Newsletter: Sega World Weekly issue 71 (then Dreamcast Weekly)
From Video Game Morgue File
__________________________________________________
/ \
/_______> > > DREAMCAST WEEKLY MAGAZINE < < <________\
//// \\\\
//// ~ Issue #71 - February 27th 2000 ~ \\\\
\\\\ ////
\\\\ ////
\\\\ Sponsored By www.PrimaGames.com ////
\\\\ ////
\\\\ www.DreamcastWeekly.com ////
\\\\________________________________________////
\____________________________________________/
o> Please SCROLL DOWN for the Editors Comments <o
----------------------------------------------------------
====| DREAMCAST WEEKLY INFO |======== www.PrimaGames.com =
----------------------------------------------------------
> To unsubscribe please enter your e-mail address on this
page: Server.com/WebApps/mail-list-unsubscribe.cgi?id=5918
> 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 daily game news, over 200 Prima Fast Track Guides(tm)
online, codes, downloads, and contests every day, be sure
to visit Primagames.com. Prima is the number one source for
video and computer game strategy in the world.
------------------ www.PrimaGames.com --------------------
> 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 |============= www.PrimaGames.com =
----------------------------------------------------------
Here we are again for another issue of DC Weekly. Another
week gone, another week closer to the E3. Speaking of the
E3, rumors on not one but two Sonic titles to be revealed
at the show are featured in this issue.
Our cover feature looks at how some games don't see the
light of day outside of Japan... and if they should.
Publishers tend to think of the stranger titles as risky
to port, but in this new age, should they still stick to
that line?
The news includes big names like Half Life, Virtual On 2,
a delay for Chu Chu Rocket, 8 new titles from Eidos, and
Rainbow 6 (guess what that news item is about, heh).
Finally, this issue packs all the cheats, Q&A, movies and
importing information every healthy gamer needs a weekly
dose of.
Until next time then (when we review all the VMU Mini
Games out now, including fan made titles), 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 - Prima Games Corner 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: "But as the E3 draws closer rumors
have begun on what maybe not one, but two Sonic titles to
be revealed this May."
-- 2 New Sonic Games - This Weeks Rumors
----------------------------------------------------------
====| COVER STORY |================== www.PrimaGames.com =
----------------------------------------------------------
>>>> The Real Reason Behind Importing
>>>> Written by Tails
Importing games isn't only for those who want to play the
latest titles before everyone else (although that would
probably be my reason), it can also be to play games that
never see the light of day outside of Japan.
No I'm not talking about Godzilla Generations or July,
those titles shouldn't have even been released IN Japan.
But games like Seaman, Space Channel 5, and Roommania 203
that have all been popular over there.
Many titles like this are considered as risks when it
comes to translating them into English. Which is easy
to believe, as quite honestly who knows if a fish with a
human head swimming around your screen is going to sell?
Even with the ability to talk to this... erm, creature,
hybrid... thing?! through a microphone has never been
presented to the western world before. So publishers would
naturally rather go with bringing over something they
know gamers will enjoy, for example the shoot 'em up
House Of The Dead 2.
The "new" Sega however is brining over Seaman, and
what's more surprising is they have no plans to change
the title (which brings the "insert your own dirty pun
here" line to almost every website that reports news on
the game, including who knows how many times on Sega X,
hehe). But anyway, along with Space Channel 5, which will
also be making it's way to the rest of the world later
this year, and the super cute Pen Pen Triicelon released
last year, it seems publishers are opening up to the
different style of games in Japan.
After asking quite a few people around the net, I believe
both Seaman & Space Channel 5 will be big sellers. These
days people are looking for something different and more
original in the games they play. The success of The Sims
on PC makes for a good example. Americans have never seen
the concept of making your own virtual family before, and
it's taken off like a rocket.
Then we come to Roommania 203 which was released early
this month in Japan. If we compare it to The Sims, the
idea isn't all too different. But will Roommania 203
make it to America? I'd still have to go with no.
While I could be wrong of course (nah never happens),
I just don't think the western world is ready for
Roommania.
Where The Sims let's you build an entire family,
Roommania has only 1 main character. Where in The Sims
you have an entire house, and can build it your self,
Roommania sees you in just one largely pre-set room.
In The Sims the fun is seeing how your characters
turn out, deal with what ever you throw at them, and
how many men or woman in the neighborhood you can hook
your characters up with. Roommania however has you looking
and playing around with the guys stuff while he's
away, then watching what he does when he's home.
The Sims is a much bigger game, with much more to do
than the slower pasted and less humorous Roommania.
It's controlling a virtual family vs. watching a guy live
in his apartment. I think while western gamers are looking
for something different in their games, there's still a
line of what we will and won't enjoy. Where the Japanese
find enjoyment in always pushing the boundaries of different
games, the process must be taken much more slowly for us.
If publishers want us to play dating games instead of
shooting up aliens, they will certainly need to ease the
genre in. There's currently nothing in the market that
comes close to a dating game. Where as Virtual Pets may
have paved the way for The Sims and the very Japanese
Pokemon.
Which would be the reason the very popular dating sims
in Japan still won't make it over here. Publishers can't
just throw these games into our culture and expect them
to sell. Although perhaps one day the game to break the
ice on this genre will arrive.
For now there are still games that won't ever make it out
of Japan, but those who like the Japanese style can take
comfort in the fact times are changing. Would Seaman have
ever been released four years ago on the Saturn? I don't
think so. Come the middle of this year however, and it
will be hitting the states on the Dreamcast.
----------------------------------------------------------
====| NEWS |========================= www.PrimaGames.com =
----------------------------------------------------------
>>>> Half Life: No Online Play... Or Is There?
While most websites around the net have posted the news
of no online modes for Half Life as fact... we beg to
differ. The first thing wrong with the news is that many
of the websites said Sega Of America was their source.
Although after contacting the head of Sega's PR team,
such as announcement didn't come from them. Sega explained
how they have nothing to do with 3rd party titles, along
with the fact no legitimate announcement comes from Sega
as an anonymous source.
I'll admit the news doesn't sound good for what is the
most important part of Half Life, but it isn't over yet.
>>>> Virtual On 2 On It's Way To America
When Sega announced they had no plans to bring Virtual On
2 to America, many were left worried (me included). Would
we miss out on one of Sega's best arcade conversions?
Which was surprisingly the reason they weren't going to
translate the game. Sega Of America were worried about
too many arcade conversions on the Dreamcast (yet they
brought over Zombie Revenge, go figure).
However Activision have picked up the rights to the game,
and will be bringing it over themselves. No release date
has been given yet, although expect to see lots more on
this game at the E3.
>>>> Chu Chu Rocket Pushed Back Five Days
This upcoming week Sega was set to make history as the
first console game that supports online play out of the
box was due for release. However the game has been
pushed back 5 days at the last moment, to March 7th.
>>>> 8 New Dreamcast Titles From Eidos
Eidos have confirmed they are supporting the Dreamcast
all the way. This week they announced 8 new games in
development for Sega's new console. Only one title
however was given, Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 2.
We'll keep you updated on their other titles as they
make their way further into development.
>>>> Rainbow 6... Yes You Guessed It, Delayed
In a surprising (don't you just love sarcasm) announcement
from Majesco this week their Dreamcast game, Rainbow 6 has
been delayed. This time the "release" date is March 21st.
While many fans of the game have put up with delay after
delay from Majesco, lets hope we'll see the game next
month.
----------------------------------------------------------
====[ RED HOT RUMORS ]=============== www.PrimaGames.com =
----------------------------------------------------------
Welcome to the rumors section of Dreamcast Weekly, each
week we'll keep you up to-date with the latest rumors going
around.
>>>> More Sonic For Late 2000
Sonic Adventure 2 as you may know is currently surrounded
in mystery. All we know is it's coming, some time. But as
the E3 draws closer rumors have begun on what maybe not
one, but two Sonic titles to be revealed this May. The
first is the platform sequel, Sonic Adventure 2. We all
have a good idea what to expect from that, and to look
forward to seeing it. The good news is that it may come
out late this year, which would be 2 years after the
originals release in Japan.
But as for the second Sonic title, rumors are saying it's
a cart driving game, ala Mario Kart. After the fun that
was Sonic R on the old Saturn, I have high hopes for
this one. 4 player racing and maybe even net play wouldn't
go a miss on this one.
---------------------------------------------------------
====| INTO THE WEB |================= www.PrimaGames.com =
----------------------------------------------------------
>>>> 5, Count Em, 5 Sega GT Movies
NextGenVideo's coverage of Sega GT only re-affirms they
are the best on the net. They have posted 5 very high
quality movies of Sega GT on their website this past
week. Each comes in a 8mb and smaller 2.7mb versions.
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 Mod Chip Price:
Yes last week we said for just US$18 you can order the new
4-wire Mod Chip. We also mentioned how you can order the
chip using a credit card from http://www.dc-modchips.com/
Then some of our readers pointed out that the price on
the credit card website says US$39.90. Where as I double
checked Lik-Sang's website just now, and indeed it says
US$18 on all there pages.
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.
----------------------------------------------------------
====| PRIMA GAMES CORNER |=========== www.PrimaGames.com =
----------------------------------------------------------
Since 1990, Prima Games has been The Most Trusted Name in
Games(tm). Prima pioneered the strategy guide market and
continues to push the edge of game strategy with insightful
and helpful content in every Prima Official Strategy Guide(tm).
Prima publishes guides for every platform, and will be
supporting the latest game systems, including Sony's
PlayStation 2 and Nintendo's "Project Dolphin." Click below
to see the entire catalogue of Prima Official Strategy Guides:
Prima Official Strategy Guides
http://www.primagames.com/primagames.ASP?WCI=Titles&WCE=All
If you're looking for quick, easy online help with your
latest game, look no further that Prima Fast Track Guides(tm).
These online strategy guides provide basic game help that
can give you the edge you're looking for. With over 200
titles available, and more coming each week, we're sure to
have a Prima Fast Track Guide that you want to see. Click
below to see the catalogue:
Prima Fast Track Guides
http://www.primagames.com/FastTrack.ASP?WCI=FullIndex
Primagames.com provides daily news updates on new game
releases and announcements, game developments, and other
game industry happenings. With a quirky and irreverent
outlook, "Mr. News Guy" tells it like it is in his own
way. Whether you're a hardcore PC gamer or a casual
console player, you'll enjoy getting your daily game news
from Primagames.com. The link to our main news page is
just below:
Primagames.com News
http://www.primagames.com
And once you get to Prima's homepage, be sure to check out
our Codes, Downloads, interviews, game previews, and our
stellar lineup of Prima Fan Site Affiliates.
----------------------------------------------------------
======| CHEATS |===================== www.PrimaGames.com =
----------------------------------------------------------
>>>> NHL 2K
O NHL Star Photos:
Just as with the Wayne Gretzky code we printed last week,
create a character with the correct name of any current NHL
stars to see his picture on the edit lines screen.
>>>> Zombie Revenge
O Weapon Trick with First Boss:
Hold down attack (Y) when close to perform a throw move,
then tap attack (Y) or shoot (B) repeatedly to pull the
pipe out of him. (You can't do this when he is dead because
the body disappears immediately.) - Submitted by Weapon-X
O Level Select in Fighting Mode:
Choose a fighting mode, then hold START while choosing a
character. - Submitted by Weapon-X
----------------------------------------------------------
====| Q&A CENTER |=================== www.PrimaGames.com =
----------------------------------------------------------
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.
>>>> Will The Mod Chip Work?
Q) With regards to the new 4 pin mod chip, will it work
with the original DC (prior to them blocking the last
mod chip)? As I bought the machine last year. - Phil
A) Yes there shouldn't be any problems with that.
>>>> Toejam & Earl 3
Q) Hey yo nice job but I got a Q... When is Toe Jam and
Earl coming out????? Peace out love the letter.
- Tyler
A) No date as of yet sorry, but we'll let you know as
soon as one comes in.
>>>> Dreamcast 2 ?!?
This week we received a surprising amount of e-mails
about Dreamcast 2 rumors. For example when it will be
released, and if this Dreamcast was going to be Sega's
final console.
A) No doubt Sega are working away at something new,
although for now it's more lightly to be Naomi 2
rather than Dreamcast 2. There's still a long, long
time before the Dreamcast 2 rumors should start
appearing :)
On the topic of this being Sega's last console, the
news which suggested that was a re-translation, and
isn't true.
----------------------------------------------------------
======| 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
We're still having problems with our server sorry, but we
will be back online soon.
>>>> 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 ]====================== www.PrimaGames.com =
----------------------------------------------------------
O Editor: Graham Parker "Tails" - Webmaster@sega2000.net
Thanks to all our support sites above, along with our
sponsor, PrimaGames.com, all for helping make Dreamcast
Weekly as big as we are today!
>>>> http://www.DreamcastWeekly.com - Our Official Website!
>>>> http://www.PrimaGames.com - Our Sponsor
----------------------------------------------------------
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 :)
