SEGA to localize Yakuza Zero for the Chinese market

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It seems that SEGA of Japan is really trying to cash in on the newly opened Chinese console market, a few months ago SEGA announced that they would be localizing Phantasy Star Nova and Shining Resonance in traditional Chinese. Now they have announced the same treatment for Yakuza Zero.

I’m glad that SEGA is taking advantage of China lifting the ban on consoles back in 2013. Even though console games had a 14 year ban, PC games did not and that industry was worth 6 billion dollars in China. I can see why SEGA is gambling on releasing their games for Chinese players.

But as a American gamer all I’m asking is where is my English releases of Japanese SEGA games…

Yakuza Zero’s Game Center to have playable versions of AM2 arcade classics

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Famitsu has confirmed a few titles that will be in Yakuza Zero‘s Game Center. The titles confirmed so far include:

  • Out Run
  • Fantasy Zone
  • Space Harrier 
  • Hang-On

If you didn’t catch the early information on this title, it is a pre-quel taking place in 1988, so it is fitting that they would include SEGA arcade classics like this. You know who also did this over a decade ago? A little game called Shenmue, you might have heard of it?

Honestly, this is what I wanted to hear when I found out that Yakuza Zero was taking place in the 80’s, classic AM2 arcade hits.

SEGA announces its TGS line-up, teases new Hatsune Miku project

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SEGA has finally revealed their line-up publicly for next week Tokyo Game Show this will include SEGA published games, Atlus and even titles by other publishers that will be shown at their booth. Some of them are big western publishers without enough Japanese presence like Electronic Arts and Warner Bros. and others are just small Japanese companies without means like Silver Star Japan and Compile Heart.

SEGA is set to hold a number of stage events including one on Septermber 18th when the company will announce a new Hatsune Miku game, Atlus will get their own stage show on September 20th and Yakuza 0 will get a variety of stage shows planned throughout TGS.

Hit the jump to see the full TGS schedule.

Yakuza Zero screenshots and scans hit the internet

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Scans and screenshots for Famitsu’s scope on the up and coming Yakuza Zero (Ryu Ga Gotoku Zero) have leaked and as expected both Kiryu and Majima have been given a much more youthful appearance. There’s not much more else to say but no doubt we should be hearing a bit more this coming Thursday, both the time when the latest Famitsu goes on general sale and the date Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio announced that they would be sharing more news on the project. With Tokyo Game Show around the corner, this title is SEGA’s second pre-TGS announcement following Hero Bank 2 and it promises that this will be just as busy as the last one.

Thanks to 真鵜雄 of our forums for the tip! Hit the break for higher quality pictures;

Yakuza Zero is a prequel, will star a young Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima

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It seems that the latest issue of Famitsu has leaked and in that issue there have been a few things that are Yakuza related. It is confirmed that the game is set to take place in 1988 and will feature a darker, more Yakuza ran Kamurocho and Osaka district. Kazuma will be 20 years old in this game and takes place when he was the Tojo Clan’s debt collector. The other star of the game is no other than fan favorite Goro Majima who is 24 years old in this prequel and takes place while he was building the most popular cabaret club in Soutenburi.

The developers promise that many of the game’s characters will get origin stories within the game. This is a true ‘prequel’ since the events in this game lead up to the first Yakuza game. Its going to be interesting to see what they do with the new 80’s theme for the game, especially considering SEGA has had a 80’s theme game before: Shenmue. I would like to see the development team add some classic AM2 games in those Club SEGA arcades.

Color me excited for more information come TGS next month.

The upcoming Yakuza game is called Yakuza Zero

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SEGA has announced that the new upcoming Yakuza game on the Playstation 3 and Playstation 4 is being called Yakuza Zero (in Japan: Like a Dragon Zero: The Place of the Vow). Sadly that is all that they really mentioned considering that most of the news will be coming next month during the Tokyo Game Show.

But if ‘Zero’ trends continue this could be a prequel to the franchise. Considering that in the first Yakuza game you control Kazuma Kiryu ten years after coming out of prison. Not only that, there has already been a prologue of sorts written in movie form to promote the first game.

What do you guys think?

Next Yakuza Title (Yakuza 6?) Website Revealed, Formal Reveal Incoming

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The teaser website for the next Yakuza title has just launched. It features text that steadily appears and fills up the screen, culminating with the image shown above. Gematsu reports that we can expect a formal reveal via niconico on the 24th of August at 9 P.M. Japan time. Details are scant on the game itself, but we do know that the game is in development for both the PS3 and PS4, and that it will not be a spinoff title.

The Yakuza franchise keeps moving forward in Japan, but outside of Japan the rest of the world still lags with Ishin and 5 not being localized. Please consider learning about and supporting the Day of the Dragon (August 8th) to show your support for bringing Yakuza games outside of Japan!

Credit to Gematsu for the teaser website image capture.

SEGAbits at Comic Con Preview: Alien: Isolation

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I should preface this by saying that I’ve never been a huge Aliens fan. I’d seen Alien years ago, and while I thought it was a fun and creepy movie, it’s never been a series that I’d become overly familiar with. I was excited though when SEGA picked up the license, hoping to see what type of spin they’d put on an IP that offers a lot of opportunity.

On that note, I’d like to thank whatever deity exists out there that made me forget to place my preorder for that Colonial Marines game. But Alien: Isolation is from the start an entirely different beast. Planted firmly in the survival horror genre and not feeling, based on this demo, like a shooter of any kind, this game is scary. It’s a wonderfully, ridiculously scary bit of survival horror that has the potential to reinvigorate a genre that’s become so much less about scares in recent years than it ever should have been.

It’s the type of game that will have you diving for the light switch.

Elysian Shadow developers tease stretch goals

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The guys behind the upcoming Dreamcast indie developed Elysian Shadows RPG have now teased their stretched goals for their upcoming game. We had a chance to talk to them on our podcast and I can tell you these guys are passionate about this project. Definitely a game I’m awaiting release.

Of course the game is also coming out on other platforms like: PC, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, and Ouya have been confirmed. But don’t worry, other consoles have now been added via their stretch goals. Their Kickstarter is set to kick off on August 1st. 

Alien: Isolation pre-order content reunites the original film cast


 
SEGA’s Alien: Isolation tease has been revealed, and it’s a big one! Fans (or anybody for that matter) who pre-order the game will receive exclusive DLC in the form of two bonus missions starring Sigourney Weaver (Ellen Ripley), Tom Skerritt (Dallas), Veronica Cartwright (Lambert), Harry Dean Stanton (Brett), Yaphet Kotto (Parker) and Ian Holm (Ash, likeness and sound-alike). The missions will place the player in two classic scenes from the movie, allowing fans to relive memories of the original Alien in the first person perspective. The content and the game will be released as the Nostromo Edition, which is a free upgrade for those who pre-ordered – so not unlike SEGA’s recent bonus editions. After the break, read the full press releases and check out a gallery of images from the DLC.

SEGA already auditioning for the next Yakuza game

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Now that we know there is a new Yakuza game in development for both the Playstation 3 and Playstation 4, SEGA has started two campaigns to get new faces into the unannounced title. They are doing  auditions for men and sexy actress popularity contest for women. I can hear the screams of Tumblr feminist already.

For men they are looking for males over 20 and to be a in-game model in the next Yakuza title. SEGA says they want a guy that has a sense of ‘violence’, ‘fortune’ and of course ‘spirit’. But if you don’t make it into a in-game model there is also a spot with your face on hostess signs. If you get chosen in the audition you will be able to be character model in game, but also win a Playstation 4 and Vita, including the new Yakuza game when it comes out.

But if you only get your face on host club signs you won’t get as much as the model characters. You get a copy of the new Yakuza game and either a Playstation 3 or Playstation 4. Who would choose a Playstation 3 over a Playstation 4?

As for women…

Pier Solar HD gets delayed again due to failing Microsoft’s certification process

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Its hard to believe that games actually go through a certification process before you buy said product. I want to know who approved games like Sonic the Hedgehog 2006, but that isn’t what we are here to talk about. It seems Pier Solar HD has hit another bump in the road when they missed their certification from Microsoft.

“Microsoft already evaluated Pier Solar as well but we failed some internal requirements on the certification and we’re correcting them for the next submission. This also impacts Wii U and PlayStation(s) submissions since we want to send it as clean as possible so that we don’t get another failed certification. Luckily, the process doesn’t take as long as we thought, so the perspectives to getting a release date gets better. As soon as we’re certified on all platforms we’ll announce the date and put it on the street.”

Solar Pier HD is headed to Linux, Mac, Windows,  Ouya, Playstation 3, Playstation 4, Wii U, and of course the Dreamcast. It seems only consoles will be affected by the delay.

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax gets an official arcade stick thanks to Mad Catz

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Atlus announced today that Mad Catz are releasing a arcade stick based on Atlus’ upcoming fighting game Persona 4 Arena Ultimax. They say that the Persona development team supervised the creation of the sticks.
The sticks are supported on both Playstation 3 and Playstation 4 consoles. It will also be easy to open and support customizable faceplates and buttons. No release date or price point announced yet.

Alien Isolation: Accolades Trailer


Hey look, an almost brand new trailer for Alien: Isolation! I say ‘almost‘ because all of the gameplay footage in this trailer is recycled from the E3 trailer. However now it has some choice quotes spliced in between the scenes from various trusted critics, for good measure.

Any Alien fan will be pleased to hear that Isolation has been nominated for over 40 E3 awards! And if you are at all excited for Alien: Isolation the trailer is worth a watch, even if it’s mostly old footage… Mostly.

SEGAbits at E3 Preview: Rollers of the Realm (PC, PS4, & Vita)

Our work at E3 this year would have been cut short if it had not been for Sega’s acquisition of Atlus Games. (It also would have given us more time to have some fun. Kidding, kidding.) Still, this allowed us to check out some quality titles we might have passed up otherwise. Games like Citzens of Earth (which Nuckles87 recently did an extensive view of). I took up the quest to try Rollers of the Realm. A very different take on your average pinball game.