Newsletter: Sega World Weekly issue 117 (then Dreamcast Weekly)
From Video Game Morgue File
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D R E A M C A S T W E E K L Y M A G A Z I N E
~~ Issue No. 117 Jan 22nd 2001 ~~
http://www.DreamcastWeekly.com/
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-- Editors Comments Page 1 --
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> Dreamcast Weekly is best read in the Courier New font,
and past issues are at http://www.DreamcastWeekly.com/
> For daily game news, over 300 Prima Fast Track Guides
online, codes, downloads, and contests every day, be sure
to visit Primagames.com Prima is the #1 source for 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.
- http://www.totalvideogames.com Then check out The
Junction, the best place for Teens to chat.
- http://www.the-junction.com
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-- Editors Comments Page 1 --
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As we continue to re-design Dreamcast Weekly, including an
HTML version that's in the works, this week we bring you a
new text design, hopefully making finding pages easier.
On the content side of things, this week brings out first
impressions of the long awaited Metropolis SR, Red Hot
Rumors of Midway dropping the Dreamcast (!), and an entire
history timeline of the Panzer Dragoon series.
Then our Q&A page reveals more answers to life's questions,
including more on Free ISP's, Dolby Surround Sound, VGA
boxes, oh and a possessed Dreamcast!
Finally on Page 7 the first details of the Dreamcast
Weekly Phantasy Star Online Clan are revealed, and joining
is easy. Watch out for more details on our website later
this week, and in the next issue.
Until next time then, Happy Gaming everyone!
- Graham "Tails" Parker (Editor)
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|| C O N T E N T S ||
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|| 2 - Cover Story ||
|| 3 - Red Hot Rumors ||
|| 4 - Panzer Dragoon History ||
|| 5 - Question & Answer ||
|| 6 - Prima Games Corner ||
|| 7 - PSO Clan - We Want You ||
|| 8 - Our Support Sites ||
|| 9 - Credits ||
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HOT QUOTE this issue: "here is your history lesson on one
of the most imaginative series in video game history,
Panzer Dragoon."
-- Panzer Dragoon Timeline - Page 4
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-- Cover Story Page 2 --
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<<.>> Metropolis SR: First Impressions
- Written by Ross Fisher
Well, its been a long time in coming. A very long time for
those of us here in the United States of America. Even
after the game finally shipped in Europe, we had to wait
another two months for the game. But now it's in our hot
little hands at last, and Ross Fisher takes it for a test
drive...
Once the game was in my Dreamcast... wow, Canadian Girls
just can't compare to it. Most of you have probably already
read a review of the game by now. If you haven't, then
thanks, because this will be the first thing you get to
read and the first I get to write. This is not a full
fledged review however, do to my limited time with the
game (but one is on it's way in the upcoming issue - Tails)
This is racing like I've been waiting for, its not super
sim like nor is it an arcade racer. MSR is the most
innovative racing game to come out in the last two years.
Bizarre Creations has taken the standards of racing games
and changed them. 'Kudos' are the only thing you should
worry about, like the game says "its not how fast you
drive, its how you drive fast". What this translates into
is, powerslides good, hitting things bad. You must respect
your Kudos points for they allow you to unlock more races
which unlock more cars. Which is pretty cool. I like how
the game tells you just how many more races you have to
win to get a new car. Nice touch. Beware though, if you
drive badly you can actually lose Kudos points you already
had. This whole system forces you to learn how to drive
like a real racer would, you might not realize how many
little videogame racing tricks you use. Stuff like bouncing
off other cars on tight turns, using the wall to help take
a turn faster. This game should help you improve your
skills in racing games in general.
The menus are the standard fare but some of the text is
way to small for some TVs. Also why doesn't the game tell
you that your memory card lacks the space needed rather
then just kick you out to the start when you go to save?
Customisability is very high in this game. You can
customize the cars, even the tinting on the windows! The
best feature and probably the thing that will be copied
the most by future games is the "my cd" option where you
can pick from a large list of in game music and create a
CD that plays while you race. Which brings me to the music.
The music is good, nothing I wish was on a separate
soundtrack, but its decent enough to drive to. My only
feeling on it is that it all sounds the same. London, Tokyo
and San Francisco don't have enough personality.
Most of you are probably wondering about the graphics. They
are good, not super like we're starting to expect from all
the next generation systems. The cities are very detailed,
like nothing most of you have probably seen in a racing
game. These aren't just little side graphics, these are
real breathing cities. The tracks revolve around them not
the other way around. The best city is definitely Tokyo. It
has lots of color and the neon lights make it easier to
race at night. Two player runs great and you would be hard
pressed to find the popup. My only complaint with the game
is that there is so much detail in the game that there is a
lot of shimmering in the game. The real time part of the
game is cool, as I was playing the San Francisco track kept
getting darker on me. The only bad part of this is that
sometimes the tracks are just too dark too race on. Yet the
cars are very detailed. Down to a driver who even shifted
gears. I have yet to see the framerate drop on me. The cars
don't have the level of gloss you might expect coming from
Gran Turismo.
The control in this game is great. Every car handles just a
little bit different. Don't even think back of the horror
stories you might have heard from e3 last year, this is a
whole different beast. Once you master the handbrake you
get the feeling that nothing is impossible.
The ramp up in difficulty is non-existent. I say this not
because there is a smooth transition where the game gets
harder...but rather the game is hard. Spend time practicing
on every track before tackling a race, you'll save yourself
from a lot of frustration. The game does keep things fresh
by throwing different kinds of challenges at you.
Overall the game has been a lot of fun so far, and while it
seems a little more challenging then I would have liked,
and they locked away almost all of it from the start I can
tell I'll be spending a lot of time working on it to unlock
new stuff.
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-- Red Hot Rumors Page 3 --
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<<.>> Midway Haults Dreamcast Development
Back at the Dreamcast's launch, Midway was Sega's biggest
3rd party supporter, yet now they might be putting a stop
to all Dreamcast titles. Rumor has it Midway is dumping the
Dreamcast in favour of other new consoles, finishing with
NBA Hoopz. If true, this would be a huge blow to the future
of Sega, as Midway is most certainly one of the worlds
biggest publishers.
Most recently Midway have published San Francisco Rush
2049, Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2, and Army Men,
Sarges Heroes. If I were Sega, I'd be giving Midway a
Sega pep-talk right now. - Tails
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-- Feature: "Panzer Dragoon Timeline" Page 4 --
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<<.>> Your History Lesson: Panzer Dragoon Timeline
Thanks to the Art Of Azel website, which is linked below,
here is your history lesson on one of the most imaginative
series in video game history, Panzer Dragoon.
http://members.nbci.com/art_of_azel/index.htm
"I received this a while ago- before the Japanese release
of Panzer Saga. I believe it is from a Japanese Sega
magazine. The ending has ????? listed - I think it is there
so there is no SAGA spoilers."
<<.>> Imperial Foundation Period 80 B.F (Before Foundation)
At this time, the tribe that would become the Empire washed
ashore the Continental Coast, the Invading Creatures (rogue
biomechanical monsters) were driven back, and the
tribe began to reclaim the land.
0
The Empire's founder removed the Invading Creatures from
the ancient ruins, and returned control to the hands of
humans. Afterwards, they used the equipment inside the
ruins and declared mankind's restoration of human rights,
and established that year as year "0" of the Imperial
Foundation of the Empire.
5 A.F. (After Foundation)
The excavation of the ancient ruins and the Empire's sphere
of influence has expanded. People begin to collect in the
Imperial City. 6 A.F. A herd of Invading Creatures attack
the Imperial City. However, the Empire quickly get a handle
on the situation, and unearth an "Old Century" weapon, and
send it into battle.
6 A.F.
A herd of Invading Creatures attack the Imperial City.
However, the Empire quickly get a handle on the situation,
and unearth an "Old Century" weapon, and send it into
battle.
7 A.F.
The Academy begins its classified research on the Old
Century and ancient ruins. The equipment for this research
is constructed inside the royal palace. Research on an
engine begins for an antigravity craft.
15 A.F.
The Founder dies. The 2nd Emperor ascends the throne.
16 A.F.
Anti-Invading Creatures War. This is the 2nd time the
Imperial City is under attack. The Imperial Army defeats
the Invading Creatures again.
20 A.F.
The 2nd Emperor dies in battle. The 19-year old crown
prince inherits the throne. His mourning begins the same
time as the antigravity craft is effectively put to
practical use and weapon development standardized.
Afterwards, the Empire's Space Battleship, the symbol of
the Empire, is created.
29 A.F.
The Space Battleship participates in its first battle. The
guardian of the ancient ruins is destroyed.
35 A.F.
The 3rd emperor announces his candidacy to the Empire, and
declared his rights. His grandfather was the Founder of the
Empire, who standardized the excavation of the ruins and
initiated the declaration of rights begun 35 years ago. At
the same time a member of the Imperial family from the Old
Century declares that the ancient ruins are completely
theirs.
35 on
There is opposition from the outer regions to the Empire's
declaration of the possession of the ancient ruins. A small
skirmish ensues.
<<.>> Imperial Territorial Expansion Period
39 A.F.
The Invading Creatures' attack the Oasis National Army,
which fights a desperate battle until the Imperial Army
rescues them by invading the battlefield. 43 A.F. Oasis is
annexed to Did.
45 A.F.
Oasis is annexed to Li Vis.
46 on
Small skirmishes, annexations, and invasions of
Neighbouring nations continue.
48 A.F.
The 3rd emperor dies. The 4th emperor ascends the throne.
However, the Empire's power in the 4th era is weaker, so
the real power lies with the Imperial Army and the Academy.
49 A.F.
The 4th emperor dies of an illness. The 5th emperor ascends
the throne, but dies in an accident involving the Old
Century engine.
52 A.F.
The brother of the 3rd emperor ascends the throne (making
him the 6th emperor).
55-56
The Imperial Army's begins to search for the ancient ruins.
In later years, they understand that the ancient ruins they
were searching for contained something called "The Tower."
From that day forward, they dedicate themselves to
searching for The Tower.
69 A.F.
The Empire announces that the Space Battleship was hijacked
in the Oasis Federation city of Meccania. Many years later,
evidence is discovered that the Empire is using the
hijacking ruse as a front to invade.
70 A.F.
In retaliation for the hijacking, the Imperial Army began
to invade Meccania. There is an outbreak of violence on
Meccania.
<<.>> Imperial Prosperity Period
PANZER DRAGOON II ZWEI
71 A.F.
A giant Old Century ship, Shelkuuf, is found flying between
Meccania and Elpis. Shelkuuf flees to a remote region from
the Empire after its destruction of Meccania. At the same
time, the Dragoon, a legendary Invading Creature, first
appears.
72 A.F.
The ascendancy of Meccania. At the same time, the Dragoon's
forays begin.
82 A.F.
The 6th Emperor dies. The 7th Emperor ascends the throne.
85 A.F.
The Tower is discovered. The Empire's investigation begins.
The result of this investigation identified that the
ancient ruins had a deep connection with the Dragoon. The
investigation continues.
PANZER DRAGOON I
89 A.F.
Experimentation on The Tower begins. At the same time,
there is a 2nd encounter with the Dragoon. Immediately, the
Empire's Space Battleship is dispatched but defeated. In
response to the dragoon, the Invading Creatures appear from
the Tower, and the city is engulfed in flame.
<<.>> Deathbed of the Empire
90 A.F.
The Imperial Army's reorganization plan and the city's
reconstruction begins. Grigorig starts reconstruction. The
Royal Palace was damaged by the Dragon, and Grigorig is
named the new site for the palace. After completion, the
Emperor takes up residence in Grigorig.
PANZER DRAGOON SAGA
91 A.F.
A new institution is made for national restoration. During
this time, a temporary tax is created, and a heavy tax is
levied across the land.
99 A.F.
A report regarding the connection between The Tower and the
Dragoon is submitted. At the same time, the excavation of a
weapon begins at a site near the remote region.
100 A.F.
Grigorig is completed.
102 A.F.
Unable to endure the Empire's heavy tax, rebellions
frequently occur from this period forward. However, the
Empire brings this rebellion under control. The rumor of
the Dragoon, who defeated the Empire, begins to spread.
110 A.F.
Special No. 0 Bullet-Emitter experiment fails
catastrophically. The Imperial City disappears.
119 A.F.
Outbreak of rebellion on Kremain.
120 A.F.
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
123 A.F.
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
Thanks again to the Art Of Azel website, and to "IceCap"
for pointing this feature out.
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-- Question and Answer Page 5 --
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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.
UPDATE: I got some suggestions for the reader who wrote in
about wanting a US Master System, unfortunately I lost his
e-mail address. Anyway, www.telegames.co.uk was recommended
for trying to find older systems.
Next week: The Never Ending Technical Questions
<<.>> The FREE ISP Question is IMMORTAL
Q) Hello! I just finished reading your last newsletter
about the site to go to for a free isp. The site does
not load up. Any suggestions? Wasn't it startfree.com?
Thanks. - Brij
A) I would like to thank Brij and the other 10,000
people who wrote in about startfree.com not working.
It sounds like the service abruptly stopped working in
December. Please refer to this webpage for a list of
services that might work with the DC.
http://nzlist.org/user/freeisp/
I have already tried to get BlueLight.com and dotNow! to
work with no luck. None of the free non-Adbar services
were in my area. Any service without an Adbar stands the
best chance of working. If you can get one of these
ISPs on the list to work let us know and we'll tell
everyone about it. I should have something more to
report next week.
<<.>> My Dreamcast is Possessed!
Q) Hi, I just bought a US DC in Malaysia while I was on
holiday there last month, I live in The Seychelles.
Lately I have been having problems with my DC, it keeps
asking me to set the time, date etc. Just like when you
turn it on the first time, moreover when it heats up it
seems to give more problems and at times games won't
even boot, instead it asks for the date, time again. At
times the icons on screen will just move about even if
I'm not pressing the analog stick. Any ideas?
- Francis Victor
A) The first thing that strikes me is that you said you
bought a US system in Malaysia? The second is that when
you first buy your Dreamcast, the instruction manual
tells you to plug it in and leave it on for about four
hours so the internal battery can charge. However, if
I had to pinpoint a major problem it would be that
electrical outputs are different in Asia then they are
in the USA. Your Dreamcast could be getting more or
less power then it needs. See an import store for help
on this, they'd be able to sell you a down/up voltage
converter. About the menus scrolling when not pressing
any buttons, that could be one of two things. One you
left the analog stick pressed in a direction when you
started the system, or the controller is bad.
<<.>> I love Canadian 'Box'
Q) Hi, I Hope you can help with my question, I am really
confused. I purchased a VGA Box from BINARYSTAR and
although I can connect it to my monitor, there is a
problem. All that should be white is actually green.
I tried different monitors and different games and I
always get green colors everywhere. Thanks in advance!
- Novy
A) If the problem persists with different monitors and even
with different games, then I would have to say that you
just got a lemon. Take it back and try a different a
different brand. Sorry, better luck next time.
<<.>> Is It Here Yet? Is It Here Yet?
Q) Do you have any idea when NHL2K1 is coming out?
- Semilem
Hey man when is Matt Hoffman's Pro BMX coming out?
- Nemises35
A) I hate to be the one to tell you this, but NHL2k1 was
cancelled. Rather then release the 2k version with just
netplay added on Sega decided to work on a new version
that would add all the features that people wanted.
NHL2k2 is "slated to ship early in 2001". There is no
release date yet. Expect an announcement at e3 in May.
Matt Hoffman's pride and joy is looking for a release
date at the moment. Once the PSX version ships we should
have a better idea, right now the best I can say is it
should be somewhere in the second half of this year.
<<.>> The Thought of the Week: When does 5.1 = 2?
Q) I would like to point out that the Dreamcast currently
doesn't support 5.1 Digital Surround Sound. I am a 5.1
fanatic myself. I have DVD, PS2, a big AMP and the rest
of the works, but no 5.1 sound from my DC when running
Q3A (even when in Auto Format Decode mode). I don't
think the Dreamcast will ever support it. Why? There is
no 5.1 output on the system. There is only support for
2 channel Dolby Surround. - Ryaco Hendriks
A) I have to question this line of thinking. I do believe
that games are offering Surround Sound, even some N64's
games now advertise Surround Sound. While it may not be
exactly 5.1, its better then stereo. Does anyone else
have any thoughts on this?
I'm still alive under this pile - zondaro@usa.net
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-- Prima Games Corner Page 6 --
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<<.>> Sega Releases Dreamcast Broadband Adapter
- http://www.primagames.com/news/article/2687/
After a delay of one year, Sega has ushered in the
broadband era for Dreamcast by making available the
Dreamcast Broadband Adapter. Full details on this online
revolution, including the price and web address where to
order it from available at the Prima Games link above.
<<.>> 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!
<<.>> 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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-- Phantasy Star Online Clan Page 7 --
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<<.>> We Want You!
Continuing the sprit of Dreamcast Weekly and to show our
support for both our readers and Sega, Ross has started
the 'Official Dreamcast Weekly Phantasy Star Online Clan'
(or the ODWPSOC for short... hmmmm... maybe not - Tails).
The purpose of this is to get people who might not normally
work or talk together to do so, and to slaughter a few
dragons or two at the same time. Joining is as easy as
sending an e-mail to Ross. All members will be listed on
dreamcastweekly.com later this week, and so will the rules
of the clan.
Look for more information here next week.
Join today, by emailing Ross at zondaro@usa.net
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-- Support Sites Page 8 --
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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.
<<.>> 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.
<<.>> 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.
<<.>> System Zero - http://system-zero.com
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.
<<.>> 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.
<<.>> 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.
<<.>> 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... well all I can say at the moment is that
an HTML version is on it's way, and hopefully we'll be a
print magazine one day (hint to any publisher that may be
reading this, heh )
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-- Credits Page 9 --
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O Editor: Graham "Tails" Parker - Madcow@ihug.co.nz
O Question & Answer: Ross Fisher - Zondaro@usa.net
O Red Hot Rumors: Michael Monahan - Mikelad1@aol.com
O Red Hot Rumors: Paulo Santos - Paulo@sega2000.net
<<.>> http://www.DreamcastWeekly.com/ - Official Website
<<.>> http://www.PrimaGames.com/ - Our Sponsor
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Copyright 1998-2001 Graham Parker - Madcow@ihug.co.nz
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, lol! Thanks for reading Dreamcast Weekly!
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