Sega Records YTD Losses of $119M

Just when you thought it was safe to read some financial news in video games, Sega Sammy Holdings took this morning to release its financial statement for the nine month period ending on December of ‘08. In the statement, the company revealed that it was hit with a net loss of 10.8 billion yen (approximately $119M USD). While the news looks bad, it’s actually an improvement of roughly 33 percent when compared to the 15.7 billion yen (about $173M USD) loss seen in the same period in the year before. Sega’s overall sales for the period were down 15.4 percent, with its Consumer Business division getting hit with an operating loss of 5.6 billion yen (USD $61.4 million) on net sales of 96.2 billion yen (USD $1.06 billion).

Read the rest of this entry »

Sonic Unleashed.. Unleashed

SEGA of America has the blue blur loose on the Xbox 360. Sonic Unleashed for the Xbox 360 is officially in stores across North America. Sonic Unleashed is an action-packed adventure filled with classic fast-paced gameplay and internationally-inspired locations. Sega promises that this game takes advantage of the newly developed proprietary Hedgehog engine and the power of the Xbox 360. But the real question is, does the game actually work this time out; previous Sonic games on the platform have been less than.. stellar.

Sonic Team’s newest endeavor features classic 2D/3D gameplay and incredibly fast daytime action. The game features new moves that make Sonic even faster including the Sonic Drift (to corner quickly without losing speed), Ring Energy (faster speeds brings more ring energy), QuickStep (to move side to side without losing momentum), and Sonic Boost (uses Ring Energy to give Sonic a speed boost)- each allowing Sonic to reach ridiculously high speeds. Sonic Unleashed also introduces the Werehog – Sonic’s dark alter ego who comes out when the moon shines bright. Within the nighttime levels, players can take advantage of the Werehog’s strong and flexible arms to fight tough enemies as well as to climb and swing reaching all new heights in each level.

Sounds like fun for the whole family. Sonic Unleashed is currently available for Xbox 360, the Wii and the PlayStation 2.

Sega’s Games Convention Plans

SEGA Europe and SEGA Germany are getting ready for Games Convention 2008, in Leipzig, Germany next week and today announced some of the things they have planned for public and industry consumption.

The new Samba De Amigo game will make its public debut next week, along with two Sonic games: Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood on the DS and Sonic Unleashed. SEGA will also showcase Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, Beijing 2008, Dinosaur King, and Space Siege.

Industry types will want to visit Sega’s booth in the Business Center (Hall 1, Booth I31), where the company will provide access to developers from Japan (Platinum Games), the UK (Headstrong Games, The Creative Assembly), and Australia (The Creative Assembly Australia), who will show off their latest games.

Games to be shown in the business area include Total War, Alpha Protocol, Platinum Games’ and Bayonetta, Madworld, Golden Axe, Valkyria Chronicles, and Stormrise – an all new strategy game designed for the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360.

Sonic Unleashed Finally Confirmed

Sonic is indeed back for another go at current and last generation consoles with SEGA’s Sonic Unleashed. Everybody’s favorite hyper-fast hedgehog will take players on a new journey around the globe in a way never before experienced in the world of Sonic. Sonic will no longer be a one-trick pony according to SEGA: Now he’ll be running at high speeds using four new speed mechanics, fighting and platforming. Sonic Unleashed also promises picturesque and detailed scenery, an expansive world with multiple paths to choose from and dynamic viewpoints for an immersive gaming atmosphere. Along with “seamless 3D to classic 2D camera transitions,” the game is built on a new proprietary Hedgehog Engine, which introduces lighting abilities and new technology tailor-made for Sonic’s new speed capabilities.

SEGA says that this technology has been under development for approximately three years.

The game is in development by SEGA Team and will be released during the 2008 holiday season. Check out www.sega.com for even more details on this game. The game is being developed for the PS2, PS3 and Xbox 360.