iOS

Hey, you got Yakuza in my Border Break!

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From the Tokyo Game Show comes a crazy bit of crossover news. While showing off the iOS Border Break game, Gun Front Gale, and the arcade game Border Break Union (version 3.0 of the game), SEGA announced that a number of Yakuza characters will cameo in the arcade version of the game. It seems, however, that it has yet to be revealed just how the characters will be worked in. Only illustrations and the promise of cameos were revealed. As for version 3.0, 10 player co-op will be possible and the game will hit Japanese arcades on October 11th. Click here for more photos from the event.

Thanks to Aki At for the tip!

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Border Break heading to iOS and new arcade version coming soon?

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Ah yes, Border Break. That awesome-looking third-person mech battle game developed by AM2 that Westerners really wish they could play. Japanese gaming magazine and news site Famitsu are reporting that a Border Break game is heading to iOS, entitled  “Border Break mobile – Front Gun Gale”. A new arcade version 3.0 of the game, along with the iOS title, is said to be revealed at Tokyo Game Show on the 23rd. Given that the arcade version has yet to release outside of Asian countries, it is doubtful that the iOS version will get a Western release. But even so, fingers crossed! Thanks to ROJM for the tip.

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Rhythm Thief game coming to iOS

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It has been confirmed by SEGA that a Rhythm Thief game will be coming to iOS as a freemium game sometime this winter. The exact nature of the game and whether or not it will be released in the west is currently unknown, though the game will supposedly be tweaked for shorter play sessions and will include social features. Freemium games typically give you a basic game package for free, than charge you for additional in-game items. SEGA’s Spiral Knights online RPG uses such a system.

We should find out exactly what this game will be when the Tokyo Game Show rolls around later this month. Cross your fingers for a western release!

Rhythm Thief is a rhythm game originally released for the 3DS. It uses rhythm games to play out a variety of scenarios in the game’s storyline. It received a B+ from us last month and has been well received by critics. As a major fan of the game myself, I would highly recommend picking it up and supporting SEGA’s original IP releases.

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Review: Jack Lumber (iOS)

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Announced and released on the same day, Jack Lumber, was both a surprise and a curiosity. As the first SEGA Alliance title, Jack Lumber was developed by an external independent developer by the name of Owlchemy Labs and published by SEGA. Per the SEGA Alliance description, SEGA also provided marketing and production support as well as creative consultation. The end result is a fun and unique game that definitely has that SEGA spirit, despite being developed by an external developer.

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Sega’s Newest IP, Jack Lumber chops it’s way onto iOS

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Many folks around Gamescom were lumbering around Sega’s booth and finally axed them. “What’s this new IP you’ve been barking about”? Well, they finally couldn’t leaf it be any longer. Sega has branched out again to smaller developers. This time, to publish “Jack Lumber”. OWLchemy Lab’s latest hoot of a game. The game itself seems to be a mix of Fruit Ninja and Flight Control. You may have logged some time into this title earlier this year at PAX East. The game is available now on iTunes at 99 cents for a limited time. That’s a small amount of green! I’m so excited, I’m sporting wood! Read on for 12 minutes of gameplay video and official description.

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Wait! Don’t update Sonic 4 Episode 1 iOS yet!

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Those with iOS devices like the iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch know all about the tempting little update notification that appears on the App Store icon. That little red number stating the number of apps with new updates is often a treat. Perhaps some bugs have been fixed, or new stages have been added to your favorite games. Well in the case of Sonic 4 Episode 1, the latest update deletes the players progress! So before you read on, make sure you’re not about to press that “UPDATE” button for the game, at least if you’re playing on iPod Touch and iPhone. The update itself seems to fix some bugs and improve stability, though I haven’t noticed any difference outside of a Sonic 4 Episode 2 ad that popped up the first time I opened the app. I haven’t seen the ad since, so it may be a one time thing. I did lose my progress, but I knew full well I might and updated anyway for the sake of this article. SEGA has yet to comment on the update, but hopefully an update to the update brings back the save file or a revised update appears that saves those who have yet to download the update. More updates on the update when we’re… updated.

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SEGA in the Media: “MANOS – The Hands of Fate” fan game pays homage to Alex Kidd

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Fans of MST3K, bad movies and early 80’s film to game adaptations should really check out the iOS game MANOS – The Hands of Fate. Based on a movie that many consider to be the worst ever made, ranked #4 on the IMDb bottom 100, Manos is an 80’s inspired platformer with numerous homages to both classic games and bad b-movies. SEGA fans should recognize the death animation, in which the player turns into a transparent ghost and flies upwards. This, according to the game’s developer, was an homage to the Master System’s Alex Kidd in Miracle World. Nice to see the Master System getting some homages, the Master is pleased.

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Zavvi product description reveals new All-Stars Racing Transformed gameplay details

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With the release of Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed just four months away, online retailers have started listing the game and revealing new tidbits within the product descriptions. Zavvi has listed the game, and treats potential buyers to a rather lengthy write up that borders on being a full on article. While the product description does not reveal new racers or tracks, it does detail the game’s many modes and expands on things mentioned in past interviews. After the break, a handy bulleted list of the info as well as the full description.

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Jet Set Radio HD tags itself into the mobile space this summer

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Jet Set Radio HD will be skating it’s way onto iOS and other mobile platforms later this summer. Looks like the Vita has some more competition. Here’s the official statement from Sega.

Jet Set Radio is headed to iOS and Android this summer! We’re pretty excited – the same game you’ve enjoyed on the Dreamcast is going to be with you anytime you want on your preferred mobile device.

Jet Set Radio for iOS and Android includes the same slick gameplay, genre-blending soundtrack, and pioneering art style as the other versions alongside new features like OpenFeint and Retina display support and the awesome ability to use pictures taken with your phone or tablet’s camera as in-game graffiti! Traverse Shibuya terminal on the train, silence the Love Shockers on your lunch break, blast through Benten-cho while boarding a bus and upload achievements to Facebook while riding a ferry; Jet Set Radio will be a dream come true for portable gamers everywhere!

Okay, here’s my concern. This game’s controls could be a little tricky at times even on the old Dreamcast controller. I can’t even imagine it controlling very well on a touchpad device. Well, here’s hoping I’m wrong.

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UPDATED Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed gets a release date and a new trailer

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UPDATE: A US trailer has been released, revealing a US release date of November 20th, 2012. Also, we have package art for the 360, PS3, 3DS and Vita after the break.

With Comic Con comes many announcements, and not just ones pertaining to comic books. SEGA has officially announced a release date for Sonic & All-Stars Racing Trasformed, at least for the UK: November 16th, 2012. I’d guess that this means the US release date will either fall on November 13th or November 20th. Ah yes, and that lovely trailer. No real new reveals, though it does show off a bit more of the CG intro and features Sonic and friends plus Joe Musashi, Gilius Thunderhead, Vyse and other already revealed SEGA all-stars. I do like how the Panzer Dragoon track is the setting for the intro. Enjoy the trailers and mark your calendars!

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SEGA Japan opens up new subsidiary, SEGA Networks

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There are a lot of people worried with the new SEGA restructuring, they just announced that SEGA Europe & Australia will be distributing their games via a different company, had tons of fired employees. Now SEGA Japan has opened the doors to a new subsidiary, SEGA Networks.

SEGA Networks is going to be SEGA’s high-end game developer that will deliver games for smartphones and tablets. This falls right in place with SEGA’s plan on releasing more digital titles. How does this make you guys feel? Is lower budget, less risk taking digital titles better for SEGA? SEGA Networks CEO is Haruki Satomi and will be based in Tokyo’s Shinagawa Ward. The company will start with 211 employees.

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All-Stars Racing iOS adds Ulala and three new tracks!

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SEGA and Sumo Digital have really been doing an outstanding job in updating Sonic and SEGA All-Stars Racing for the iOS. Previously, they added Knuckles, Shadow and a new track. Now they’ve added Ulala (take that, Deee-Lite!) and three new tracks. Given that SEGA has added the ability to buy SEGA Miles with real cash in the last update, I’m assuming they’re banking on users buying these new additions via buying Miles. Hey, if that means more racers and tracks in future updates, I’m all for it! The added tracks include Super Monkey Ball’s pirate themed “Monkey Target”, Sonic’s Seaside Hill themed “Ocean Ruin” and the casino themed “Bingo Party” – a new Sonic trope for the iOS version. All the new content is locked, so I can’t share how Ulala handles or how the tracks play, but I’m hoping they’ve added new music. I’d love to hear some casino music. After the break, more screens of the additions.

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SEGA puts Hardlight studio’s first game on hold

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Seems that there is bad news for SEGA’s new studio Hardlight. Last time we found out that the title won’t just be on Playstation Vita but also iOS. Now the project is on hold, according to Tom Jubert’s list of projects he is working on. He changed the status to ‘on hold’, which means development has seized for now.

Sort of makes sense, I think their game would have been a pretty cool surprise game to show off at E3.

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Pretend you won a contest and download All-Stars Racing iOS for free

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To celebrate Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed’s E3 appearance, and perhaps today’s mystery announcement, SEGA has temporarily marked the iOS version of Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing down to free. If you have an iOS device, or you just have an App Store account, you can download the game for free right now. I highly recommend it, as it is the best racer on the iOS platform in my opinion. And like I said, even if you don’t have an iOS device, download it now and the free download will forever be linked to your account, assuring you a free download whenever you get an iOS device.

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