E3

E3 2017: Sonic Forces and Sonic Mania bosses and additional gameplay revealed

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The Twitch E3 2017 Pre Pre Show had Aaron Webber on as a guest to preview what Sonic Forces and Sonic Mania content will be playable at SEGA’s booth. The segment, which can be seen in full here, showed off the previously unseen Sonic Mania Green Hill Zone Act 2 boss which turned out to be Dr. Eggman’s giant end boss mech from Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Meanwhile, Sonic Forces showed off the Classic Sonic Green Hill Zone boss which turned out to be modern Eggman swinging a giant saw blade before bringing out the Egg Dragoon, previously seen in Sonic Unleashed and Sonic Generations.

Also showcased was a modern Sonic Sonic Forces stage. Worth noting, the Sonic Forces world map classifies the stages as “Sonic Stage”, “Classic Stage” and “Avatar Stage”. Also, during the classic Sonic boss battle in Sonic Forces, modern Eggman refers to classic Sonic as being from another dimension. Uh-oh, is Iizuka messing with canon again?

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SEGA and Atlus E3 2017 lineup revealed

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SEGA and Atlus have officially announced their lineup for E3 2017, and while there are no major surprises there is a diverse lineup of great looking games! Yakuza and Sonic take center stage, with Yakuza 6, Sonic Mania and Sonic Forces on display. Atlus, meanwhile, will have 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, Etrian Odyssey V, Radient Historia: Perfect Chronology and Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux to play. SEGA Europe also has a booth, where they will have Total War: WARHAMMER II and additional Sonic Mania and Sonic Forces kiosks.

Worth noting, the upcoming Valkyria Revolution and Yakuza Kiwami appear to have no representation at this year’s booth. Valkyria Revolution makes some sense, as the game is due out in just three weeks, but Yakuza Kiwami is due out in two months. A kiosk for the game would have been nice, but it appears SEGA wants to focus on 2018’s Yakuza 6 which is a bigger game for the company.

SEGAbits writers will be attending E3, so expect coverage from us from the show floor. After the break, check out the full press release!

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7th Dragon III Code: VFD E3 2016 trailer sees dragons invading the year 2100

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A new trailer for the upcoming 7th Dragon III Code: VFD has released in time for E3! Set to release very soon to the Americas, July 12th to be exact, 7th Dragon III Code: VFD is an internally developed RPG from SEGA for the Nintendo 3DS. If you have been craving a new IP and some RPG action from our favorite company, then you really shouldn’t pass this game up. Our own George has been playing the game for several weeks, and as detailed in our first impressions discussion he has been enjoying it. If that is not enough reason to pick the game up on day one, then perhaps a special launch edition featuring a collector’s box and 28 page art book will sway you.

Expect a review from us soon, and in the meantime enjoy the new trailer.

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Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA X E3 2016 trailer takes center stage

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SEGA of America has launched a brand new trailer for the upcoming Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA X just in time for E3! Set to release in the Americas on August 30th, 2016 for the Playstation 4 and Playstation Vita with a free glasses pouch included, Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA X looks to pack a lot into a single game. Players can expect an assortment of thirty Miku tracks including new and classic music as well as five different Clouds which Miku and friends can explore and accept challenges within.

For more information, check out the official Hatsune Miku: Project Diva X website and stay tuned to SEGAbits for more news and information on the upcoming game.

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Atlus to feature NicoNico stream for Persona 5 on June 15th

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Persona 5 is shaping up to live up to the hype, but for those that are still not sold on the game, a NicoNico stream tied to E3 will be hosted called “Uncover the Phantom Thieves” that will provide more details on Persona 5. What this stream will feature is unknown, but will feature the reveal of a “classified video” and general new information. The stream will be live on June 15th at 5:00 a.m. PT / 8:00 a.m. ET / 21:00 JST.

To actually view the stream, you’ll need a NicoNico account in order to access the general website. Be warned as the website is in Japanese, so navigate with caution. When information drops on the game, anything new will be reported. Persona 5 itself will be released on Playstation 4 in Japan on September 15th and February 14th for American regions. A release in PAL regions is unknown as of this writing, not helped by the relatively recent SEGA buyout complicating releases of Atlus titles in European countries.

[Source: NicoNico]

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SEGA and Atlus’ Full E3 2016 Stage Schedule Revealed

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SEGAATLUSThe full stage schedule for SEGA & Atlus’ stage shows has been revealed via RPG Site’s twitter account. SEGA and Atlus have multiple ‘special presentations’ at the event, what will be at the presentations? I guess we will find out soon enough since E3 2016 starts on June 14th!

This is SEGA/Atlus’ E3 2016 stage schedule:

Tuesday, June 14

  • 1:00 PM: Special presentation.
  • 2:00 PM: Yakuza 0 presentation with series creator Toshihiro Nagoshi.
  • 3:00 PM: Persona 5 character design talk with character designer Shigenori Soejima.
  • 4:00 PM: Special presentation.
  • 5:00 PM: The King of Fighters XIV pro exhibition matches.

Wednesday, June 15

  • 11:00 AM: Persona 5 exclusive E3 print autograph session with Shigenori Soejima.
  • 12:30 PM: Special presentation.
  • 2:00 PM: The King of Fighters XIV pro exhibition matches.
  • 3:00 PM: Yakuza 0 demo.
  • 4:30 PM: Special presentation.

Thursday, June 16

  • 11:00 AM: Persona 5 fan Q&A with Shigenori Soejima.
  • 12:00 PM: Special presentation.
  • 2:30 PM: The King of Fighters XIV pro exhibition matches.
  • 3:30 PM: Special presentation.

I’m assuming SEGA and Atlus will be live streaming their stage shows on their respective online streaming channels like Twitch. I mean, if they don’t then whats the point? What are your thoughts on SEGA and Atlus’ E3 2016 stage schedule? SEGA is back with stage shows, hyped?

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Segabits @ E3: Off-screen video and more details on Hatsune Miku Project: VR Tech Demo

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Shigs here. I’m at E3 and despite no Sega booth, I’m managing to find some Sega…bits of information here and there. As announced earlier, there is a Hatsune Miku VR demo at Sony’s Project Morpheus booth. In this virtual reality demo, you are at a Miku concert enjoying the music with the large, silhouetted crowd. They all have their glowsticks waving to the song “Viva, Viva, Happy” and you need to do the same (I think). Eventually, Miku brings you up on stage and it gets a little odd as words and random objects are seen all over her. You’re playing a rhythm game with the move controller and waving the stick at Miku and the crowd to the beat. The person playing seemed to be too interested in looking around and was obviously losing,  since X’s and storm clouds were appearing everywhere. Still, it looks like a fun game and I’ll try to get my hands on it Thursday when Project Morpheus demos are open to the public.

I apologize for the quality of the video, but it was taken offscreen.

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Get your facts straight: SEGA not having a booth at E3 2015 and what it really means

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SEGA finally confirmed the other day that they will not have an exhibition booth at this year’s E3. Following the news, it came as no surprise that much of the internet have been commenting on news stories being posted by ‘gaming journalism’ websites, spitting false claims that make me wonder if anyone even read the statement SEGA gave Game Informer. So without further ado, we will be looking at the most frequently made statements by internet users and whether these statements are true or false. I hope you guys enjoy.

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SEGAbits at E3 Interview: Sonic Boom Producer Stephen Frost

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Our E3 coverage continues with an interview with Sonic Boom Producer Stephen Frost! Stephen was nice enough to sit down on the final day of the expo to answer our questions about the upcoming Wii U and 3DS games Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric and Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal. Developed by Big Red Button Entertainment (Wii U) and Sanzaru Games (3DS), both titles are due out November 2014.

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SEGAbits at E3 Preview: Sonic Jump Fever (iOS, Android)

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While at E3, Nuckles87 and I were invited to a party hosted by SEGA’s mobile division, SEGA Networks, that was dedicated to mingling and showing off SEGA’s mobile titles. It was a great chance to relax after a hard day and to get some free food and drink. Those pretzel bun sandwiches with the roast beef and bacon were out of this world! But mostly, we where there to check out these games that have only been available to the lucky few… million in the Great White North. The one I’ll be talking about in this preview is Sonic Jump Fever, a sequel to the 2012 game that is both harder, easier and more fast-paced than its predecessor. It even has Chao. Yes, Chao are back!

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Alien: Isolation developer interview highlights a new time challenge mode

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Game Trailers have uploaded an E3 developer interview featuring The Creative Assembly’s Alistair Hope answering questions during in-game footage of the upcoming Alien: Isolation. Hope highlights the game’s lonely atmosphere, the emphasis on survival and puzzles, and reveals a new time challenge mode. The game is looking great thus far, and those who fear another Aliens: Colonial Marines need only to watch the footage and remember that this is an internally developed SEGA title, not another Gearbox Software effort.

SEGAbits writers will be hitting the show floor of E3 today, playing Alien: Isolation and interviewing the developers, so expect our own impressions soon!

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SEGAbits at E3 2014 coverage begins – previews and interviews from the show floor coming soon

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Another Electronic Entertainment Expo is upon us, and once again SEGAbits is attending on location at the Los Angeles Convention center to bring you previews of the latest SEGA games and interviews with the people behind them! No secondhand reporting here. This year, SEGA has a small but highly unique assortment of games on display which we’ll be playing and talking about as the week goes on. At the SEGA booth are Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric (Wii U), Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal (3DS), Alien: Isolation (PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360, PC), and Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA F 2nd (PS3, Vita, PSN). We’ll also be covering Bayonetta 2 (Wii U), which will likely be on display at the Nintendo booth.

SEGA’s recent acquisition Atlus will also be receiving coverage from us, with Atlus showing off Persona 4 Arena Ultimax (PS3/360), Persona Q (3DS), Persona 4: Dancing All Night (PS Vita), Abyss Odyssey (PC, PS3, 360), Citizens of Earth (3DS, Wii U, PC, PS Vita, PS4) and an unannounced Title (PC, PS Vita, PS4). In addition to all of that, we’ll be attending a VIP event held by SEGA’s mobile division where we’ll be playing and talking to the developers of the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog, Crazy Taxi, and Super Monkey Ball mobile games.

You can view all of our E3 coverage here throughout the week, and you can find live updates on our Twitter and Facebook accounts. We also have a live from E3 podcast in the works, which we plan to release during the show. The countdown is over, welcome to E3 2014!

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SEGA and Atlus reveal their E3 line ups

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With E3 now only days away, companies are finally getting around to unveiling their E3 line-ups. Today, SEGA got around to unveiling what games they will be bringing to the show. The list isn’t exactly surprising:

Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric (Wii U)

Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal (3DS)

Alien: Isolation (PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA F 2nd (PS3, Vita, PSN)

Though the list is rather paltry, it should be noted that SEGA has occasionally had some small surprises at E3. Back in 2010 the company used the show to unveil Sonic Free Riders and their line-up of Dreamcast titles. Also notably absent are SEGA’s mobile titles, despite the company working to increase its presence in the sector.

Even if these are the only games coming from SEGA itself, we at SEGAbits won’t be getting off so easily. Though not officially confirmed, Nintendo will likely have Bayonetta 2 on display. SEGA’s newest acquisition, Atlus, has their own slate of titles for the show, which we will also be providing coverage for.

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Vyse races through All-Stars Transformed’s Panzer Dragoon track – E3 gameplay footage

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With E3 2012 over, videos are beginning to appear showing off the many games on display at the event. SEGA fans will no doubt love these Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed gameplay videos, the coolest one being Vyse racing through the Panzer Dragoon track. Fans will remember that Vyse and Panzer Dragoon were the two big surprises when the game was first revealed in late April. Now we get to see those two surprises in action! Eagle eyed readers may spot Amigo in his Loco-motive racing past Vyse. After the break, many more gameplay videos featuring other racers and tracks.

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Epic Mickey Power of Illusion is truly a Castle of Illusion sequel

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As this Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion only has a loose SEGA connection, and is neither developed nor published by SEGA, consider this our only article on the game.

While SEGA did not feature prominently at last night’s Nintendo 3DS E3 Software Showcase, aside from a mention of Rhythm Thief, SEGA got an indirect mention when Warren Spector and Peter Ong of DreamRift took the stage. Ong shared his love for Castle of Illusion, stating that for a time as a child he played the full game once a day. His love for the Genesis classic carried over to his pitch to Junction Point Studios for how he and his studio would develop a 3DS Epic Mickey game. The end result is much less Epic Mickey inspired, and much more Castle of Illusion inspired. In fact, the trailer states “a beloved hero returns to a castle of illusion” and Castle of Illusion sound effects return including the item collection and jump sounds. The mushroom enemies from Castle of Illusion’s first stage make an appearance, hearts are used for health and paint replaces apples as a projectile attack. You can even butt bounce on enemies heads. Essentially it is a full-on sequel. One off bit was the mention of Mizrabel of Castle of Illusion returning as the main villain, yet Sleeping Beauty’s Maleficent was shown. So either they goofed and mistook one villainess for another, or figured they’d use a more recognizable evil witch for the new game. Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion releases this Fall.

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