Sega's E3 Lineup & commentary

[zurich]

Sega's E3 Lineup

http://www.worthplaying.com/article.php?sid=10149

"Sonic Heroes" (PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, Xbox):
"Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg" (Nintendo GameCube)
"Vectorman" (PlayStation 2)
"Headhunter: Redemption" (PlayStation 2)
"Otogi - Myth of Demons" (Xbox)
"Sega GT Online (Xbox)
"Altered Beast" (PlayStation 2)
"Virtua Fighter 4 Evolution Greatest Hits" (PlayStation 2)
"Phantasy Star Online Episode III: C.A.R.D. Revolution" (Nintendo GameCube)
"Virtual On Marz (PlayStation 2)
"Dororo (working title)" (PlayStation 2)
"Kunoichi (working title)" (PlayStation 2)
"Sonic Adventure DX Director's Cut" (Nintendo GameCube)

And some Sports (NBA, NHL, NFL, NCAA for XB/PS2) and GBA games I don't care about

Total headcount:

12 PS2 (7 Exclusive)
6 Xbox (2 Exclusive [one of which is a republishing deal])
4 GC (3 exclusive [1 of which is a port])

Blunders:

PSO 3 exclusive to GC? Since when was the GameCube an out-of-the-box online console complete with voice over ip and a userbase content with the facts of a subscription based model? Oh wait, thats Xbox (who has a keyboard adapter too)

VF4Evo straight to budget? Hey - I won't complain, but I'm sure there's atleast a few 10k or so who'd pay full retail for this (me included).

Virtua On Marz w/o online play? Ouch.. this title would kick ass on the Xbox w/Live support, and IMO the Xbox controller is more suited to this than the DualShock, but hey, giant robots rule in Japan

Biggest er has to be PSO on GC - Sega management should really slap Naka around, the GC is clearly the least online capable out of the three systems out on the market, yet he still insists on supporting it (despite N not really caring about online). What gives?!

 

[Sonic]

Err, I don't see where it mentions exclusivity. I don't even see that word being mentioned around here for PSO Ep. 3.

 

[zurich]

Err, I don't see where it mentions exclusivity. I don't even see that word being mentioned around here for PSO Ep. 3.

Well if other consoles names don't appear in the brackets, they'd by default make it exclusive to that system at launch, no?

 

[Teasy]

PSO 3 exclusive to GC? Since when was the GameCube an out-of-the-box online console complete with voice over ip and a userbase content with the facts of a subscription based model? Oh wait, thats Xbox (who has a keyboard adapter too)

I'm don't know how you can suggest that PSO 3 should go exclusively to XBox (or maybe I do ). The console is dead in Japan (a big market for PSO) and also PSOII sold worse on XBox in the U.S and Europe then on GC AFAIR.

Anybody know what PSOII sales where worldwide on GC and XBox?

 

[Grall]

PSO 3 exclusive to GC? Since when was the GameCube an out-of-the-box online console complete with voice over ip and a userbase content with the facts of a subscription based model?

Who gives a shit about the subscription model?

Just be happy for those who can play the damn game, I really could care less which console you THINK would be best suited for game XYZ.

Virtua On Marz w/o online play? Ouch.. this title would kick ass on the Xbox w/Live support, and IMO the Xbox controller is more suited to this than the DualShock

Here we go again... *SIGH*

And why is the asymmetrical XB controller with fewer buttons available at the player's fingertips when using dual sticks better than the PS2 controller? Did you ever play Virtual-on in the arcades? CLEARLY having a symmetrical layout with equally sized and precise sticks is superior in this case.

Biggest er has to be PSO on GC

Just don't buy the god-damn game if you think the cube sucks so much. KK THX.

(Insert grid of 58 rolleyes here)


*G*

 

[marconelly!]

Virtua On Marz w/o online play? Ouch.. this title would kick ass on the Xbox w/Live support, and IMO the Xbox controller is more suited to this than the DualShock, but hey, giant robots rule in Japan

I'm not sure how much you've played VO, but there is no chance Xbox controller is more suited to it than DS2. VO arcade had two joysticks, each with two buttons that can be reached while you move the sticks. The only controller I can see accomplishing this easily is DS2 with it's four shoulder buttons.

Besides, it is my understanding this VO game is more based around single player gameplay (there are missions and such) and not so much 1-on-1 fights like the arcade games, so that may be why they decided to make it offline only.

 

[zurich]

Grall

Chill out. If you're going to froth at the mouth, PM it. I'd froth back at you regarding the PSO3 business decision, but.. well, you didn't really present any intelligent points, so nevermind!

I mention the XB controller since its Analog sticks are far superior to the DS2 ones in terms of grip and precision, and the inclusion of triggers are always a good thing (tm).

 

[Goldni]

Well PSO for GC has done great for Sega. In the US alone it's got to be close to between 150,00 - 200,000 units. And that's including the initial shortages of it at launch. Sega had to reorder at least 2 times that I know of. And that's with hardly no marketing support for it.

You want to see the same ole Sega? Look at Vectorman and Altered Beast going to only PS2. Man the hords of GTVC and Madden clones will run out to buy those two classic Sega franchises wont they? Guess Sega has really researched the outstanding data from other classics' sales on PS2 like Mark Of Kri, G & G er..i mean Maximo. And who could forget the million sellers Rygar and Contra SS?

Oh well it's Sega's money..or lack there of.

 

[zurich]

Well I'll admit it was a mistake to force an active XBL to play even singleplayer PSO on Xbox, but I understand that had to do with the inclusion of it in the Japanese starter kit.

But still, XB/XBL are better hardware platforms for online games like that, FF XI included. The ani-cheat/Gameshark/ActionReplay nature of XBL (HD included for patches/content) makes it a plus too. However, politics win the day I suppose (if I were Sonic Team, I'd be burned by MS's demands for a PSO port then sit on it too).

It'll be interesting to see the response of PSO on Xbox... the reviews so far have been very positive, and the freakboys @ the official Xbox forums can't get enough ot it.

edit: Goldni, you forget the milk-a-thon that was Sonic Mega Collection Perhaps if Sonic CD had been in there.. but as is, I can't believe that sold 200k.

 

[Lazy8s]

Have you played much Virtual ON before, marconelly!?

It's fast, strategic combat makes it one of my favorite series. After the online Saturn (spent too many fun hours with this on Net Link) and online DC versions, I'd love to see an Xbox Live sequel someday.

 

[chaphack]

-- "Kunoichi (working title)" (PlayStation 2): A rift to the

demon realm has placed Tokyo in great peril. As Kunoichi, a

deadly female ninja, you are charged with the task of

collecting the scattered pieces of a legendary weapon while

dispatching a relentless army of powerful demonic foes. (This

title is not yet concept approved by Sony Computer

Entertainment America)




Kunoichi = Miss Shinobi?

With Shinobi 2 indev, WTH is Sega thinking?

 

[chaphack]

PS2 Halo!!!!!!!

Pissassdo Interasstive?

 

[cybamerc]

zurich:

> Since when was the GameCube an out-of-the-box online console
> complete with voice over ip and a userbase content with the facts of a
> subscription based model?

Since when is Xbox online out of the box?

Besides, I'm quite sure PSO sales on Xbox won't even come close to the Cube version.

 

[marconelly!]

I mention the XB controller since its Analog sticks are far superior to the DS2 ones in terms of grip and precision, and the inclusion of triggers are always a good thing (tm)

I think that's a matter of preference, really. I just don't find either of them to have more precise or better sticks, and I could never understand people complaining that DS2 sticks are 'loose' when they basically have exactly the same resistance as Xbox sticks :\

Have you played much Virtual ON before, marconelly!?

Hell yeah, I used to play it in the arcade with a friend. He also had a DC version that I used to borrow all the time, but the main draw of the game from the arcade (twin sticks) was gone, and until recently I had no clue those could be ordered from Japan. Mechs are my soft spot, especially if they have cool, innovative designs. That was actually my main reason to get into VO and later MGS and ZOE series.

It really made me happy when they annouced alternate twin stick control scheme for this new VO, as it initially featured only Dremcast-like control option.

Here's a nice new screen from VO:marz. If the game has split screen multiplayer support that would be enough for me. I'm not too hot about online gaming anyways.

 

[aneep]

heh, Sonic gave a hint already

two of those have Xbox version, HeadHunter 2/Redemption and PSO Card Battle/Ep 3

it was on the Sega Europe leaked release schedule (making round the net mid March, a month before the games was even announced)

and i think even more could go multi after they 1st appear on one console
(Giant Egg, Vectorman, etc)

i dunno what happen though, only a few website remember that, and most carry the news release that only mentions the PS2 and GC version

-aneep-

 

[marconelly!]

The thing is, Sega Europe posted official press release saying HeadHunter 2 is coming for both PS2 and Xbox. It wasn't leaked or anything, and it's still there on their site: http://www.sega-europe.com/press_pdf/pr23_22042003.pdf

Then a few days later Sega US posted another release saying only PS2 version of the game is coming. This latest E3 press release (Sega US, obviously) again has it listed only for PS2. Maybe they don't plan to release Xbox version in US, only in Europe, who knows. Or maybe PS2 version is first, Xbox later so they want to announce it later.

Here are few HH2 screens:

Looks very nice, IMO. Much nicer than the first one. Lighting seems to be very soft, and it has that overal softened look that Bouncer had. Chap is going to like it because of that, I feel.

 

[Tagrineth]

I mention the XB controller since its Analog sticks are far superior to the DS2 ones in terms of grip and precision, and the inclusion of triggers are always a good thing (tm).

Actually, no. XB's sticks have good grip due to having concave tips, but other than that they suck. Their range is microscopic compared to DS or N's sticks. And the inclusion of triggers? Xbox's controller has fewer triggers than GCN and PS2's controllers. What's your point?

But still, XB/XBL are better hardware platforms for online games like that, FF XI included. The ani-cheat/Gameshark/ActionReplay nature of XBL (HD included for patches/content) makes it a plus too. However, politics win the day I suppose (if I were Sonic Team, I'd be burned by MS's demands for a PSO port then sit on it too).

Meh, I disagree, I hate voice-only; they disabled text chat altogether for the game. Now, of course, the lack of an easily-attainable GCN keyboard is still pretty aggravating, but still - voice only is annoying. Especially in lobbies. Grr.

Now, I have to agree about the cheating part... but IIRC wasn't the GCN's stillborn GameShark supposed to use the serial port that the Network Adapters plug into? That would've been a Really Good Thing™. As is, though, I haven't really run into any cheaters on the GCN.

edit: Goldni, you forget the milk-a-thon that was Sonic Mega Collection Perhaps if Sonic CD had been in there.. but as is, I can't believe that sold 200k.

Why not? Not all of us have/had a Megadrive, you know.

 

[zurich]

Meh, I disagree, I hate voice-only; they disabled text chat altogether for the game. Now, of course, the lack of an easily-attainable GCN keyboard is still pretty aggravating, but still - voice only is annoying. Especially in lobbies. Grr

Then get the official Xbox USB-XB adapter for a keyboard, something like $6.95.

Actually, no. XB's sticks have good grip due to having concave tips, but other than that they suck. Their range is microscopic compared to DS or N's sticks. And the inclusion of triggers? Xbox's controller has fewer triggers than GCN and PS2's controllers. What's your point?

Guess this is one of those 'can't change opinions over the net' types of things. XB sticks > PS2 sticks > GC stick(s), imo ofcourse. And the PS2 and GC dont have triggers, they have shoulder buttons - there's a pretty noticable difference, especially when playing a racer or shooter.

 

[wazoo]

The thing is, Sega Europe posted official press release saying HeadHunter 2 is coming for both PS2 and Xbox. It wasn't leaked or anything, and it's still there on their site: http://www.sega-europe.com/press_pdf/pr23_22042003.pdf

the same Sega Europe that previewed GV as a DC game

Looks very nice, IMO. Much nicer than the first one. Lighting seems to be very soft, and it has that overal softened look that Bouncer had. Chap is going to like it because of that, I feel.

As good as HH2 may be, it hardly qualifes a a Sega game
It is made by Amuze in Europe.

 

[jvd]

To chime in i hate both the ds controllers and the xbox controllers. I'm not to fond of the gamecube controllers either but they are the better fit for my hands (big hands which is kinda strange the smallest would be best) When using the xbox and ps2 controlers my fingers would sometimes hit another button do to thier size. Of course if someone had an xbox- saturn adapter i could use my two twin sticks .

I just want a vf for the gamecube. Thats all i want .