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Phantasy Star Online 2 anime returns with Episode Oracle in October 2019

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We already knew that Phantasy Star Online 2 was getting a brand new anime being titled Episode Oracle that is suppose to cover the Phantasy Star Online 2 in-game story from Episode 1 through 3, plus some original story bits. We now know that the anime will launch this October.

While Phantasy Star Online 2 had a anime that was a 100% original story, this one is more tied to the game which makes me a bit more interested in giving it a try. The series’s first season will run 25 episodes.

As you know we will be getting Phantasy Star Online 2 will finally hit North America for Xbox One and PC in 2020. Are you going to give the anime a chance or wait for the game to come out?

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SEGA is partnering up with existing subscription services, not launching their own

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GameDaily.Biz had a big interview with people from SEGA Europe including Anna Downing, Vice President of Marketing and John Clark, Executive Vice President.

One of the big questions asked to John Clark was the big focus this year on streaming services from publishers. If you didn’t know, SEGA used to be in the forefront of the ‘Netflix style’ streaming service way back in the early 90s with the launch of SEGA Channel.

“From our point of view, we work with partners, and we’re not considering our own platform or our own subscription service, at this stage we don’t know really what subscription means for the gaming audience. We’ve talked to all the partners that you mentioned. We are part of the plans for Game Pass. And that’ll give us a lot of knowledge. We’ve announced Football Manager as part of that. When it launches, we’ll be able to understand how the gaming subscription audience interacts with the title and if subscription is a viable way forward for the games industry. We prefer, at this stage, to be working with channel partners who are investing their time and money to try and understand the audience what the audience wants.” – John Clark, SEGA Europe Excutive Vice President.

What are your thoughts on SEGA Europe focusing more on partnering up with existing services like Game Pass instead of launching their own service like EA, Ubisoft?

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SEGA announces SolSeraph, ActRaiser inspired game with Yuzo Koshiro involved

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SEGA really kept this digital title under wraps, Sol Seraph is a brand new title by ACE Team (Rock of Ages, Zeno Clash) which will be coming to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Steam on July 10th for only $14.99! Above you can check out the debut trailer for the game.

If you check out the gameplay in the trailer above, you would probably agree that it seems like this game is directly inspired by the 1990 platformer/building simulator game on the SNES, ActRaiser. Unsurprisingly Yuzo Koshiro who worked on the soundtrack to ActRaiser is involved with SolSeraph. he will be doing the theme song!

What do you guys think about SEGA publishing a spiritual successor to ActRaiser? you excited for this game come next month?

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Sonic Team’s Takashi Iizuka promises “The next big year for Sonic is 2021”

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Sonic Team’s Takashi Iizuka is making the news because he was asked at E3 when the next big year year for Sonic will be, considering that 2017 had us get not only Sonic Forces but Sonic Mania as well. He said:

“2017 was a big year for Sonic,” Iizuka says. “The next big year for Sonic is 2021. That’s the 30-year anniversary for Sonic. We are now preparing.”

When asked if 2021 will bring a game like Sonic Generations, that came out in 2011, Iizuka said “maybe”. What if he is throwing us a curve ball and is actually working on a Sonic Adventure remake? Or would you rather have Sonic Generations 2?

[via: Gamer Informer]

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Phil Spencer says Phantasy Star Online 2 ‘Will End up on all Platforms’

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This actually happen and was said a few days ago but I was too busy to write it up. Microsoft’s Phil Spencer said while talking to the boys over at Giant Bomb that Phantasy Star Online 2 will end up on multiple platforms including the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4? Please note that there is no Phantasy Star Online 2 that runs native within the Switch, the one released in Japan was actually streaming.

It was so cool to have [Sega] on our stage and work with them. And yes, it’ll end up on all platforms. That’s not the point. To me, the point was to be able to have Sega back on our stage. It’s been a while.

Phil Spencer knows how to sweet talk us SEGA fans, its been awhile since SEGA has taken a big E3 stage especially with Microsoft. When was the last time they had a big presence? During the early Xbox 360 days? You can check out the Giant Bomb Phil Spencer interview above.

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Phantasy Star Online 2 is coming to Xbox One and PC in the West

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If you gave up on Phantasy Star Online 2 coming out in the West, Microsoft has swooped in to put a smile on your face. Phantasy Star Online 2 will be coming out West, free-to-play, on the Xbox One console and PC. According to the trailer it is being powered by Microsoft’s cloud service Azure, which makes me assume this will be completely separate from the Japanese version.

There is still a lot to find out, including if this is going to be up to the latest update to the Japanese release and how they will handle strange tie-ins that the Japanese version has gotten. Regardless, we will all be able to team up and destroy creatures with a official English release.

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Team Sonic Racing Review – Roadside Assistance (PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC)

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Nearly ten years ago, SEGA and the Sheffield based developer Sumo Digital teamed up to bring Sonic and a number of SEGA franchises to the world of mascot kart racers. Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing was a hit with fans of SEGA, Sonic and drift-focused racing games and only two years later the studio returned with the even more successful Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed. Transformed not only outdid the previous game in fan service, but also in ambition. Players controlled transforming vehicles with three distinct modes in tracks that would change with each lap. After a seven year break, SEGA and Sumo Digital are back with Team Sonic Racing. Fans are undoubtably wondering what to expect from this third outing, though the lead up to the game has probably put fans in more of a place of uncertainty than excitement. Is Team Sonic Racing a worthy follow-up, or is it a step back for the series?

Continue Reading ➜

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Platinum Games moving to self publishing and working on two new IPs

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While Platinum Games started life with a huge publishing deal with SEGA where they published four games including Bayonetta, Mad World, Infinite Space, and Anarchy Reigns. This exclusive relationship sadly came to an end in 2012, since then Platinum Games has worked with publishers such as Nintendo, Square-Enix, Konami, and even Activision. It seems that Platinum Games has bigger visions for their future as they are dipping their feet into self-publishing with two new IPs they are working on:

“I know a lot of people say that, but the game we’re working on truly is unlike anything else. Even for our varied history of veteran game developers, this is something that has never been designed before. So from a game design perspective, we’re very excited right now.” – Atsushi Inaba (Platinum Games, Executive Director and Producer)

According to Inaba they want to move away from publisher funding and be even more independent. In the interview they talk about how Platinum Games doesn’t outright own its IPs like Bayonetta (which is partly owned by SEGA) and these two new unannounced IPs will be 100% owned by Platinum Games. Platinum Games also said they are not done working with other publishers and are even open to co-publishing options.

[Source: Gematsu]

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Review: ToeJam and Earl Back in the Groove

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Disclaimer: The author of the review is a Kickstarter Backer and received a copy of the PC version through the campaign. A Nintendo Switch review copy was also provided by the via the game’s PR team.

ToeJam and Earl have returned during a time that could not be more appropriate for not only SEGA fanatics but also for the roguelite genre’s recent surge in popularity with ToeJam and Earl Back in the Groove. The game serves as a return of the adventure-like aspect from first game, serving as an all-star tribute to the history of the franchise and provides a strong artful representation of the culture with it’s cast of characters and musical appreciation. Starting as a Kickstarter project in 2015 this allowed the developers to stick closer to the first game without having to bend to publisher direction and create the long awaited follow-up to the original ToeJam and Earl. Despite the long development time, having to shave off a few goals, (Sorry Wii U) and going through two publishers, the game succeeds bringing the first game’s roguelike experience up to date with bigger multiplayer opportunities while struggling with performance issues on consoles.

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Puyo Puyo eSports releasing internationally as Puyo Puyo Champions, coming to all major platforms on May 7th

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Puyo Puyo eSports is getting a localization, renamed as Puyo Puyo Champions and will be available in western territories on May 7th, effectively confirming a previous rumor about SEGA trademarking “Puyo Puyo Champions” back in November. In addition to the Playstation 4 and Nintendo Switch versions previously released in Japan, Puyo Puyo Champions will also get new versions for the Xbox One and Steam, with the console versions all getting digital releases.

For reference, Puyo Puyo Champions is a Puyo Puyo game that caters to a competitive crowd. It trims the fat, providing players with the bare necessities, focusing heavily on the recurring Tsu and Fever rules from past games only and small quality-of-life additions to streamline Puyo matches further. Both offline and online will provide several multiplayer options, such as a new tournament mode and the ranked mode from Puyo Puyo Tetris making a return.

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Team Sonic Racing releases new ‘Team Up’ trailer

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SEGA Europe has revealed a brand spanking new trailer for Team Sonic Racing, this one being called ‘Team up’, giving you a overview of all the information we’ve been given the last few months including a overview at a bunch of race tracks.

“The race is about to begin! Join Sonic and friends as they speed across vibrant tracks and do whatever it takes to come out in first place. Race online with up to 12 friends, play with friends in your living room with split screen, customize and personalize your car for maximum speed, and work together as a team to unleash your Team Ultimate Boost. Gear Up. Speed Up. Team Racing at Sonic Speed. Team Sonic Racing arrives May 21st on Playstation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC!”

I will say that the game has been looking better and better each time they show it, but something about the game still turns me off. Maybe because one of the reasons I liked the All-Stars Racing series was because of all the fan service while this game is playing it more safe. I guess we shall see if it works out for SEGA.

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If SEGA had to go console exclusive, which console would you choose?

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SEGA used to have their own platform, their own console and ecosystem that a lot of SEGA fans still fondly remember. Since the death of the Dreamcast SEGA fans have been nomads, seeking SEGA software on other platforms and for some its a big investment to play all their favorite SEGA games.

I posed this question to our audience on Twitter and this is the results:


As a joke I added the Google Stadia, but I should have really added the PC as a platform.Quite frankly I still think the PC would have lost to Nintendo. Seems that a lot of Sonic the Hedgehog fans have had fond memories with the franchise on Nintendo hardware that it swayed the results in a predictable manner. I think SEGA fans worry about going exclusive with Nintendo because they aren’t known for pushing hardware like SEGA tries to do. I mean, the new Dragon Engine in Yakuza 6 is gorgeous and is up there with Capcom’s RE Engine and Square-Enix’s Luminous. 

But what is your take? What console would work out best for SEGA in your opinion and why? Let us know in the comments below.

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SEGA posts survey asking fans for feedback on Sonic the Hedgehog, Yakuza, Valkyria Chronicles, Phantasy Star, & more

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If you have been like me, sitting around and waiting for SEGA to ask for our opinion on how they’ve been handling the Phantasy Star franchise; then you are in luck! SEGA has tweeted out asking for fans to give them feedback on their on-going and some legacy brands. You can take the survey here.

This survey is also good for the future direction of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, considering it was announced that the next Sonic the Hedgehog game has already begun production.

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Next major Sonic the Hedgehog game in development, what direction do you want the franchise to take?

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Just the other day at the SXSW Sonic panel Takashi Iizuka confirmed that the next major Sonic Team entry into the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise has begun production. Its quite obvious that fans were less than thrilled with Sonic Forces, but I will say that the engine the team created for that title is one of the best thus far, running at a high frame rate with little to no frame drops. I really want to see how they update it for the next title, at the very least.

Now my question here is what direction do you want to see the next major Sonic the Hedgehog title take? What do you want to see them focus on? In the last few years Sonic Team has been playing it safe having 2D classic Sonic and 3D boost modern Sonic, is this something that the new game should continue? Is it time to add playable friends like the past? Sound off in the comments.

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Sonic @ SXSW: Team Sonic Racing’s customization trailer shows a ton of options including custom horns

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BEEP, BEEP! Team Sonic Racing is coming through with a new customization trailer showing how far you can customize your favorite characters. Quite frankly I’m very happy we are finally getting to the single player, unlockable content. I really believe that SEGA & Sonic All-Stars Racing Transformed was a much better game due to its single player content. While this is only customizable stuff, its nice that have things to unlock and customize.

What are your thoughts on the trailer? Team Sonic Racing hits PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and PC! on May 21, 2019!

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