February 26, 1997

We have just added a brand new section to this site, a Message Board. This section has been created to allow the readers of both EGS and sega-saturn.com to post their opinions about the gaming industry, views on the state of the Saturn, and anything else that you would like to discuss. Please don't abuse this by spamming, flaming, advertising, or advocacy. If you think one system is better than another, please back it up with intelligent discussion.

February 25, 1997

Capcom has announced it's 1997 release schedule, and here it is:

• Mega Man 8 - 3/12/97
  
• Buster Brothers - March '97
  
• Marvel Super Heroes - June '97
  
• Mega Man X4 - June '97
  
• Street Fighter Collection - June '97
  
• Dungeons & Dragons Arcade Collection - August '97
  
• Resident Evil - August '97
  
• X-Men VS Street Fighter - 4th Quarter
  
• Darkstalkers 3 - 4th quarter
  
• Resident Evil 2 - 4th Quarter

Sega has announced that the release date of the US version of Saturn Bomberman will be pushed back to Fall '97. It was previously sheduled to be released this April.

Snowboarding Trix, Gussun Oyoyo 2, Bomberman Party Pack and Sega Ages Fantasy Zone have all been released in Japan and are currently available for import in the US. Snowboarding Trix is a snowboarding game like Cool Boarders, but with more detailed graphics. Gusson Oyoyo 2 is an action-platform/puzzler. Bomberman Party Pack is the original Saturn Bomberman, control pad and multi-tap from Hudson Soft. And Sega Ages Fantasy Zone is simply a Saturn version of one of Sega's classic games, Fantasy Zone.

February 24, 1997

Activision announced that it has secured the worldwide distribution rights to id Software's stunning 3-D action/role-playing game Hexen II, the sequel to id's hit title Hexen: Beyond Heretic which has sold over a quarter of a million units.

Under the agreement, Activision has acquired the rights to distribute the PC, Macintosh, PlayStation and Saturn versions of Hexen II. The highly anticipated game is being developed by Raven Software with id serving as executive producer and will be based on an enhanced version of id's QUAKE engine technology. The title reunites id Software and Raven, who collaborated on numerous titles including Heretic and Hexen: Beyond Heretic.

February 21, 1997

Sega has announced that the 3 free game promotion has been extended to May 31, 1997. Anyone who purchases a Saturn until May 31, 1997 will receive the 3 game pack of Daytona USA, Virtua Cop and Virtua Fighter 2. Program was extended to take advantage of graduation gift-giving season, it said. Deal was to expire March 31. (source: OOverlord)

Sega has announced the the Saturn version of Duke 3D will be compatible with Sega's NetLink internet peripheral. It hasn't been decided as of yet, but Sega is considering having the possibility of three different ways to play Duke 3D with the NetLink. First, it may allow direct dial up to a friend for two player co-op or deathmatch play. Second, Sega may set up a online service to set up matches like X-Band. And third, Sega is considering a way to allow deathmatches over the internet allowing up to 6 players to play at once via an internet server. Duke 3D is currently scheduled for a Summer release. (source: Videogamespot)

February 19, 1997

Inspired by the #1 film and video of 1996 and destined to chart new territories for film-inspired interactive names, INDEPENDENCE DAY: THE GAME ('ID4') will simultaneously invade retail outlets across North America for PlayStation, Saturn and Windows(R)95 CD-ROM on March 11 from Fox Interactive. Heralding this arrival will be one of the industry's largest and most comprehensive marketing campaigns ever for a single title, which includes multiple partners, consumer savings of up to $40 and a dedicated, multi-million dollar media campaign. Suggested retail price for PlayStation and Sega is $54.98, Windows(R) 95 CD-ROM is $49.98. All marketing and sales for Fox Interactive products is handled by Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

According to NPD, the top five interactive entertainment software publishers ranked by units sold during 1996 were: Nintendo of America, Electronic Arts, Sega of America, Acclaim and CUC International. The NPD report also noted that video game software outsold computer software with 55% of total software sales going to the console systems. This includes a fourth quarter in which the consoles beat out the PCs with 60% of total software sales. This was helped by strong Saturn software sales during the 4th quarter of 1996 (among other factors).

As reported by Saturnworld, Blizzard has apparently confirmed Warcraft II for release on the Sega Saturn. WCII is an extremely popular real-time war game for the PC and should be released for the Saturn in late 1997.

As reported by GameFan Online, Capcom will be releasing a special edition of Cyberbots that will contain CyberBots Secret File DX, a 50-page hardcover art, CG, and comic book based on Capcom's popular freebie "Secret Files," the Cyberbots Panorama Illustration, a folding pop-up-book, and a specially packaged game case, CD and manual. The special edition will retail for ¥7,800 and be released at the same time as the regular version in March.

As reported by GameFan Online, Capcom has confirmed that the Saturn version of Bio Hazzard will be based on the once PS-bound "Dash" version. So Resident Evil fans that own both the Saturn and Playstation will have something to look forward to.

February 18, 1997

Assault Suit Leynos 2, a mech shooter, has been released in Japan and is now available for import.

February 15, 1997

Capcom has announced that Darkstalkers 3: Vampire Savior will be released for the Saturn late this year. Expect Marvel Super Heroes and Dungeons & Dragons Collection to also be released in the fourth quarter of this year. In other software news, there is talk of AM1 making a Titan Board based Golden Axe Game in the future, and if developed, it will also appear on the Saturn. (from: Neal Jones)

February 14, 1997

As reported by Saturnworld and Next Gen Online, Sega will announce an official date for Fighters MEGAMiX within the next few weeks. It currently looks like it will be a May 1997 release. In other Saturn game news, AM1's Sky Target has been announced for release this year in the US and Playmate's VMX Racing is currently scheduled for a March 29, 1997 release date. In US RPG news, Sega has yet to make any official statement on any RPG with the exception of Shining the Holy Ark.

February 13, 1997

Sega Enterprises continued higher early Wednesday morning after rising Monday. Brokerage dealers bought on a Nikkei report this morning that Sega will tie up with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in theme park business.

Sega's software technology will be combined with Mitsubishi Heavy's mechanical expertise to develop high-tech amusement equipment for use in their operation of theme parks in other Asian countries.

A Yamaichi Securities analyst said that while the brokerage house sees the Sega-MHI alliance as positive, it maintains the issue "neutral." It is not clear how much Sega will investment in the project and it has yet to announce restructuring and business plans for after it merges with Bandai. (from: OOverlord).

Smartcard developer On Track of Israel (OTI), has signed a strategic partnership with the Japanese CSK Group, the world's largest information services company, whose holdings include Sega Enterprises, according to the Jerusalem Post today.

According to the agreement, OTI will invest 2 million dollars to establish a subsidiary in Japan. The company will distribute a series of smartcards, including electronic purses and public transportation cards.

CSK's subsidiaries and OTI, one of the four leading smartcard makers worldwide, will work together on a number of projects. (from: OOverlord).

February 11, 1997

Sega of America and GT Interactive Software Corp. Tuesday announced that "QUAKE" and "Duke Nukem 3D," two widely acclaimed 3D PC games, are in development for release on the Sega Saturn. "QUAKE" on Sega Saturn is expected to be the first version of the popular PC game shipping on a next generation video game console.

"The frenzy `QUAKE' has created in the PC gamer market has been phenomenal and has made it one of the most requested titles by Sega Saturn owners," Bernie Stolar, executive vice president, Sega of America, said. "We are adding new features to these games, like interactive light sourcing and enhanced audio, to give our Sega Saturn gamers a more intense experience with these popular PC-originated titles."

"QUAKE" was designed by id Software using a completely new 3D "engine" -- the first new core technology from id since "DOOM" -- which allows gamers to move through "QUAKE's" world at high speeds without sacrificing the games intense graphics.

"Duke Nukem 3D," one of the best-selling PC games ever, is a first-person perspective shooting game played in full 3D interactive environments developed by 3D Realms Entertainment.

February 10, 1997

Sega has picked up the rights to Quake and Duke Nukem 3D for release for the Saturn. Both titles should be released by the end of this year. It has yet to be announced if these titles will support the NetLink.

Sega's highly awaited Manx TT should be released this March for the Saturn in Japan. Also coming this March in Japan should be Victory Goal '97 and Greatest Nine '97. Victory Goal '97 is the follow up to Victory Goal '96 (WWS'97 in US) a highly acclaimed soccer game that many felt was the best sports title released in 1996. Expect summer or fall releases for all three titles.

GT Interactive has announced that both Hexen and Quake should be released this upcoming March for the Sega Saturn.

Fox Interactive has announced that it has signed a development deal with London based Argonaut Software for the rights to develop Alien Resurrection for the Sega Saturn.

Sakura Taisen Hana Gumi Tsushin, Puyo Puyo Sun and Roommate Inoue Ryouko should be released this week in Japan and should be available for import later this week. Sakuar Taisen Hana Gumi Tsushin is a Sakuar Taisen data disc by Sega. Puyo Puyo Sun is a classic puzzler by Compile. And Roomate Inoue Ryouko is a social interaction game by Datam Polystar.

February 7, 1997

The merger of Sega Enterprises Ltd. and Bandai Co., slated for October, will quickly show results, the presidents of the two firms predicted Thursday. Speaking at a joint press conference, Sega President Hayao Nakayama and Bandai President Makoto Yamashina said the first task of the merger is to form a multimedia firm to handle diversification into the entertainment business.

The two companies plan to link up Sega-affiliate Kyokuichi Corp. with Sunrise Inc., a Bandai group firm, in a bid to topple Toei Animation Co. from No.1 spot in the Japanese animation industry.

The presidents said the merger should give the new company the lead in the animation software business.

It has not been decided yet whether the new company will provide video game software to Nintendo Co.and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., the Sega president said. (information from: OOverlord)

As reported by Game Fan Online, Sega has announced three new Model 3 arcade games (Virtua Striker 2, House of Dead and Top Skater) that will be showcased at the AOU show on February 19-20 in Japan.

February 6, 1997

Sega of America announced yesterday the lay off of 65 staff members effective immediately, further reducing the Sega staff in Redwood City, CA, to about 320 employees. There are rumors that suggest that even more lay offs will occur in March of this year, but they have not been confirmed by Sega of America. Sega has stated that these lay offs will in no way effect game research and development.

February 5, 1997

The response to Steve Thomason's Konami Petition to get Suikoden and Policenaughts released for the Saturn has been doing well. He has already received almost 550 names, but still needs more. So, if you are in any way interested in having Konami release Suikoden and Policenaughts for the Saturn in the US and have not already added your name to the petition, please do so NOW.

Even Saturn owners who do not want or care about Suikoden or Policenaughts should add their name to this petition as it will benefit all Saturn owners. If you have already submitted your name, please be sure to tell all your Saturn owning friends about it and get them to submit their names, as well. Send your name and email address to Steve Thomason at - thomasos@carleton.edu.