thought the only studio SEGA had in Australia was Creative Assembly branch that did Stormrise. Regardless, in the new article it confirmed that the team is doing a multiplatform sports title.
This means it will be on consoles, unless they mean ‘Mac & PC’ as multiplatform. We will have to see what sport they take on, just hope it isn’t something like Kinect Sports or something.
[Source: GameSauce]
Pier Solar started off life in 2004 in an internet forum, flash forward to now and its a full fledge game. In the game you play as Hoston, a young botanist who has to save his father from a illness. The game uses 64 meg cart, if you didn’t know, that is some intense power and is the biggest Genesis cart ever.
You can order the game via its official website.
The game has already gone into re-print due to overwhelming fan demand. It looks pretty good and I might order a copy for myself soon. As for screenshots, hit the jump.
Sega owned and UK based developers Sports Interactive has something to be very proud of today. SI Director Mikes Jacobson has been appointed an OBE for services to the computer games industry in the New Year Honours list.
The OBE also known as ‘Order of the British Empire’ is a long running award given to recognize people who have done great things for their country. The ‘Most Excellent Order of the British Empire’ is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of which an OBE is one of the five awards you can achieve.
SI co-founder Oliver Collyer paid tribute to Jacobson on the Football Manager Forums.
Hit the jump to read on.
Video courtesy of The Dreamcast Junkyard
Earlier this week, the staff were discussing what possible Dreamcast news we could share this weekend. With the inclusion of retro writers we’ve tried to bring you new Dreamcast news every weekend, though our last 2 DC posts have really been about price drops and free games. For those who wanted more than just discounted offers should know it has been a very tough year for Sega’s Dream Machine, especially compared to previous years. Last year we had 3 original DC releases (IRiDES, DUX, & R4) and this year NG:Dev.Team were kind enough to port their latest Neo-Geo title. Without it this would’ve been the system’s first year without a new game, so let’s all be thankful to them.
This week our initial plan was to showcase an interesting peripheral from Dream Past (word play :P) that many of our readers may have missed out on. We’ll be showcasing that mystery peripheral next week, as this week we have something better: GagaMan of DCJY (and SGNW affiliate) takes us InsideOut: Fast Striker.
Video after the jump
Ladies and Gentlemen… Na, who am I kidding, Gentlemen and Gentlemen! The time is almost upon us!
In a matter of hours it will be 2011, and with 2011 comes not one anniversary of great importance amongst Sega fans everywhere but two! Yes, both Sonic the Hedgehog and Puyo Pop turn 20 this year! To celebrate, on the stroke of midnight, (Japanese time) Sega has already began the hype.
Sega have released a press statement suggesting that they have a number of projects lined up for both the Sonic the Hedgehog and Puyo Pop franchises in 2011. They weren’t specific on what these ‘projects’ entail but I suspect they will hold events as well as release celebratory games.
You can visit the Sonic anniversary site HERE.
If the next Sonic game is as good if not better then Sonic Colours and we get another great Puyo Pop game, Yakuza 4 and Yakuza of the End, Valkryia Chronicles 3, Bayonetta 2, Shogun 2, Creative Assembly’s new action game and of course Phantasy Star Online 2… Well shit, 2011 is going to be a sweet year for us Sega fans!
So happy new year from Segabits, have a good one and I’ll see you next year folks! I’m off to get wasted!
4Gamer talked to Japanese developers, asked them all the following questions:
Two of the producers from SEGA & two people from Platinum Games happen to be on the list of Japanese developers to answer the questions. Hit the jump to find out their responses.
You thought that the Resonance of Fate game was the last you’d hear of the franchise? Doesn’t seem this way, the game is still having releases, at least a ‘comic’ version of it. Famitsu will have the comic called ‘End of Eternity: The Secret Hours”. End of Eternity is the Japanese name of the game.
The comic is set to have a orginal story, will feature Leanne, Zephyr and Vashyron investigating a mysterious and private military firm. This will set up promotion for the ‘budget’ version of the game, which is set to release in Japan this January.
As for a sequel, it is unknown at this point, but when the game was first announced, SEGA wanted to make it into a franchise. But then again, they said the same thing about Shenmue…
[Source: Siliconera]
Specifically the Wii version, who they confirmed will be developed by Red Fly (Mushroom Men developers). The game will have a unique story and gameplay on the Wii, also being said is that the game will be more about Thor’s hammer (Mjöllnir) than Thor himself.
“In fact, it’s almost more about the hammer than it is about Thor” – Chad Barron, Producer
You will be able to customize Thor’s hammer as you progress through the game, three of the powers you will get in the game are: Storm, Valor and Might. The development team has stated they played around with 10 different control schemes. In the end they decided that too much motion is tiring in action games, so buttons will do regular attacks and motion controls will be used for over the top moves.
The game will feature some of the biggest enemies from Thor’s history, one example enemy given was Surtur. You will be able to unlock Thor costumes by progressing in the game.
Good news, the DS version is being developed by WayForward (A Boy and his Blob and Shantae: Risky’s Revenge).
[Source: NintendoEverything]
SEGA’s online sales have finally hit Xbox Live, folks! Today the SEGA blogs have a announced a one day only sale of all SEGA software available on the service, including the excellent little gem I have pictured at the top of this post. If you haven’t bought these titles by now, now’s the time!
Posted after the break is the list of titles, as well as a Buy Now link.
First4Figures will be releasing two versions of their Metal Sonic figure, one will be the exclusive edition that lights up, is limited to 300 units and costs $174.99. The second will be called the Standard version which comes at $154.99, still expensive.
The statue is only available in US and Canada, not that I think many of you would be pre-ordering it. But I like giving you guys a heads up on stuff, so you guys are well informed.
Head over to Sonic Stadium to check out the full gallery of images. Hit the jump for the press release.