Josh Newey
Sega and I high-five. A lot. Mostly over classic Sonic and the Dreamcast, but these days are looking pretty high-five-able too.
Posts by Josh Newey
Review: The House of the Dead: Overkill – The Lost Reels (iOS)
May 18th
Also available on Android
As smartphone gaming has sunken its alluringly frugal hooks into the industry over the past several years, the simplicity and quarter-eating addiction of the arcade experience has at last migrated to a new nest, thriving in a mobile market that is rabidly consumed, habit-forming, and supremely affordable.
That’s probably why, despite my ongoing vitriol for virtual controls, I squealed with joy at the news of a mobile spinoff of the arcade-flavored House of the Dead: Overkill. Even as other shooters weigh us down with RPG mechanics and unnecessary, sweeping storylines, House of the Dead‘s bony grasp remains tightly wrapped around the skeletal framework of the on-rails shooting and the hilariously absurd plots of its predecessors.
That common link—the spirit of the arcade—is why an iOS/Android HOTD makes so much sense. But based on Sega’s uneven history with iOS ports, you couldn’t blame me for harboring a little bit of apprehension…Could you?
Sega Sammy posts annual growth of 53.3%, Aliens: Colonial Marines and SASR Transformed sold over one million copies
May 13th
With Sega’s dramatic restructuring in full force over the past several months, we’ve certainly started to feel the changes, at least in terms of their new mobile-heavy release schedule. Sega Sammy has announced their financial returns for the fiscal year ending March 31st, and based on these numbers it’s probably safe to assume that we’ll be getting more of the same down the line.
Over the past year, the company has yielded a net profit of 33.5 billion yen (approximately $331 million), which represents an annual growth of 53.3%. While these numbers sound pretty favorable, they reportedly have had a lot to do with the shifting of pensions and the sales of investment securities. Sega’s operating profit tells a much sadder story, coming in at 19.1 billion yen ($189 million), down 67.3% from last year’s figures.
Hit the jump to see the game-by-game breakdown, plus a list of projected numbers for the next fiscal year.
[Source: Joystiq]
RUMOR: Sonic to appear in a Wii U exclusive, return to Super Smash Bros.
May 12th
Despite last year’s rumors about steep licensing costs, it seems the successful Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games franchise is still alive and kicking, at least according to a member of the IGN forums.
User 100-Year-Old-Gamer, who claims to be a Nintendo insider, has been fielding pre-E3 questions, offering up some savory hints regarding the Blue Blur’s future presence on the Wii U: “A few Sonic games are currently being made (all of which will be on Wii U),” he writes, “I can’t say much about them, but the one made by Sega Sports R&D is a Nintendo exclusive!”
Sega Sports R&D have had their hands in the Mario and Sonic at the Olympics Games franchise from the beginning, so it wouldn’t be particularly surprising if a new entry was in the works.
Perhaps even more interesting is 100-Year-Old-Gamer‘s claim that Sonic will also be returning to the next chapter in Nintendo’s well-loved Super Smash Bros. series, and that other third party characters from Namco and Platinum are being considered. A lot of Super Smash Bros. fans assumed Sonic would be making a return, but the prospect of Bayonetta or Jack Cayman making an appearance is too exciting for words.
Of course rumors like these should always be taken with a boatload of salt, as we have learned from a wealth of dead-end Sonic rumors over the past six months or so. Still, if either rumor ends up true, it will be very good news indeed.
Elderly reactions to Hatsune Miku are pretty much the same as mine
May 6th
Youtuber TheFineBros has an ongoing series in which groups from all sides of the social spectrum are asked to sit down to various media from beyond their demographic’s reach. The latest video asked some older ladies and gentlemen to take in the unique modern art that is Vocaloid singers, including everybody’s favorite, Hatsune Miku.
Not surprisingly, their visceral reactions fall almost exactly parallel to mine: initial confusion and shock, followed by slack-jawed wonder, 1984-inspired terror, reluctant acceptance, and then (*gasp*) enjoyment.
I think Don, the most open-minded gent in the entire video, accurately describes word-for-word my current feelings on Vocaloid technology: “I love it [...] I’m overwhelmed, I’m really and truly overwhelmed. How creative…”
“What was it?”
Someone sells a can of Seaman on eBay, the world snickers uncontrollably
May 5th
I suppose it only makes sense that one of the most disturbing games in history managed to yield the most freakishly upsetting promotional material I have ever seen. When Sega gave us the awesome nightmare fuel that is Seaman more than a decade ago, they apparently also saw fit to unleash a faux vacuum-packed can of humanoid fish-babies along with it. If that doesn’t sound like the setup for a Goosebumps book, I don’t know what does.
Late last month, one lucky eBayer managed to rid him or herself of this accursed foodstuff, auctioning it off for an impressive $99. While I have to admit that I’d be tempted by any materials Seaman-related (har har har, laugh it up), I can’t imagine seeing this demonic cannibal feast staring back at me from any display shelf. Hell, even if this thing is just relabeled tuna, that means someone is holding on to thirteen-year-old tuna fish. Truly chilling.
Would any of you guys pony up a crisp Benjamin to get your hands on Goosebumps #1999: Curse of the Seaman?
[Source: Game Sniped]
Sonic Jump is 50% off for Android devices
May 5th
If you still haven’t gotten to try your hand at Hardlight’s first Sonic game, now’s your chance. From now until May 13th, Sonic Jump will be available on the Amazon Marketplace for $0.99, down from the usual $1.99 asking price.
Don’t let its simple Doodle Jump leanings fool you; there’s actually a lot more to this one than meets the eye. It may not be the most original game out there, but it certainly is a fun little distraction with plenty of stages and content. Well worth $0.99, at the very least.
Sonic Labyrinth priced for the American 3DS eShop…Woooooo…
Apr 28th
To put it bluntly, the 3DS Game Gear resurgence in the US has been a joke.
While we were given a couple of the handheld’s best titles in the supposedly inaugural batch released in March of 2012, we have gotten nothing but broken promises ever since. Meanwhile, Japanese 3DS users have gotten their hands on no less than fourteen eShop Game Gear rereleases–yes, fourteen–including such titles as Sonic & Tails 2, Columns, Sonic Drift 2, Ariel: Legendary Crystal, Tails Adventure, Puyo Puyo, and of course, Sonic Labyrinth.
After 13 months of waiting, we may finally be getting at least one more game out West, as Sega’s dust-covered eShop listing for Sonic Labyrinth has been updated with a price point of $4.99. That’s right: Sonic Labyrinth, often regarded as one of the worst Sonic games ever made, could be our light at the end of the tunnel.
*Sigh* I give up.
[Source: GoNintendo]
Get your first glimpse of Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai 2 gameplay
Apr 27th
As is expected with any Hatsune Miku title, the latest game starring the Vocaloid icon is already stirring up some buzz among fans. Sega is feeding the fire with the first gameplay trailer, which debuts some cheery tapping gameplay for the track “Nekoko no Payapaya.”
While rhythm games have never been my thing, I’ve always found the 3DS to be a pretty receptive platform for the genre. Of course, button pressing works fine, but something about hearing yourself tap on the screen really helps with keeping the beat. Based on the trailer alone, it looks like that touch screen will be a very big part of Project Mirai 2.
It’s still pretty unlikely we’ll see this game make it out West, but with the Hatsune Miku Facebook campaign still garnering quite a few “Likes,” I’d say there’s more hope now than there ever was before.
[Source: Gematsu]
Relic: A new Dawn of War “a strong possibility”
Apr 23rd
Ever since Sega’s acquisition of the Warhammer license a few months back, it’s been a bit of a challenge to nail down the scope of their control over the IP’s many franchises. Non-Sega games seem to be popping up elsewhere, and a permanent home for the Warhammer 40k leg of the universe still seemed very much in question.
It appears that question has been answered, as Relic game director Quinn Duffy revealed in a discussion with Eurogamer that at least one major 40k title, Dawn of War, still rests in the hands of Games Workshop. Still, Duffy is confident that a Relic-developed sequel is not out of the question:
“Because it’s a license and it’s owned by Games Workshop, they have the opportunity to work that license with whoever they want. I would hope it would be us again. We had a great working relationship with Games Workshop. Sega is establishing one now with the fantasy license for Creative Assembly. There’s a strong possibility we’ll all be working together again on Dawn of War.”
While Sega’s role in said hypothetical partnership isn’t particularly clear, it can be assumed that they would at least be involved, as Relic now resides under their umbrella. Creative Assembly may be whittling away at Warhammer’s next big thing, but picking up Relic shortly after acquiring the broader license itself is no small coincidence.
[Source: Polygon]
Video proof of Kazuma Kiryu’s Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational cameo
Apr 22nd
Last week we reported the awesome news that the great Kazuma Kiryu would be available as DLC for the almost-as-great series Hot Shots Golf. If you didn’t believe it, I suppose I couldn’t blame you. But as the video above proves, this unique cameo is more than an extra-late April Fools spoof. Nay, it is indeed real…and freaking awesome.
As you can see, Kazuma brings with him the tongue-in-cheek sense of humor that lent some levity to his home franchise, Yakuza. I even found myself laughing out loud at certain moments in this fun little trailer.
Of course, this sweet bonus is Japan exclusive (surprise, surprise), so this video may be the only taste we may ever get.
…Oh. I made myself sad just now.
[Source: Siliconera]
