Newsletter: Sega World Weekly issue 55 (then Dreamcast Weekly)
From Video Game Morgue File
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/_______> > > DREAMCAST WEEKLY MAGAZINE < < <________\
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//// ~ Issue #55 - www.DreamcastWeekly.com ~ \\\\
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\\\\ Sega X - www.segadreamcast.net ////
\\\\ Sega 2000 - www.sega2000.net ////
\\\\ Perfect Zero - www.perfect-zero.com ////
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o> Please SCROLL DOWN to Editors Comments for the start <o
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======| ABOUT DREAMCAST WEEKLY |==========================
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> For past issues please visit www.dreamcastweekly.com
> DREAMCAST QUESTIONS: Please note because of the huge
amount of mail I get personally, I can't reply to all the
Dreamcast questions sorry. Please send your questions to
Rob@sega2000.net
As he does a great job on our mailbag. Thanks.
> 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 ------------------
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======| EDITORS COMMENTS |================================
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Well, this is certainly a packed issue! First we have a
review of the US Virtua Fighter 3:TB. How does it shape
up? You may be pretty surprised!
Then we've also got a feature from Ozisoft addressing what
people think of them, and how they are handling the
Dreamcast launch. While it's not our cover feature, as many
of our readers don't live down here, it's certainly worth
reading if you do. A must see in fact!
Also don't forget to check out the rumors section,
as it all but confirms Sonic's next Dreamcast game!
Then we've got a brand new section, about the Video Gamers
League to tour a part of America near you soon. This week
details on how to register, and a list of all the Dreamcast
games you can compete in.
In cheats we feature Hydro Thunder, and (told you this
issue was full!), in news a delay for NBA 2K, a launch date
for Australia and NZ, and lots on Resident Evil.
~ Graham "Tails" Parker (Editor)
> Dreamcast Questions to Rob@sega2000.net
.oO Page 1 - Cover Story Oo.
.oO Page 2 - The News Oo.
.oO Page 3 - Rumors Oo.
.oO Page 4 - Video Gamers League Oo.
.oO Page 5 - Feature Oo.
.oO Page 6 - Cheats Oo.
.oO Page 7 - OUR SUPPORT SITES Oo.
.oO Page 8 - Credits Oo.
HOT QUOTE This Issue: "Don't get me wrong I'm the biggest
Sega fan on the planet (I have everything from an SG-1000
to Kolibri on 32X)."
-- Ozisoft NZ Editorial - Page 5
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======| COVER STORY |=====================================
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>>>> Virtua Fighter 3: Team Battle Review
>>>> Written by Mike Bess
The latest Virtua Fighter is the greatest. The
third installment of Yu Suzuki's and AM2's masterwork
series which forged the 3D fighting genre. It has
served Sega Enterprises well in all major territories,
generating a strong following and strengthening the
company's position in the arcades. In the pleasure
houses of gaming it consumed the tokens of
arcade-goers with it's realistic approach to
combat and, while not as popular, surpassed
Tekken 3 in sophistication and polish. Virtua
Fighter 3 will be remembered in the annals of
arcade gaming as a fine contender, and after
reviewing it's home conversion for North America, should
never have left those hallowed halls.
Virtua Fighter 3 comes to the Dreamcast as a tired
fighting game which shows it's age painfully in the
graphics presentation and sound. It had been out for
more than a year in arcades before making it's release
in Japan, then waited almost another twelve months
before it's Western debut. Simply put, Sega should have
either given the game a graphical face lift as Namco
did for Soul Calibur or submitted it into a local
geriatrics home!
While the graphics of the game transcend the abilities
of a 32-bit engine, it manages to fall well below the
mark on the Dreamcast. Compared to the lighting, speed,
and minuscule details which shocked gamers with Soul
Calibur, Sega should not only be embarrassed, but ashamed
presenting it's flagship fighter in this form.
Characters are plain, poorly detailed creatures with
obviously fake skin tones and lacking much facial
expression. They are anemic creations compared to even
what Midway managed with Ready 2 Rumble, and a far cry
to the level which Namco's achieved.
To add hurt to heart-ache, the backgrounds lack as
well. While I applaude the use of 3D stages including
raised platforms like stairs and grassy mounds--- even
the floating junks of Shun's vista, there is not enough
here to compensate for it's out-dated visuals. In fact,
past the arenas, the background pictures are simply
shots of a static skylines or painfully drab forests.
Though Virtua Fighter 3 may be close to an arcade perfect
port in this home version, the Dreamcast is such a
powerful console that even Model 3's finest characters
and backgrounds do not come close to pushing this
extraordinary hardware--- if at all.
Chronically, music and sound effects in a game have
been inferior to it's visual qualities. A feature which
plays an important role in immersing players, is so
often over looked or written-off by developers. This
is no different in the case of Virtua Fighter 3. The
atmosphere it creates is so boring with muffled
punches, cheesy "swooshes" for round house kicks,
and and bone-crunching effects more on the order of
a mauled carrot!
The music does little to heighten the experience either.
As usual a tone-deaf musician has been employed to create
a prosaic, uninspired sound track of "dat-dat doobie
doobie" rock and pop mixes. Nothing to inspire, nothing
to stir the soul at a climactic fifth round battle-- just
the good old ear-bleeding stuff which forces us to thanks
those on high for creating the mute button. I will
digress for a moment though, at least the Virtua Fighter
3 team had enough sense to include the proper dialetcs for
the various character nationalities. I really hated
hearing good old Cervantes, a Spaniard, spout some crazy
drall in Japanese rather than Spanish.
Gameplay, now this is the one saving grace of Virtua
Fighter 3tb. Had this been lacking I would have feared
for the lives of those who approved this game in its
current state. Fighter controls and the sheer depth
of combat persists in the home conversion, as it did
in the arcades. Despite all the out-dated grandpa graphics,
and it's soundtrack of noise, engaging in a fight with
it's realistic approach to kicking the crap out of
opponents is the soul at the heart of Virtua Fighter 3.
Throwing counters, attack strings, defensive manuevers,
and just a plethora of complex and delicate combinations
different than the unrealistic super juggles of Tekken,
define this game's appeal. I would not call it the
"thinking man's" fighting game, since the Tekken series
demanded a high level of strategic thought and awareness,
but Virtua Fighter 3's perspective is a welcomed change
to the usual fare of home fighters.
The character designs, while lacking graphical polish,
remain creative. Had the developers decided to upgrade
the visual presentation, Virtua Fighter 3tb would have
been a great game. It is apart of the franchise which
"birthed a thousand clones" and inspired the
excellence of Tekken. Many that believe Inferno from
Soul Calibur was a completely original creation are
somewhat mistaken. While that particular design lifted
the standard for boss characters up a notch, it was
VF3's Dural which first implemented multiple fighting
styles. There is wisdom in the old, just when it comes
to video-games old graphics and sound do not pass the
bar, no matter how brilliant they once were.
As the dust settles, the Virtua Fighter franchise has
taken a series blow with this home conversion. Sega and
Genki provided a game with little inspiration and a lot
of weaknesses. After seeing what Namco and Midway with
Ready 2 Rumble have done for the fighting genre on
Dreamcast, Virtua Fighter 3 is a game of squandered
potential. It rose to great heights in the arcade, but
lacking any home goodies, crashes miserably in its retail
incarnation. Do yourself a favor, avoid this game like
the plague.
FINAL RATINGS:
O Graphics: 63%
O Sound: 54%
O Gameplay: 88%
O Lastability: 71%
O OVERALL: 69%
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======| NEWS |============================================
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>>>> NBA 2K Delay
After the success that was NFL 2K, you can imagine how
Americans are looking forward to getting their hands on
NBA 2K. Unfortantly the wait will be a little longer than
expected.
Leaving it perhaps a little late, SOA announced today the
delay from November 2nd to November 20th. While this is
sure to make some gamers unhappy, Visual Concepts are
still fixing a few bugs, and adding some final touches.
Overall this extra development time could really help.
- Written by Tails
>>>> Australia & New Zealand Release Dates
Following unprecedented sales of Dreamcast in Europe and
the US, Sega have been stretched to the limit to meet
demand. Ozisoft has announced that they have been able
to secure the first shipments of Hardware to the
Australian and New Zealand territories and will have
them on retail shelves November 30th.
While that's good news, it's always lightly they will
take a little longer to arrive in New Zealand. We
(Sega 2000) contacted Ozisoft NZ today, and they said
the release will be a week after the Australians
(first week of December). Also about the Internet
access, "It looks likely that although the Modem will
be released on day one, the Dreampassport discs will
be coming later. This is due to the ISP deal still
being finalized. Therefore the discs can't be pressed
until they know what information to press onto them."
Michele Bell, Dreamcast Business Manager at Ozisoft
states "Our market has certainly benefited from the
massive media coverage generated around the globe and
across the Internet. The demand from consumers in
Australia and New Zealand is enormous. The sell
through rate per capita here is expected equal that
of the US and Europe." - Written by Tails
>>>> Code: Veronica Gets a Date
Capcom also made officially announcement on the DC
survival horror adventure game Bio Hazard Code: Veronica.
The confirmed release date is now set to February 3,
2000, for 6800 yen, in double GD-ROM set. This game
will have an improved version of the Zapping system
used in Bio Hazard 2, the main heroes are Chris Redfield
from BH1 and Claire Redfield from BH2. Presumably you will
have to complete the game several times to see the final
ending, and due to the Zapping System, each time you
restart the game, the accessible paths, items and weapons
will be different. - Written by Chris Tang
>>>> Latest Info: Bio Hazard 2 Plus
Capcom has officially announced details for the DC port of
Bio Hazard 2. The DC version will be entitled Bio Hazard 2
Plus.
Scheduled to release in Japan on December 23 in 3 GD-ROM
set, the 2nd disc is a sound track for the game, and the
3rd disc is the playable demo of Bio Hazard Code: Veronica.
It seems to be a wise decision to release the DC version
after the N64 version, because it offers a lot more extra
features than the N64 cartridge version. - Written by
Chris Tang
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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 upto-date with the latest rumors going
around.
>>>> Sonic's Second Coming
Sega of America has recently announced that our hallowed
blue hedgehog will make his "Second Coming" in the year
2000. Officials for the North American branch told sources
that gamers can expect a new Sonic title in time for next
year's holiday shopping frenzy, as well as possible
spin-offs for other characters from the series.
Whether or not this upcoming game will turn out a winner
like Sonic Adventure or a loser as has been the case with
the numerous Saturn clones, it has yet to be seen. Until
then, we can all wait in fear and anticipation for Sonic's
second coming in 2000! Are you prepared ye faithful
servants of the hog? - Written by Mike Bess
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======| VIDEO GAMERS LEAGUE |=============================
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http://www.videogamersleague.com
Video Gamers LeagueT opens Registration for Inaugural Event
Nationwide league for video game players kicks off its
first season on November 20 in Dallas, TX
Dallas, TX -- The Video Gamers League (VGL), the first
nationwide league for video game players, has opened
registration for its first event. Players from across the
country are expected to converge in Dallas, TX November 20
and 21 to compete for cash prizes and to qualify for the
National Championship to be held at the end of the season.
The event will feature tournaments for games from all
three major consoles -- Dreamcast, Nintendo 64 and
Playstation. Games of all types including fighting, racing,
sports, and first person shooters will be played. With
multiple games in each genre, the event has been designed
to appeal to all gamers. Dreamcast games offered at the
event are...
O Hydro Thunder
O Marvel vs. Capcom
O Mortal Kombat Gold
O NFL2k
O Power Stone
O Ready 2 Rumble
O Sega Rally 2
O Soul Calibur
O Virtua Fighter 3tb.
"Over $2500 in cash prizes is expected to be awarded at
the event," says Jeff Gross, founder of the VGL. "In
addition, we will recognize players who do well in
multiple games. There will be a championship for each
genre as well as an overall championship for the best
player in all genres."
The Dallas event will be held at the Best Western
Dallas North. Players can register at the VGL website,
http://www.videogamersleague.com or by calling the
VGL at (972) 315-2826. Space will be limited so
participants are encouraged to register early. Players
registering before November 1 will save $10.
The VGL will hold similar events across the country
in the upcoming months. Future tournaments will be held
in 10 cities including Los Angeles, New York, Chicago,
Seattle, Miami and San Francisco.
For more information, Contact the Video Gamers
League, P.O. Box 2386, Coppell, TX 75019, 972/315- 2826
Website: http://www.videogamersleague.com
E-mail: info@videogamersleague.com.
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======| FEATURE |=========================================
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>>>> Ozisoft NZ
>>>> Written by Glen Mackie
Ozisoft has taken a fair few criticisms lately including
such comments suggesting Ozisoft 'were responsible to the
Saturns failure'. Let's just go over a little history to
give you an idea of where this 'bad rep' for Ozisoft came
from and hopefully it'll answer a few questions.
It would seem that every time the Saturn's poor performance
is brought up Sega's Mega-CD and 32X are conveniently
forgotten.
The Saturn was a failure worldwide. (it did OK in Japan,
nothing spectacular.)
Don't get me wrong I'm the biggest Sega fan on the planet
(I have everything from an SG-1000 to Kolibri on 32X). But
regardless of what Sega reported (they had to cover their
arse) sales of the Saturn were very poor.
Now during the glory days of the Megadrive (as they are
fondly remembered) we had TV ads and information pamphlets.
And these were paid for by the Megadrive sales. Those
computer-generated advertisements and that newsletter were
very expensive to produce - recording raw footage of
gameplay, editing costs, cross promotion and booking
air time. Add the cost of the ad agency and we're talking
BIG money (5-6 figures).
Then comes the Saturn. Yeah I've got one, you've got one
(I love Panzer Dragoon, Guardian Heroes etc..) But I
guarantee that you were probably the only one on your
street that had one. (and by looking at the sales figures,
I can)
Now it's easy to say Ozisoft should have marketed it
better, but to be honest we tried.
Let's cast our minds back, way back.... not that far, only
about six years back.
The Megadrive is riding high after building on the
success of the Master System. (And I would like to point
out that Australasia was the only territory in the world
were Sega dominated as much as they did here.) Retailer
were happy, gamers were happy and Sega was happy. Then
as the Mega Drive began to date, sales of the games started
to drop off.
Retailers soon began asking for discounts and trade-in's
on Stock they feared would not sell. They were also
looking for the next big thing to boost sales.
So Sega obliged and we hit them with the Mega-CD, fully
supporting it as any good distributor should. Of course
it didn't do too well and retailers started to become
weary of the Sega brand. Luckily Sega came through for
us again. "Here's the 32X" we proudly announced, and,
going on our good reputation (remember we had one six
years ago), retailers decided to give us another go.
Uh-Oh the machines aren't selling. Not to worry ahhh -
"here's the Saturn" we told the retailers.
And they replied. Not favorably they'd already been
burned twice. "What do you mean you won't support it?"
We said. "Don't you understand that the Saturn is...
What did you say? Yes we know the Mega-CD didn't sell
too well, yes we know the 32X was a failure but the
Saturn is much better than those. You don't care?
You'd rather go with Sony? They've never let you
down before? And you still want us to take back the
Master System product (that's gonna hurt our profits).
OK we'll take back stock to maintain a good business
relationship. We'll have to right off all these
32X's and Mega-CD as well. You want us to do the
same with Megadrive?" Uh-Oh we're running out of
money fast. Uh-Oh Sony aren't.
And so Sony rolled over Sega while they were down
using better marketing and quite frankly a better
machine. And Ozisoft got a bad reputation in the
process.
But Sega still had the games. And the gameplay.
So they set about rebuilding, a long process which
we are only just beginning to see pay off now.
Ozisoft carried on supporting the Saturn as best
as possible but Sega didn't have enough money left
to match what Sony put into promotions.
Being in such a fragile situation Sega wanted this
launch of their new console to go well. So, sensibly
they concentrated on the biggest markets first.
First get it out in the homeland, Japan. Next biggest,
America, be careful here the competition's tough.
Next stop Europe, Sega were big here once let's set
about doing it again. OK now Australasia, careful
though, let's not loose focus on the important markets.
Now I know this 'bottom of the food chain' scenario
sucks, but with sales doing so well overseas it won't
last long and soon Sega will be able to relax and then
we'll begin seeing things a lot faster. Understand
Sega are holding their collective breath to see what
is going to happen in the US and Europe. And if these
markets don't do well then we will all suffer through
lack of third party support etc...
Sega are back, they've made mistakes in the past but
they've learned. They've acknowledge their past short
comings and have risen to the challenge with Dreamcast
and Ozisoft will be putting their full support behind
it.
We are only at the beginning of this Dreamcast thing
and there's a long way to go so let's show a little
patience, the wait's gonna be worth it.
Thank you for listening.
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======| CHEATS |==========================================
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>>>> Hydro Thunder
O All Tracks in Two-Player Mode:
Play each race in two player mode and win to unlock secret
tracks (for two player only). Eventually, you'll unlock all
the tracks and then all the secret boats. This unlimited
two player mode is great for practicing and finding
shortcuts. - Submitted by Montross
O Clean Pause:
While racing, press Start and while the pause menu is up,
press X and Y together. This will get rid of the pause menu
and you can get a clear picture of what is around you on
screen. - Submitted by Jimmy Smith
O Turbo Start:
Hold left trigger while game is loading. As the number 3
fades release left and hold Right trigger. As the number
2 fades do the opposite (release right and hold left
trigger). then do the opposite again as the number 1
fades (you should end with right trigger held.)
- Submitted by Rico
O Race as a Fishing Boat:
Enable all of the hidden tracks. Highlight the Thresher at
the boat selection screen. Then, hold L + R and press View
two times. Select the Chumdinger to race in a fishing boat.
- Submitted by Pkachu4388
O Race as the Tiny Titanic:
You have to beat the easy courses in the top three to get
the medium courses. After you have the medium courses then
beat them by placing in the top two to get the hard
courses. Beat these by placing first in all the races to
get the bonus tracks. Beat the first three bonus tracks in
first and you will be able to race with the most awesome boat
in the game. The Tiny Titanic. - Submitted by G-P
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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" 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 has grown a lot lately, and one section that
really has... is reader reviews. Sega 2000 is THE place to
send your reader reviews. Don't forget to send in your Top
10 Most Wanted games either.
>>>> 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.
>>>> Sega Next - www.seganext.com
"Live the Dream" World class Sega coverage. One of the
newer websites dedicated to Sega and their Dreamcast on
the internet, SegaNext has quickly emerged as a worthy
competitor. With a crisp clean layout and a healthy
supply of content, this is a must stop for anyone even
vaguely interested in Sega.
>>>> Perfect Zero - http://www.perfect-zero.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.
>>>> 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!!
>>>> Gaming Central Starpath - www.startpath.com/gamingcentral
Our newest support site and provides hundreds of links for
anything a gamer might be interested in.
>>>> DC Australia - www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Fortress/6831/
With the Dreamcast launch in Australia fast approaching it
is my pleasure to bring to you interviews with some of the
most important people in the gaming industry. Recent
interviews include Archer Maclean (Awesome Developments -
Jimmy White's 2), Frederick Raynal (No Cliche - Toy Commander),
Trip Hawkins (3DO - Heroes III) and Greg Zeschuk (Bioware -
MDK2). But thats not it, there are several more surprises in
the coming weeks (does Sonic Team sound good?)
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 :)
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======[ CREDITS ]=========================================
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O Writer: Graham Parker "Tails" - Webmaster@sega2000.net
O Co-editor: Steve - Steve@sega2000.net
O DC QUESTIONS: Please send to - Rob@sega2000.net
But please NO tips questions
>>>> www.DreamcastWeekly.com - Official Website!
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Copyright, 1998-9 Graham Parker - Webmaster@sega2000.net
Written and edited by Graham Parker. No parts may be
copied without prior permission. Otherwise I would be
forced to send out my group of goons... Ok so I don't have
any goons, but copying is just mean... very mean. There,
that should scare them off :)
