It appears that Sega Amusements has truly struck gold in their partnership with coin-op manufacturer, ICE. Their game, Treasure Quest, is performing remarkably well in facilities across the UK and USA with it giving owners a return-on-investment in just 11 weeks and continuing to earn over £4000 in 4 weeks!

The game likely benefits from its simplicity. It’s a basic ticket redemption game where players spin a large wheel and win the amount of tickets they land on. Plus, it’s got a pirate theme and who can avoid playing a game that probably has more “Arghs” than truly necessary?

Has anyone seen this game at an arcade or other location near you? Did you win some tickets and exchange them for an awesome eraser?

[Source: Sega Arcade]

Sega has released a new trailer for Phantasy Star Online 2: Episode 2 showing off the new features in store for players of the free-to-play MMO. One of the key additions of this new expansion is the new playable race, Dumans. It’s kind of like a human but spelled with a “d”.

In addition to the new race, Episode 2 features entirely new weapon categories, a new class known as Bravers and a new planet to explore, Vopal. This new episode will be released in Japan on July 17th.

[Source: Siliconera]

Youtube user onibox has made an intro screen to the greatly anticipated, but probably fake, Sega Spectrum console that was supposed to have been revealed at E3 2013.

I never thought that the Sega Spectrum would be a console, but I was hopeful that we’d hear something interesting. Instead, we heard nothing at all.

And yes, this is the same Youtube user who created the amazing (and super fake) Dreamcast 2 concept video.

Oh onibox, why must you play with our dreams?

We’ll be recording Episode 133 tomorrow (Thursday) night and we’re looking for your questions and comments! The main topic this week will be our Sega related thoughts on last week’s E3 convention. If you’ve got some opinions and/or questions of your own on E3 or anything Sega related in general please leave them below.

You may remember this little gem being mentioned on the site before. Whether you do or not, and if you are an old-school Sonic fan, you definitely need to check out the game. The game’s creator, Lake Feperd finds his inspiration from the Genesis days of Sonic as this game takes place after Sonic the Hedgehog 2, but before Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Feperd’s first game, Sonic Before the Sequel takes place before Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Both games are worth checking out, and it’s worth mentioning yet again that you should keep an eye out for his Sonic CD-inspired Sonic Chronos Adventure. So who else is gonna grab this awesome fan game?

[Source: Sonic Retro]

Gearbox, known for developing the 2013 hit Aliens: Colonial Marines, are the defendants in a lawsuit filed by fellow developer 3D Realms.

Gearbox allegedly took over development of the ill fated Duke Nukem Forever from 3D Realms under the agreement that Gearbox would pay off a $2.9 million loan owed to an unnamed party. However, 3D Realms that Gearbox had refused to pay out any royalties for the Duke Nukem license until the $2.9 million loan had been recouped; hence the lawsuit.

Gearbox’s Vice President of Marketing Steve Gibson has vehemently defended the company again 3D Realms, claiming that “3D Realms received the full benefit of its bargain” and that while 3D Realms ultimately benefited from the eventual release of Duke Nukem Forever, “Gearbox Software … experienced damage to its credibility and loss of its money”.

It’s everyone’s fault by Gearbox’s, eh?

Steve Gibson’s full statement can be found after the jump.

[Source: Joystiq &  Duke4.net]

The reality is that Apogee / 3D Realms (3DR) received the full benefit of its bargain. Gearbox, in its fulfillment of its commitments, enriched 3DR, saved 3DR from its debts and rescued 3DR from its litigation surrounding its failed dozen-plus year attempt to ship Duke Nukem Forever.

Everyone wished that 3DR’s game was better received by the market for the benefit of gamers and profit to its creators. While 3DR might not wish the reality that the results make clear, 3DR turned out to be the only beneficiary of the deal. Gearbox Software, meanwhile, experienced damage to its credibility and loss of its money.

It’s unfortunate that 3DR did not abide by the the objective audit rules outlined in the agreement and even more unfortunate that it chose to blame its failures on Gearbox. Since 3DR seems unable to accept reality and has chosen to become hostile, Gearbox is forced to bring its actual claims of breach of contract against 3DR and is confident Gearbox will prevail.

Perhaps the lesson learned here is to never enter a gaming business deal with a person who has had more lawsuits than shipped games.

“Do you want to touch me?”

That may or may not be a Bayonetta phrase you are all too familiar with. Well, you’re going to have the opportunity to be even more familiar with it in Bayonetta 2 on the Wii U. The game will feature a special control scheme using the stylus on the touch screen of the Wii U GamePad. According to Nintendo, the game is designed for newcomers, and reminds me a bit of the “one-handed mode,” from the first Bayonetta. The controls will be as follows:

Move – tap to where you want to go

Jump – swipe up

Attack – tap an enemy and repeat taps start combos

Evade – swipe backwards

Witch time – do an evade swipe right before an enemy attacks

Umbra Climax – a command shows up on screen to tap

So there you have it. The Umbra Climax is a new attack brought to the game which allows Bayonetta to summon different monsters from the game. I like to think of it as a more brutal version of Pokemon battles.

How do you feel about this simplified control style? I honestly think it would be confusing to someone familiar with a controller layout, but only time will tell.

[Source: Siliconera]

[Source: VG247]

Roger Vega’s rare Sega Pluto prototype console has less than two hours to go on its second eBay auction. It currently stands at its original $20,000 starting price with no bids.

Vega’s original Game Gavel auction was cancelled after reaching $7,600 after three bids. His first eBay auction ended at $15,500, but with the reserve unmet. But will Vega’s third stab at selling the rare Sega Saturn variant pay off?

In my opinion, choosing to put the console up during E3 2013 may not have worked to Vega’s advantage. Even diehard retro gamers often find themselves getting involved with E3 2013 news and controversy. Unfortunately for Vega I reckon all the talk of Xbox One DRM and PS4 game sharing has completely overshadowed his Sega Pluto auction.

But will a bid slide in at the very end of the auction? Or is $20,000 just too much? Let us know what you think by leaving a comment below!

Aside from a couple mild design snafus (where’s my VMU 2?), talented YouTuber onibox has captured everything that diehard Dreamcast fanatics have been begging for from Sega’s fabled return to console development. From the plucky and passionate “We’re still thinking” motto to the handsomely doctored Shenmue III disc slipping into the console’s orange-lit tray, these 64 seconds offer an impressive and feasible take on what a next-gen Dreamcast might look like.

Somebody please tell me I’m not the only one that teared up like a big baby.