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May 29, 1997
MOODY'S KEEPS SEGA'S LONG-TERM DEBT RATING THE SAME
Moody's Investors Service said on Thursday that it would keep Sega Enterprises Ltd's long-term debt rating at Baa2. Moody's action was based on the announcement earlier this week that the planned merger of Sega and Bandai Co Ltd was cancelled, the rating agency said. Moody's had placed Sega's rating under review for a possible downgrade after the two companies' announcement in January that they would merge on October 1.
NEW IMPORTS RELEASED
D-Xhird and Skull Fang have been released in Japan and are now available for import in the US. D-Xhird is a 3-D fighting game from Takara of Toshinden fame, and Skull Fang is a vertical arcade shooter.
TWO NEW MEGAMI TENSEI GAMES COMING TO THE SATURN
Atlus has announced that two new Megami Tensei titles will be released for the Saturn in Japan this Fall. They are "Shin Megami Tensei Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers" and "Majin Tensei RONDE: Circular Dance Music." Soul Hackers is said to be the sequel to Devil Summoner, and RONDE is being described as an S-RPG - meaning it's most likely either a simulation or strategy game. RONDE will be out in mid September, and Soul Hackers should be out in November. Both games will be released on 2 disks. (SOURCE: Game Fan Online)
May 28, 1997
THE LOST WORLD COMING TO ALL SEGA SYSTEMS
Sega introduces "The Lost World: Jurassic Park" video game in four exciting ways to play four different versions of the game. The video game, based on the blockbuster movie released Memorial Day Weekend, will play on Sega video game systems ranging from the hand-held Game Gear to the stand-up arcade units.
Sega Saturn: A 3-D action game in which players control a series of five characters (Compy, Raptor, Human Hunter, T-Rex and Human Scientist) struggling to survive amid natural and man-made perils. The game features advanced animation techniques that make the dinosaurs move with realistic features. Working closely with the game's design team at Dreamworks Interactive, Sega is creating gameplay features specific to the Sega Saturn version. Ship date: September 1997.
Sega Arcade: Combines the fast-paced action of a shooter with the mind-bending challenges of a puzzle game. Realistic environments come to life with 3-D graphics and polygon-based characters. Ship date: August 1997.
Sega Genesis: An action adventure shooting game where gamers must capture dinosaurs for bounty. The game features 360 movement in which gamers navigate jeeps, Humvee Snagglers, boats and dinosaur transports. Ship date: August 1997.
Game Gear: A side-scrolling action adventure shooting game with six dinosaur species, plus a T-Rex bonus level. Ship date: August 1997.
SEGA TO SHIFT FOCUS TO SOFTWARE
Sega Enterprises Ltd said that the company's inventories were lowered to appropriate levels by the end of March 1997. Sega said its group inventories dropped 15.46 billion yen in fiscal 1996/97. Sega had been burdened by a large volume of stock of old game machine models, particularly in overseas markets.
"I think we had cut our inventories appropriately by the end of March, by abandoning old-generation game models and lowering their prices to market levels," a senior Sega executive told a news conference. He also said the company will shift its focus to the profitable software sector in fiscal 1997/98 from the loss-making hardware sector.
Sega expects global shipments of its Sega Saturn 32-bit game machines to decline to 1.9 million units in 1997/98 from 4.16 million units in 1996/97, he said. He added that the decline in shipments will help to cut losses in Sega's hardware operations in 1997/98. Sales in Sega's consumer division, which include Sega Saturn and other game machines, are expected to drop 46 percent to 88 billion yen in 1997/98, he said.
He added, however, that the company had no intention to stop producing Sega Saturn machines.
NEWS CORRECTION
I reported that FIGHTERS MEGAMIX had just cracked EB's top 10 list this week, but it actually made the top 10 last week coming in at number 3. I apologize for the error, and must thank all of the readers that informed me of this mistake.
SEGA MERGER FIASCO HURTS BANDAI'S IMAGE
Japanese toy maker Bandai Co Ltd was hit by a double blow of a fall in its share price and poor earnings on Wednesday, a day after calling off its planned merger with Sega Enterprises Ltd. Analysts said the bungled merger had tarnished the credibility of Bandai's top management, who were unable to quell dissent within the company over the plan. They predicted more problems ahead after Makoto Yamashina announced he would resign from the post of company president to take responsibility for the failure.
"Negative impact on Bandai's image is inevitable as reports (of the failed merger) have revealed that the company president did not demonstrate proper leadership," said Mitsuko Morita, an analyst at Morgan Stanley Japan Ltd.
Bandai said on Wednesday that Yamashina intends to resign for failing to win internal support for the merger, which he and Sega President Hayao Nakayama had hammered out over a dinner one night last year. However, analysts said the resignation would be largely symbolic as he would take up the position of chairman and continue to wield influence. A Bandai official said the firm may make a formal decision on the management change at a board meeting on Thursday.
Sega, maker of the Saturn 32-bit video-game player, and Bandai, known for its Power Rangers series and virtual pet toy "Tamagotchi," said in January that they would merge to create a global entertainment giant rivalling Walt Disney Co. But the marriage was called off only a day before the firms were to approve the pact -- though they said the had agreed to a tie-up in product merchandising and development.
The Bandai management had been shaken by strong opposition to the merger from mid-level managers who feared a clash in corporate cultures as well as changes in working conditions. "It seems that the Bandai president was unable to persuade the firm's managers into accepting the merger," a broker at one of Japan's "Big Four" brokerages. "Investors fear the absence of unity within the firm may hinder growth."
On Wednesday, Bandai lost 90 yen on the Tokyo bourse to end at 2,670 yen. Sega, in contrast, rose 80 yen to 3,780. After the market closed, Bandai announced that it plunged into the red on a group basis in the year to last March 31. It posted a group net loss of 7.98 billion yen ($68.7 million). Its parent current profit also fell, by 15.4 percent to 8.6 billion yen ($74.1 million), while parent sales slid 6.4 percent to 98.7 billion yen ($850 million). Current profit is pre-tax and includes losses or gains on investments.
Bandai has been burdened by extremely weak sales of its Pippin Atmark machines, a video game player with Internet capabilities. It has stopped producing the multimedia terminal but says it will continue to sell the machines. However, despite the gloomy earnings and failed merger, analysts expect Bandai's prospects in the current year to be brighter given the runaway success of "Tamagotchi," an egg-shaped toy featuring an electronic bird. The toy became an instant hit after its debut in November, and about five million units have already been shipped. Bandai to sell 13 million by the end of fiscal 1997/98. Analysts said profit from Tamagotchi would begin to kick-in fully this business year.
Bandai forecast a group net profit of 2.5 billion yen ($21.5 million) this year. It said its parent current profit would fall to 7.6 billion yen ($65.5 million), although parent sales would rise to 120 billion yen ($1.03 billion).
Analysts said that in the long-term, Sega may have more to lose from the failed merger as it had become much harder to restructure its unprofitable game-machine operation without new blood and a boost in its earnings. They said Sega's video-game machine is losing money and is unlikely to turn profitable in the future. Sega said on Wednesday that its parent current profit grew 5.2 percent to 33.3 billion yen ($287 million) in 1996/97. Its parent sales rose four percent to 359.9 billion yen.
For this business year, Sega forecast that its parent sales and parent current profit would decline to 310 billion and 30 billion yen ($258 million) respectively.
May 27, 1997
SEGA-BANDAI MERGER CANCELLED!
Video game giant Sega Enterprises Ltd. has scrapped its planned $1.09 billion acquisition of Bandai Co., maker of Power Rangers action figures, because of opposition among Bandai's middle managers. The Japanese companies said Tuesday they would instead create a joint venture to develop their consumer businesses, merchandise Bandai characters and develop new multimedia products.
``Although we can't merge, we'd like to maintain the spirit and purpose of our agreement,'' Sega president Hayao Nakayama said. He added that the cancellation would not significantly change Sega's long-term strategies.
The deal, announced in January, was seen as an opportunity for Sega to reinvigorate its video game business, which has been under pressure from rivals like Nintendo Co. and Sony Corp.
Sega's newest Saturn game machine performed only modestly in the United States during Christmas, struggling against the more powerful Nintendo 64 machine and Sony's PlayStation.
Nakayama said he originally had opted for a merger instead of a joint venture because he thought the latter would have been ``weak.'' He said he had believed as late as Monday that the merger would go ahead.
But Bandai executives said they decided to cancel the deal because of unspecified cultural differences and an inability to clearly identify benefits from the merger. They also said the merger could have involved problems with labor unions.
Bandai President Makoto Yamashina said at a news conference that he regretted the cancellation of the merger, but that he looked forward to cooperation with Sega.
Asked whether the cancellation would hurt relations between the two companies, Sega's Nakayama said, ``It will make it easier for us, since they will feel a little guilty.''
Nakayama said the new joint venture would include development of amusement facilities and retail shops, as well as cooperation in manufacturing and distribution. He didn't give details.
Before the merger was announced in January, both companies had warned that earnings for the year would be lower than expected.
Sega slashed its profit forecast for the year ended March 31 to 5.3 billion yen, or $45.69 million, from 10 billion yen, citing a writedown of older 16-bit game machines at its U.S. subsidiary. Sega was scheduled to announce earnings for the year on Wednesday.
Bandai predicted a pretax loss of 2 billion yen for the year, citing slack demand for its Pippin Atmark multimedia set-top box, which it developed with Apple Computer Inc. Bandai subsequently halted production of the Pippin.
In recent months, however, Bandai has enjoyed a hit with its Tamagotchi toy, an egg-shaped simulation game involving the nurturing of a virtual chick on a tiny liquid-crystal display screen.
May 24, 1997
DEAD OR ALIVE SET FOR SEPTEMBER RELEASE
Tecmo's Dead or Alive is currently scheduled for a September release date and it may be shown at next month's E3 show in Atlanta. In addition to Dead or Alive, Tecmo is considering translating J-League Go Go Goal for the Sega Saturn and may show it at E3, as well. (SOURCE: Saturnworld)
May 23, 1997
NEW BETA OF NETLINK BROWSER RELEASED
A new beta version of the NetLink's PlanetWeb browser has been released. You can find the update at http://www.planetweb.com/upgrade.html. For information on what changes this beta version contains, go to http://www.planetweb.com/beta1122.html.
NEW IMPORT RELEASES
Kakyusei and Wara Wara Wars have both been recently released in Japan and should now be available for import in the US. Kakyusei is an ELF dating simulation and Wara Wara Wars is a strategy game.
SATURN PRICE DROP AT E3?
According to unnameable sources, Sega is prepping for a price drop that would be made during E3 or just moments before E3. The price drop would lower the price of the Saturn from anywhere between $99 and $149. Some stores are already printing POP material (signs, banners, etc.) which will be ready once the announcement is made. All that needs to be done is affix the appropriate price on the signs and they're ready.
CACPCOM CANS CYBERBOTS
Capcom of America has decided to remove Cyberbots from its 1997 release schedule, due to low expected sales levels. Marvel Super Heroes and Street Fighter Collection are considered a higher priority. Capcom still plans on releasing a total of seven titles for the Saturn this year, these game are Resident Evil, Darkstalkers 3, Street Fighter Collection, Dungeons & Dragons Collection, Megaman X 4, and Marvel Super Heroes. (SOURCE: Saturnworld)
FUTURE OF HEART OF DARKNESS UNCERTAIN
It appears that after years of development and millions of dollars spent, that Amazing Studio's epic 2D action/adventure Heart of Darkness may be cancelled. Spelling Entertainment is readying for the sale of Virgin, and to make it a more attractive package, Heart of Darkness may have to go. So despite all of the time and money that has been put into Heart of Darkness, it may never make it out unless some other publisher picks it up. (SOURCE: GFO)
May 22, 1997
LAST BRONX RELEASE DATE ANNOUNCED
Last Bronx is currently scheduled for an August 17, 1997 release in Japan. No official US date has been announced. The Saturn version promises to be an excellent translation and should have some only for home goodies. (SOURCE: GFO)
PHANTASY STAR 5 COMING TO SATURN
According to Saturnworld and UGPO, Sega has confirmed that a Phantasy Star RPG is coming out for the Sega Saturn. No more information was given. (SOURCE: Saturnworld and UGPO)
May 20, 1997
BANDAI AND SEGA TO SIGN MERGER AGREEMENT ON MAY 28
Bandai Co Ltd said on Tuesday that it would sign a merger agreement with Sega Enterprises Ltd on May 28. The merger will take place on October 1 as scheduled, a Bandai spokeswoman said. Bandai and Sega will postpone their earnings report for 1996/97 which ended on March 31, to May 28, she added.
In January, toy maker Bandai and game-machine manufacturer Sega said they would merge on October 1 to build what they said would be a "formidable force" in the media entertainment business. However, Bandai president Makoto Yamashina has said that the merger could fall behind schedule as the two companies were carefully hammering out rules for the new merged company.
May 19, 1997
LAST BRONX TO COME WITH TWO DISCS
AM3's upcoming brawler, Last Bronx, will come packaged with two CDs in both Japan and the US. Sega hasn't revealed what is on the second disc, but has said that it is not required in order to play the game, but will come into use depending on how the game is played. (SOURCE: UGPO)
SHADOW WARRIOR COMING TO SATURN?
3DRealms' President, George Broussard, has stated that because Shadow Warrior uses the enhanced Duke 3D engine, ports of Shadown Warrior will likely go to systems that have received a version of Duke Nukem 3D, including a version for the Saturn. (SOURCE: Saturnworld
May 18, 1997
ENIX ANNOUNCES FIRST SATURN TITLE
Enix has just announced their first Saturn game, Tales of Seven-Wind Island. Tales of Seven-Wind Island is a point-and-click type adventure game set in a world crafted to evoke feelings of turn-of-the-century European children's books. The game will be non-linear, as players will be able to create "stories that are theirs alone" by controlling the main character, Professor Garp, in a book called "Seven-Wind Island."
Largely created by Keita Amamiya, the director of such films as Zeiram and Hakaider, Seven-Wind Island is unique in that none of the island's inhabitants speak Japanese. Evidently the only text that will appear on-screen is narration. Mr. Amamiya is also doing all of the official art for the game, and has even said that he's had these characters in mind since he was 17!
Tales of Seven-Wind Island is currently being developed by Givro (the team behind E.V.O, Wonder Project J and J2) for a Fall release. (SOURCE: GFO)
May 16, 1997
SEGA-BANDAI MERGER EXPECTED TO HAVE DULL 1ST YEAR
Sega Enterprises Ltd and Bandai Co Ltd , which plan to merge on October 1, may have to settle for a low-budget honeymoon, with profits likely to be modest in their first joint earnings report, analysts say. The newly merged company's business performance in fiscal 1997/98 will be burdened by sluggish sales in home video game products and costs related to the merger, they said.
"Although the planned merger will eventually improve profitability, there will be considerable restructuring costs at the initial stage of the merger," said Akira Namekawa, analyst at Yamaichi Research Institute.
Namekawa said that Sega-Bandai, as the newly merged firm is expected to be called, will likely post parent sales of 410 billion yen ($3.53 billion) and a parent current profit of 42 billion yen ($362 million) in 1997/98. Current profit is pre-tax and includes losses or gains on investments.
Sega will announce its business results for 1996/97, which ended on March 31, and its forecast for the current financial year on May 23. Bandai is due to announce its results and forecasts on May 20. Analysts have pointed out that Sega's 32-bit video game machine Saturn is losing money and is unlikely to turn profitable in the future.
Bandai, for its part, is burdened by extremely weak sales of its Pippin Atmark machines, a video game player with Internet capabilities. Bandai said it sold 30,000 Pippin machines in Japan since its launch in March 1996, far below its initial sales target of 200,000 units in the first year. Bandai said on Monday that it had stopped producing the multimedia terminal, although sales would continue.
"The main reason for the merger is that the two companies need to restructure and scrap unprofitable business," said Mitsuko Morita, analyst at Morgan Stanley Japan Ltd. Bandai is currently profiting, however, from the runaway success of its "Tamagotchi" virtual pet toy that features an electronic bird. The toy became an instant hit after its debut in November, with about five million units already shipped. The company aims to sell 13 million Tamagotchis by the end of fisal 1997/98.
As for results in fiscal 1996/97, which ended in March, analysts largely concurred with the companies' latest forecasts. In December, Sega lowered its earnings forecast for 1996/97 as it liquidated its inventory of 16-bit products and wrote off accumulated losses at its U.S. unit. The company said it expects group current profits of 11 billion yen ($94.8 million) and group net profit of 5.3 billion yen ($45.6 million) in 1996/97.
Bandai also revised its group earnings forecast for 1996/97 in January due to sluggish sales of its Pippin Atmark and "Power Ranger" character products in overseas markets. The company said that it expects to post a group net loss of nine billion yen ($77.5 million) in 1996/97, versus a net profit of 10.4 billion yen ($89.6 million) in 1995/96. It also said that group sales are likely to be 200 billion yen ($1.72 billion), down from 218 billion yen ($1.87 billion) in the previous financial year.
DREAMWORKS INTERACTIVE ANNOUNCES E3 LINEUP
DreamWorks Interactive Friday announced six new titles to be unveiled at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) being held in Atlanta from June 19 to June 21. Featured will be three games based on one of the summer's most anticipated feature films, "The Lost World: Jurassic Park," including "The Lost World," a 3-D action Sony PlayStation and Sega Saturn game; "Chaos Island," a real-time PC strategy game for kids; and "Trespasser," a revolutionary PC 3-D adventure game dubbed "the digital sequel" to the feature film.
Other titles being introduced are "Goosebumps: Attack of the Mutant," a PC 3-D action game based on R.L. Stine's best-selling book series and the top-rated TV show; "Skullmonkeys," a raucous PSX adventure from the creators of "The Neverhood" featuring Klaymen, and "Dilbert's Desktop Games," a collection of 10 hilarious games and activities for the PC featuring everyone's favorite employee.
"The Lost World: Jurassic Park" video game allows the player to be both the hunter and the hunted in a thrilling, 3-D action game that pits the most highly evolved predators in history against each other ... humans and dinosaurs. Players will assume the role of five different characters throughout the various levels of the game -- a "compy" dinosaur, a "raptor," a human hunter, a "T-Rex" and a human scientist.
Struggling to survive on a mysterious island populated by genetically engineered dinosaurs, players will combat more than 20 species of sauropods that animate, stalk, track, attack and fight in real-time in an expansive island packed with perils. With a never-before-seen animation system, real-time character morphing, more than 25 different dinosaur species, 24 environments and unbelievably detailed 3-D graphics, "The Lost World: Jurassic Park" promises to deliver a fun, intense, heart-stopping experience.
Sega of America is publishing the Saturn version which will ship late summer of 1997.
ALL STAR BASEBALL TO BE AVAILABLE LATER THIS MONTH
Acclaim has announced that All-Star Baseball '97 featuring Frank Thomas will be available for the Sega Saturn later this month. All-Star Baseball '97 Featuring Frank Thomas promises to offer some of the most realistic gameplay available. Players can trade more than 700 Major Leaguers D whose ratings reflect their real-life skills and attributes D to create dream teams and compete in six modes of play including exhibition, regular season, playoffs, All-Star game, batting practice and Home Run Derby. All-Star Baseball '97 features statistics tracking in 27 categories, compiled by STATS INC.
MIDWAY PRESENTS ARCADE'S GREATEST HITS, COMING TO SATURN
Midway Home Entertainment announced the newest collection of classic arcade video games, Arcade's Greatest Hits - The Atari Collection 1, will make its Sega Saturn retail debut on June 3rd, 1997. Arcade's Greatest Hits - The Atari Collection 1 features a compilation of six of Atari's most popular arcade games: Asteroids, Battlezone, Centipede, Missle Command, Super Breakout and Tempest. The announcement was made recently by Byron Cook, President of Midway Home Entertainment.
May 14, 1997
FIGHTERS MEGAMiX IN STORES TODAY
Sega's FIGHTERS MEGAMiX has shipped and should begin arriving in stores nationwide today, May 14, 1997. Earlier this week, MEGAMiX began appearing at Blockbuster Videos for rental and at some retail stores in display units. FIGHTERS MEGAMiX is without a doubt the best 3-D fighter ever released on any home console, and all fighting game fans should have this game in their library.
GROOVE ON FIGHT TO BE RELEASED SOON IN JAPAN
Atlus' Groove on Fight should be released soon in Japan and should be available for import in the US later this week. Groove on Fight is the latest fighting game from Atlus and is being sold with and without a RAM cartridge. The game retails for ¥5,800 without the cart and about ¥7,800 with the RAM cart. It is a 2-D hand drawn fighter.
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS
In other Saturn news, David Perry of Shiny has stated that Wild 9 for the Saturn has not been canceled buy has only been put on hold. Sony is working for an exclusivity deal and he says he must consider it. On a more positive note, apparently Sega of America is hinting that it might bring out Sonic Championship (Sonic The Fighters in Japan) in the US. Sonic The Fighters should be released this summer in Japan. For more information on both of these topics, check out the source. (SOURCE: Saturnworld)
May 13, 1997
JAPANESE RELEASE DATE INFORMATION
Below are the latest Japanese release dates from Famitsu:
Sonic Jam - 6/22
Thunderforce V - 7/11
Marvel Super Heroes - 7/18
Biohazzard - 7/25
Rockman X4 - 8/1
May 12, 1997
SHINING THE HOLY ARK SET FOR JUNE RELEASE
Sega of America is putting the polish on Shining the Holy Ark, its first full 3D role playing game for the Sega Saturn. Paving the way for "next generation" RPGs and furthering Sega's commitment to the RPG category, Shining the Holy Ark combines full 360 degree character movement, unlimited exploration of the beautiful 3D environments, high resolution graphics in gameplay and cinematics and more than 50 hours of addictive, engaging role-playing. Shining the Holy Ark should hit retailers nationwide in June 1997.
SEGA PUBLISIZES ARCADE TITLES THROUGH KARAOKE
Sega has found a new forum for putting PR muscle behind its upcoming arcade releases -- karaoke. On Apr. 26, the company launched an effort to publicize new arcade games on its Segakara music consoles, of which 30,000 are in use throughout Japan. Along with featured CG images, the names, release dates and important information on the games will now appear behind the title graphics in "Anime Song," a popular number among karaoke enthusiasts. At present, the company is publicizing Virtua Striker 2, a release scheduled for the end of May, and JAVA TEA Battle Koshien -- King of Virtua Fighter 3, an upcoming game tournament. (Qualifying rounds for JAVA TEA kicked off at game stores May 11.) Sega sees karaoke publicity as a way of reaching out to non-gaming fans, a tactic especially useful for arcade titles not scheduled to appear in TV commercials. (SOURCE: Kevin Williams)
May 10, 1997
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE IGN PALACE CHAT WITH SEGA
NBA Action '98 will feature an all new game engine featuring motion capture technology. They have improved the level of graphic quality and it will now use polygonal players and Chick Hearn will be doing the commentating. Looks to be a huge improvement.
This year's Saturn sports lineup from Sega will include: World Series Baseball 98, Manx TT, NBA Action, WW Soccer '98, NHL Hockey '98 and Touring Car Championship.
NetLink games should begin shipping in late June.
Sega currently has no plans to drop the price of the Saturn, they believe that the Saturn with the free games is still a better deal than both the PS and N64. And Sega claims to be selling the Saturn at the same rate as they did before the PS and N64 price drops, so they feel no need to follow suit.
Sega stated that they have two new Sonic games coming to the US this year; Sonic Jam, with a cool new 3D museum area, and an entirely new Sonic racing game. Yes, a "racing" game. They can't say much about it at this time, but it will be playable at E3. No mention of a new 3D Sonic title.
Shining the Holy Ark should be released in July. It's their first true RPG following on the huge success of the shining series. It has great graphics, real-time fight sequences and 80 hours plus gameplay.
For the complete transcript, Click Here!
May 9, 1997
NET LINK GAMING UPDATE
Sega of America today announced an all-star line up of games soon to be released for Sega Saturn( -- all Net Link enabled. In conjunction with the release of the new games starting in June, Sega will also introduce an updated Internet browser for Net Link, the only Internet-ready next generation video game console peripheral.
The new Net Link game line-up features the best from the arcade, PC and console. The games coming from Sega for Net Link are: Sega Rally and Virtual On (June 1997), Duke Nukem 3D (August 1997), Saturn Bomberman (September 1997), Daytona USA CCE (October 1997) Look for special pricings for each of these games.
Game Lobbies
Each game features its own custom Net Link lobby where gamers from around the world can meet, chat, taunt opponents and set up competitions. The Net Link ame lobbies also feature an exclusive guest book that allows gamers to search for other players by location, game, skill level, etc.Updated Internet Browser
Along with the exciting new games, Sega will also be unveiling an updated downloadable Internet browser in June (beta available in April). The new browser will be HTML 2.0 compatible, with full frame support and IRC chat capabilities. It will also have an improved keyboard interface with gamepad functionality (i.e. cursor movement).
May 7, 1997
NEW SEGA GAMES PLANNED FOR WIN95
To show their new confidence in the Windows 95 game market, Sega announced two new titles for release on Windows 95 this summer. The two games are conversions of two of Sega's arcade hits, Sky Target and Manx TT. (SOURCE: Jimmy Jaw)
May 6, 1997
NEW IMPORT GAME RELEASED
Martian Successor Nadesico has been released in Japan and should be available for import in the US. Martian Successor Nadesico is an action-interaction-strategy game based on popular anime.
May 5, 1997
SATURN SOFTWARE SALES UP 135%
According to NPD's Interactive Entertainment Software Service, 13.3 million units of video game software were sold during the first three months of this year. NPD monitors the interactive entertainment software industry with information provided by a nationally representative sample of retailers across the U.S.
Leading the sales surge was the Nintendo 64, which accounted for seven of the top eight spots on the NPD's best seller list, followed by the Sony PlayStation, which showed a 170% increase in sales over the same period last year. Not to be left out of the phenomenal growth of the next generation video game software market, the Sega Saturn also experienced a huge growth in software sales during the first quarter of 1997 compared to the first quarter of 1996. Saturn software sales are up 135%.
DARKSTALKERS 3 ANNOUNCED FOR THE SATURN
Capcom of Japan has announced Darkstalkers 3: Vampire Savior, for the Sega Saturn. They didn't think the RAM Cart would be necessary for the conversion, because the animation wasn't substantially greater than that of NightWarriors. However, they haven't completely ruled out the idea of the RAM Cart, if they decide that they want to do an exact arcade port. No official release date has been set. (SOURCE: Silver Phoenix)
May 3, 1997
SATURN SUIKODEN TO BE IMPROVED
Konami of Japan has recently announced that the Saturn version of Genso Suikoden is currently on track for a 1997 release and will in fact be an upgrade over the PlayStation version. It will feature new graphics in areas and may even contain changes in the storyline, as well. Konami of America still has no plans to release it in the US at this time. (SOURCE: GameFan Online)
NO MEGAMiX IN BLOCKBUSTER?
Apparently, most Blockbusters nationwide have not yet received their copies of Fighters MEGAMiX for the Sega Saturn. I have tried to contact Sega of America to get their comment on this, but have yet to receive a response.
May 1, 1997
SATURN BASIC AND MUSIC SCHOOL NEWS
Saturn Music School, introduced by Waka Manufacturing, is scheduled to be released in July. It will all you to use a MIDI keyboard to create MIDI music on your Sega Saturn. It will be bundled with and interface to let you connect the keyboard to your Saturn. The Saturn Music School is promised to be easily intergrateable with the Saturn BASIC development kit.
The official release date for the BASIC development kit is June 27, 1997 in Japan. ESP and Tokumanshoten will introduce two different types on that day. One is a standard type which contains only a CD and instruction book for 12800 yen. The other is a Cable Type which contains those in the standard type, plus a R232 cable, Win95-based software (modeling, connection) for 14800 yen. (SOURCE: Jimmy Jaw)
THUNDER FORCE V DELAYED
The highly anticipated shooter, Thunderforce V, has been delayed to July 11, 1997 in Japan. (SOURCE: Jimmy Jaw)
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