Newsletter: Sega World Weekly issue 68 (then Dreamcast Weekly)
From Video Game Morgue File
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//// ~ Issue #68 - February 6th 2000 ~ \\\\
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o> Please SCROLL DOWN for the Editors Comments <o
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======| ABOUT DREAMCAST WEEKLY |==========================
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> To ask questions, please click Reply to this message,
only be SURE to include "Q&A" some where in the Subject.
We regret we're unable to personally reply to each e-mail,
but the best questions will be selected weekly and printed
in our Q&A page.
> For past issues visit http://www.dreamcastweekly.com
> For the latest game news, reviews and previews visit the
Premier Video Games Site 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 ------------------
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======| EDITORS COMMENTS |================================
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Once again a huge title was revealed during this past week
(heh, I sound like I'm tired of them, but believe me, it's
amazing seeing hit after hit being added to the Dreamcast's
lineup for 2000). It's the game Jake Lloyd was playing on
at the E3 show last year, and the game I've been playing
often since it was released... Star Wars Episode 1 Racer
is coming to Dreamcast.
Check this weeks news page, along with our Q&A center for
more details. Further news includes Armanda 2, Sega putting
a stop to Mod Chips, and plenty of news shorts.
Then our cover preview is of a game based on green colored
ooze of all things, titled Substance. The game is being
developed from the people behind Diablo, Starcraft, and
Warcraft 2, so is certainly one to take a look at.
This weeks review is of Virtua Striker 2 PAL, which takes
a look at the game compared to other soccer titles already
out over in Europe. Also along with Centipede and Zombie
Revenge, the cheats for Virtua Striker 2 Ver 2000.1 are
included down in this issue.
Finally, our Q&A Center in page 7 is off to a great start,
with loads of questions... and naturally answers too.
Anyway, until next week then, Happy Gaming everyone!
~ Graham "Tails" Parker (Editor)
.oO Page 1 - Cover Story Oo.
.oO Page 2 - The News Oo.
.oO Page 3 - Rumors Oo.
.oO Page 4 - Into The Web Oo.
.oO Page 5 - Review Oo.
.oO Page 6 - Cheats Oo.
.oO Page 7 - Q&A Center Oo.
.oO Page 8 - OUR SUPPORT SITES Oo.
.oO Page 9 - Credits Oo.
HOT QUOTE This Issue: "If you thought Incoming was a little
too simplistic, cried over the cancellation of Sega's Geist
Force, and wished Air Force Delta was a little more than
just a flight sim, then get ready for Substance."
-- Substance Preview - This Week's Cover Story
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======| COVER STORY |=====================================
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>>>> Substance
O Publisher: Tremor Entertainment
O Genre: Strategy / Shooting
O Release Date: TBA
O Players: 1
If you thought Incoming was a little too simplistic, cried
over the cancellation of Sega's Geist Force, and wished Air
Force Delta was a little more than just a flight sim, then
get ready for Substance. In development now by Tremor
Entertainment, Substance promises to be a complex futuristic
action/strategy 3D shooter unlike any other game yet seen
on a console. The development team is of high caliber,
composed of veterans of the gaming industry, however the
company itself is young. Nevertheless, the project is
incredibly ambitious and Tremor has very high hopes for it.
What exactly is Substance? Actually, Substance is a sort
of green-colored ooze and it is the goal of the game to
collect it. What happens is once the Substance is found
on a planet, a mother ship sends down units called Grazers
to "mine" and collect it. One ship, called a Hunter, is
also sent down for protection. You are in control of the
Hunter.
While patrolling the area, you can command all your other
units with a simple interface. There is no top-view
perspective as is found in all real-time strategy games.
However, the enemy units competing for the same Substance
will make your life a living hell and complicate matters
by attacking your Grazers with their own Hunter as well
as collect their own Substance, just like you. In other
words, you have a computer-controlled team that is almost
identical to your own, with the same goals as you. Therefore
you must do three things: collect Substance, prevent the
enemy from collecting Substance by attacking their units
with the Hunter, and defend your base from the enemy Hunter
and other attacking units.
The game's roots lie in both 3D shooter and real-time
strategy genres, however it appears as though the strategy
aspects of the game are a little more important. And this
is not surprising as the game's designers came to Tremor
from Blizzard Entertainment, where they were responsible
for such incredibly popular games as Diablo, the RTS hit
Starcraft, and last but not least, the hugely successful
Warcraft 2. You'll have an opportunity to order your units to
build Turrets for protection as well as order your units to
go after the enemy scouts if they spot you. The real
question here is how Tremor will allow the gamer to do this,
as all control over your units will be done right through
the Hunter. You'll all be able to build things when docked
with the Hive (your command building).
The game gives you access to two view points, first person
and third person. You'll be able to fire missiles and
energy bolts. The graphics are detailed enough to let
you see the amount of missiles you have left through
the third person view by simply looking under the Hunter's
wings and seeing how many there are. Once you fire them,
you see them disconnect right from the wing and head for
their target.
This is a sort of game that should make a worthy addition
to the Dreamcast's growing library of games. The game's
premise and genre-blending characteristics will surely make
people examine this title closely in the future. This isn't
just some brain-dead 3D shooter, or some 20-minute long
arcade game. Substance is an original game that is filled
with features and should be studied a lot more closely as
it approaches a release date. Don't let this one slip
between the cracks. - Ilya Gordon
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======| NEWS |============================================
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>>>> Sega Stops Mod Chips
Over the last few weeks, stores around the world have
begun selling Dreamcast consoles with an updated BIOS ROM.
Why the change has been made is still a mystery at the
moment, although it has put a stop to Mod Chips for now.
I say "for now" because the latest generation of Mod Chips
can easily be reprogrammed, and shouldn't find it hard to
get around the new BIOS.
This is likely a move made by Sega Of Japan, given that
just last month Sega Of America announced they don't have
any plans to fight against mod chips. We'll keep you
updated on further Mod Chip news, and look out for a full
importing feature coming up in a future issue.
>>>> Armanda 2 Announced
Metro 3D has officially announced a sequel to its space
combat RPG, the excellent Armada. We can expect Armada 2
in late August, 2000 along with online play, a brand new
interface and slightly better visuals over the original
game.
>>>> Star Wars Episode 1 Racer
The latest big developer to sign with Sega of America is
LucasArts Entertainment. Bringing with it the incredibly
popular Stars Wars franchise, as well as a few other
independently creative brands. The first game to debut
on the console, later this year, will be Star Wars
Episode One: Racer. All ready seeing it's day on the
Playstation, N64, and PC platforms, the company believes
this is a strong first title to release for Dreamcast.
While reviews have been mixed, what Episode One: Racer
does bring with it primarily, is that clout of the Star
Wars franchise, as well as another experience in racing
to sate the thirst of all those speed demons in the
audience. While no release date has been set, LucasArts
has already announced the game will feature crisp, high
resolution graphics, along with taking advantage of the
DC Network to post top scores on-line.
Joining alongside more than one hundred other developers
from around the globe, the company has quite a lot to
bring to the table. As the company spokeswoman Mary Bihr
said, "There are more exciting titles to come from
LucasArts and we look forward to supporting Sega's
continued success." With this support, and the support
of those other companies, Sega hopes to reach its goal
of having more than 200 games available in the US
Dreamcast library by the end of 2000.
>>>> News Shorts
The first Dreamcast Cable Modems will arrive Japan in the
beginning of March. How does pulling data down 500 times
faster than your existing Dreamcast modem sound? Sounds
truly awesome! Since the microphone and the Zip Drive
will be released in US soon, the Cable Modem could be
indeed a true reality in US and PAL Dreamcast also.
Let's wait and see.
The highly awaited fighter Dead or Alive 2 will be in stores
in the 2nd week of March, according to Tecmo. A small delay
to update some gameplay features and solve some bugs in
the gameplay also.
Japanese developer Dazz announced today that they are
currently working on a Dreamcast version of their
LakeMasters series. Currently known as LakeMasters Pro,
the game is said to feature about 24 lures and a variety
of different lakes to select from. Lake Masters Pro is
currently slated for a March 23rd release in Japan.
The Ring is an upcoming Dreamcast horror adventure due
for release in Japan on Feb. 24. The story takes place
in a U.S. town, where you travel between reality and a
virtual dimension. The dimension is created by a computer
program called The Ring, and offers solutions to the
mysteries behind a series of deaths. Sounds great eh?
A US version of this game is very likely, so stay tuned.
For those who can't wait for the US version of Chuchu
Rocket, Sega of Japan has just added a new Macromedia
based version of the game onto their website. Enjoy
some of the early stages of this awesome puzzler in
your PC! You can play online at this address...
http://www.sega.co.jp/sega/puzzle/
Visual Concepts and Sega of Europe aren't interested in
a release of the awesome football game, NFL 2K in UK.
It seems that the only way to play this game on your
PAL Dreamcast is do some swap trick or get a mod-chip.
Sad news.
The successful action title, Bersek finally got a release
date for US. You can enjoy this Cloud's clone in your
NSTC Dreamcast by 29 March 2000. It was confirmed before,
but Eidos will be the publisher of the game in the States,
for anyone who might ask.
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======[ RED HOT RUMORS ]==================================
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Welcome to the rumors section of Dreamcast Weekly, each
week we'll keep you up to-date with the latest rumors going
around.
>>>> Playstation 2 DVD Features
Hey isn't this supposed to be Dreamcast rumors? Well this
week has been very quiet, so I thought this Playstation 2
rumor would be of interest.
Bart, A Japanese magazine, not the Simpsons boy (oh no...
I must be tired when I start making sad comments like that!)
has printed that the DVD features in the upcoming Playstation
2 aren't what was expected from Sony.
First they said you'll have to insert a special CD into
your PS2 first, then replace it with the DVD movie you wish
to view. There will be also no multi-angle, multi-story, or
subtitling options on the player.
For those looking at the Playstation 2 as a DVD player,
this may be one rumor to keep an eye on.
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======| INTO THE WEB |====================================
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>>>> More Than Just Movies
Yes Bio Hazard: Code Veronica is out in Japan at last!!
Check out www.NextGenVideos.com for their hi-quality movies,
that come in 2 sizes. The full list of new movies this
week includes...
o Crazy Taxi
o Bio Hazard: Code Veronica
But they also have the first screens from Lucas Arts' Star
Wars Episode 1 Racer on Dreamcast.
Why are they featured in Dreamcast Weekly? Because the
movies are quite possibly of the highest quality on the
net, that's why. If you haven't checked them out yet, now's
a good time to start.
www.NextGenVideos.com
>>>> Lik-Sang Update
Nothing new this week at Lik-Sang unfortunately, but for
those of you who are running of memory card space, I got
a 16x Nexus Memory Card from them recently.
The card stores 3200 blocks of space, and doesn't use any
compression (the usual thing to worry about with
Hi-Capacity memory cards).
www.Lik-Sang.com
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======| REVIEW |==========================================
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>>>> Virtua Striker 2 PAL
Based on the huge success of the Naomi version of Virtua
Striker 2 Version 2000.1, Sega of Europe released the game
on the PAL Dreamcast this past week. After some excellent
soccer titles we have received for the European Dreamcast,
talking of UEFA Striker and Worldwide Soccer 2K another
footy title is released, but this time is really an arcade
title, unlikely Worldwide Soccer 2K tried to be. Could the
DC version of Virtua Striker 2 turn out to be so popular
just like the arcade version of the title?
Arcade sport games are real popular. NFL Blitz 2000 or
NBA Showtime maintain their huge popularity in States and
Japanese and European gamers can't get enough of the Virtua
Striker series. It's just too difficult to find a Japanese
or European arcade that hasn’t got a few VS2 machines
linked up for competitive play. This reason is just enough
for Sega's decision to port Virtua Striker 2 version 2001
from the Naomi board to Sega's 128-bit console, Dreamcast.
Because Virtua Striker was born and raised in the arcades,
it isn't any Fifa or even UEFA Striker, either. It doesn't
play anything like the previous soccer tiles I mentioned.
Of course the game is rules-based (don't expect players
to kick each other like Adidas Power Soccer series) and
it plays damn fast. Really fast. Cranking up the time limit
for each match results in outrageously high-scoring games.
Virtua Striker 2 is easy to pick up and play. The game's
interface is really easy, and very addictive when you're
playing with or against a friend.
The game has 7 different modes of play for the Dreamcast
version. The Arcade mode basically plays a single match,
goal to goal, with the match ending if you're scored
upon. The International Cup mode is similar to the World
Cup. Thirty-two international teams, from Europe, Americas,
Africa, and Asia duke it out in a round robbin, followed
by a single elimination tournament. The Variation mode,
which is also the deepest mode in the game features
Tournament, League, and Ranking play. You can also
play a single vs. match or just do a penalty kick
shoot out, the latter redeeming some of the entertainment
value of this game. There is also a cool replay mode,
where you can save replays (to your VMU) of your best
goals and check them out at any time. Anyway beware,
for saving replays you'll need to use simply 101 blocks
of your memory card! Take care, buy a Nexus memory card!
Virtua Striker 2 is certainly impressive visually. Model
3 eye-candy abounds, with 60fps visuals, mega-detailed
players, and slick special effects. There’s not a bit
of slowdown, and it kicks the competition’s ass with
a big honkin’ pair of cleats. Well, I can't say that
the graphical system is superior to those of UEFA
and SWWS 2000. For example, the visuals aren't that
realistic, the animation is good but it's not that
perfection that is SWWS 2000 for example. The stadiums
and the pitch are realistic, but talking of the detail,
they're light years ahead of the other two soccer
titles available. The loading times are excellent,
almost non-existent and there isn't simply a bit of slow
down.
The sound is really disappointing. After the awesome
game's commentary of UEFA Striker and Sega Worldwide
Soccer 2000, VS2 has simply virtually non-existent
commentary does little to add to the ambiance of the
gameplay. the sound effects feel shoddy and unfinished.
Sure there are some cool additions like country
specific chants and It's also a treat to hear the
announcer yell out "Goal" every time you score, but
the aural aspect is truly the weakest part of the
whole game.
While running about and making turns comes off easy via
the digital pad (analog isn’t supported, for some odd
reason) (Arcade sticks only support 8 directions - Tails),
the CPU automatically picks which character you’re
controlling. No, you can’t switch ‘em yourself, so don’t
bother trying. While the AI does an adequate job of
grouping your mates across the field, there are times
while playing defense when you’ll keep swapping between
two or three teammates without rhyme or reason. I’d like
to point something out to our friends at Sega: the
Dreamcast has four controller ports. USE THEM! Virtua
Striker 2 only supports two-player match-ups, which is
an enormous cop-out. Shame on you guys. Although, the 2
Player multiplayer action is cool, a 4-Player-mode
would be so much better. Unfortunately, no way, and of
course online play for anyone. We are still waiting for
Sonic Team's puzzle game Chuchu Rocket to play against
other guys online...
Talking of the computer Al, it is quite good just like
Sega Worldwide Soccer 2K The D-pad control only, is a
shame, but it could be worse. The controls with the
D-pad aren't of course so precise and realistic simply
because the analog-mode is much better for 3D games.
Perhaps, I have appointed too many flaws in the game.
Don't get me wrong Virtua Striker 2 ver 2001 is an
excellent soccer title, however I was far too excited
because after the excellent UEFA Striker and SWWS 2K
I think that I would get in hands the best soccer
title ever made. Unfortunately, no way . Virtua Striker
2 is really an arcade game, a real soccer arcade game
unlikely Sega Worldwide Soccer 2000 tried to be
(fun enough, SWWS 2000 is much more a simulation soccer
title than a arcade soccer game). It has some flaws it
has to be said, but if you hate simulation and love
the feeling, speed and playability of a true arcade game,
Virtua Striker 2 is a recommendable purchase. - Paulo
o Graphics - 93%
o Gameplay - 80%
o Sound - 63%
o Lastability - 89%
>>>> OVERALL: 85%
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======| CHEATS |==========================================
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>>>> Centipede
O All Levels and Extra Lives:
Hold in R, L, A, B, X, Y, and rotate the joystick
repetitively. It will say "all levels" or "get a life". Get
a Life means it gives you lots of lives. All Levels means
you get all levels. - Submitted by Devbo
>>>> Zombie Revenge
O Alternate Outfit:
Select your character and hold START and press X, Y, or B
to begin the game. - Submitted by STaisen
O Cheat Select:
Play the VMU mini-game to open up the following cheats in
original mode: Eternal life, Area select, Free continue
and Free time limit. - Submitted by HOD2
O Fighting Stage Select:
In fighting mode at the main menu to choose 1 VS 2 or 1 VS
CPU. Hold the L trigger, R trigger and Start. While holding
them push the A button. This should bring you to a menu
that lets you pick your fighting stage. - Submitted by Shank
>>>> Virtua Striker 2 Ver2000.1 (Import)
O F.C. Sega team:
To unlock the F.C. Sega team, go into arcade mode and press
start on the following teams: France, Chile, South Africa,
England, Germany, and Argentina. The F.C. Sega icon will
appear above the second column of teams. Select it, and
then beat the arcade mode (you can continue as many times
as needed). Now F.C. Sega will be permanently available in
the non-arcade modes under a new menu called "SP".
- Submitted by hiwatter
O MVP Royal Genki:
To unlock MVP Royal Genki in the SP menu, highlight Yuki
Chan, hold down start, and press A. Use the same method
to use MVP in arcade mode. - Submitted by hiwatter
O Royal MVP Genki Team:
At the Team Selection screen in Arcade Mode, highlight
Yugoslavia, USA, Korea, and Italy, pressing Start after
each. Then, highlight the new team that appears in the
top corner, hold Start and press A + B + X + Y.
- Submitted by Dyna
O Two new stadiums:
In the stadium select screen, before you choose any
stadium, hold START and press A. If you do it right you
will play in a new stadium. To get the second stadium
just change the stadium in the stadium select screen
and do the same trick. When you do the trick for some
stadiums you will play in the first stadium and some
stadiums will let to you play in the second stadium.
- Submitted by Dreamcast316
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======| Q&A CENTER |======================================
----------------------------------------------------------
To ask questions, please click Reply to this message, only
be SURE to include "Q&A" some where in the Subject. We
regret we're unable to personally reply to each e-mail,
but the best questions will be selected weekly and printed
here.
>>>> Use The Force
Q) Are there any plans for a Star Wars title on Dreamcast?
- Paul A Button
A) Yes, Star Wars Episode 1 Racer is a start. The game is
a conversion of the PC version, with the ability to post
your best times on the internet, and hi-resolution cut
scenes. Sega themselves is also working on an arcade
version of the racer, although no Dreamcast version has
been announced as of yet.
>>>> Crazzzzzzzy Taxi Courses
Q) Hi, my name's Raffaele, in many sites I've seen that
DC Crazy Taxi will feature a.. 2 expansive, interactive
courses for extensive gameplay. b.. All-new, exclusive
Dreamcast course. (taken from Sega.com) I've bought the
Jap version of this game, but I couldn't see these adds,
except an Original Mode with a track that seems different
from the arcade. Also, is the American version going to
be better than the Japanese, featuring the characteristics
written above? - Raf
A) There is an extra course in all versions of Crazy Taxi,
which is exclusive to Dreamcast. Unfortunately when Sega
said about the new course, they meant it was included
in the "2 expansive interactive courses".
>>>> Shining Force On Dreamcast?
Q) I was wondering, is Sega planning to continue the
Shining Force series on the Dreamcast? I sure hope
so. The Shining Force series is one of the best
series of RPGs I have ever played. Thank you for your
time. - Don Shriver Jr.
A) Well a game in the "Shining" series has been on almost
every Sega console to date, so I don't see why it won't
continue. Perhaps we'll see something at the E3?
>>>> Turning The Browser Filter Off
Q) I have a question for your new Q&A section, I would
like to know how to disable the filter on the Dreamcast
Browser CD. Please please answer. Thanks - Kieron Malcolm
A) Without the browser here in New Zealand yet, you've
stumped me there. Does anyone else know however? If
so, we'll feature it in next weeks issue.
>>>> Dreamcast Add-Ons
Q) Is the key board out yet for the Dreamcast (it's one of
the reasons that I cancelled my service that and I
couldn't speak freely) and also what other add-ons are
coming to the Dreamcast such as D.V.D. faster service,
bigger V.M.U., (memory) etc etc etc. and if so when.
A) The keyboard is out yes, and if you can't find it in
stores try www.sega.com As for other add-ons, a Cable
Modem and Zip Drive have been confirmed, along with a
Digital Camera and possibly a DVD player. If your in
need of a bigger VMU however, the only way to go is
with a 3rd party card at the moment.
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======| BEST OF THE WEB |=================================
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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...
>>>> Sega X - www.segadreamcast.net
Plenty of news added every day, including a IRC Java
chat room where you can chat about all the latest Sega
topics.
>>>> Sega 2000 - www.sega2000.net
More than your average Sega site. We have daily news,
reviews, previews, etc... but also fan art, your top 10
most wanted, reader reviews, sub sites dedicated to
RPG's, Sonic, and Star Trek, along with many more
sections.
>>>> The Next Level - www.the-nextlevel.com
The Next Level is a multi-platform gaming magazine focused on
all current and upcoming next-generation systems. We provide
up-to-date news, in-depth reviews, reader reviews, intriguing
editorials, and more.
>>>> Perfect Zero - http://www.perfect-zero.com
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.
>>>> 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,
and even Fan Created Games, this is your one stop Sonic site.
>>>> Gaming Central Starpath - 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.
>>>> DC Australia - www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Fortress/6831/
Now the Dreamcast is out in Australia, and after SegaDC.co.nz
closed, this should be your first stop for news down under.
The official website for the Dreamcast Weekly is now open at
www.dreamcastweekly.com :) The site includes the history of
the magazine, back issues, and more. Then in the future...
who knows, hopefully we'll be a print magazine one day
(Hint hint to any publisher that may be reading this :) )
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======[ CREDITS ]=========================================
----------------------------------------------------------
O Editor: Graham Parker "Tails" - Webmaster@sega2000.net
Thanks to all our support sites above, for helping make
Dreamcast Weekly as big as we are!
>>>> www.DreamcastWeekly.com - Our Official Website!
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Copyright 1998-2000 Graham Parker - Webmaster@Sega2000.net
Written and edited by Graham Parker. No parts may be
copied without prior permission. Otherwise I'd be forced
to send out my goons... Ok so I don't have any goons, but
copying is just mean... very mean. There, that should
scare everyone off :)
