Newsletter: Sega World Weekly issue 45 (then Dreamcast Weekly)
From Video Game Morgue File
__________________________________________________
/ \
/_______> > > DREAMCAST WEEKLY MAGAZINE < < <________\
////// \\\\\\
////// ~Issue #45 - www.DreamcastWeekly.com~ \\\\\\
\\\\\\ //////
\\\\\\ Sega X - http://www.segadreamcast.net //////
\\\\\\ Sega 2000 - http://www.sega2000.net //////
\\\\\\ Media Site - http://media.seganet.com //////
\\\\\\______________________________________//////
\______________________________________________/
o> Please scroll down to Editors Comments for the start <o
----------------------------------------------------------
======| ABOUT THE MAGAZINE |==============================
----------------------------------------------------------
Any DC questions can be sent to steve@sega2000.net and
questions about this magazine by just clicking reply.
For the best import games, visit the shop we're proudly
sponsored by... WWW.EXTREME-IMPORTS.COM
For the latest game news, reviews and previews visit the
Premier Video Games Site http://www.totalvideogames.com
With over 300 archived News Articles and the greatest game
reviews. Up-dated throughout the day with everything!
----------------- www.totalvideogames.com ----------------
Our domain name for DC Weekly is provided thanks to Total
Video Games, the UK's premier video games magazine up-dated
daily, and The Junction, the best place for Teens to chat.
------------------ www.the-junction.com ------------------
----------------------------------------------------------
======| EDITORS COMMENTS |================================
----------------------------------------------------------
What a week!! First up, we have good and bad news... which
first? Ok, the good... Soul Calibur is the perfect video
game!! Check out our news section for the details, or just
read our cover story review and you'll be drooling over
it... then be sure to check out the end of our news page
for some more great Namco information!
The bad news (sigh) is that neither Nights 2 or Burning
Rangers 2 are coming next... again see the news section.
Australian and New Zealanders won't be happy either, as
the Dreamcast has been delayed (oh great, I just happen
to live in New Zealand myself... doh!)
Incase that wasn't enough reading for you, we've got a
preview of Tech Romancer (one of the least known Capcom
games coming to Dreamcast) written by Kevin DuPuy.
Happy Gaming Is Playing Soul Calibur :)
~ Tails (Editor)
O Page 1 - Cover Story O
O Page 2 - The News O
O Page 3 - Rumors O
O Page 4 - Importing O
O Page 5 - Preview O
O Page 6 - Sega Trivia O
O Page 7 - Best Of The Web O
O Page 8 - Around The Web O
O Page 9 - Credits & More O
HOT QUOTE This Issue: ""
--
----------------------------------------------------------
======| COVER STORY |=====================================
----------------------------------------------------------
>>>> Soul Calibur Review
>>>> Written By Dreamcaster
First if all I would like to thank Namco for blessing the
Dreamcast with this masterpiece. Until we receive the
masterful Shen Mue....this is the game to own.
I really didn't know what to expect from the game when I
first booted up my Dreamcast. I spend very little time
playing the game at this years E3 and I am also not that
familiar with the arcade version. The first time I played
the arcade game I nearly finish it with one credit so it
didn't really interest me.
The first screen I was treated to read, Namco presents...
Soul Calibur for the Sega Dreamcast. Then we get the usual
Namco logo on a black background... but wait a sec...is it in
3D??? Why yes! It is!!! Just like Capcoms 3D logo for those
of us familiar with Powerstone and SF zero 3...anyway...
the camera pans THROUGH the Namco logo into a REALTIME
flyover of the desert floor... through out this flyby....
various weapons drop from the sky anchoring themselves
into the ground... this may sound cheesy in word but
this in Namco guys...just remember that...wait... who's that
standing in the desert? it's Mitsurugi!!!!
He's HUGE!!! All done in realtime! I was floored!!! and this
was only the beginning!!!! I wouldn't even know how to begin
explaining the rest of the intro as it is too beautiful for
words and all powered by the poly pushing monster of a
Dreamcast. This intro will make you forget about CG. The
choriography, the motion capture, the special FX...
beautiful...almost brought a tear to my eye... The intro
alone could sell 1,000,000 copies of the game.
Next we have the title screen with the slew of options... We
have, arcade, versus, team battle, time attack, survival,
museum, practice , options, internet and mission battle...
Whew! now I have barely spent an hour with the game so
lets put it all in a quick but detailed review now...
Graphics...
BEYOND AMAZING!!!! the animation and the color and the
motion capture, the textures...MY GOD!!!! I am also
playing with an S-Video connection and it is just
unbelievable. As far as the backgrounds go. Many have said
2D some say 3D... but after studying these backgrounds I
personally believe that some are 3D...some are 2D... all
the cave type backgrounds seem 2D because they are so
enclosed but when you are out in the open....sheesh!!!
They gotta be 3D!! If not, Namco has got major skills...
MAJOR.
The character graphics are amazing as well. Richly
textured, animated muscle movement, little jiggle here
and there with the babes...it's nice! and the lighting
and special FX? the Dreamcast is a madhouse! The last
battle with Inferno is incredible!!! this guy is on
fire!!! no pun intended!!!! it's insanity!!! and the
spacey background in crazy too! there are all kinds of
stars and beams of light all over the place! OH MY!!!
stop the press!!! I just had the game running and
when you buy this game...just let it run...there in
an amazingly lifelike solo with Mitsurugi showing his
stuff...the backgrounds have to be 3D....they have to...
Gameplay....
I'll really leave this one up to you guys cuz I am
not at all a seasoned Namco fighter...what I can tell
you though is that just as I was able to pop in a
quarter and play in the arcade...your hands will find
no trouble finding a home on the DC pad playing this
one... just pick it up and play. versus mode rocks.
Voice SFX and music...
with myself being a game sound track freak, I can
honestly say this one is up there with the best. Ambient
mid evil (or however you spell that) tunes blare in the
background as you duke it out. Fits that game like a
glove as you would expect it to. All of the announcer
voice is done in ENGLISH which I find amazing and the
character voice is amazing as well. too bad it will be
changed in the U.S version...so...if you have a Japanese
DC forget about the U.S. version if you haven't already.
Come to think of it...I really can't see why they
wouldn't leave in the character voice...
Overall...
The Dreamcast has final gotten a game that will put it
where it should rightfully be. On the top. Famitsu was
accurate when giving it a perfect score. There aren't
many games you can just pick up and it's like... you
are meant to be playing this game.
Namco has done and outstanding job in bringing this
game to the DC. It totally shatters every Dreamcast
game to date. I just hope Sega has Dreamcast's stockpiled
in Japan. It's gonna be one helluva week for DC sales.
Man...it took forever but I can now honestly say that
the DC is here to stay. Now if only they'd port Ridge
Racer....
Dreamcaster of DCTP
*devcomny@aol.com
>>>> Buying Soul Calibur - Check out our importing section
below the Rumors, or visit www.extreme-imports.com today.
----------------------------------------------------------
======| NEWS |============================================
----------------------------------------------------------
>>>> No Nights 2 - No Burning Rangers 2...
This is a quote from the latest issue of Next Generation
(now called Next-Gen), with their interview of Sonic Team.
NG: We heard the Sonic Team split into groups...
Yuji Naka: There are lots of rumors. Sometimes I go on the
internet, and find so many rumors, I really have to laugh.
Players want a sequel to Sonic Adventure, Burning Rangers,
and Nights, so the rumor spreads on the net that the Sonic
Team split into three groups. I don't want to break
people's dreams, but I am making none of these games!
Rumors are are very interesting...
NG: So what is next for Sonic Team?
Yuji Naka: It's a big secret! (laughs)
>>>> The Perfect Videogame
The Japanese gaming magazine, Famitsu Weekly, has recently
reviewed Soul Calibur. Now this is one of the most respected
games magazines we're talking about here, and to date have
only ever given one game the perfect score (Zelda 64)...
then today, it was great to see Soul Calibur has received
the perfect 40/40!
Each of the 4 reviewers that played it gave it a rock solid
10 out of 10, which easily makes it the #1 Dreamcast game
to date. Sonic Adventure was previously #1, with 38/40.
- Written by Tails
>>>> Dreamcast Delay!
While the American launch is gaining speed every day, things
aren't quite so good for Australia and New Zealand. The
Dreamcast has been delayed until "October 1999", as the press
release below details...
The Dreamcast will now go on sale in October 1999. The reasons
for this action are quite simple and are as follows.
Customizing the browser disc for use in Australia has
taken longer than expected.
Sega is in an incredibly unique situation where they are
launching the first on-line console that will offer the
user full Internet access, including web browsing, sending
and receiving email and on-line gaming. This takes a great
deal more effort and planning than just launching a standard
console, including liaising with an Internet service
provider, developing a 'plug and play' operating system and
setting up a huge network that can cater for over 200,000
users in the first year. The unique situation for Sega also
extends to the fact that they are launching the console in
the US and Europe in the same month, and that even with
this incredible workload Sega are currently working 24/7
to ensure that the launch of the Dreamcast is an absolute
success in both territories.
Australia and New Zealand are also in a unique situation where
their telecommunications system is different from the UK,
Europe and Japan, so additional modifications have to be made
to the browser disc to ensure that the console is fully
Internet compatible day 1.
Dreamcast is currently facing the largest launch ever for
a games console, with over 2.4 million consoles pre-ordered
in the US alone. Demands like this obviously place a
strain on the company as a whole, but as I mentioned,
they are doing their best to ensure that the Dreamcast
is a success in all territories. With they systems current
specs, Internet abilities and large range of launch
titles, its a safe bet to day that they will achieve this
goal.
With these factors in mind, OziSoft have decided to delay the
console's launch until October'99 so that the console will be
fully Internet compatible at launch with a 'plug and play'
browser disc that allows even the most computer illiterate
user to browse the web with ease.
Our decision was further strengthened by the fact that Sega Europe
had decided to only have around 5 games at launch (Sega 2000
has since talked to SOE about this, and said there will indeed be
more than 5 titles at the launch) and had adopted a strategy
where they would release games every week rather than all at
once. While we don't disagree with this strategy, the option
of delaying the console a month because of the browser disc
modifications will ensure that the console has 10 games day
1, as well as games being released every week until Christmas.
Please understand that OziSoft are completely dedicated to the
Dreamcast becoming the success in Australia and New Zealand
that it will be in the rest of the world.
We have the best technology, and most importantly the
best games.
Be rest assured that OziSoft has the best marketing team
on-board who will do justice to the great system that
Sega have created for you, the gamer.
Regards,
Steve O'Leary
Dreamcast Communications Manager
OziSoft
>>>> New Hi-Quality Videos
Thanks to www.extreme-imports.com, here are some new hi-
quality video's for you!
Buggy Heat
- http://www.extreme-imports.com/movies/buggyheat.mpg
Frame Gride
- http://www.extreme-imports.com/movies/framegride.mpg
King of Fighters Dream Match 1999
- http://www.extreme-imports.com/movies/kofdm99.mpg
Shutokou Battle
- http://www.extreme-imports.com/movies/shutokou.mpg
Street Fighter Zero 3
- http://www.extreme-imports.com/movies/sfzero3.mpg
>>>> Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike Confirmed
The arcade hit, Street Fighter III: 3rd strike, featuring
some of the best 2D animation to date, has been confirmed
by Capcom as a title for the Dreamcast. Not only will it
more than likely be a direct arcade port, but Capcom has
stated that it will take advantage of the Dreamcast's
internet capabilities.
This should prove to be a huge title for the Dreamcast in
terms of internet playability. - Written By Kage
>>>> More Namco Games On The Way...
Namco said Soul Calibur would decide the future of their
relationship with Dreamcast... and they must have enjoyed
doing the port, because 2 more are on the way!
While what exactly these 2 new games are hasn't been
revealed, it excites the mind just knowing Namco games
are on the way. - Written by Tails
----------------------------------------------------------
======[ RED HOT RUMORS ]==================================
----------------------------------------------------------
Welcome to the rumors section of Dreamcast Weekly, each
week we'll keep you upto-date with the latest RUMORS going
around. Written by Tails.
>>>> Pre-Order Explosion!
Time maybe running out on Dreamcast reserves. Rumors are
out that at least 150,000 are reserved right now, and
Sega may close the doors for awhile after they hit 200,000
to be sure they can meet the demand. No word yet if Sega
will resume after 200,000 is reached. Reserve your
Dreamcast now! - Written by Steve
----------------------------------------------------------
======| IMPORT-ANT MATTERS |==============================
----------------------------------------------------------
w w w . e x t r e m e - I m p o r t s . c o m
_______ooo000ooo www.extreme-imports.com ooo000ooo______
|| ||
|| We'll keep you upto date with the latest news on the ||
|| importing scene - Tails. ||
|| ||
|| >>>> SOUL CALIBUR - PRE-ORDER YOURS QUICK! ||
|| ||
|| Pre-orders for Soul Calibur have been stacking up ||
|| like no other title ever before! If you haven't pre- ||
|| ordered, we suggest you do so as very few copies ||
|| remain! Stock will be arriving early next week and ||
|| dispatched on that day to ALL those that have pre- ||
|| ordered. Expect our movie to be ready by Thursday ||
|| night (maybe Friday morning ^_^) with an in-depth ||
|| review ready shortly after. ||
|| ||
|| >>>> AUS$399 FOR A DREAMCAST - AROUND US$199 ||
|| ||
|| Now you can import a Dreamcast for the same price as ||
|| it will retail for... or if you live in Australia or ||
|| New Zealand, cheaper than it will retail for! All ||
|| the details are at www.extreme-imports.com ||
|| ||
|| >>>> IMPORTING A US DREAMCAST ||
|| ||
|| Extreme Imports will be stocking the US Dreamcast ||
|| early September this year. The system will come with ||
|| one controller, demo disk and 56k hardware modem. ||
|| We'll be selling the system for $499AUD - this ||
|| includes a step down converter (240~220V - 100~110V) ||
|| for European and Australian customers. Games will be ||
|| no more than $99AUD with a high possibility of ||
|| $89AUD or less. Pre-orders will commence as of ||
|| today. Due to limited numbers, a $50AUD deposit will ||
|| be required to secure a system. ||
|| ||
|| To pre-order, please visit our website. ||
|| ||
||_____ooo000ooo www.extreme-imports.com ooo000ooo____||
----------------------------------------------------------
======| PREVIEW |=========================================
----------------------------------------------------------
>>>> Tech Romancer Preview
>>>> Written by Kevin DuPuy
Before I get into the meat of this game, I feel I need to
make a few comments, first. For one, no, Tech Romancer is
not the name of the newest import girlfriend simulator. I
don't quite think the US is ready for that type of game,
so don't get your hopes up for a domestic release of that
genre, just yet. For another, Capcom really needs to space
out their plentiful Dreamcast release list. With three
fighters finished and ready to hit the US in the fall-
Marvel Vs. Capcom, Powerstone, and Street Fighter Alpha
3- and another four planned for the near future- Star
Gladiator 2, SF3: Third Strike, Powerstone 2, and the
featured Tech Romancer- this not to mention another Resident
Evil title, Capcom is sticking out as one of the biggest
supporters of Sega's new system. And while their efforts
and dedication to the Dreamcast have been superb, spacing
out these releases should remain a top priority. People
love fighters and love Capcom, but there's certainly going
to be a lot of loving this Fall with all the games slated
to hit, so soon. Anyway, Tech Romancer, one of Capcom's
lesser known arcade releases, is now set to be ported over
to the Dreamcast.
Originally released in the arcades almost a year ago, Tech
Romancer is probably Capcom's least know fighting release
here in the US. But while the game didn't receive the
attention it may have deserved, it remains the most
non-traditional and unique fighter, to date, from Capcom.
With heavy influences from similar games and anime, Tech
Romancer can best be described as a mech fighting game,
though similarities to Virtual On and Frame Gride are hard
to find. Instead of a totally 3D game, Capcom decided to
stick with the traditional anime and hand-drawn style,
which fans of the company long-appreciated and grown
accustomed too. But other than the graphical style, Tech
Romancer includes a lot of gameplay elements not seen in
previous Capcom efforts.
You start the game by choosing one of eight selectable
characters. After you fight your way through the main
draw, you'll come up against three mini-bosses and one
final boss. Each character has a set of regular and special
moves, a few counterattacks, a final attack, and a hero mode.
Special moves can be stored up to be three times as powerful,
and counterattacks are strikes that end your opponent's
combos or special moves and give you a window to retaliate.
The final attack is a massive hit that can only be used at
the end of a round when the game indicates that one can
be done. And the hero mode is a special state of being
when a character gets special powers and a few new moves.
On the more specific side of the gameplay, Capcom has
added grapple attacks, warning moves, and power breakers.
But what's most unique about this game is the control
setup. Instead of the usual six-button layout of weak to
strong punches and kicks, the layout consists of only four
buttons: guard, attack 1, attack 2, and jump. As you can
see this really isn't a traditional Capcom fighter.
Every match begins with the usual power bar, but now a
Damage Gauge located on the side of the screen plays a
much bigger role in achieving victory. When the round
starts the gauge is empty, but as you attack your opponent
or are attacked by them, the gauge begins to fill. If the
Damage Gauge is completely filled, the match is over. Now
when the next round begins the winner's gauge is not
emptied, so the loser has a better chance of evening up
the game. This not only allows for some close matches, but
also makes it impossible to just sit back and block the
entire game. Very nice addition that more fighters need
to incorporate one way or another. Armor is also a new
feature to Tech Romancer, with each mech having their own
set of protective covering. A little percentage sign at
the corner of the screen represents your armor's remaining
strength, and when that hits zero your armor is gone,
leaving you open to even more damage.
Matches take place in a number of different locations, and
as a whole the levels are 2D. You can sidestep in and out
of the fighting plane to dodge attacks (ala Tekken 3), but
don't expect free-roaming stages as seen in other mech
fighters. Obstacles litter the playing field and are fully
destructible. Destroying these obstacles not only clears
the playing field but also releases a special item. Items
vary in function, as some will increase your armor or life
while others will increase your offensive abilities or give
you a mech-specific weapon. If you've ever played Powerstone
you know that these items can make or break a match. The
variety is certainly there to make the fights even more
interesting.
While Tech Romancer is not the most current Capcom fighter,
the Dreamcast port will definitely be worth a second glance.
Not only will the graphics be the same, if not better, than
the arcade's impressive showing, Capcom is sure to include
a number of Dreamcast-only modes of play (online matches
anyone?). Regardless of all this, Tech Romancer is still
one incredibly unique and interesting fighter. No release
date has been set, but expect to see this upcoming
conversion, possibly, around early/mid 2000.
----------------------------------------------------------
======| SEGA TRIVIA |=====================================
----------------------------------------------------------
>>>> Weekly Sega Trivia
>>>> Written by Glen & Andy
1: In which Sega arcade game can you race on sheep?
2: Which game did the Arabic character (with the sword)
in Fighter Megamix come from?
3: Which EA basketball game was first?
4: Which system had the faster prossesor , SNES or Genesis?
5: On which game does Gary Bloom commentate?
>>>> Answers
1: Manx TT
2: He was originally in the first Virtua Fighter, but got
scrapped.
3: a.Lakers vs Bulls
x b.Lakers vs Celtics
c.Bulls vs Blazers
4: Genesis
5: Sega worldwide Soccer, 97.
----------------------------------------------------------
======| BEST OF THE WEB |=================================
----------------------------------------------------------
There are sooooo many Sega sites across the web, wouldn't
it be great if one place listed the most interesting bits??
Presenting the "Best Of The Web" section...
>>>> Sega X - www.segadreamcast.net
Plenty of news added every day, and the best coverage of
the US Launch details you'll find anywhere.
>>>> Sega 2000 - www.sega2000.net
Sega 2000 is back, and with plenty of news. You have to join
in the interactive 10 Most Wanted section too.
>>>> Media Site - http://media.seganet.com
A brand new design, and what a design!! You have to see this!
They have the biggest collection of video game mp3's, video's
(including some Saturn video's you've probably never seen
before) and more. Also don't forget to vote for your favorite
staff member.
>>>> Gaming Central Starpath - www.startpath.com/gamingcentral
Our newest support site and provides hundreds of links for
anything a gamer might be interested in.
>>>> SegaDC - www.segadc.co.nz
Updated daily with lots of news, a forum and more, this is
a must see site for any Sega fan.
>>>> The Sonic Zone - 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 to
Cheats and even Fan Created Games this is your one stop
Sonic site. You can now send online postcards too!!
>>>> DC Australia - www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Fortress/6831/
Dreamcast Australia has all the latest coverage of the
Dreamcast delay in Australia (yes, it's official) with a
full press release from Ozisoft surrounding the
circumstance. DCA has also put up the latest OziSoft's
interview which covers almost everything related to the
Dreamcast launch in Australia, as well as general
topics. Don't forget the monthly poll, daily news and much
much more.
>>>> www.videogames.au.com
The newest supporter of Dreamcast Weekly, and a site with
a great design. Be sure not to miss this site!
The official website for the Dreamcast Weekly is now open at
www.dreamcastweekly.com :) We've got the history of the
magazine, daily news and plenty more. Specially if your a
webmaster, there is lots of great information about how
you can be involved as well! Then in the future... who knows,
hopefully we'll be a print magazine one day :)
----------------------------------------------------------
======| AROUND THE WEB |==================================
----------------------------------------------------------
Please don't ask to be added to this section (I'm sure you
can imagine how many hundreds of requests I'd get every
week!). Sega sites will be selected.
>>>> UK Dreamcasters
>>>> http://ukdreamcasters.cjb.net
There's hundreds of Dreamcast sites now a days (just take
a look at the size of the Sega 2000 links page!), but I
thought this one in particular had a pretty cool design.
No I'm not mentioning this site because of their Gallery
section... honest :) There's some new animation touches
to their nav bar too, just thought I'd point that out.
Check out their downloads too, in particular for some VF3
renders.
----------------------------------------------------------
======[ CREDITS ]=========================================
----------------------------------------------------------
O Writer: Graham Parker "Tails" - Webmaster@sega2000.net
O Co-editor: Steve - Steve@sega2000.net
O DC Questions: Please send to - Steve@sega2000.net
>>>> www.DreamcastWeekly.com - Official Website!
----------------------------------------------------------
Copyright, 1998-9 Graham Parker - Webmaster@sega2000.net
Written and edited by Graham Parker. No parts may be
copied without prior permission. I would have to send
out my group of highly trained thugs otherwise, who will
have a tea party with you until you crack and your mind
turns into jello... MMmmmmm.... Sweet Sweet Jello....
hehe.
Oh and finally...
-----------------
I would kill for a copy of Soul Calibur right about now,
oh please ask me to kill for one (cue evil laugh)!
Ok yes it's true, these "Oh and finally..." parts of DC
Weekly get sadder every week. Any ideas what I could put
here instead? :)
