Newsletter: Sega World Weekly issue 69 (then Dreamcast Weekly)
From Video Game Morgue File
__________________________________________________
/ \
/_______> > > DREAMCAST WEEKLY MAGAZINE < < <________\
//// \\\\
//// ~ Issue #69 - February 13th 2000 ~ \\\\
\\\\ ////
\\\\ ////
\\\\ www.dreamcastweekly.com/forum/ ////
\\\\ ////
\\\\ Dreamcast Weekly Message Board ////
\\\\________________________________________////
\____________________________________________/
o> Please SCROLL DOWN for the Editors Comments <o
----------------------------------------------------------
======| ABOUT DREAMCAST WEEKLY |==========================
----------------------------------------------------------
> 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 ------------------
----------------------------------------------------------
======| EDITORS COMMENTS |================================
----------------------------------------------------------
Ready for another dose of gaming goodness to start (or end
I guess) your week? We roll out this issue with a preview
of Star Wars Episode 1 Racer, one of, if not THE, fastest
racing games to date.
News this week includes Zombies taking Japan by storm,
Sega UK ripping off Europeans? The first Grandia 2 movie,
and the sound track to D2 on record amongst other news.
Speaking of the D2 piece, in honor of strange things
from Japan, we've come up with a Top 5 List of bizzare
things from the land of the rising sun. If anyone else
has any "Top 5" or "Top 10" (ok even "Top 9") lists of
their own about anything video game related, why not
send 'em on in and we may print them.
Then for everyone that loves Crazy Taxi (I don't remember
the last time I saw so many posts about one game on the
message boards), all the cheats are rounded up in our page
this week.
Also for those that have all but boycotted DC.IGN for
insulting everyone that sends in e-mails to their Q&A page
on their last update, our newest page is into it's second
week this issue, and we aim to print answers to many of
your gaming questions. As with every publication, we can't
reply personally to the e-mails, but the answer your
looking for may already be down in Page 6 this week.
Finally, Sega 2000 is now back online, and my final update
shall be tomorrow. Thanks for everyone's e-mails telling
me how you've enjoyed the site, and also all the people
that would like to be the new webmaster. I'll get back to
everyone this week.
Happy Gaming, and happy Valentines Day! (Why not bring
out the old House Of The Dead 2 tonight? What better way
to spend Valentines Day evening than blasting away
flesh-hungry Zombies with each other. How romantic eh?)
~ 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 - Cheats Oo.
.oO Page 6 - Q&A Center Oo.
.oO Page 7 - OUR SUPPORT SITES Oo.
.oO Page 8 - Credits Oo.
HOT QUOTE This Issue: "If you found yourself falling
asleep while playing Wipeout, believe me this will wake
you up!"
-- Star Wars Episode 1 Racer - This Week's Preview
----------------------------------------------------------
======| COVER STORY |=====================================
----------------------------------------------------------
>>>> Star Wars: Episode 1 Racer
>>>> Written by Tails
O Publisher: Lucas Arts
O Genre: Racing
O Release Date: April 2000
O Players: 1-2
First up, I'm not a huge fan of the old Star Wars movies.
They're good films, but nothing I'd go on and on about. Now
after I saw Star Wars Episode 1 on the big screen however,
well well... my view on George Lucas's universe changed
all together.
In particular I couldn't get over the Pod Racing scene, and
had to go back and watch it again, and then again just for
that (it's worth noting that here it's not nearly as common
for people to watch the same movie many times as in America).
For those who haven't seen the movie, Pod Racers are not
unlike the old chariots of the past. 2 giant jet engines
pull the racers "pod" along at speeds approaching the insane.
Both engines are linked with a purple (why not?) energy
beam. If broken (and this will happen), the engines burst
apart, and almost tare you yourself in two different
directions! If you thought motorbike racing was fast and
dangerous, wait until you see Pod Racing!
These days I have a huge framed Pod Racing poster on my wall,
a Subula Pod Racer toy on my desk, an Anakin Pod Racer mug,
the Nintendo 64 game (even though it's my friends that have
an N64, not me), and even a signed photo of the only human to
ever Pod Race, Anakin (Jake Lloyd) on my door. Yes I'd call
myself a fan of the movie, and futuristic sport.
I loved everything about Pod Racing (as if you didn't know
already), expect, for the limits of the N64 game. The speed,
and graphics of the Nintendo game just couldn't compare to
the special effects of the movie, with the slow down and
terrible pop up in the all too close distance (unfortunately
my computer wouldn't run the PC version much better). So I
finally came to live with the fact that the blurred N64 game
would be as close to racing in the detail of the movie I'd
get, and I'd never have a chance to race 4 players (Hey,
to the Pod Racing obsessed that's quite something to miss
out on!).
But then I heard the PC version was being converted to
Dreamcast, and while the PC version still doesn't have a 4
player mode, my hopes were up again for a better version.
The good news came in with a press release, and said the
game will feature high resolution graphics along with new
cut scenes.
But when the first shots were released, the graphics were
very sharp indeed, although retained a very PC-ish look.
The textures seem to have been ported over directly from
the PC, which is a real shame given the textural master
pieces developers like Sonic Team have done with the
Dreamcast.
Now while those first screens weren't of a complete version,
it doesn't look good for a complete overhaul of the in-game
graphics. I for one am left wishing PC ports weren't quite
as easy as they are for developers, which would of forced
Lucas Arts to put the effort into this game it certainly
deserves.
However after getting that out the way, I did mention new
cut scenes, and abliet what seems to be a very small screen
from the first shots, they look very nice indeed! Wether
they are real time or CGI movies is yet to be seen, but
they should help set the pre-race atmosphere of the Star
Wars universe. A few movies taken from the actual film
wouldn't be a bad idea too, (hint hint if anyone from
Lucas Arts reads this, heh).
So overall in terms of graphics, if you've seen the PC
version, you know pretty much what to expect here, although
your $199 gaming console is powering it. The game will
run at a rock solid 30fps, which puts any worries I had
about slow down to rest, although has disappointed many
hoping for a super smooth 60fps.
While it might not be a smooth as possible, all the speed
of the screaming pod racers is there, and that's what
counts. There's nothing quite like weaving in and out
of rocky cliffs at speeds of over 600 virtual miles per
house, where if you think about controlling your Pod as
opposed to letting the 'gaming force' guide you, you'll
crash and burn. You know the feeling, when your in
'the zone', and can play games at break-neck speeds,
not even thinking about what your doing. That's the
feeling as you guide your pod through all 3 laps of each
adrenaline pumping race.
You've got your eyes locked on Sebulba just ahead of you in
first place, as you both burn around the track, knowing who
ever makes a slight mistake could burn up in a mess of
flames and mangled machinery. Then as you come to the
straight just before the finish, you both flick on the turbo
boosters, each trying to gain the lead before the finish.
But Sebulba has been using the boosters a little too often,
and his engines catch on fire just as you zoom past him and
into the finish line. If you found yourself falling asleep
while playing Wipeout, believe me this will wake you up!
Unfortunately I have another gripe with the N64 version to
bring up now, which was in fact one of the best parts of
the Pod Racing scene in the film. I'm talking about
the roaring sound effects of the engines, and John William'
perfect orchestral sound track These were the low point of
the N64 game, and will have you turning down the volume or
putting on one of your own CD's to set the action packed
mood. The sounds were simply of a very low quality, something
which even the cartridge based N64 doesn't really have an
excuse for. But with the Dreamcast's crystal clear sound chip,
here's hoping this will turn out to be a high point of the
Sega version.
Now like many games trying to increase their lastability,
Episode 1 Racer uses the aim of winning money (or Truguts
as they are called on Tatooine) from races, and in turn
upgrading your pod racer to then win more money. A few of the
additions to your pod range from improved air breaks
(yeah I'm a real racer, I don't use breaks... SMACK! Into
the wall you go), to the usual acceleration and turning,
and then even buy your own personal pit droids to put out
fires during the race (over use of your turbo boosters will
result in engine fires). Finally Watto's junk shop comes
into play with all this, as there you can sell used parts,
or buy cheaper upgrades.
There are 23 different Pod Racers to use, although over
half those must be earned through finishing in first place.
Of course it almost goes without saying you can race
as everyone out of the movie, from Sebulba, to Anakin
Skywalker himself. Anakin is my personal favorite to begin
with, although each pod has many different attributes, and
it takes a little while to find a pod just right for you.
Worth noting is that each character you select also has
their own secret taunts, which are actually pretty
hilarious to see before the races begin.
Another strong point of the game rests in the sheer
number of tracks you can race on, expanding from the
Tatooine course in the movie, there are 25 tracks across
8 different worlds. Now when I say different worlds, I
mean very unique planets. Ranging from the freezing yet
beautiful Ando Prime, the underwater city of Aquilaris,
to fiery volcano scorched planets, just to mention a
few. Then of course there's the exact replica of the
movie's Tatooine, "The Boonta Eve Classic". Even the
sand people up on the cliffs are in there, taking pot
shots at the racers. Oh and that service ramp short-cut
Anakin takes to get back ahead of Sebulba in the film
is there, which can rocket you too into first place.
Short cuts make up an important part of the game, and
while they can lead to a very un-balanced 2 player
split screen race, you'd be foolish not to take advantage
of them during 1 player and Time Attack modes.
Which brings us to an exclusive Sega addition to Star
Wars Episode 1 Racer, using the Dreamcast Network. No
it's not racing over the net (although imagine if it
was, you could fight to be the best in the world!), but
it still adds some extra competition to the game. Your
best times can be posted on the net, ala Sega Rally, for
everyone to try and beat. We'll keep you updated if any
contents for the top times arise.
Well over this rather lengthy preview (oops!), I hope
you have an idea of what to look forward to (and what
not to quite so much) in the port of Star Wars Episode
1 Racer. Look out for a full review after the games
release this April here in Dreamcast Weekly.
Finally though, Lucas Arts commented that "There are more
exciting titles to come from Lucas Arts and we look
forward to supporting Sega's continued success in the
videogame console market." Given the number of Star Wars
games on other platforms, it's all but certain this won't
be the only game bearing the Star Wars brand to grace the
Dreamcast.
----------------------------------------------------------
======| NEWS |============================================
----------------------------------------------------------
>>>> Sega Ripping Off Europeans?
Apparently a report from the UK government is due out
just as this should be arriving in your e-mail box. The
report details how Sega, and other companies, are ripping
people off with high prices in the UK.
Now why Sega is the only company getting pointed out in
the electrical industry remains a mystery today, but the
prices for everything Dreamcast is on average 1/3 more
than in the US. The same goes for down here in New Zealand
and Australia.
Just a few figures that might interest you... The system
goes on sale for around US$299, while games are around
US$60-US$65, and then things like VMU's and extra
controllers for about US$35 each.
Back last year when consumers found out just how much UK
shops can afford to reduce the price of Playstation games
and still make a profit, could have been the start of an
investigation like this. Anyway, thanks to nebu we'll keep
you updated, and hopefully this will lead to some welcome
price drops.
>>>> The Zombies Have Taken Over Japan!
Very well being a major understatement. Capcom's latest
title in the horror series has sold 400,000 copies since
it was released just one and a half weeks ago. Which
comes to around 1/5 of all Dreamcast owners in Japan,
sold in that short time.
>>>> D2 Soundtrack... On Record?!?
While Kenji Eno's latest game, D2, may be on the Dreamcast's
custom made Giga-byte CD... Warp have released another
version of the sound track to the game, on a vinyl record
of all things.
There are those who say records sound better than CD's
after all, but this may be taking it a little too far.
Anyway, just a personal thought thrown in here... doesn't
the crackling of a record make it sound worse?
Anyway, if you are interested in buying this and live in
Japan, you can order it from this page...
http://www.firstsmile.com/sc/orderform_d2.htm
To go with this rather strange event in Japan, here's a
list of the Top 5 bizzare things I can think of that
came out over there... (if anyone else has their own Top 5
lists of anything game related, send 'em in and we just
may print them!)
1) Seaman - The name it's self takes the #1 spot.
2) Seaman - The concept. Talking to a fish with a human
head is enough to put the game in again at #2.
3) Real Sound - From none other than Warp, this game has
no in game graphics, instead using sound.
4) The Chu Chu Rocket Commercial - Yes it's bizzare, but
thousands of people (me included) on the net love it!
5) Roommania 203 - The idea of watching someone else's
virtual life in their virtual apartment as a video
game may sound really odd... but the idea isn't really
that different to the recent hit game "The Sims".
>>>> News Shorts
> Sega Of America announced this week they aim to sell
through 6 million consoles by March of 2001.
> Space Channel 5 has a possible US release date of May
16th this year.
> The first movie of Game Arts Grandia 2 has reached the
net. You can download the 5.8mb movie from many sites
around the web, including Sega X.
http://www.segadreamcast.net/downloads/vid_grandia2_01.mpg
> Sega GT has been rated by the Weekly Famistu magazine.
The scores come in at 8,8,8, and 9. Bringing it to a
very respectable 33/40.
----------------------------------------------------------
======[ RED HOT RUMORS ]==================================
----------------------------------------------------------
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 Correction
Last week we printed rumors out of the Japanese Magazine
"Bart", that the Playstation 2 will have limited DVD
features. This week Sony set the record straight, and while
the Playstation 2 has many DVD features, it still has 2
problems... no remote control (there are currently no
plans for one), and the need to put in a special DVD
Memory Card which holds vital data for the player in each
time.
----------------------------------------------------------
======| INTO THE WEB |====================================
----------------------------------------------------------
>>>> Crazy Taxi & Bio Hazard: CV
If you haven't checked out NextGenVideo's coverage of
Crazy Taxi and Bio Hazard: Code Veronica yet, we highly
recommend you do. It's a great time to see for your
self why we recommend them in each issue of DC Weekly.
o Crazy Taxi
o Bio Hazard: Code Veronica
Finally, look out for Sega GT movies soon :)
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
O Sega GT:
Pre-orders are now open for Sega GT, with the game due
out in Japan around the 17th of February.
O Bio Hazard Code Veronica Cheaper Than NCS:
Yes Lik-Sang are selling Capcom's latest horror adventure
for US$58, instead of US$68 at NCS. For anyone wanting
to import the game, it seems it's worth checking out
Lik-Sang before hand.
www.Lik-Sang.com
Lik-Sang don't pay Dreamcast Weekly in exchange for writing
about them each week, after the great feedback we've had
for our readers about them, we just believe they are the
best importer on the web.
----------------------------------------------------------
======| CHEATS |==========================================
----------------------------------------------------------
>>>> Crazy Taxi
O Disable Arrow Indicators:
Before the character selection screen appears, hold R +
Start. If you entered the code correctly, the message "No
Arrows" will appear in the lower left corner.
O Disable Destination Indicator:
Before the character selection screen appears, hold L +
Start. If you entered the code correctly, the message
"No Destination Mark" will appear in the lower left corner.
O Expert Mode:
Before the character selection screen appears, hold L +
R + Start. If you entered the code correctly, the word
"Expert" will appear in the lower left corner. No stop
or arrow indicators will appear in this mode.
O Drive A Bike:
At the character selection screen, quickly press L, R,
L, R, L, R or L + R, L + R, L + R. Then, select a
character to drive a bike instead of a taxi. Alternatively,
complete all sixteen Crazy Box levels to unlock the
Special Taxi for each character, which is selectable
in crazy box, arcade, or original modes. To select
the bike in crazy box mode, scroll to the right of
Gus at the character selection screen. To select the
bike in arcade or original mode, press Up at the
character selection screen.
O "Another Day" Mode:
At the character selection screen, press R, then hold R
while choosing a driver. If you entered the code
correctly, the message "Another Day" will appear. This
mode modifies various positions in the game.
O View Changes:
Begin a game in arcade or original mode. Then, press B on
controller three to switch the display to a first person
perspective. Press Y on controller three to change to
another camera angle. Press X(5) on controller three to
view a speedometer. Press A on controller three to reset
the display.
----------------------------------------------------------
======| 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.
>>>> Pod Racing & Sega GT At Only 30fps?
Q) Is it true Star Wars Episode 1 Racer and Sega GT are only
running at 30 frames per second?
- Many People :)
A) Yes both games are, which is disappointing to those looking
for super smooth action, but on the bright side, and in
particular used with Sega GT, it means the programmers can
put twice the amount of graphical detail into the game
compared to running at 60fps.
>>>> Toejam & Earl 3
Q) I was wondering. I liked that game Toejam and Earl on
the Genises. I think it would be great if that ever
came to the Dreamcast. Maybe if it was mentioned on your
page, someone at sega may say."hum?" and make the game...
also internet playable too. - Wesley
A) You'll be glad to know the game is already in development
for the Dreamcast, and will be heavily based on the
Genises original. As for being an Online game, no news
yet, but it's been suggested by fans of the series before.
Finally, look out for an interview with the developers
in DC Weekly later this year.
>>>> Are Australia & New Zealand Getting The Browser?
Q) Do you know when the browser is coming to New Zealand?
- MBIGM
A) Ozisoft NZ tell me the browser will be shipped in Mid-March,
possibly a little earlier for Australia.
>>>> Playing Games With The Keyboard
Q) I only Have 1 Dreamcast controller, but my sister and I
want to play 2 player games. So we tried the DC keyboard,
but the only game that would work is SegaSwirl (Split
Screen). Aside from the browser, Swirl and Typing Of The
Dead, what other games does the keyboard work on? - Keptner
A) Chu Chu Rocket is the only other confirmed game the
keyboard can be used with to date.
>>>> Quake 3 For Europe
Q) When will Quake 3 be out in Europe? Could you add
additional information on the subject in your next issue?
- Tim
A) Hopefully before Christmas this year, but I can't say
anything more than that guesswork yet. Sega should
release some more details on the game next month, but I'd
expect they will save some of the best news for the E3 show.
>>>> Dynamite Cop 2
Q) Do you know if Dynamite Cop 2 is worth buying. Because
allot of my friends say that it's boring but I liked the
first one for Sega Saturn. - Anon.
A) Well the biggest complaint people have with the game
is that it's much too short. But then, so was the
original, so if you liked the Saturn game, chances are
you'll like this one.
----------------------------------------------------------
======| 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...
>>>> 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 :) )
----------------------------------------------------------
======[ CREDITS ]=========================================
----------------------------------------------------------
O Editor: Graham Parker "Tails" - Madcow@ihug.co.nz
Thanks to all our support sites above, for helping make
Dreamcast Weekly as big as we are!
>>>> www.DreamcastWeekly.com - Our Official Website!
----------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 1998-2000 Graham Parker - Madcow@ihug.co.nz
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 :)
