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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.

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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.

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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.

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Valkyria: Azure Revolution to focus less on action and more on strategy due to demo feedback

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Valkyria: Azure Revolution, a spin-off from SEGA’s Valkyria Chronicles franchise, saw a demo released in Japan alongside the retail release of Valkyria Chronicles Remastered for PS4 in early February. While Valkyria Chronicles Remastered was met with positive reactions, reactions to the demo of Valkyria: Azure Revolution were mixed to say the least. According to Siliconera, via Hachima, developer Media.Vision received three times the amount of player feedback than expected and plenty of it was harsh. Based on what they heard, the developer has since reworked the battle system, which was more action oriented in the demo, to be more RPG-like in the final game.

Added is a new action gauge for both sides of combat which will allow players to strategize. The new system will allow actions to be done once the gauge fills, and players will be able to stop time while using weapons and abilities – much like a traditional RPG. The game’s director, Takeshi Ozawa, believed that since this is a Valkyria title, a more strategic battle system was required. It’s great that Media.Vision is taking the feedback to heart, but it is kind of odd that it took them this long to realize that a Valkyria Chronicles game functions best when the combat has strategy involved. Makes me wonder if this early demo was a test to see if a action Valkyria game would fly with fans.

The next demo for the game should be available this summer.

[Via: Siliconera]

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Etrian Odyssey V’s Japanese box art looks great

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Etrian Odyssey V: End of the Long Myth has just gotten it’s official Japanese box art revealed online, which you can see above. The cover is being illustrated by long time series artist Yuji Himukai. Etrian Odyssey V, along with the other games in the series, always had a distinct art style and its wonderful to see it embraced on this box art.

Etrian Odyssey V hits Japan on August 4th, no Western release dates have been set for a Western release.

[via: NicheGamer]

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D4 and EGG Project release new Madou Monogatari collection

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After the success of the first collection with Madou Monogatari 1-2-3 and Madou Monogatari ARS, a new compilation has been released for Windows in Japan regarding to the Madou Monogatari series called Madou Monogatari yu~ Kyoku Taizen-Tsu MD & DS by companies D4 and EGG Project. In this collection contains the Mega Drive version of Madou Monogatari I and varies DiscStation titles, along with the original cover from the Mega Drive Madou Monogatari I and an OST. In addition, the first collection that contains Madou Monogatari 1-2-3 and Madou Monogatari ARS is receiving a reprint until September 2016.

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Space Harrier model kits featuring hero “The Harrier” and enemy IDA announced

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2016 is the year of awesome retro SEGA model kits! Between the 1/12 scale Astro City arcade machine and the classic polygon model Virtua Fighter figures, we thought nothing could impress us more. But get ready for yet another cool SEGA model, as Space Harrier models of the hero “the Harrier” and the iconic floating rock head Ida enemy will be available this July. The figures will be 1/12 scale and will be sold separately, with pre-orders running through June 25th. “The Harrier” hero model kit can be pre-ordered for ¥10,584 ($95) and comes (get) ready to assemble. Harrier will also come with two bonuses: a mini version of the character that is to scale with the Ida model kit, and an alternate hair sculpt that matches the game’s arcade poster. The IDA enemy model kit can be pre-ordered for ¥9,720 ($87) and comes in four (get) ready to assemble pieces. Oddly, the top of the head comes off revealing a “GET READY!” graphic and allows you to put whatever you want inside (pencils, other figures, carrot sticks, whatever). You only get one IDA, so if you want to replicate the game you’ll have to buy multiples.

Both are very cool looking, though buying the two will set you back around $200 with shipping. Far more expensive than Wave’s $22 Astro City model kit and FREEing’s $32/each Virtua Fighter figures. Still… it’s not often that you get cool Space Harrier model kits! Are you planning on pre-ordering this? Sound off in the comments below!

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Hatsune Miku getting her own limited edition PlayStation 4 bundle

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HSMIKUPS4If you are a big fan of the Hatsune Miku video game series, then you will probably be excited to know that its getting its own limited PlayStation 4 pack. Bad part? Only in Japan thus far.

According to the product page there will be a choice of 500GB and 1TB models along with a Glacier White and Jet Black color choices.  More details below:

500 GB Jet Black/Glacier White Models

  • With one PS4 HDD Bay Cover: 37,480 plus tax
  • With two PS4 HDD Bay Covers: 38,980 plus tax
  • With three PS4 HDD Bay Covers: 40,480 plus tax

1TB Jet Black Model

  • With one PS4 HDD Bay Cover: 42,480 yen plus tax
  • With two PS4 HDD Bay Covers: 43,980 yen plus tax
  • With three PS4 HDD Bay Covers: 45,480 yen plus tax

Depending on how many HDD Bay Covers you want, this can cost you up to $413ish dollars (For the PS4 1TB with 3 HDD covers). That isn’t that bad considering its a limited edition product. Check out the photos:

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M2 wants to release Alien Syndrome as a ‘SEGA 3D Classic’

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aliensyndrome-wallpaperIn the latest M2 interview with Yosuke Okunari, Kagasei Shimomura and Naoki Horii, which is posted over at the SEGA blog, the team talks about testing the 3D features with games like Alien Syndrome on the Nintendo 3DS.

KS: So rewinding a little bit, before we settled on Power Drift, we had a couple of titles to choose from for this. We talked about Alien Syndrome, Golden Axe, Turbo Out Run, and even Columns.

NH: (looks at the lineup list) These are pretty bold choices.
– I’d like to see Alien Syndrome someday. Stereoscopic 3D would be really effective in that game.

NH: Oh that game is amazing. We did a little test on it to see how it would turn out and it was great. Although, doing every single stage would be quite an effort.

You can read the full interview here. Its a great interview, they talk about the hardships they encountered while trying to bring Power Drift and Puyo Puyo 2 to the 3DS. You know what we say, more SEGA 3D Classics, the better.

[Via: NintendoLife]

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SEGA Europe “treating ATLUS as an independent label”

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In the most recent SEGA Central, Dan Sheridan confirmed during the #AskSEGA portion of the show, that SEGA Europe would not be in charge of bringing ATLUS titles to Europe. “SEGA very much treats Atlus as an independent label, and as a result it’s up to Atlus to choose who they partner with to release their titles.”, he said, continuing with “We’re all big fans of Atlus games here in SEGA Central, and we’re looking forward to hearing more news on Atlus European releases shortly.”

For fans of ATLUS titles in Europe, the news does not bode well in the slightest. The developer is infamous for having heavily delayed releases in Europe, as well as just plain not releasing some games there. The hope was that the SEGA acquisition would ensure all their titles make it there, but with the closure of the deal with NiS America and this statement, the future of ATLUS in Europe looks heavily uncertain.

In related news, Sheridan also confirmed there were no plans to bring 7th Dragon III Code to Europe, but they are “looking to see if it’s something [they] can make happen.”

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7th Dragon III Code: VFD in-game bonuses and DLC revealed

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7th Dragon III Code: VFD hits the Americas July 12th, and accompanying this Nintendo 3DS release is a slew of in-game bonus content and DLC. The Nagamimi doll, pictured above, is a free in-game bonus item that will be available at launch. The item promises unique voice interactions between it and the character you created. The game touts an impressive 40 voice actors to choose from for your in-game player, so there are sure to be a number of conversations to be had with this thing.

Also revealed are seven DLC quests that will help players along with XP and money boosts, unlockable characters or post-game boss rush challenges. After the break, check out the full DLC breakdown as well as prices.

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The SEGA Manager family grows with Motorsport Manager, releasing to PC, Mac and Linux in 2016

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Yesterday we reported that SEGA and Playsport Games had an announcement incoming, and now we have all the details. Motorsport Manager, which was a hit on mobile devices, is seeing a new game in the franchise releasing to PC, Mac and Linux internationally in September 2016. While the game is only being published by SEGA, it appears that they are marketing it as another one of their Manager titles, as the tradition of faceless male mascots continues with Motorsport Manager. The game is described as a highly detailed, best-in-class racing management game in which players hire the drivers, build the cars and embed themselves in the dynamic world of motor racing.

Cnet had a hands on with the game and shared their impressions, which you can check out here. The game also has a Steam page, which you can check out here. Once we have more details, including pricing and an exact release date, we’ll be sure to share.

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SEGA and Motorsport Manager teasing reveal for tomorrow

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Back in October it was announced that SEGA Europe and Motorsport Manager developer Playsport Games formed a publishing partnership. For those not in the know, including myself up until 15 minutes from writing this, Motorsport Manager is a number one paid-for game on the iOS App Store and Google Play Store and features realistic motor-racing management with the ability to create your own racing team, hire drivers, sign engineers, develop your car and invest in technology. The game has received high praise from several mobile game sites, so clearly SEGA was drawn to the company after seeing the quality of their product.

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7th Dragon III Code: VFD Battle System Trailer

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SEGA of America have released a new trailer for their upcoming 3DS JRPG, 7th Dragon III Code: VFD. This is actually first 7th Dragon game to make it West. This 7th Dragon III Code: VFD trailer is focused on the game’s battle system which is pretty interesting and unique in its own way. Believe me, I have been playing the game recently and this isn’t one of those ‘auto attack’ (maybe if you grind a lot) JRPGs that I have grown to hate.

7th Dragon III Code: VFD hits North American store shelves on July 12th only on Nintendo 3DS. If you want SEGA to localize more Japanese games, I suggest looking into this title.

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