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We Are Looking For New Writers

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SEGAbitsFlagWe have been operating SEGAbits for over six years now and have had a long history of talented writers come and go. Now we are looking for a few passionate and driven individuals that want to contribute to a website like ours. We want someone that is as passionate about SEGA and their games as we are, someone that wants to join a established website but also have input on the future of SEGAbits. Someone that can ad something new with their arrival and not just follow what we do. Want to hear more details? Hit the jump.

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Binary Domain, Streets of Rage 2 and Condemned free on Steam

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phase-2-unlockedA few days ago SEGA gave out Jet Set Radio, Hell Yeah! and Golden Axe for free as part of their Make War Not Love event. Now is time for phase 2, which means more free SEGA games for us! This time they are giving out the following:

  • Binary Domain 
  • Condemned: Criminal Origins
  • Streets of Rage 2

To get the games, visit this page, click “REDEEM PRIZE” enter your email address under the Previous Content banner. You’ll see the instructions “In order to redeem the prize bundle, please enter your email address below.” You will then receive an email asking to add you to a list for the free content. Please allow up to 24 hours for a unique Steam code containing this content to be sent to you.

We are even considering having a SEGAbits game day with Binary Domain, if people are interested in playing online (since its mostly dead now). Let us know what you think about that in the comments.

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DARIUSBURST Chronicle Saviours getting Fantasy Zone, Space Harrier and Galaxy Force II DLC

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DARIUSBURST Chronicle Saviours, the latest entry in Taito’s DARIUS series of side-scrolling shoot’em up games is getting some very SEGA-fied DLC. Taito is set to release SEGA themed DLC packs that span from Fantasy Zone, Space Harrier and all the way to Galaxy Force II. Above is the Fantasy Zone one, which includes Opa-Opa as a ship to drive, theme music and even coins drop from the enemies (and is used as currency for other weapons!). Very interesting way of including the franchise.

Even more interesting, SEGA’s Hiroshi Kawaguchi is a guest composer on the game who wrote a few new remixes being used on the Space Harrier DLC. New Hiro remixes of his old tracks? Yes, please! DARIUSBURST Chronicle Saviours is out now on PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4 and PC.

If you want to see gameplay of the Space Harrier and Galaxy Force II DLC, hit the jump

[EDIT: Looks like the Japanese news site Game Watch put the previews in private. We will update the article when they release said videos]

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SEGA in the Charts: Media Create Feb 08 – Feb 14, 2016

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This week saw two major releases from SEGA hitting the Japanese charts in the form of Atlus’ Shin Megami Tensei IV: Final and Valkyria Chronicles Remastered. With no major competition this week and with Yakuza: Kiwami still fresh in the charts, SEGA had a real chance of being the top publisher in the top 20 this week with the closet rival being Square and their Dragon Quest Builders title. Hit the jump after to read how the sequel to Shin Megami Tensei IV did and if SEGA managed to take the top spot in publisher marketshare.

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7th Dragon III Code: VFD’s English trailer reminds us to destroy all dragons

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SEGA has released the first English trailer for its upcoming 7th Dragon III Code: VFD RPG. The game will have your characters taking on destructive dragons in the past, present and future. Yep, 7th Dragon III Code: VFD will have time traveling as part of the game’s progression.

While seeing this being the first entry into the 7th Dragon franchise might scare you, rest assured that this game is its own self contained story. 7th Dragon III Code: VFD is set to hit Nintendo 3DS this summer in America, nothing announced for Europe as of right now.

 

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Jet Set Radio, Hell Yeah! and Golden Axe are free on Steam

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MakeLoveNotWarBundle1SEGA is giving away free PC games as part of their Make War Not Love event this year, which has been running for three consecutive years. SEGA promised PC gamers that the more they play, they more they win and they weren’t kidding. The following SEGA games are free to download (and own) on Steam:

  • Jet Set Radio
  • Hell Year! Wrath of the Dead Rabbit
  • Hell Yeah! Virtual Rabbit Missions (DLC)
  • Hell Yeah! Pimp My Rabbit Pack (DLC)
  • Golden Axe (SEGA Classic)

Download the bundle here. Outside of this, SEGA has also discounted Dawn of War, Company of Heroes and Total War games up to 75% off. According to the site tomorrow we will be unlocking Binary Domain, Alpha Protocol, Condemned: Criminal Origins, and Streets of Rage 2 for free. Even if you don’t have a gaming PC, its worth making a Steam account and adding these to your list. They are free after all.

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SEGA’s Monster Gear gets an English soft launch in the Philippines

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01-monster-gear-2.jpgSEGA’s Monster Gear  was one of the biggest mobile games to hit Japan last year, now SEGA is getting the game ready for an English audience. Like most mobile games, this title will have a soft launch; so if you live in the Philippines you can download the game now via the PlayStore.

[edit: We where asked to take down the APK file and complied, call us sell outs in the comments. Thanks] So far the game has some 1 star reviews stating that it isn’t very user friendly, maybe something that SEGA can tweak before its official Western launch.

Find out more about the game, hit the jump!

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Yakuza Kiwami’s Valentine’s Day Promo Event

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Yakuza Kiwami came out at the end of last month, that doesn’t mean SEGA of Japan is done promoting. Above is a promotional event SEGA did with PlayStation to promote the game on Valentine’s Day. What it seems like to me is that the people had to walk a sort of red carpet as grown men dressed up like Yakuza bow as they walked. A scene that is straight out of Yakuza Kiwami. Their prize? I would assume a copy of the game.

So far Yakuza Kiwami hasn’t gotten a release date outside of Japan, where its available for both PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4. Yakuza Kiwami  has moved over 200,000 units in its first two weeks on sale, so the game seems to be doing fine.

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Heroki is now available for Apple TV – owners of the mobile iOS app can download for free!

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SEGA and Picomy Games’ Heroki, which released to iOS last year and was among the App Store’s ‘Best of 2015’ collection, is now available for Apple TV. I guess this sort of makes it a home console game? Whatever you classify Apple TV as, it is Heroki on your home television! The game, which is classed as action-adventure and features a propellor-headed protagonist, is compatible with many Apple TV hand-held controllers as well as the default Siri remote. New elements include additional checkpoints, and improved controls and camera.

Those who already purchased Heroki need not worry, as the Apple TV download is free. If you haven’t picked it up yet, the game is a cool $4.99.

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SEGA News Bits: SEGA Considers Sonic Runners a failure – reaction and analysis

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SEGA’s mobile gaming division, SEGA Networks, recently released a report looking back on their success and failures and surprisingly Sonic Runners has been deemed a failure! The main reason is, of course, money. SEGA says over 30 million yen a month is simply not enough to be a success. In this SEGA News Bits, Barry and George discuss why the game likely did not catch on with consumers and suggest what SEGA could do to fix the game. Or, it may just be too little too late.

So click play and hear our thoughts, and if you want more Sonic Runners analysis make sure to watch our Most Disappointing SEGA Games of 2015 video. If you like what you saw don’t forget to like, share and subscribe. Thanks for the support. In the comments, share your thoughts on the game’s failure and what could be done to improve things.

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SEGA 3D Classics Collection to include cool SEGA decals for your Nintendo 3DS

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When SEGA of America announced the SEGA 3D Classics Collection for the Nintendo 3DS, we lamented that it didn’t include a cool pack-in like a poster. While it’s not a poster, today SEGA has announced that every physical launch edition of the game will include a sweet silver decal sticker sheet featuring classic SEGA logos and images to use to decorate your 3DS (or anything else). Knowing my collector’s mentality, I’ll never use the stickers and just stare longingly at them.

After the break, read SEGA’s full breakdown of the decals and don’t forget to pre-order SEGA 3D Classics Collection which releases in stores and digitally exclusively in the Americas for $29.99/CA$44.99 on April 26, 2016.

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Sonic the Hedgehog Movie To Release In 2018

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real_life_eggman_by_sonicblaster59.jpg[Photo by: sonicblaster59]

SEGA-Sammy Holdings’ CEO Hajime Satomi sat down with The Wordlfolio for a interview discussing many things including the latest restructures and entertainment resorts. But he did let slip that Sony Pictures’ Sonic the Hedgehog movie would be coming in 2018. Could he be mistaken? Doesn’t sound like it, this is what he said about the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog film:

“Sega Sammy Group is currently planning with Sony Pictures to create a live-action and animation hybrid “Sonic the Hedgehog” movie scheduled for release in 2018. Like with this CG animation production, we would like to expand our business into other entertainment areas beyond what we are currently involved.” – Hajime Satomi, CEO of SEGA-Sammy Holdings

They did ask about rebuilding SEGA’s brand image and he slightly touched on it but basically didn’t give any new information . Why? It’s his son, Haruki Satomi, that is the CEO of SEGA Games which is trying to repair SEGA’s brand image. One of the ways is obviously reaching a new audience through new mediums, hint why Sony Pictures’ Sonic the Hedgehog movie is important aspect to the future of SEGA’s brand.

As for Sony’s Sonic the Hedgehog movie, is 2018 too long of a wait?

[Via: Sonic Stadium]

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Valkyria: Azure Revolution Battle Demo Gameplay

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Valkyria Chronicles Remaster in Japan came with a Valkyria: Azure Revolution battle demo (first print copies), now that some people have gotten their hands on it we can finally see some gameplay. Valkyria: Azure Revolution will drop the turn based strategy formula in hopes of a more real time, action based approach.

Valkyria: Azure Revolution looks really nice though, still using that canvas engine look but I do think some of the characters movements look a bit stiff. Tell us what you think of SEGA’s new approach with this title. Valkyria: Azure Revolution comes out in Japan on this Winter, only on PlayStation 4. No Western localization has been announced (yet).

[Via Gematsu]

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Yakuza: Kiwami has sold over 200k units in two weeks

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YakuzaKiwami-2.jpgNew Media Create sales show that Yakuza: Kiwami has sold over 200,000 units, in (less) than two weeks. The newest chart shows sales ending in January 31st, placing the game at number six (PS4) and eight (PS3) place. Its a slight drop off from number one and two spots it took on its debut week. Sure the game didn’t move as many copies as a brand new Yakuza entry, but Yakuza: Kiwami is a remake of Yakuza 1 and 200,000 units at full price is pretty good for a Japanese title. This is obviously counting both Playstation 3 and Playstation 4 platforms.

This is a big step up from how Yakuza 1&2 HD Edition performed back in 2012, which did under 100,000 units in its first two weeks on both PlayStation 3 and Wii U.  While these sales are only for Japan, we already know that other Asian markets have gotten a shipment of an additional 200,000 copies but don’t know how many where sold to consumers. This is also the first time for the franchise that a PlayStation 4 version sold better than on PlayStation 3.

To check how it ranks up on its debut week with all the other Yakuza games, hit the jump.

[Source: NeoGAF]

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SEGA considers Sonic Runners a failure

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SonicRunnersFailureSEGA Networks has now put up a list on how their mobile games are doing including which ones have became big hits and which games are considered failures. Sonic Runners is down at the bottom, now considered a failure by the publisher.

According to SEGA, the game has been making less than 30 million yen (about $260k USD) per month while brand new IPs like Masayoshi Kikuchi‘s (Jet Set Radio creator) Sen No Kaizoku  (War Pirates: Heroes of the Sea) has become a big hit. All signs point to Sonic Runners being a big flop, and with negative fan feedback it might be too late to get consumers interested again even if SEGA changes the game.

Check out the breakdown on all the games after the break.

[Source: SEGA-Sammy]

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