VIRTUA FIGHTER 3 WIN-PC COLLECTION COMING SOON
This summer, Java Tea Battle Koshien in Osaka will hold a Virtua Fighter 3 contest to determine the
best arcade Virtua Fighter in Japan. Two days before the event on July 25, Easy Computer System will
release Virtua Fighter 3 Win-PC Collection CD-ROM in Japan. This four-module disc will contain:
A guide book containing the digital version of the VF3 Official Guide Book, and the theme music and voices
for each character. An Accessory Kit containing more than 60 kinds of wallpaper patterns, 14 icons and two
kinds of screen savers. A calendar featuring all the fighters can be displayed monthly or daily. Reminders
about specific dates can be recorded. And a Slot, a one-armed bandit featuring VF3 character faces. Easy
Computer will be holding a contest for original telephone cards by sending in key words you get in this mode.
The VF3 Win-PC Collection will retail for ¥1,980.
(SOURCE: teleparc GAME geisen)
WORLD SERIES BASEBALL '98 RELEASED
The latest game in Sega's highly acclaimed baseball series, World Series Baseball '98, has been released
to stores and should be available nationwide today, July 16, 1997. Also, Hercs Adventure from Lucas Arts
has also been released for the Sega Saturn in the US and should be available at most stores nationwide.
July 15, 1997
SAKURA WARS 2 IN THE WORKS
The sequel to one of the best titles released in Japan last year, Sakura Wars 2, is
currently being worked on and is scheduled for a possible Spring 1998 release in Japan.
It is currently unknown how far into development the game actually is, but it is known
that it features two new characters. One is a little boy of the "Star Group" (Sakura
being of the "Flower Group"), by the name of Reni Miruhitsudorase. The other one being
a very attractive and mysterious looking woman by the name of Soretsuta from Italy.
(SOURCE: Kavi Khiytani from Saturn Fan #14)
NEW SATURN GAMES RELEASED IN JAPAN
Three new games for the Sega Saturn have been released in Japan and should now be available for import
in the US. The three games are: Bulk Slash, a mech shooter from Hudson Soft; Dokyusei 2 (Classmates 2),
a high school simulation developed by Elf; and Tokimeki Memorial Drama Series Volume 1 from Konami.
July 14, 1997
SEGA GIVES THEIR SIDE OF THE STORY
This is Sega's response to the WD/Sega situation as posted on their website at
www.sega.com:
Here’s the actual timetable of events. In January, Sega decided that no third party
would have "condos" - exclusive areas with meeting rooms - on the Sega of America E3 show
floor. We made this decision to be fair to everyone, since we obviously couldn't offer free
space to every Sega partner. Our third party group informed all companies which inquired
about this policy. In February, SOA had determined exactly the amount of floor space we
would utilize - deciding not to use the entire space we were allocated. SOA started talking
to other companies about sub-leasing our extra space. Gretchen Eichinger, Group Director
of Third Party Licensing for Sega, learned from Lee McEnany, Vice President of Communications,
that we had space available to sell. Eichinger immediately called Working Designs from
McEnany’s office to let them know that indeed SOA had space to sell. She then faxed Working
Designs a floor plan. Working Designs accepted the space. Up to and during the show, Sega
heard nothing about Working Designs being disappointed with anything regarding the show.
Unfortunately, instead of talking directly with Sega regarding their issues, Victor Ireland
chose to launch an attack stating is dissatisfaction in public on Internet bulletin boards
and web sites, which we fell is highly improper and unprofessional. It was not until Sega
placed a call to Working Designs earlier this week that we were able to address the issues
in person, which is what we believe Working Designs should have done from the beginning if
they had concerns about their space at the show.
WORKING DESIGNS' RESPONSE TO SEGA'S COMMENTS
Below is Victor Ireland's response to the above comments by Sega of America, as
posted on and reported by GameSpot News:
"I will only comment on two parts, in defense of our company. First, I don't
ever recall Gretchen calling me on any occasion. I met her for the first time on
the last day of the E3 show. In general, all contact with Sega is with our account
manager. Second, the call Sega made to us earlier this week was extremely one-sided,
with our award-winning efforts for the Sega being dismissed as 'uninteresting'
and 'uncreative.'
"We have the highest respect and regard for Sega of Japan, the parent company of
SoA, and do not wish to sully Sega's overall reputation further with a public
dissection of our reasons for discontinuing Sega Saturn support after
Lunar: Silver Star Story.
"I will say that the response you sent us is riddled with 'spin' and outright
inaccuracy. To pick it apart publicly would do nothing more than fan the flames
of a situation which has careened out of control.
"I would hope that fans of our company and products would know from our past record
that we have never been anything but truthful, candid, and forthcoming in our
contact with our customers in person, in writing, and on the Internet. In the
interests of making certain we actually do release all announced product for Saturn,
we must refuse all further comment on this issue and would hope that SoA is finished
as well."
SEGA SETS NEW STANDARD IN RPGS
Sega of America is lighting the way for next generation role playing games with "Shining the Holy Ark,"
the first 3-D RPG for the Sega Saturn. With unlimited exploration of beautiful 3-D environments, high
resolution graphics in gameplay and cinematics and more than 80 hours of addictive role playing, "Shining
the Holy Ark" is a shining example of the next generation RPG.
As the newest addition to the well-known "Shining" series, "Shining the Holy Ark" provides all the engaging
role playing of a classic RPG with real-time fighting sequences, adding an element of action to the gameplay.
"Sega is taking the RPG to the next level with `Shining the Holy Ark,'" said Lydia Gable, group director of
marketing, Sega of America. "With in-depth characters, detailed story lines and a turn-based combat system,
Sega game developers have unquestionably improved on the classic RPG format."
The Sega website (www.sega.com) is featuring a special "Shining
the Holy Ark" section in which visitors can receive background information on the game and previous titles in
the Shining series, character and battle gear descriptions and an RPG event calendar. Visitors can also
enter the on-line contest to win a copy of the game and exclusive strategy guide information from the game
producer.
"Shining the Holy Ark" is currently available nationwide for the Sega Saturn for a suggested retail price of $49.99.
July 9, 1997
THUNDER FORCE V SPECIAL RELEASED
ThunderForce V Special has been released for the Sega Saturn in Japan and should now be available for
import in the U.S. ThunderForce V is the latest killer shooter from Technosoft's phenomenal ThunderForce
series. The game is an exclusive title for the Sega Saturn and it comes with a great music CD.
SHINING THE HOLY ARK RANKED #3
Sega's first true RPG for the Sega Saturn, Shining the Holy Ark, is currently the third best selling game
at Electronics Boutique. The only two games ahead of Shining the Holy Ark are Star Fox 64 for the N64 and
Triple Play '98 for the Sony PlayStation.
July 8, 1997
SEGA SOFT ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF THE SPACE BAR
SegaSoft is now shipping the science-fiction murder mystery developed by Rocket Science Games, Boffo
Games and renowned creator of entertainment software Steve Meretzky. The Space Bar is now available
for Windows 95 and Mac CD-ROM for a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $49.99.
"NASA's six-wheeled rover over may be rumbling across the Martian landscape in search of who knows what,
but the oddest assortment of intergalactic riffraff has congregated in The Space Bar," said Gary Griffiths,
SegaSoft president and CEO. "Gamers who love sci-fi and fantasy and want to check out alien life forms
will love the innovative gameplay, 360 degree, 3D-rendered scenes and a compelling storyline unfolding
in the Thirsty Tentacle."
NEW IMPORTS RELEASED FOR THE SATURN
Three new Sega Saturn titles were released in Japan earlier this week and are currently available for import
in the US. The three games are Fighter's History Dynamite (with and w/o RAM cart), Lunar Silver Star Story
Complete (the MPEG version of Lunar Silver Star Story) and V Force (an anime strategy game).
July 7, 1997
SEGA ANNOUNCES NEW 4 MEG RAM CART
Sega Enterprises Ltd. has just announced a new RAM cartridge for the Saturn. The new cart is
referred to as the "Four Meg" ram cart. Right now, it is unknown whether this means that the
new cart will take the Saturn's total memory up to four megabytes, or if the cart will be four
megabytes, upping the Saturn's total memory up to six megabytes. Either way, it will be an
improvement over the current RAM cartridge, often referred to as the "SNK cartridge," which
boosted total ram to three megabytes.
The three games that Capcom announced for the Saturn last week, X-Men vs Street Fighter, Marvel
Super Heroes vs Street Fighter and Vampire Savior will all use the new 4-meg RAM cart. X-Men vs
Street Fighter will be the first released and will debut with the 4-meg RAM cart.
(SOURCE: GameFan Online)
ENIX ANNOUNCES THREE TITLES FOR SATURN
Enix of Japan has announced three new titles for the Sega Saturn to be released
in Japan later this fall and next spring. The games are Seven Windy Islands,
Shinobi Benmna Maru and World Soccer RPG. Seven Windy Islands is a point-and-click
adventure that is being drafted, designed and produced by Keita Amemiya. It will
be released in Japan this fall. Shinobi Benman Maru is based on the Anime series
and World Soccer RPG is a Soccer Role Playing Game. Both should be released in
early 1998.
(SOURCE: Saturnworld)
July 2, 1997
SEGA, CAPCOM AND COMPILE UNVEIL NEW SATURN GAMES IN JAPAN
Sega Enterprises Ltd. unveiled three new game titles for the Saturn in a continued drive to
shift its focus to the lucrative game software business from its loss-making game hardware.
Capcom and Compile also unveiled three game titles each for the Sega Saturn. All software
titles announced today will be released later this year.
The three titles announced by Sega were Sonic R, Sega Touring Car Championship and Japan Pro Wrestling W/Virtua.
From Capcom, X-Men vs Street Fighter w/RAM, Marvel Super Heroes vs Street Fighter w/RAM and Vampire Savior w/RAM
have all been unveiled for the Sega Saturn. And from Compile, Waku Waku Puyo Puyo Dungeon and RPG, "i miss you",
and third title were announced.
(SOURCE: teleparc GAME geisen)
SEGA UNVEILS NEW TITLES FOR SEGA SATURN NETWORKS
On Wednesday, Sega Enterprises Ltd. also unveiled new titles for the Sega Saturn Networks which will be
available later in the year. Sega Saturn Networks, which was introduced in July 1996, is a
network which allows users to communicate and play games by connecting their Sega Saturn
game machines to a central system which contains a variety of games and other software.
Users have to use a Sega Saturn modem to connect to the central system, and Sega said it
has sold 60,000 of the modems in Japan.
SEGA SAYS NO SATURN UPGRADE
A Sega official stated on Wednesday that Sega would continue to focus on its software business.
"But we are not planning to upgrade our Sega Saturn game machine itself," the official said.
July 1, 1997
SHINING THE HOLY ARK SHIPS
The US Sega Saturn will soon have its first traditional RPG, as Sega's Shining the Holy Ark has
shipped to stores and should be available nationwide tomorrow, July 2, 1997. Shining the Holy Ark is
a traditional style RPG that has 3D rendered graphics and gameplay similar to that of Shining in the
Darkness for the Genesis.
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