After an initial delay to beef up security to the game’s netcode, SEGA has announced that Phantasy Star Online Version 2’s release date has been pushed back again in Japan. Continue reading PSO Version 2 Delayed in Japan… Again
Naka: Gamecube PSO Port Took A Single Month to Make
Sonic Team leader Yuji Naka was at the E3 conference this week showing off Phantasy Star Online on the Nintendo Gamecube, and he mentioned that developing for the console has been a breeze so far. Continue reading Naka: Gamecube PSO Port Took A Single Month to Make
SEGA Releases 10th Anniversary Wallpaper
What better way to celebrate Sonic’s 10th Anniversary than with an official desktop wallpaper? Well, SEGA understands your needs – which is why it has shared a special background for fans to use on their computers to celebrate the big event.
You can download the wallpaper in full by heading to The Sonic Stadium’s Wallpaper section.
E3 2001 Roundup: Day 1 Coverage
SEGA revealed more of their third-party publishing plans during the first day of E3, with SoA President Peter Moore confirming a slew of games for Microsoft’s Xbox and Sony’s PlayStation 2. Continue reading E3 2001 Roundup: Day 1 Coverage
Shadow Dominates E3’s LA Convention Centre
E3 is the gaming industry’s superbowl; so it’s little wonder that various companies are prepared to spend loads of money on marketing their biggest titles in outrageous ways. Sega is no exception – to promote Sonic Adventure 2, the publisher has placed an absolutely massive Shadow poster across the outside of the Los Angeles Convention Center. Continue reading Shadow Dominates E3’s LA Convention Centre
SEGA Reveals E3 2001 Lineup
Sega has revealed their core line-up of titles that will be showcased at E3 2001. It looks like the company wants their foray into third party development to start with a bang, as a swathe of Gamecube and Game Boy Advance titles have been announced, alongside a rather large number of Dreamcast games. Continue reading SEGA Reveals E3 2001 Lineup
Sonic Team Cracks Down on PSO Pirates
Seems like Sonic Team is getting serious with Phantasy Star Online hackers and pirates. Following a series of mishaps, including the hijacking of a live event, the developer is introducing a ‘three strikes’ penalty policy on offenders. Continue reading Sonic Team Cracks Down on PSO Pirates
Yuji Naka Wins Best Programmer Award for PSO Innovations
Sonic Team’s lead producer, Yuji Naka, has won an award for Best Programmer at the annual high profile Association of Media in Digital (AMD) Awards in Japan. Congratulations Naka-san! Continue reading Yuji Naka Wins Best Programmer Award for PSO Innovations
Rumour: PSO Version 2 Could Get Global Launch
Could PSO Version 2 also see a global release? That’s the current chatter happening in the Sega community this week, with suggestions that Sonic Adventure 2 will just be the first of many games that will enjoy a co-ordination worldwide launch. Continue reading Rumour: PSO Version 2 Could Get Global Launch
‘Mega Drive 21’ Handheld Console to Launch in Japan
The Mega Drive lives on! In Japan and Asia at the very least – word on the street is that a new handheld device will be made available that comes pre-loaded with over twenty 16-Bit games. It’s called the ‘Mega Drive 21’ and will be on store shelves April 27. Continue reading ‘Mega Drive 21’ Handheld Console to Launch in Japan
PSO Version 2 Confirmed for North American Release
It’s official – Phantasy Star Online ver 2 will indeed be hitting North American Dreamcast consoles, as well as Japan. Sega confirmed the existence of the Western release when announcing server downtime for the original Phantasy Star Online. Continue reading PSO Version 2 Confirmed for North American Release
Sega Europe Plans Dreamcast Parties at Sports Cafe and Wacky Warehouse
No, that’s not the name of a weird new Sonic zone. Sega Europe has reportedly teamed up with a chain of popular bars and restaurants to promote upcoming Dreamcast games to kids and adults alike in the UK. Continue reading Sega Europe Plans Dreamcast Parties at Sports Cafe and Wacky Warehouse
SEGA’s E3 Details Revealed
Sega is preparing to show off a lot of titles at this year’s Electronics Entertainment Expo. Among the confirmed games on the show floor will be the upcoming GBA titles Sonic Advance as well as ChuChu Rocket from Sonic Team, but Sega titles on Xbox will also be revealed. Continue reading SEGA’s E3 Details Revealed
SEGA Reveals Third Party Plan: Sonic Team to Make Home on Nintendo Gamecube
Sega officially announced its commitment to third party development in a huge news conference this morning. The company outlined which of its development studios would align to which console, noting that Sonic Team, AM2 and Amusement Vision will largely focus their efforts on Nintendo’s Gamecube. Continue reading SEGA Reveals Third Party Plan: Sonic Team to Make Home on Nintendo Gamecube
PSO Celebrates Easter With New Quests
As we reported last week, Phantasy Star Online got seasonal to celebrate the Easter holiday. The festivities involved a series of special Japan-only quests that players could download and enjoy. Continue reading PSO Celebrates Easter With New Quests
PSO Version 2 Delayed in Japan
Sonic Team leader Yuji Naka revealed at Game Jam that Phantasy Star Online Version 2 will be slightly delayed in Japan. It was due to release on May 17, but will instead launch at the end of the month, May 31. Continue reading PSO Version 2 Delayed in Japan
PSO Version 2 to Feature More Monsters, Grave Markers
Fresh info straight from PSO World, involving markers indicating a player’s death spot, new dialogue trees, more accessible co-op play and a range of interesting new creatures that can help mix up an online game. Hit the jump for full details of the changes. Continue reading PSO Version 2 to Feature More Monsters, Grave Markers
PSO X-Buns – Easter Hits Sonic Team’s Online RPG
Easter has arrived on Phantasy Star Online, and that means special in-game events! Giant Easter Eggs and Fireworks on the Pioneer 2 are expected to be added to the game, along with special music whilst in the lobby area.
It’s rumoured that certain special items, and even new enemies, will be making a temporary presence in the ultimate Easter egg hunt. Be careful of giant attacking bunnies!
Sega Officially Confirms Microsoft Xbox Release Slate
Looks like the rumours were true – SEGA has formally announced this week that they will be bringing eleven titles to Microsoft’s Xbox. They revealed four such titles during this announcement, which involve sequels to some classic SEGA properties. Looks like anyone who’s after a new Jet Set Radio might have to look at getting a new console! Continue reading Sega Officially Confirms Microsoft Xbox Release Slate
ChuChu Rocket GBA Box Art Revealed
Sonic Team’s kooky puzzle game, ChuChu Rocket, is getting a re-release on Nintendo’s Game Boy Advance. And Sega has revealed the packshots for the game in both North America and Europe. Take a look below – no news on Sonic Advance’s release outside of Japan yet, but as soon as we hear anything we’ll let you know. Continue reading ChuChu Rocket GBA Box Art Revealed
Hackers Spoil PSO Event, Doesn’t Stop Sonic Team Winning Awards
There’s been a little bit of good news and bad news this week in the world of Phantasy Star Online. The officially-organised PSO Fan Cup has been halted in Japan due to hackers exploiting certain elements of the special quests. It’s likely that the event has only been temporarily stopped while the culprits are weeded out. Continue reading Hackers Spoil PSO Event, Doesn’t Stop Sonic Team Winning Awards
Rumour: Sega to Announce Xbox Partnership at Tokyo Game Show 2001
The upcoming Spring 2001 Tokyo Game Show event will be the venue for a big SEGA announcement that will see a list of games planned for Microsoft’s Xbox, according to IGN. The site says that it expects the publisher to outline specific titles alongside Microsoft when it introduces the Xbox console to the Japanese market. Continue reading Rumour: Sega to Announce Xbox Partnership at Tokyo Game Show 2001
SEGA President Isao Okawa Dies
TOKYO, March 16 (Reuters) – Sega Corp said that its outspoken president Isao Okawa, who recently grabbed media headlines for his 85 billion yen ($695.7 million) private donation to the struggling gamemaker, died of heart failure on Friday. He was 74 years old. Continue reading SEGA President Isao Okawa Dies
Phantasy Star Online ver 2 Dated for Japan, New Modes Revealed
New information on the upcoming Phantasy Star Online ‘Version 2’ has been revealed. The game will be released in May for Japanese Dreamcast players, and will include two new levels (Space Boat and Sanctuary) along with new Mags (like a Master System-themed one), new characters, enemies and clothing. Continue reading Phantasy Star Online ver 2 Dated for Japan, New Modes Revealed
Phantasy Star Online ‘Fan Cup’ Kicks Off in Japan
Think you’re pretty good at hunting as a HUmar? Rampaging as a RAcast? Force-casting as a FOnewm? Erm… anyway, if you’re good at Phantasy Star Online and live in Japan, then you might want to pay attention to a cool event that SEGA is holding with Famitsu as you could win some serious cash. Continue reading Phantasy Star Online ‘Fan Cup’ Kicks Off in Japan
SEGA Sues Kmart for Alleged Non-Payment of Dreamcast Shipments
With all the news/rumours flying around about Sega ceasing production of the Dreamcast, you’d be forgiven for thinking that US retailer Kmart’s removal of the console from its shelves was some sort of reaction to that. Well, you’d be wrong – Sega is suing the chain for allegedly failing to pay around $2.2 million for hardware shipments since 1999.
Continue reading SEGA Sues Kmart for Alleged Non-Payment of Dreamcast Shipments
Feedback Forum: Give SEGA a Break!
Sega has had its ups and downs – more downs than ups, but that was due to its consoles, not the games created for them. Sega tried to make the most out of every console they made (including the Sega Saturn, which was a mongoose to program for). So I believe that Sega is pretty good when it comes to making games. Just look in your local arcade for Christ’s sake! How many Sega cabinets do you see? Most of the games are made by them! Continue reading Feedback Forum: Give SEGA a Break!
Sonic 10th Anniversary Celebrated in Electronic Gaming Monthly
If you live in the US, get to your local game store right away to pick up the new Electronic Gaming Monthly magazine. This month’s issue features Sonic on the cover – not only that, but characters from Phantasy Star Online are reflected in his eyes! Continue reading Sonic 10th Anniversary Celebrated in Electronic Gaming Monthly
OPINION: Dreamcast Dead?
Heard a rumour that the Dreamcast is dead? At first glance this may all seem like some sort of self-destructive pattern on Sega’s part , and that may make you lose your faith in the company as a fan. But, as this massive news special will soon explain, the odds are all in the favour of the Dreamcasters. First off, let’s address the rumours and stories and whatnot (that sounds SO English. Wait, I AM English).
Continue reading OPINION: Dreamcast Dead?
Sega Partners With Pace Micro Technology to Make Dreamcast Set Top Boxes
Well it looks like the home console race is over, but for set top boxes the Dream lives on, as Sega has announced a new partnership with British technology firm Pace Micro Technology to develop a special TV box that has the ability to play Dreamcast games. According to a report on IGNDC, the announced production halt of the home console could well be just a tactic to make room for this new living-room gadget instead. Continue reading Sega Partners With Pace Micro Technology to Make Dreamcast Set Top Boxes
It’s Official: Sega is Dropping Out of the Console Market
Goodnight, sweet prince. 🙁 It’s actually happening. We didn’t want to believe it, but it’s happening. Sega, as a first-party console maker, is no more. The company has formally announced that it will be quitting the hardware business and becoming a third-party software developer. A price drop for the Dreamcast was also announced to help clear any remaining stock. Continue reading It’s Official: Sega is Dropping Out of the Console Market
Sega Japan Reveals Negotiations to Make PS2 and Game Boy Advance Games
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire… after the rumour that Sega might be dropping the Dreamcast came out yesterday, a press release has been issued by Sega’s Japan headquarters that states that the company is “currently in negotiations to supply software for PlayStation 2 and Game Boy Advance.” Wow. Continue reading Sega Japan Reveals Negotiations to Make PS2 and Game Boy Advance Games
Rumour: Sega to Discontinue the Dreamcast and Become Multi-Platform Developer?
What… the… heck..? This is a pretty explosive rumour, so let’s hope it’s not true. Apparently, there are noises that suggest Sega is going to stop production of the Dreamcast and actually make video games for other rival consoles – including PlayStation 2 and Game Boy Advance!(?) Continue reading Rumour: Sega to Discontinue the Dreamcast and Become Multi-Platform Developer?
New Sonic Wallpaper Released by Sonic Team
Who wants a change of scenery for their desktop? Sonic Team has you covered. The studio has just released a brand new wallpaper image, and it’s quite sleek and elegant if we do say so ourselves. Read on to get a bunch of download options depending on your monitor’s screen resolution. Continue reading New Sonic Wallpaper Released by Sonic Team
Sonic Team Announces Mobile Games Service ‘Sonic Cafe’
A bunch of new NiGHTS into Dreams and ChuChu Rocket! games have popped up on Sonic Team’s official Japanese website. But they’re not what you think – they’re actually for your mobile phone. Crazy! Apparently, mobiles are really popular in Japan, and everybody plays little games on them. So in an attempt to get in on the action, ‘Sonic Cafe’ will offer a bunch of bite-size applications based on their famous franchises. Continue reading Sonic Team Announces Mobile Games Service ‘Sonic Cafe’
Sega America Hosts Contest for Fans to Meet Yuji Naka
Who fancies meeting the legendary Yuji Naka? You, I bet. Well, it’s just as well that he’s been bouncing here there and everywhere then – chances are you’re likely to bump into him at some point while he’s doing the Sonic Adventure 2 and Phantasy Star Online tour, but if stalking’s not your thing Sega of America is holding a contest where you can get flown to San Francisco just to meet the Sonic-creating hero. Continue reading Sega America Hosts Contest for Fans to Meet Yuji Naka
