Company of Heroes 2 now in open beta

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If you are considering picking up Company of Heroes 2, due to all the rave the first game got about its multiplayer modes. You are now in luck, the game has entered open beta. You can get on and play through steam.

“We’ve added new match-making servers, implemented a significant amount of Closed Beta feedback and fixed more bugs, compatibility and performance issues than I can count. The team will continue to read comments and feedback in our official forums and participate in regular playtests with the community. We’ll be patching the beta frequently and getting into a good rhythm for our post launch support cycle. Please keep the comments and suggestions coming – we do care and are listening!” – Greg Wilson, Company of Heroes 2 producer

Check out the steam post about the news here. Good luck!

Valkyria Chronicles’ characters to crossover to Chaos Heroes Online

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We posted before about how SEGA picked up publishing rights to Neoact’s DOTA clone called Chaos Heroes Online. It seems that SEGA isn’t afraid of using its franchise’s to get people on the new game, since they have announced new bonus characters Alicia Melchiott and Selvaria Bles from Valkyria Chronicles. There are alternative ‘bikini’ costumes, but those will be bought by in-game cash. Talk about literally whoring out your characters.  Hit the jump and check out the game footage along with a ton of screens.

Total War: Rome 2 Gets a Release Date, Pre-order DLC and a Collector’s Edition

While we’ve already seen a whole bunch of neat stuff from Total War: Rome 2, there have been no details for when people can actually play the game. So today SEGA revealed on their blog that the global release date is September 3rd, 2013 for both digital stores like Steam and retail.

Of course, a game launch wouldn’t be complete without some pre-order DLC, which the above video shows off. This DLC is called the Greek States Culture Pack and will feature three new factions: Epirus, Athens and Sparta. This will be available on Steam on the same day as the full game for those who pre-order it. SEGA also revealed a pricey Collector’s Edition for the game, hit the jump to see what it includes.

Aliens: Colonial Marines co-developer TimeGate studios files for bankruptcy

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TimeGates Studios, who where previously known for their Section 8 games and now for co-developing the controversial Aliens: Colonial Marines has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Texas Southern Bankruptcy court yesterday.

The guys over at Polygon obtained the court papers, which stated that the developer is in debt to more than 50 creditors and owed total liabilities ranging from $10-$50 million dollars. Their top creditors include Epic Games (Unreal Engine), Agora Games (online game service), and DJ2 Entertainment. Funny enough, a local pizza shop was listed in the documents, which TimeGate owes $34.80. Wow, are these developers all in the 7th grade that they can’t pay a $35 dollar bill?

I guess life isn’t good for TimeGates Studios and the recent class action lawsuit isn’t going to help them. Weird seeing them lose all this money and still announce a game last month.

Total War: Rome 2: 10 minutes of gameplay


Above is ten minutes of narrated gameplay. This video is showing an ambush, watch as the Romans are chased out.

The above battle is based on a real battle where Germanic tribes happen to ambush and slaughter three Roman legions.  Total War: Rome 2 is set to come out later this year.

Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing Transformed for Intel Ultrabook announced


SEGA has announced Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing Transformed for Intel Ultrabook, the Ultrabook is a tablet/laptop hybrid. So Sumo Digital went in there and coded features to make use of the Ultrabook’s unique features like touch controls and ‘amazing’ tilt function.

“We tailored the game for the Ultrabook range to ensure we made the most of the hardware. We’ve specifically designed the user interface so touch can be used throughout. You can select modes, decide which track to play, and check out all the vehicles with a simple touch of your finger.” – Steve Lycett, Executive Producer at Sumo Digital

This is basically the PC version with tilt and touch controls added in. I hope for SEGA and Sumo Digital’s sake they don’t force Intel Ultrabook owners to re-buy the game to use these features, I hope its built into the old version of the PC game. Wasn’t there just an update a few weeks ago? Could have been in there.

Hatsune Miku to guest star in Monster Hunter Frontier G & 7th Dragon 2020-II


Its crazy how popular Hatsune Miku is in Japan. The vocaloid goddess herself will ‘guest star’ in Capcom’s Monster Hunter Frontier G and will do the opening music for the intro to 7th Dragon 2020-II from SEGA. She also did the for the last 7th Dragon game, properly titled 7th Dragon 2020. One thing that always excited me about the 7th Dragon franchise was that they are being produced by SEGA’s legendary Rieko Kodama.

As for the Monster Hunter cameo, she isn’t really in the game. What they do have is a costume so you can dress your character up like Hatsune Miku herself. If you didn’t know, Monster Hunter Frontier G is a online enabled Monster Hunter game for 360 and PC that requires a monthly payment to play.

Pre-order DLC for Company of Heroes 2 announced

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SEGA and Relic are teaming up with ‘participating retailers’ worldwide and offering up some pre-order bonus DLC. The DLC is titled ‘Theatre of War‘ episode, which will be a mini campaign of sorts. It will also come with multiplayer vehicle skins and two additional commanders for each multiplayer army.

Besides that, if you pre-order now you get access the the beta (which started on April 2nd). Hit the jump to read the full press release.

Phantasy Star Online 2: Episode 2 footage to be shown April 9th

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We posted last month that SEGA announced the first expansion pack to Phantasy Star Online 2, titled Code Episode 2. Satoshi Sakai stated that they will show footage during their live Nico Nico broadcast on April 9th (which happens to be my birthday, thank you Sakai!).

He also talked about a new update that is hitting the Playstation Vita later this month. This update will allow players to customize the controls in the game and chat adjustments.

So what about us Phantasy Star fans in the west? Well, SEGA’s last update was that it was delayed and didn’t give a release date…

SEGA Studios Australia Shuts Down

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Things have not been too hot in the video game industry lately. Over the course of the last three months we’ve seen THQ close its doors, LucasArts shuttered by Disney, and Hell Yeah! developer Arkedo cease video game development. Today unfortunately brings another name to the list: SEGA Studios Australia. SEGA has announced that the studio will be shutting down later this year.

Formerly known as Creative Assembly Australia, they were responsible for the critically acclaimed Medieval II: Total War. Besides their Total War video game they created Stormrise and London 2012

We at SEGAbits wish the developers all the best in their future endeavors.

Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing coming to Mac tomorrow


For those stuck on the Apple ecosystem and wanting to play Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing (not Transformed), the wait ends tomorrow. The game will come out exclusivly on the Mac App Store and will haveonline multiplayer using Apple’s own Game Center. The game will cost fans $24.99 (£17.49, €21.99).

Hit the jump for the press release and see you on the racing tracks!

SEGA announces Phantasy Star Online 2: Code Episode 2

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During the Sympathy Concert to celebrate the Phantasy Star’s 25th anniversary SEGA and Sonic Team announced their first expansion pack for Phantasy Star Online 2. The expansion is being called Code Episode 2. Below is some of the keywords we know so far from the trailer that was shown at the event.

  • Oracle’s Collapse
  • Arks Road/Lord?
  • Photoners
  • “Who is the real enemy?”
  • The Third Darkers
  • The Beginning and End of the Arks
  • New Race, New Planet, New Classes.
  • New Weapon Categories.
  • Coming this Summer!

So it seems that it is confirmed that it will have new playable races, new planets and new character classes. More of everything you want, this Summer… While we wait in America for them to port the non-expansion packed version. Get on it SEGA West, stop delaying it.

Creative Assembly announces new free-to-play multiplayer game, Total War: Arena

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SEGA and Creative Assembly have just announced their new game they have been teasing, Total War: Arena. The game is a ‘Multiplayer Online Battle Arena’, the game seems like it is aimed to compete against titles such as Leagues of Legends and DOTA 2. It doesn’t mean that the title is a MOBA type game, unlike those games, in this game you will have 10 vs 10 based battles.

Also unlike those MOBA type games, each player in this game will be able to control armies and command over 500 men in 3 units. The game has also been confirmed to be free-to-play. The game will be supported with add-on packs that will change the battlefield, even saying they will introduce stuff from different time periods.

Company of Heroes 2 closed beta starts April 2nd

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SEGA has stated today that they will be launching the Company of Hereoes 2 closed beta next week. Players that get in will get to test the game’s competitive multiplayer and skirmish gameplay. You will be able to play six maps including ones that are for 1v1, 2v2, 3v3 and 4v4. You will be able to progress to the first 40 levels of the game, customize your loadout using the new Army Customizer.

“We are excited to be able to launch the closed beta for Company of Heroes 2. We invite our fans to help us test and balance the game prior to launch, as well as see the changes we’ve already made since the Alpha test in December.” –Greg Wilson, Producer of Company of Heroes 2

So how do you get into the closed beta? According to SEGA its open only to pre-order customers only. It will be hosted on Steam and will utilize Steamworks (awesome).

Creative Assembly to announce a new game tomorrow at GDC

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Seems that Creative Assembly’s James Russell (Lead game designer at Creative Assembly) has posted on twitter that he will be announcing a new game during their GDC talk.

“Very excited that in my #GDC talk tomorrow, I can announce a new @totalwar game in development – and it’s like nothing we’ve done before…”James Russell, Lead designer at Creative Assembly

Here is the thing, there are few games that Creative Assembly has been working on that they haven’t announced yet. One being an Aliens title and the other one having to do with the  franchise. Both of which have me excited, Assembly Creative can do some great games. But this seems to be more of a Total War entry… (Total War: Viking 2 please!)