Mike Hayes Talks On Re-Inventing Sega’s Popular IP’s

As much as love new IP’s like Bayonetta, it’s nice to see some if the more classic IP’s make a return. Sega president Mike Hayes talked with VG24/7 about some of their popular IP’s and how they go about deciding which one’s to go back to.

We carefully look at each IP and every month, we review the locker of IP and think, ‘how could we release those and if so, what are we going to? Will it be a big game, digital, free-to-play?’ We constantly look at it. What I can say is that you will continue to see a reinvention of classic Sega IP coming to various platforms over the next three-five years.

All I can say to Mike is, JETSETRADIOJETSETRADIOJETSETRADIOJETSETRADIOJETSETRADIO!!

Full article can be found here.

First screens of Rhythm Thief R

The first images of SEGA’s newest 3DS title has surfaced, showcasing that indeed the style is similar to that of famous Japanese comic series Lupin the Third. The screens shows the primary character of the new game, Ralph, as well as his pet dog Fondue, escaping from the police, battling a mysterious group of knights and dancing away on the dance floor. SEGA have promised that famous artists will collaborate with them on this project and more would be revealed in the coming days. For the screenshots or further information on the title, check out the link to Andriasang below.

[Source: Andriasang] [Thanks to Deefy for the link!]

Famitsu releases batch of Shinobi 3DS screens

For those who are still eager on SEGA’s up and coming reboot of the Shinobi series, Famitsu has released a batch of new images showing a range of action sequences, which goes from Jiro Musashi battling on top of cars on a motorway to him fighting off against two mechs. The website also confirms the Japanese title for the game, appropriately titled Shinobi 3D. Click on the link to Famitsu below to see a host of new screenshots.

[Source: Famitsu]

Nagoshi reveals why Yakuza is Playstation exclusive

SEGA’s action adventure series Yakuza has never moved from the Sony platforms and it does not seem like that will be changning anytime soon. Speaking to Eurogamer, Nagoshi revealed recently why Yakuza is exclusive solely to Sony platforms;

“At the beginning of the project we spoke to all the platform holders including Sony and Microsoft,” he said, “Every platform holder was negative about this prospect, but we kept on pushing because we believed in the potential, and as we kept going one platform holder that showed interest and saw the prospects of this title was Sony.”

“That’s how we started working with them, and that’s probably not going to change.”

Nagoshi also revealed that Yakuza of the End is the end of one particular era of Yakuza games, saying that as the series started as a Playstation 2 game, some design aspects were not changed when they moved to the Playstation 3.

“The basic style and mechanics is really an old game that started on PS2 and continued on PS3,” Nagoshi said, “Times keep changing, and if we started on some new games they would be in a very different shape – so the last game was the end of one particular era.”

[Source: Eurogamer]

SEGA developing an original rhythm game for 3DS

SEGA has decided to create an original rhythm game IP for the 3DS, after the they have launched two successful different license rhythm games to the market. This original game will be called “Rhythm Phantom Thief R: Inheritance of the Emperor Napoleon” Yes, pretty long title.

The game will be a hybrid of rhythm action with adventure elements. You play as Phantom Thief R, traveling Paris with your dog Fondue, stealing treasure form historical landmarks like Notre-Dame and The Louvre.

So where does the rhythm aspect of the game come in? When you are sneaking into places to steal treasure. The game will use button timing and tilt controls. SEGA has confirmed that they are teaming up with a famous artist for the game.

The game is set to debut in a week. The art has been described as a mix between Lupin III and Professor Layton. Famitsu says the title is 50% complete. We will post scans when we get them, if you have scans leave them in the comment section or contact us.

[Source: AndriaSang]

New Trailer for Aliens: Colonial Marines

Today, Gamespot premiered the brand new trailer for Aliens Colonial Marines. The trailer marks the first public showing of the graphics and gameplay used in the game based on the popular sci-fi horror films.

Aliens: Colonial Marines is due out in 2012.

SEGA announces Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown for PSN and XBLA

SEGA has at long last announced Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown for consoles. The release of the title has been a long time coming, with various fans wishing to play the definitive version of the title, but now we have official confirmation that Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown will be coming to consoles. SEGA will be releasing the title in Summer 2012 and it will be downloadable as a standalone title off of Xbox Live Arcade and Playstation Network with no price plan revealed at the moment. Click on after the break for the press release and an interview, with trailer, provided to Gamespot.

Pre-Alpha Binary Domain walkthrough

Check out this video walkthrough of Binary Domain, the latest title from famed SEGA designer Toshihiro Nagoshi and his development team. The walkthrough happens to be the Pre-Alpha build of the title and considering the stage it is set in, more than likely the E3 build that curiously SEGA wished to have no video footage to be taken. The walkthrough covers what has already been known such as the procedural damage, the tactical choices the players can take and several other items of note.

Binary Domain is set to release next year on 14th February for North America and 17th February for Europe.

[Thanks to Pao for the tip!]

Sonic CD headed to digital download, playable at PAX 2011

Another SEGA classic is set to be ported to Xbox Live Arcade according to Joystiq, have found through Major Nelson’s blog that an unannounced port of Sonic CD is set to debut at the Penny Arcade Expo. Sonic CD is out of all the major classic Sonic titles, the rarest of them all, mainly thanks to the fact it debuted on the SEGA CD and the relatively little (Compared to the other titles in the series) amount of times the game has been ported. At this current moment, it is not known what the release date is, if it is a XBLA exclusive and who would be handling porting duties.

According to Joystiq, SEGA did not wish to disclosure any details at the time, but would be sharing more information in the future.

[Edit] Not exclusive to Xbox Live Arcade. Coming out for Playstation Network, iOS, Windows Phone 7, and Android devices [/Edit]

[Source: Joystiq]

Virtua Tennis on Playstation Vita has exclusive content

Just like its Playstation 3 big brother, the Playstation Vita port coming around the launch of the new handheld, will have exclusive content. Here is a trailer showing it off and some details.

  • Touch Controls: Consoles had motion, this version has touch. Regular and touch controls will always be on together, so you can use both at the same time.
  • Touch Vs. Mode: A top down versus match against another player, played on a single Vita system.
  • VR Match Mode: Virtual Reality or ‘First Person’ view tennis will use the Vita’s gyroscopes for movements.
  • Rock The Boat minigame: Test your skill as you hit targets on a rocking boat.
  • Camera (augmented reality): Details on how SEGA will use augmented reality have not been detailed. But we do see the cameras at work in the create a character, with ‘face scanning’. Nice.

So if you haven’t picked up Virtua Tennis 4 on consoles, this might be one of the best options. Though, I don’t know how much I will use touch controls myself.

[Source: Playstation.Blog]

New Aliens: Colonial Marines images surface at GamesCom

Now, here’s a game that continues to look promising. The long-awaited result of the partnership between SEGA and Gearbox remains a mystery in a lot of ways, but the snippets of information that we continue to receive certainly paint a promising picture. Check out these fresh new screens at the jump as you whet your appetite for the game’s eventual release (PS3, 360, Wii U, and PC) in 2012.

[Source: AVP Galaxy]

Swingin’ Report Show #17: GamesCom Super Duper Episode

Germany held their GamesCom this year. None of us got to go, but that doesn’t stop us from talking about it. We discuss the newest SEGA news, talk about the latest topics our readers suggested, and is Sharky drunk?

[audio:http://www.segabits.com/wp-content/uploads/Swingin_Report_Show_17_GamesCom_Super_Duper_Episode.mp3]

[Download] [Archive]

 

Renegade Ops Video Previews from IGN and Gamespot

Today, IGN has shown a hands-on preview of Renegade Ops. They showcased the many different characters and vehicles in the game. Meanwhile, Gamespot got an interview and long demo of the game. I’ll admit, I overlooked this game completely at E3, but once I got a hands on at the Sega Arcade during Comic Con, I was sold.

Renegade Ops will be available in September. Click “Continue Reading” for the Gamespot video.

GamesCom: New Binary Domain screens

It wouldn’t be a SEGA showing at GamesCom without some new screens, right? Check out the latest images from Toshihiro Nagoshi’s upcoming new IP, Binary Domain. As someone who has been critical of the game’s visuals, I’m happy to report that these screens look a lot nicer (to me, anyway) than what we’ve seen so far: here’s hoping that this applies to when the game’s in motion as well.

[Source: Playstationlifestyle]

Check out all the new screens after the break.