SEGA News

Updated: SEGA employee takes to Reddit, says SEGA’s money funded the Borderlands franchise

by

Randy_Pitchford_Gearbox_Software

EDIT: Aki-at has corrected us, the employee on reddit worked at SEGA, not Gearbox. Though what he says sounds about the same as the Gearbox employee that took to Reddit a few days ago. 

We had a post a few days ago about a Gearbox Worker spilling his guts on the development of Aliens: Colonial Marines. Now we have another one and this time, he is verified. Meaning he sent proper verification that he works at Gearbox Software to the moderators. So what did he say that was interesting?

“Gearbox didnt care about the game, they spent the money from acm on the borderlands games. Look at the release of borderlands and when aliens was anounced, they had the other companies like timegate do the work. When they got the game back timegate had done a terrible job. When it came into sega it was shit basicaly. Gearbox only cared about fixing ‘progression blockers’ (things that stop a player from getting through a level) or crashes” – soetester

The first and easiest is that all that money SEGA pumped through them was actually used to develop Borderlands. Do I see a lawsuit coming? Well, I think something happen since if you go to the Reddit page, his account was deleted. No worries, screenshot of his answers after the break.

Continue Reading ➜

34 Comments

SEGA’s Code of Joker gameplay footage recorded at JAEPO 2013

by


There was a lot of excitement about Code of Joker when little was known. Many users wanted it to be a new console game that would come out in the west. In the end it turned out to be a digital card arcade game that will probably only come out in Japan. Doesn’t mean we can’t see what it plays like. SEGA showed off the game at JAEPO 2013, here is someone playing it at the event.

I know that SEGA has done other digital card arcade games and they have done well, I just don’t know why they always have to change the IP every few years. Maybe Japanese people are attracted to new IPs?

1 Comment

Hatsune Miku Project DIVA Arcade is being tested in a Los Angeles shopping center

by

sXPBP2E

This isn’t the first time that SEGA Japan (which seems to be the one doing the testing) has teased their Hatsune Miku games to American audiences. This last E3, they had Hatsune Miku Project Diva f for display at Sony’s booth. Sadly the game never was localized.

Seems this time around that SEGA is testing to see if there is an interest in Hatsune Miku Project DIVA Arcade, which is being tested right now through March 18th in the Puente Hills Mall. The game has an online pass fee thing, which you get free for doing a survey. It costs four credits to play.

7 Comments

Want to see more images of the SEGA Note PC, and a learn a few more details?

by

t5uXSUt.jpg

Courtesy of Eurogamer comes a few new photos of the SEGA Note PC, and this time they aren’t just mock-ups! On display is the general blue SEGA branded laptop, both in use and being carried. We also get a peek at the desktop, which features a snazzy Dreamcast themed wallpaper. According to Eurogamer, while the laptops will probably not include SEGA emulators or games, they will include SEGA Windows themes and SEGA music pre-loaded onto the laptop. A full list of the specs can be found here, and after the break check out a gallery of new images.

Continue Reading ➜

6 Comments

VideoGamer compares Aliens: Colonial Marines final build to last year’s demo

by

VideoGamer has dug up demo footage of Aliens: Colonial Marines, apparently from a demo shown off last year, and compares it scene-for-scene with what we ended up with in the final product. The results are fairly shocking; the graphics, resolution, and the presentation itself are significantly better in this demo in almost every conceivable aspect.

It’s hard to say where development went so wrong on what will likely (and unfortunately) be SEGA’s biggest game this year, but this video speaks for itself.

One day maybe we’ll learn the full story…

15 Comments

Gearbox developer takes to Reddit to shed light on Aliens: Colonial Marines let down

by

400d373062e065e430f1862f39f919dfc7f06bf9.jpeg__939x820_q85

The developer on Reddit basically confirms that Gearbox didn’t have too much to do with Aliens: Colonial Marines due to the fact that the developer was doing Borderlands 2. They basically got TimeGate to do most of the single player campaign due to this. In my opinion, Gearbox and SEGA should never work again. This game was in the works for 6 years and Gearbox couldn’t give less of a shit about it, it seems. Pecan = code name for Aliens: Colonial Marines.

“Additionally, campaign (which was being developed by TimeGate) was extremely far behind, even as Pecan’s Beta deadline got closer and closer. In April or May (can’t remember which), Pecan was supposed to hit beta, but GBX instead came to an agreement with SEGA that they would push the release date back one more time, buying GBX around 9 mos extension.

Considering that SEGA was pretty close to taking legal action against GBX, asking for an extension wasn’t an option, and so Pecan crash-landed through certification and shipping. Features that were planned were oversimplified, or shoved in (a good example of this are challenges, which are in an incredibly illogical order). Issues that didn’t cause 100% blockers were generally ignored, with the exception of absolutely horrible problems. This isn’t because GBX didn’t care, mind you. At a certain point, they couldn’t risk changing ANYTHING that might cause them to fail certification or break some other system. And so, the product you see is what you get.”

You can read more over at Reddit, even ask the guy some of your questions.

15 Comments

SEGA joins the DOTA clone train, picks up Chaos Heroes Online

by


Ever since the free-to-play DOTA clone, Leagues of Legends ranked up millions and millions of players many publishers have tried to replicate its success. Seems that SEGA is now one of the publishers picking up the Japanese DOTA clone Chaos Heroes Online.

SEGA is picking up the title to localize in Japan, this was developed by Korean developer Neoact. The game is set to start service this spring and will be free-to-play.

1 Comment

Ex-Gearbox employee says game was outsourced, SEGA denies (sort of)

by

Aliens
Well, seems that Aliens: Colonial Marines isn’t being as well received as we would have hoped and now everyone is pointing fingers. First comes a statement made by a ex-Gearbox employee, stating that Gearbox didn’t really develop most of the title and that the game was outsourced. The anonymous employee who goes by the forum handle “mugwurt” posted:

“Hate to say it, but I wouldn’t get your hopes up too high for Colonial Marines. I used to work at Gearbox, and the development of that game has been a total train wreck, going on what, 6 years now? Gearbox isn’t even making the game, except for the multiplayer. Primary development was outsourced to TimeGate Studios, which has a less than stellar past.” – Link to response 

When asked about this, SEGA’s Senior Producer Matthew J. Powers had this to say:

Continue Reading ➜

2 Comments

New release Tuesday – Aliens: Colonial Marines and Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed 3DS

by

feb12

It’s a big day for packaged SEGA games in the US today! Aliens: Colonial Marines releases to Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360, and Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed releases on the Nintendo 3DS. In the case of Aliens: Colonial Marines, there is a Wii U version coming in March for the US and sometime in the first quarter for other regions. Both games feature bonus content, with Aliens: Colonial Marines featuring pre-order content from Gamestop in the form of playable movie characters, a flame thrower, and additional marine customization. Aliens: Colonial Marines also has a Collector’s Edition for PS3 and 360 owners, which includes a load of goodies including a figurine, the pre-order DLC, and a number of replica print materials from the Aliens universe. Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed for the 3DS features the same bonus content that the 360, PS3, Wii U and Vita had, with a playable Metal Sonic racer and an OutRun track. The content is downloaded to your 3DS via codes, and the codes are contained within the game case. The bonus content is limited to the first run of the game.

1 Comment

Nagoshi discusses the next Yakuza title – promises a more physical experience

by

iloveyou

Yakuza series producer and SEGA of Japan CCO Toshihiro Nagoshi discussed the next Yakuza title this weeks issue in Dengeki PlayStation magazine. According to Nagoshi, the development team will be taking a programmatic approach with the next title, meaning players can have a more physical experience. The game’s battle system is said to see new innovations, and in general the plan to broaden gameplay. The next Yakuza game will most likely not be seen on the Playstation 3, as Nagoshi believes that Yakuza 5 will be the last entry for the series on the current Sony console. Given the interview taking place in a Playstation magazine, the next game will probably end up on Sony’s next gen console. Nagoshi hopes to show something related to the new game this year.

Thanks to SEGAbits forum member Aki-at for the tip!

8 Comments

SEGA partners with Enterbrain to create SEGA Note PCs

by

pc_image

You wanted SEGA hardware? Here’s your SEGA hardware! SEGA has teamed up with Japanese PC retailer Enterbrain to create the SEGA Note PCs. Features of the entry-level include an Intel Pentium 2020M chip with a 500GB hard drive and 4GB of RAM, the next model up features an Intel Core i3-3120M processor, 500GB hard drive and 8GB of RAM, and replaces the lower model’s DVD drive with a Blu-ray reader. The third version has an Core i7-3630QM chip with 8GB of RAM and a 120GB SSD, and the top-end model matches those specs and replaces the Blu-ray reader with a writer. All models feature a Full HD 15.6″ display, and a choice of four lid finishes – a basic SEGA blue, Mega Drive, Saturn and Dreamcast. The top-tier model comes with all four lid types, which can be easily swapped out. Prices range from ¥99,750 to ¥194,250. Currently, these are Japan only. Pre-orders are currently being taken for the hardware, and it appears that if a certain number is not reached, the PCs will not be produced. Imagine: a SEGA PC loaded with all the SEGA PC game releases. That is a SEGA game on SEGA hardware! Close enough, right?

Thanks to SEGAbits forum member ROJM for the tip. After the break, check out a gallery of the various awesome lids!

Continue Reading ➜

15 Comments

Aliens: Colonial Marines “Bug Mode” coming in March

by


We posted that Aliens: Colonial Marines was going to get a season pass, this obviously means that DLC was going to be announced very soon and guess what? Here is the first pack, titled “Bug Mode”. If you pick up the upcoming Aliens: Colonial Marines at Wal-Mart, you will get the Bug Mode DLC for free. How much does it cost solo? Well, Gearbox Software  or SEGA haven’t revealed that just yet. Wal-Mart says its a ‘$14.99 dollar value’.

We also posted about the season pass DLC here before, back then the season pass  was only confirmed for PC. Now Gearbox has confirmed it for all consoles. You pay $29.99 dollars now and you recieve all four DLC packs at a discounted rate. If the first ‘Bug Mode’ is going to cost $14.99, then that is a pretty good deal. Bug Mode will basically be Horde Mode (Gears of War) or Invasion Mode (Binary Domain). Basically you and friends take on waves of enemies that increase in difficulty as you progress.

No Comments

Giant egg appears in London, Billy Hatcher fans sad to learn it is Aliens: Colonial Marines related

by

ITV is reporting on a bit of bizarre marketing from SEGA West, in which a giant 20 foot tall alien egg has on the lawn of London’s Potters Field Park today. The egg is reported to be guarded by Colonial Marines who are also on the lookout for a Xenomorph. ITV appears to be the first to report on the marketing event, and given the quality photos credited to Lunch PR, it could be that SEGA tasked Lunch PR to put this event together and the PR agency reached out to ITV to “report” on the event. Once we learn more about the event, and receive more photos, we’ll be sure to share!

No Comments

Microsoft didn’t aquire SEGA due to lack of ‘muscle’

by

Right now Microsoft is a big player in the game console race, but a decade ago they weren’t in the same position as they are now. Like a bad stereotype, before Microsoft entered the market with the Xbox, there were tons of rumors about them purchasing a gaming company, and one of those comapnies was SEGA.

So why didn’t Microsoft ever pick up SEGA? Well, according to then-CEO Bill Gates, he thought that the house of Sonic lacked the ‘muscle’ to compete with a company like Sony. This is what Joachim Kempin, who worked at Microsoft from 1983 to 2003, had to say:

“There were three companies at that point in time, I think this was [Sony,] Sega and Nintendo. There was always talk maybe we buy Sega or something like that; that never materialized, but we were actually able to license them what they call Windows CE, the younger brother of Windows, to run on their system and make that their platform. But for Bill [Gates] this wasn’t enough, he didn’t think that Sega had enough muscle to eventually stop Sony so we did our own Xbox thing.”

He did state that SEGA was “a very different bird” which we can all agree. But its not like they hated everything SEGA did, I mean, they did put the Xbox in the hands of Dreamcast era SEGA COO Peter Moore.

6 Comments