Interview: Gistix, team lead on fan made Sonic ’06 Unity

gistix

What do you say when the words “fan-made Sonic 2006 PC port” jump at you? What sort of images, reactions, and most importantly, questions, pop into your head when this prospect meets your mind? Is it perplexing? Audacious? Blasphemous? These were of course all reactions I saw when news broke of a demo for a full fan-made recreation of the ill-fated and infamous Sonic 06 in Unity. However, much against others’ reactions, mine was of…curiosity.

Rather than stick with a few fleeting moments of “hey that’s a thing”, the very idea stuck to me so hard that it gave me a jolt of energy. Not because I like Sonic 06, god no, but because I am a huge lover of weird games and weird ports. And to me, a Unity port of this maligned title was far too weird to pass up. So, faced with a lack of information, and a thirst to spread the good will of odd, ambitious projects, I went straight to the source. Ladies and gentlemen and others, I present to you, hopefully everything you’d want to know about the ins and outs of the Sonic 2006 PC port, from the mouth of its current leader, Gistix!

SEGA News Bits: Sonic 2006 being remade for PC by fans with Unity, demo first impressions

Sonic 2006 is being remade in Unity by a small team headed by Gistix. A demo, playable on PC, has just released showcasing their progress in the form of the game’s original demo. We downloaded it and now talk about it in the first SEGA News Bits of 2017! Download the Sonic The Hedgehog (2006) Unity demo for yourself here.

If you enjoy our SEGA News Bits segments and want to support us, give us a sub. If you are already subscribed you can always like the video.

SEGA News Bits: What to expect from SEGA in 2017

On this episode of the SEGA News Bits we see a end to 2016 and get ready for another year full of SEGA games. Well, at least SEGA in 2017 will be having bigger titles than they had this year. We discuss all the games that SEGA have officially confirmed for 2017, discuss the SEGA games we are looking forward to and even throw some predictions for announcements that might be made by SEGA in 2017. So listen in and tell us what titles you are looking forward to, what are some predictions about SEGA in 2017 you have and what you wish was announced for next year in the comments below!

If you enjoy our SEGA News Bits segments and want to support us. Give us a sub, if you are already subscribed you can always like the video.

Phantasy Star Online 2 to feature NieR: Automata DLC

phantasystaronline2NierAutomataSeems that the Phantasy Star Online 2 promotions continue, this time with NieR: Automata themed DLC. Square Enix announced that DLC cross promotions will be happening on not only Phantasy Star Online 2 but also Hunter Frontier Z.

It seems that Phantasy Star Online 2 will be getting weapons and armor taken directly from the upcoming Square Enix title. Not much is known but Square Enix has suggested that they will share more information on what the items are in NieR: Automata after New Years. Since Phantasy Star Online 2 hasn’t made it west, we will be missing out on all these cool cross promotions that Japan gets to enjoy. I even whined about this, remember?

NieR: Automata hits Japanese retail on February 23, North America on March 7 and Europe on March 10,2017. While Phantasy Star Online 2 isn’t released in English speaking countries, you can always use a fan patch and play on the Japanese servers. What are your thoughts on this cross promotion?

[Source: Siliconera]

Shenmue III PC pre-orders open on December 15, new footage soon

Shenmue3While most of us hardcore Shenmue III fans already put up our money when Yu Suzuki launched his Kickstarter, it seems there are quite a few people demanding for the studio to put up pre-orders for the game. Yu Suzuki stated in the latest Famitsu magazine that Shenmue III PC pre-orders will open up in a few days.

“Development is entering the final stage headed towards full-scale production. Early in the new year, I think we’ll be able to show you things such as new videos.

“We will continue progressing with development so that our backers and those who experience the world of Shenmue for the first time can do so with pleasure.

“Also, at noon on December 15, we will start pre-order sales for the PC version of Shenmue III, which received a lot of requests.Those interested in Shenmue III, please check the official website.”

It is interesting considering that the studio hasn’t really put out much Shenmue III in-game footage. What they have shown has never been finalized. It seems that the work on Shenmue III is barely starting, if they are barely entering full-scale production, do you think the studio should be putting up pre-orders without actual in-game screenshots? Let us know in the comments below.

[Via: Gematsu]

Lego Dimensions: Sonic the Hedgehog level pack gameplay footage hits the web

Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment producer Doug Heder was on the YouTube Gaming show to reveal some gameplay of the upcoming Lego Dimensions: Sonic the Hedgehog level pack. The show is hosted by Geoff Keighley, who seemed to launch a bunch of questions, most of which we already knew the answers to. We know this show is mean’t to be aimed at more ‘mainstream’ audience,so its nice to see what the level pack has to offer and it having a large exposure. When pressed about more character figures, Doug Heder said there are ‘a lot of unlockable characters’ in the game. Those named here include Knuckles, Tails, Shadow, and Big the Cat. Obviously this isn’t as great as having their own stand alone figure and stories, but who knows about the future.

The producer Doug Heder does say that they put a lot of love and effort into recreating the feel of the game,that Sonic the Hedgehog fans would appreciate it. I have to say they did a great job from what I’m seeing. The Lego Dimensions: Sonic the Hedgehog level pack releases on Novemeber 18th, 2016 and will retail for $29.99 USD. So let us know in the comments, are you excited to play the Lego Dimensions: Sonic the Hedgehog level pack?

See the new Sonic Mania stage Mirage Saloon Zone and Tails & Knuckles in action

SEGA has granted YouTube channel Kinda Funny Games the exclusive reveal of a new Sonic Mania stage, Mirage Saloon Zone, as well as our first look at Tails and Knuckles in action as well as the Sonic & Tails mode. Interestingly, the new zone is very reminiscent of Desert Dazzle, a scrapped original zone that Taxman had planned to include in the remaster of Sonic CD. There are several easter eggs and fun visuals that can be spotted in the new zone, including a Fang the Sniper wanted poster and pinball flippers that resemble bird heads. We also get a look at the CRT filter which, to be honest, I’m not that big a fan of.

Give the video a watch and in the comments below, sound off on the new zone!

The SEGA Five: SEGA published games that deserve more attention

spy-fiction-02a
If you discuss Streets of Rage, Super Monkey Ball, or even anything Sonic, chances are you can hear that 90’s jingle of retro goodness (SEGAAAAAAAAAAA!). The company helped create some wonderful games and franchises and are still going strong to this day. That being said, most of the games published by SEGA are sometimes often forgot about and usually sit on store shelves to collect dust and/or be pauper’s pennies.

While I haven’t played every single game SEGA has helped publish, some of those games stick out to me in a very unique and interesting way. And SEGA, being the quirky company they are, brought me wonderful memories and breathes a one-of-a-kind charm to those certain games. So in no particular order (with the first one being my favorite out of the five), here are some games that rightfully deserve more attention than they get!

Motorsport Manager releasing to PC on November 10th

screenshot12_0

Back in mid May of this year it was announced that SEGA would be publishing Playsport Games’ Motorsport Manager to PC, Mac and Linux internationally in late 2016. Initially, a September timeframe was given, but now the official date has been announced to be November 10th, based on a Tweet from the developer. Motorsport Manager joins SEGA’s family of management games, complete with a faceless male mascot. The game features a racing management simulation in which players hire drivers, build cars and view the resulting races.

 

Strike Harbinger and Henshin Engine teams announce character crossover collaboration

14424890_10155059151230400_8789909016892853713_o

HitSparks Games, the team behind Strike Harbinger, a Space Harrier and Phantasy Star inspired game heading to PC, consoles and arcades in 2017, have just announced a character collaboration with the Henshin Engine team. Henshin Engine is a new 2D action platformer developed for PC Engine/TG-16 and PC/Steam which is nearing its Kickstarter goal. Of note to SEGA fans, Henshin Engine has a Dreamcast stretch goal as well as the possibility of appearing on SEGA CD and/or SEGA Genesis.

The collaboration promises to make Strike Harbinger‘s Valiya Iriss playable in Henshin Engine via a cute pixelated version of the character, and the star of Henshin Engine Yuki Shirokawa will appear in the Strike Harbinger universe. It’s always cool to see teams collaborating and crossing over their characters, so it will be really exciting to see the result of this.

You can check out Henshin Engine on Kickstarter and learn more about Strike Harbinger on their official site. Strike Harbinger made its debut at the Galloping Ghost Arcade during SEGA Week, and yours truly had the honor of being the first member of the general public to play it. For my first impressions, check out our SEGA News Bits video and give a listen to our developer interview.

“Long lost” Sonic Mania Collector’s Edition infomercial released

The Sonic the Hedgehog social media team has just unearthed a long lost infomercial for the upcoming Sonic Mania Collector’s Edition! Created as an homage to the classic Sonic the Hedgehog 2 ad, the Sonic Mania Collector’s Edition ad shows off the bonus items found inside the Spring 2017 release including the statue of Sonic standing on a Genesis/Mega Drive, the metallic game code card and the game cartridge that contains a gold ring. The ad also notes that the box can hold ANY tacklebox. Keep your eyes peeled for cameos from Kazuyuki Hoshino, Takashi Iizuka (in shirt form) and Aaron Webber (congrats!).

Pre-order the Sonic Mania Collector’s Edition today, available on PS4, Xbox One, and PC.

SEGA News Bits: Sonic Mania Collector’s Edition Announced – Reaction

Hot on the heels of the announcement of a Sonic Mania Collector’s Edition for PS4, Xbox One, and PC, Barry and George share their excitement and opinions on the set in a new SEGA News Bits. What’s included? What’s not? Will fans in Europe be seeing it? These questions and more are discussed! The elephant in the room – that being the lack of a physical disc release – is also discussed. What are your thoughts on the  Sonic Mania Collector’s Edition? Which platform are you going for? Sound off in the comments below.

If you enjoy our SEGA News Bits segments and want to encourage more of them, make sure you subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Persona 5 collaborating with Phantasy Star Online 2

Atlus has revealed during their latest NicoNico Livestream that their upcoming JRPG Persona 5 will be collaborating with not only Phantasy Star Online 2 but also Dragon’s Dogma and Lord of Vermilion Re:3.

The collaboration with Dragon’s Dogma Online seems to be the big collaboration since it will be part of the campaign. This tie-in will be released sometime during the fall, where players will get Persona 5 equipment and limited-time collaboration event. Vermilion Re:3‘s collaboration will take place during this winter, details on that will be arriving at a later date. As far as SEGA’s Phantasy Star Online 2 tie-in, that will be out this winter and is set to feature character costumes, hairstyles, accessories and even more Persona 5 collaboration items. For now you can see the nifty trailer, but sadly not much footage is shown on the Phantasy Star Online 2 tie-in.

Persona 5 hits Japan on September 15, 2016 for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3. The game will release in North America and Europe on February 14, 2017.

[Source: Siliconera]

Retro Community Day on Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed Today at 11PM UTC

Play Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed with the Sonic Retro & SEGAbits community! We’ll be playing the PC version on Steam and livestream it. It’s not too late to send a friend invite to us (SEGA Channel Retro) to come play. We’ll pool together 9 players and play for two rounds, then we will restart the room to let more people play. You may get a chance to play with us more than once! Be sure to run Transformed to make it easier to get you spotted, but we’ll try to make sure everyone gets to play with us at least once!

Retro Community Day Returns with Sonic Transformed on PC this Saturday

SonicTransformed

Once upon a time, Sonic Retro hosted the Retro Community Day where everyone came to play games with us and the community and just be our general goofy selves.This weekend we’re bringing it back with Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed on PC/Steam this Saturday at 5PM Central. Send your friend request on Steam to my (Bartman3010) account, which I conveniently named SEGA Channel Retro and watch for an invite to come play with us! We’ll be livestreaming the event to record my great feats. Or is that me getting horribly beaten? In any case, send in your requests early and come see us this weekend!