Newsletter: Sega World Weekly issue 112 (then Dreamcast Weekly)
From Video Game Morgue File
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//// ~ Issue #112 -- Dec 17th 2000 ~ \\\\
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\\\\ Past issues at www.DreamcastWeekly.com ////
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\\\\ Best read with the Courier New font. ////
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\\\\ ( HO HO HO - MERRY CHRISTMAS ) ////
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((( DREAMCAST WEEKLY INFO ))) | Page 1 |
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> For daily game news, over 300 Prima Fast Track Guides
online, codes, downloads, and contests every day, be sure
to visit Primagames. Prima is the #1 source for video and
computer game strategy in the world!
- http://www.PrimaGames.com
> For the latest game news, reviews and previews visit the
premier video games site TotalVideoGames.com With over
300 archived news articles & the greatest game reviews.
Updated throughout the day with everything!
- http://www.totalvideogames.com Our domain name is
provided thanks to Total Video Games, the UK's premier
video games magazine updated daily, and The Junction, the
place for Teens to chat. - http://www.the-junction.com
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((( EDITORS COMMENTS ))) | Page 1 |
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What does the news of Christmas 2000 bring? Three new games
for the Sega CD! Plus a list of arcade games due out next
year (look out for some surprises in there!), and Daytona
2001 and Phantasy Star Online reviews just to mention a few
more items. Then this weeks rumors bring Grandia II back
into the spot light after it's release this month... is
another sequel on the way?
If you've ever wondered about light guns or new
controllers, had trouble with your VMU, wanted a Jet Grind
Radio Soundtrack, or questioned how much power the old Sega
console has... our Question & Answers on Page 6 is for you.
Then in this weeks cover feature... an exclusive interview
with the big man himself, Santa! We talk about games,
letters, elves, more games, and even Miss Clauses.
Until next time then, Ho Ho Ho, Happy Gaming!
- Graham "Tails" Parker (Editor)
.oO Page 2 - Cover Story Oo.
.oO Page 3 - The Weeks News Oo.
.oO Page 4 - Red Hot Rumors Oo.
.oO Page 5 - Prima Games Corner Oo.
.oO Page 6 - Question & Answer Oo.
.oO Page 7 - Our Support Sites Oo.
.oO Page 8 - Credits Oo.
HOT QUOTE this issue: "I'm starting a MSR Anonymous Club,
for people in the USA who are having withdrawal pains."
-- Question & Answer - Page 6
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((( COVER STORY ))) | Page 2 |
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>>>> EXCLUSIVE Interview With SANTA!
-- Written by Graham
Even on his busiest week of the year, good old Santa took
the time to talk with us at Dreamcast Weekly, and let us in
on a few saint nick secrets.
Q) First up, how's life up in the North Pole? It must be
freezing living in snow all the time.
A) We have ways of keeping warm each year. Warehouses full
of old overheating Playstation consoles were a favourite
place to warm up in the past. Dancing to Sega's Samba
De Amigo seems to be a popular favourite this year.
Q) So Santa, are you a gamer yourself?
A) Ho Ho Ho, you bet! Living around toys 365 days a year,
of course I play videogames. Every game but "The Grinch"
*laughs*. Actually when it's time to go and read the
Christmas letters for the day, even the elves and Miss
Clauses herself have trouble getting me off these
Dreamcast consoles.
Q) What about the elves, do they play in their breaks?
A) *belly shaking laugh* Yeah, and not just in their
breaks. They "test" every game console to make sure it's
in full working order ;)
Q) Do you get a holiday after the big day?
A) Everyone at the north pole takes a vacation during
January. After flying around the world on Christmas Eve
I've collected enough frequent flyer miles to take
everyone to Hawaii!
Q) Surly at this time, a week before Christmas, there's no
time for playing though right?
A) Well a few hundred years and we haven't missed a
Christmas yet! I think we're safe having a little game
or two at the end of a hard days work. Besides we have
to keep happy and jolly... perhaps that's why the elves
let me win all the time. Don't tell the elves but Miss
Clauses and I love to play a game of Virtua Tennis when
we have time.
Q) Can anyone beat you at Virtua Tennis?
A) No one up here. But if anyone thinks they can beat me,
and I have a little spare time... stay up late on
Christmas Eve and challenge me to a match. (Note: After
Santa's PR Elf read this interview he wished to state
you should not stay up late on Christmas Eve, and should
infact be in bed asleep when Santa comes)
Q) Have you had many Christmas lists send through the
Dreamcast e-mail?
A) Yes and several snail mail letters saying they will
e-mail me a thank you letter if I give them a Dreamcast.
Ho Ho Ho.
Q) haha. Do you get any really strange letters?
A) Grown-ups pretending to be ten again and asking for Sega
Marine Fishing this Christmas. I also got a letter from
the President of Sony asking on behalf of every child
for a Playstation 2. *laughs*
Q) Sony must be getting desperate.
A) I received a letter from Sega America's Peter Moore, he
asked for a few game strategy guides to help him beat
his son on the Dreamcast.
Q) What about Microsoft and Nintendo, had any letters from
them?
A) Not letters, but Microsoft gave me a few hundred million
pre-order forms for the X-Box to leave under the tree.
Oh and Nintendo, they suggested it was time for a change
in my old Santa clothing and sent me a Pikachu Suit.
Q) And finally, what does Santa want himself this
Christmas?
A) Sonic Adventure 2, but even I can't have that until next
year :)
Well thanks again for talking to us Santa, and I wish you
luck this Sunday night. Merry Christmas!!
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((( THE WEEKS NEWS ))) | Page 3 |
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>>>> The Arcades Of 2001
What will your local arcade look like in the future? Well
it should contain at least some of these upcoming games,
due out in 2001.
Air Trix - powered by the Naomi GD arcade board
Alien Front - Naomi GD
Capcom vs SNK 2
Club Kart - Naomi 2
Cosmic Smash - Naomi
Crazy Taxi 2 - Naomi GD
F355 Challenge 2 - Naomi
Giga Wing 2 - Naomi
Ikuraga - Treasure
New Fighting Game (untitled) - Naomi
New Sports Game (untitled) - Naomi GD
Planet Harrier - Hikaru
Pro Gear Tempest - Capcom/Keibu Side shooting
Spikers Battle - Naomi GD
Sports Jam - Naomi GD
Virtua Golf - Naomi 2
Virtua Fighter 3 Typing Battle - Naomi GD
Virtua Fighter X - Naomi 2 (Hikaru rumored)
Virtua Striker 3 - Naomi 2
Virtual On 4 Force - Naomi GD
Wild Riders - Naomi 2
WWF Royal Rumble - Naomi GD
Then there's a few bonus rumored titles...
Gundam - Capcom - Naomi
Heavy Metal - Capcom - New Fighting Game
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure 3 - Capcom
Namco Derby - Naomi
Soul Calibur 2 - No Hardware Listed (Good thing)
Touch Down 2 - Naomi GD
Virtua Tennis 2 - Naomi 2
Now before the questions start coming in, the Namoi GD
board is a normal Naomi system, only with a GD-ROM
attached making it even easier for arcades to switch the
games around.
>>>> Sega CD - Back In The Game
Right now your Sega CD is probably buried six feet under
in a pile of dust, empty boxes, and old socks. But bring it
back, dust if off, and clean it up because three new games
are on their way.
Good Deal Games, which make a living out of releasing new
games for old systems have just released Bug Blasters and
Star Strike, two $34.95 games for the Sega CD. A third
title, Wing Nuts is also listed as Coming Soon. For more
information, including screen shots and plot information,
you can check out their web page at...
www.gooddealgames.com/GDG_Publishing/GDG_Publishing.html
>>>> Famitsu Rates Daytona 2001 and Phantasy Star Online
December 21st 2000 is perhaps one of the biggest steps
forward in online gaming history for Japan. Both Daytona
2001 and Phantasy Star Online are due out for the
Dreamcast, and both let you connect with three mates from
around the country.
Both titles are high on the old anticipation rating
everywhere you go, so when Japan's Famitsu Magazine
reviewed the games, the world stood still and took notice.
First up Daytona 2001 scored 31/40, which while it doesn't
seem too high, for the Famitsu magazine that's a great
score. The classic Sega racer takes their Silver review
award.
Next is Phantasy Star Online, which takes a whopping 37/40
and their coveted platinum review award. To compare the
highly anticipated Square Playstation 2 RPG, Bouncer
recieved 31/40, and a few years ago the brilliant Panzer
Dragoon Azel (Saga) was given a 35/40.
>>>> Europe's Turn To Go President-less
Sega Of Europe's president, Jean Francois Cecillon
officially resigned this week on good terms. But leaving
in the middle of the Christmas season, they are left
without a president in the heat of battle against other
consoles. Hence until a new president is appointed, Isao
Owaka from Sega Of Japan will step up and keep things
under control.
No changes have been announced by Owaka yet, although
European gamers have high hopes he will bring more
advertising to their TV screens for a start.
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((( RED HOT RUMORS ))) | Page 4 |
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Each week here we'll keep you up to-date with the latest
rumors going around, but please remember these are only
rumors.
>>>> Grandia III?
While Grandia 2 was just released this month in America,
Ubisoft, the translators and publishers may already be
hinting at another sequel. On August 29th this year they
registered the Grandia3.com domain name, which is either
because they don't want to take chances with cyber-
squatters in the future, or they know something we don't.
Don't get your hopes up too high yet, as GameArts, the
developers of the Grandia series don't rush into things.
Perhaps we'll see something on their third adventure next
year, but then again, the domain name is registered until
2005 :)
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((( PRIMA GAMES CORNER ))) | Page 5 |
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>>>> Sega Offers Special Holiday Dreamcast Bundles Online
- http://www.primagames.com/news/article/2623/
With limited shopping days left this holiday season, Sega
of America is making it easier for gamers to buy Dreamcast
products. Sega's new customer service program is offering
new, limited-time Dreamcast hardware and software bundles.
>>>> 20,000 Cheats
- http://www.primagames.com/strategy/codes/
Prima Games, the company responsible for those brilliant
strategy guides launch their cheats database... and they
feature more games than you can shake a stick, no a whole
danged tree at!
>>>> Shenmue Fast Track Guide - Free & Online!!
- http://www.primagames.com/strategy/guide/1409/
The Prima Fast Track Guide for Shenmue provides an
overview of the game and will get you started with some
game basics, fighting strategies, info on a couple of the
mini-games, and a brief sampling of the making of Shenmue.
>>>> 300 Fast Track Guides
- http://www.primagames.com/guides/pftg.php
Remember, Primagames.com has more than 300 Prima Fast Track
Guides online for you to check out right now. For the best,
fastest, and most up-to-date game strategy you'll find,
Prima's the ticket.
>>>> Hot games that Prima Official Strategy Guides cover:
Shenmue - http://www.primagames.com/strategy/book/4901/
Quake 3 PC - http://www.primagames.com/strategy/book/4296/
NFL 2K1 - http://www.primagames.com/strategy/book/5096/
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((( QUESTION & ANSWER ))) | Page 6 |
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Do you have a question for your Sega know-it-all? Simply
e-mail in your questions to Ross at zondaro@usa.net and
look for the answers soon in an issue of Dreamcast Weekly.
We are unable to personally reply to all emails.
<<<< "No Beer and No TV make Homer go...CRAZY!"
Heyo, happy DCWeekly readers, granting questions I'm going
to kick it up a notch, we're going to a whopping four
questions a week! Also, I'm starting a MSR Anonymous Club,
for people in the USA who are having withdrawal pains.
Membership is free, so email me with your solutions for
how to make it to January 16th without killing someone.
I'll post any suggestions next week right here in the Q&A
blah section...."no MSR and no MSR makes Ross go CRAZY!"
Next week: Dr. Tails, or how I learned about the DC-DVD
*DCW Q&A of the Week Award*
>>>> Don't Stand Between a Girl and Her Lightgun
Q) Help me out here. I am an infuriated Dreamcast owner!
I bought my DC primarily so I could play lightgun games,
specifically with my lightblaster. When I bought my DC I
was told there would be many more games I could use my
lightblaster with. Now I find that there are NONE out
there! I go to pick-up a copy of Silent Scope and can
you use the lightblaster? NO! I am outraged! Is this
some kind of anti-gun "political correctness"?
I am the most pro-choice, anti-racist, anti-sexist,
anti-classist, anti-ageist, pro-gun, never heterosexist,
pro-religious freedom, secular humanist you will ever
meet. However, I play videogames games and I LIKE my
lightblaster! Now please tell me when, where, and how I
can get more games for my lightblaster and who else do
I complain to about this deplorable state of affairs.
Sincerely. - Margaret Lion
A) There are a couple of reasons why lightgun games have
lost popularity recently. Arcades are facing some low
earnings. As you might know, lightgun games are
primarily created for the arcade and then brought to
home consoles. Another cause is the Columbine High
School shootings causing a backlash against violent
videogames. What games could be considered more violent
then ones where you point a realistic gun at the screen
and shoot people? There is hope however, look for Sega's
Confidential Mission, and Ninja Assault by Namco next
year. Also look for Sega to release Virtual Cop 2 as
part of its "All Stars" series sometime after January.
I've also heard there are a few games that have not been
released stateside you could find at an import store.
>>>> Crank the Dial Up
Q) How much of the Dreamcast's power do graphically
impressive games such as Echo the Dolphin, Code Veronica
and Shenmue manage to tap? I read on the internet that
MDK2 utilized a "fair amount" of the processing and
graphical capabilities of the Dreamcast. I wonder if
you could clarify this further and predict what the
future holds? Thanks. - Kumi Goto
A) The Dreamcast has been pretty much maxed out as far as
polygon counts go, what you are going to see now is the
quality of games get better. More stable frame rates,
better texture quality. Do look for some new tricks to
be used more, the technique for Jet Grind Radio will
most likely be used in more games. If you think that
this means the games will look much the same, just
know that its been stated that Shenmue 2 will be more
impressive then the first game was.
>>>> My Thumbs have Officially Fallen Off
Q) I have been wondering why Sega does not come out with a
new and improved controller. I myself find the current
one uncomfortable to hold and the two thumb controls are
miserable for use with any flight game. I have heard
many others complain about the controller also and how
much more they like their Playstation controller. If
Sega wants to help their sales it seems this would be a
big step in that direction. - A.Gaasch
A) You can't make all the people happy. Personally, I hate
the PSX controller. I find the little prongs way to
small for my hands. Redesigning the controller at this
point in time seems out of the question. If you want a
joystick for your flight sim games you should look into
the Panther DC. Tell your friends they should check out
http://www.levelsix.com as they make the awesome Dream
Connection 3in1 that lets you use your PSX controllers
on your Dreamcast. Hope this helps.
>>>> Master Mamma Jamma Soundtrack
Q) I've been looking for the soundtrack to Jet Grind Radio
cause the game rocks and so does the music. Do you know
anywhere I can get the soundtrack? I also just recently
purchased Worms Armageddon and I love this game also.
The game will not save to any of my VMU's. Is it just
the game? Thanks for all the help. - Perry
A) The music to JGR does indeed rock! I've got a copy, but
the only place I've seen the soundtrack offered was if
you pre-ordered JGR through a store. You might be able
to pick up the Japanese JGR soundtrack at an import
store. You could also hunt on Ebay for it, if anyone
out there knows where to find the JGR Soundtrack let me
know and I'll pass it on. Worms Armageddon does have
a few problems with 3rd party memory cards from what
I've heard.
Keep the questions coming. - zondaro@usa.net
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((( OUR SUPPORT SITES ))) | Page 7 |
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Dreamcast Weekly goes out to over 40,000 gamers every week.
How did we get so many people signed up? With the help of
these websites, that's how. Thanks to them Dreamcast
Weekly has become the huge e-magazine it is today.
>>>> Sega X - http://www.segadreamcast.net
A website with plenty of news, and always the latest game
reviews, but also a IRC Java chat room where you can chat
about all the latest Sega topics. Sega content for each and
every day.
>>>> Sega 2000 - http://www.sega2000.net
A new Sega 2000 has been born. Out with the old design, out
with the old webmaster, and in with the new. Yes it's a
newer, better, and faster loading web design, you have to
see Sega 2000.
>>>> DC-United - http://dc-united.com
The Premiere Dreamcast Community, DC-United.com gives you
the ability to view members online, build your own
homepage, send messages, read in-depth reviews, and much
more. DCU Network Members are also eligible for various
monthly prizes.
>>>> Absolute Sega - http://www.absolutesega.com
One of the first Sega sites out there with the most up to
date news every 24 hours, 7 days a week. Absolute Sega is
not jus famous for it's news, but also it's reviews and
previews. Want to talk about games, then go to our forums
or you can talk in our IRC chat room.
>>>> PSY Online - http://www.consolereviews.net
PSY Online is a multiformat reviews website specialising in
the Sega Dreamcast console. With 24/7 updated news, forums
and chat, its a great place to hang out for Sega fans.
>>>> Perfect Zero - http://www.sega2000.net/PZ/
As game music goes well beyond the beeps and bleeps of the
past and into the soundtrack quality tracks we hear today,
Perfect Zero becomes one of THE most important sites for
game fans. Hosting hundreds of MP3s from different games,
turn up those speakers and click that link.
>>>> The Next Level - http://www.the-nextlevel.com
The Next Level is a multi-platform gaming magazine focused
on current and upcoming next-generation systems. We provide
up-to-date news, in-depth reviews, reader reviews,
intriguing editorials, and more.
>>>> Future Gamez - http://www.futuregamez.net
What ever console your looking for, Future Gamez have them
all. From Dreamcast to GameCube, and X-Box to Playstation
2. So get your news, reviews, previews, and more at Future
Gamez, and stay on top of all systems.
>>> The Sonic Zone - http://www.suneet.com/soniczone/
Updated daily with a HUGE amount of Sonic content that is
sure to blow you away! From Fan Fiction to Chatting, and
even Fan Created Games, this is your one stop Sonic site.
>>>> Gaming Central Starpath
- http://www.startpath.com/gamingcentral
This site contains hundreds of links for anything a gamer
might be interested in, no matter what format, including
some game specific links.
>>>> Dreamcast Weekly - http://www.DreamcastWeekly.com
The official website for the Dreamcast Weekly is right
here. It includes our history, back issues, and more. Then
in the future... who knows, we might start up an HTML
version, and hopefully be a print magazine one day (Hint to
any publisher that may be reading this :) )
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((( CREDITS ))) | Page 8 |
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O Editor: Graham Parker "Tails" - Madcow@ihug.co.nz
O Question & Answer: Ross Fisher - Zondaro@usa.net
O Staff Writer: Michael Monahan - Mikelad1@aol.com
Thanks goes out to all our support sites above, along with
our sponsor, PrimaGames.com, all for helping make Dreamcast
Weekly as big as we are today!
>>>> http://www.DreamcastWeekly.com/ - Our Official Website!
>>>> http://www.PrimaGames.com/ - Our Sponsor
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Copyright 1998-2000 Graham Parker - Madcow@ihug.co.nz
Written and edited by Graham Parker. No parts may be copied
without prior permission or correct credit where due. There
should probably be a pile of other legal lines here, but
please just play nice and don't steal. Thanks for reading
DC Weekly!
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Please note the advert below is added on by our mailing
list, it's in no way connected to Dreamcast Weekly...
Please note the advert below is added on by our mailing
list, and is in no way connected to Dreamcast Weekly...
