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!)

The Dreamcast Junkyard fills us in on the Dreamcast games of 2013

SEGA Network partner The Dreamcast Junkyard has released a new video, courtesy of DCJY contributor The Gagaman, which both revives the YouTube channel with a brand new look as well as gives us a handy rundown of the Dreamcast games slated for 2013. Check out the video above and make sure to stay tuned to The Dreamcast Junkyard this year. All hail the undead console and all hail The Dreamcast Junkyard!

GDC 2013: Take a tour of SEGA’s history exhibit

Courtesy of GameSparkChannel is a walkthrough of SEGA’s history exhibit at GDC 2013. SEGA set aside a sizable exhibit filled with a variety of SEGA items including arcade games, consoles, and collectables. In the video above you can see old store displays for SEGA consoles, rare SEGA consoles like the JVC X’Eye, promotional posters, and more!

After the break, check out another walkthrough courtesy of The Inquirer.

GDC 2013: The House of the Dead Overkill, Puzzle Pirates, and House of the Dead coming to iOS and Android

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Sonic the Hedgehog 1 & 2 remastered weren’t the only games on show at GDC 2013. SEGA has also revealed information and screens pertaining to a few existing and new mobile titles. First off is Puzzle Pirates from SEGA-owned developer Three Rings. Puzzle Pirates is a puzzle-based MMO with quite a history. Released back in 2003, this Java based browser game is considered by many to be one of the earliest free-to-play successes. Now, with SEGA in ownership of the developer Three Rings and the franchise, they’re setting their sights on an iOS and Android tablet release complete with touch screen optimization and the ability to play with the existing Mac, PC and Linux versions of the game. Also on show was SEGA’s other free-to-play browser game Godsrule: War of Mortals, which has iOS and Android versions planned for release this year and will support cross-platform play.

Finally, saving the best for last, SEGA has revealed an iOS and Android version of The House of the Dead: Overkill dubbed The House of the Dead Overkill: The Lost Reels. The game will not be a straight port, but rather a remix, repurposing characters and levels to suit mobile play. As for controls, SEGA has stated that the game will allow players to choose between a virtual joystick or the accelerometer, with tap to shoot being unlocked only after beating the game. Perhaps the developers found tap to play to be too easy? No price or date has been given, but if SEGA’s past mobile titles are any indication, we should expect a release very soon following this reveal. As for price, The House of the Dead Overkill: The Lost Reels will likely be priced between $2.99 and $4.99.

After the break, a gallery of images from the three mobile titles.

UPDATED – GDC 2013: Sonic the Hedgehog remastered releasing to iOS and Android in Spring 2013

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SEGA has revealed, at GDC 2013, that the original Sonic classic Sonic the Hedgehog will be releasing to iOS and Android this Spring for $2.99. While SEGA is only commenting on Sonic the Hedgehog at the moment, AndroidPolice.com is reporting that the sequel Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is also set for a remastered release. Thus far, iOS and Android are the only platforms announced, but if Sonic CD’s rerelease is anything to go by, we’ll see console ports as well. Speaking of Sonic CD’s rerelease, Christian “Taxman” Whitehead is likely behind the Sonic 1 & 2 rereleases if his recent tweet is anything to go by: “Those feels, I’m preparing a build for GDC and I won’t even be there.”

Now I hear you saying “but Sonic 1 & 2 are already on digital marketplaces! I don’t want to buy it again!”. Well SEGA has a few new features to entice you to buy the classic again. SEGA promises widescreen support, 60fps, a remastered soundtrack, and an added time attack mode. As soon as we learn more details, we’ll be sure to share! In the meanwhile, check out the gallery below.

UPDATE: Over on the Sonic Retro forums, Christian “Taxman” Whitehead has confirmed that he is behind the project, and that iOS users who already bought the past release of the game will receive the remastering as a free update. Also, in regards to the soundtrack, Whitehead promises that “The arrangements are identical to the originals, using FM synthesis. But they have been put together in a DAW environment and given an actual mix as opposed to simply recording the existing music. The Drum samples are sourced from the original synthesiser so they’re super clean and crisp too.”

SEGA Japan’s new PS3/Vita teaser game revealed

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Above is the newest teaser image from the unannounced SEGA Japan game. The game is supposed to come out on the Playstation 3 and the Playstation Vita. According to the Famitsu leak this week, the game is going to be a new entry in the “Let’s make a soccer team!” franchise that SEGA has in Japan.

Seems to me that this was a huge disappointment. But hey, did you know the last game in 2006 was developed by Smilebit?

SEGA West confirms Phantasy Star Online 2 delay

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Are you one of the many people waiting for the Western release of Phantasy Star Online 2? Well there is some good news, SEGA has stated that the game has been delayed. This might not be the fantastic news you wanted, but in the end at least SEGA is mentioning the intention of still releasing it.

“Originally slated for an early 2013 launch, Sega can officially confirm that PS02 has been delayed. We don’t have any specifics but will update everyone as soon as there are more details to share.”

Well, all I hope is that the title is ready before summer so it can eat all my hours and make me depressed come October.

Ecco the Dolphin creator dives into The Big Blue on Kickstarter

It appears that Ecco the Dolphin creator Ed Annunziata was unsuccessful with convincing SEGA to back his next project, so he has done what many developers are now doing – he has turned to Kickstarter to crowd fund the game. Annunziata, as well as Spencer Nilsen (Ecco the Dolphin, Sonic CD) and Bear McCreary (Walking Dead, Battlestar Galactica) are all onboard for a title called The Big Blue, which Annunziata says “isn’t based on the original Ecco the Dolphin series” but it “is the next evolutionary step in underwater adventure games”.

Despite not being based on Ecco, the game does very much look like it is based on the old SEGA series, complete with undersea creatures, dolphins, Spencer Nilsen music, and even a game title that shares the name with an Ecco the Dolphin character. Of course, not being SEGA developed, it makes sense that Annunziata wouldn’t proclaim that this is the next Ecco game. Sort of like how Child of Eden and Crimson Dragon aren’t sequels to Rez and Panzer Dragoon. To learn more about the project, check out the video above and check out the Kickstarter page. The project goal is $665,000, and with 34 days to go they have raised $1,171.

Sonic Generation mod lets you play as a penis


Have you ever sat down, played Sonic Generations and said “I want to play as a Penis”. Well you are in luck because some like minded pervert has released a rock hard cock mod for Sonic Generations. I don’t think I have to tell you that the above video is possibly NSFW.

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed on consoles getting a software update as early as Monday

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Steve “SOL” Lycett who happens to be producer over at Sumo Digital posted the following message on the SEGA America forums.

…as I figured I’d have some interested parties 😛 All being well we’ll be able to push the PS3 and 360 updates live on Monday. I’m waiting for confirmation on Wii U but that also shouldn’t be too far behind.  I know it’s a been a wait, but hopefully it’ll be worth it! The updates feature lots of tucks and tweaks, should address many of the issues you’ve reported to us and also pull in improvements we’ve been doing on PC. Don’t expect any extra tracks or characters though, just before you ask…!

So there you have it, expect an update for Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing Transformed on Monday if you are playing it on Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. If you are on Wii U, you might have to wait a bit longer.

Aliens: Colonial Marines gets a massive 4GB patch


SEGA & Gearbox Software have released a patch for the PC version of Aliens: Colonial Marines, the patch promises to improve textures, fix bugs, and much more. Personally I installed the game, did what I had to do for our review and uninstalled it. I don’t see myself playing through it again with a new patch. Sorry SEGA, you should have gotten it right the first time.

But if you want to try it, load up steam and enjoy downloading the patch. If you look at the YouTube video, it seems that the improvements are minimal.