__________________________________________________ / \ /_______> > > DREAMCAST WEEKLY MAGAZINE < < <________\ ////// \\\\\\ ////// ~Issue #41 - www.DreamcastWeekly.com~ \\\\\\ \\\\\\ ////// \\\\\\ Sega X - http://www.segadreamcast.net ////// \\\\\\ Sega 2000 - http://www.sega2000.com ////// \\\\\\ Media Site - http://media.seganet.com ////// \\\\\\______________________________________////// \______________________________________________/ o> Please scroll down to Editors Comments for the start >>> SPOT THE MISTAKES! Thanks to everyone who's sent in funny game mistakes so far, we've had plenty! There's still until next weekend to send in more, and then in Issue #42 we'll print the full list. A few weeks ago, I saw a huge list of mistakes in movies. It made be think, almost every game has bugs too. But some are actually pretty funny! The other day I discovered the first level in Sonic Adventure (set on Earth) actually has 2 suns in the sky! Both on opposite sides of the sky. Strange huh? Lots of people know about the Virtua Fighter 3 boat stage too. When Taka (the sumo) stands on the edge of the rafts, he'll actually cause the whole stage to sink! Wow! Anyway... if you've spotted any mistakes, or bugs, this is your chance to send them in! The games don't have to be new, or even on a Sega console. Any video, or PC game would do. Lets see if we can come up a list of funny mistakes too. >>>> Please send them to me at Webmaster@sega2000.com ---------------------------------------------------------- ======| CONTEST |========================================= ---------------------------------------------------------- ! Entires Must Be In Before June 25th 1999 ! Want to win one of 4 official VMU's (VMS to importers) come this September? Sure you do! It's easy to enter too, in fact all you have to do is go to a webpage and enter your e-mail address... http://server.com/WebApps/mail-list-subscribe.cgi?id=21100 It's a mailing list, but I won't be sending anything out. The list will be deleted after the content, so your address won't be given to anyone else. Only Dreamcast Weekly subscribers may enter, and multiple entires are automatically deleted. On the 25th of June 1999, we'll send an e-mail to notify the 4 winners. When you receive it, please reply to send further details (your address). Then in September, a free VMU for your country is on it's way! Good Luck! - Tails ---------------------------------------------------------- ======| COVER STORY |===================================== ---------------------------------------------------------- >>>> Unbalanced Kids Kill Kids >>>> Written By Michael B Video-games are no longer a hobby comprised of scores of techno-nerds and amateur programmers. Worth billions, companies that once operated out of a family garage now wield enormous influence and profits. At the conferences and trade shows, an Armani is as frequent amongst the corporate heads, as faded blue jeans and an old T-shirt are for the journalist and developers. For those fringe groups which wage war against any industry that is believed to be responsible for grave social ills, this once nerdy hobby, is now lining into their cross-hairs. Two decades ago, no one was sure where video-games would be on the verge of the next millennium. Nintendo had taken a desperate chance in the mid-80s and single-handedly resurrected an entire entertainment market after Atari lay smashed and broken. It has grown incrementally through the blood, sweat, and tears of developers and the loyalty of their long-time devoted fans. The industry may appear divided into four groups: Nintendo, Sony, Sega, and PC; but for the millions who affiliate themselves under the term, "gamer" its all about the same thing--- having fun. In that same time-span, technology has evolved at a blinding pace. Beginning with simple wire-frames and bouncing blocks, it has progressed toward the verge of a truly and authentically realistic, immersive experience. Popular franchises like Sonic, Final Fantasy, and Mario have pushed the envelope on each of their respective consoles' hardware. In this same breath, with games able to portray increasing scenes of realism, also come more and more graphics scenes of violence. Wolfenstien 3D was the first, and Resident Evil has become one of the most famous. Detractors have spouted that such scenes of violent imagery cause people to become more aggressive and violent. Proponents have argued that considering the millions upon millions of average people who have played these games, only an unstable fraction will ever consider acting out these urges in daily life. In House of the Dead 2, players take a gun and mow down scores of the un-dead. In high schools across America, students are committing these same acts upon their living classmates. Is there a connection between games and aggressive tendencies, or simply that: unstable kids kill kids--- not games, guns, or society in general, for that matter. >>>> Critical Mass Consider the millions who have played Doom for the Saturn and PC. Even those with goodie two-shoes parents are guilty of sneaking a few minutes of clandestine play, or at least have dreamt of a deathmatch. Then consider the countless masses that have played the dozens of other FPS, rail shooters, and action games which make ID's earlier attempt pale in comparison. Through-out the world, tens of millions in Asia, the Americas, and Europe have partaken in these genres or at least lusted over a chance. Why then, are not more people shooting up their schools and local post offices? The answer is: not everyone who takes up this hobby of violent video-gaming is mentally unbalanced or taking medication for serious emotional and anger-management problems. Not everyone fantasizes over acting out what they see upon a television monitor, in real life. Not everyone becomes physically aggressive after a round of Virtua Fighter 3! Rather, opponents argue that video-games are more insidious than what it presented at face value. They say that playing a first-person shooter works into the subconscious of youth and without knowing, are programmed toward violence. Retired Lieutenant-Colonel David Grossman calls these games "Mass-Murder Simulators." He says that the genre should be restricted from the reach of minors, and make it a crime for game shops to sell it to people under eighteen. In essence, Grossman, who is associated with the Killology Institute, hopes to place Metal Gear Solid, House of the Dead 2, Half-Life, Resident Evil and a score of other M-rated games on the same level as the pandering of pornography to children. This method of restriction can be seen reflected in State legislatures all across the nation. In Oregon, the Congress is debating whether or not to pass a penalty tax to be levied on all games to pay for "anti-violence advertising" targeted at interactive entertainment. Arkansas has been working over the last handful of months to place restrictions on the arcade industry. Thanks to the work of the AAMA, AMOA, and IDSA, this controversial bill, S.925, was derailed. Of all the States which are considering anti-gaming legislature, Florida is the most controversial, and most in line with Grossman's vision of the future. Those Congressmen and women are currently debating a bill which would not only severely restrict the gaming industry in their State, but strike a critical blow against the precarious arcade business, as well. This piece of legislation, if passed into law, would bar minors from entering an arcade with games that are deemed excessively violent. Furthermore, these games would have to be partioned off in a separate area of the arcades, as not to be seen by wandering eyes passing in the mall or along the roadside. Are games such as House of the Dead 2 and Mortal Kombat Trilogy so dangerous, so nefarious, so horrible that they, and all arcades which contain them, are subject to the same treatment as a pornography shop? Will simply placing more restrictions on the general public, prevent further violence? Is it the State's prerogative to protect people from themselves? Apparently some believe so. >>>> The Blame Game It is always easy to play the blame game. It is especially easy for politicians on the eve of an important election year. Political campaigns are probing through the public focus, searching for the critical issue which may assist in either winning or retaining those good offices on Capitol Hill. Morality and decent "American-values" have been the banner for the many of these, otherwise, under-handed law-makers. Video-games have been caught in this hypocritical deluge of pseudo-morality, also sweeping up fire-arms, cigarette advertisements, and even sport -utility vehicles in its wake. This is the true cancer which afflicts our culture's composition. People are too easy to pass blame to inanimate objects, rather than discover the intrinsic dilemmas which cause kids to kill kids. Religious and secular television programs, both, have typified the gunmen at Columbine High School, and other locales, as much victims of the "evils of society" as those fallen classmates were to their murderous aggression. Secular shows have placed the blame upon hand-guns, not the fact that Harris and Klebold were obsessed with thoughts of killing, so much so, that a dozen federal and state gun control laws did not stand in the way of their deadly ambitions. As for religious outlets trying to rationalize the irrational, they accuse Marilyn Manson and heavy metal music of sending the two killers subliminal messages within their questionable lyrics. Like the liberals, many conservatives are guilty of turning these killers into victims without taking into account that there a millions with similar interests who are, in fact, just as disgusted as they are of these horrible crimes. >>>> A Line Drawn Legislatures and interest groups, which hope to pass laws against the game industry are blatantly desiring to limit the freedoms of a majority by the shortcomings of a minority. To restrict an industry which has been self -regulating and honest with consumers is madness. This is not like the tobacco industry, which for thirty years knew of the dangers of nicotine, but suppressed the information to retain generous bottom-lines. It shows the result of emotional law-making which ignores the fact that the IDSA has worked hard with willing game companies to protect consumers in their market. Over-reaction and the need for a major campaign issue has clouded the politics which has revolved around violent content in video-games. The ESRB, America's rating system, founded by the IDSA, is equivalent to the same rules that movies are subject to in this country. The IDSA has presented copious amounts of information on games and their ratings, but it is the job of responsible parents to educate themselves and form an opinion. They are the ones who must judge which games are suitable for their children, not a bloated politician, thousands of miles away on Capitol Hill. People who approach this objectively, without self-righteous bias or emotional cloudiness, will realize that, while games are violent, the IDSA and game companies have not minced words when it comes to informing consumers. Furthermore, violent games are not all that sells in this industry. Nintendo and Rare have proved that a company can survive with nearly 90% of all their projects based on quality, family-orientated software. Role-playing games which subsist more on plot than visual gore, sell in the millions in Asia and remain a fast-growing past-time for gamers in the West. Sega have even proven this point with their masterpiece "Lost World." A game which contains little gore, it devours arcade tokens and creates an experience, arguably more exhilarating than even House of the Dead 2, thanks to the help of fast-paced, rampaging dinosaurs. Violent games will always remain popular. And that is important. As gamers, it is our responsibility to retain the sovereignty of our industry and prevent it from falling into the draconian regulations that so many other markets have fallen prey to. The IDSA has worked hard to prevent this from happening, and while it is important to remember the memories of those who have been murdered in schools through-out the country, we cannot allow shameless interest groups to use it as an opportunity to restrict an innocent entertainment medium. It is important that each an every gamer who wishes to retain the freedom which the game industry currently enjoys, exercise their democratic freedoms and inform their Parlimentary representatives on how they feel: unstable, unbalanced kids kill kids--- not video games. -- Have Opinions on this editorial? Email the writer, Michael B at melbess@adelphia.net ---------------------------------------------------------- ======| NEWS |============================================ ---------------------------------------------------------- >>>> UK Peripheral Prices The summer 'GAME Catalogue' was just released in the UK, and contained details about the Dreamcast launch. Most interesting of all, the Peripheral Prices, including the light gun. Thanks to 'MDY' for pointing this out. o Controller £19.99 o DC Gun £34.99 o Racing Controller £34.99 o Arcade Stick £29.99 o Keyboard £19.99 o Rumble Pack £19.99 o SCART cable £14.99 The VM (known as VMS to importers) is mentioned, but with no price given. >>>> Import Games Reviewed The Weekly Famitsu reviews are in, and looking good for Sega. o Genki's Shutokou Highway Battle - 32 / 40 o Imagineer's Expendable - 26 / 40 o SNK's The King of Fighters: Dream Match 1999 - 30 / 40 o Sega's Giant Gram All Japan Pro Wrestling 2 - 32 / 40. >>>> News Shorts - Virba Pack, Windows CE, Soul Calibur The 'Virba Pack' as it will be known in America, will be launched with the console this September. Microsoft and Sega have officially updated the WinCE development tools for the Dreamcast. The new tools package dubbed 'version 1.1' apparently allows for easier compatibility between the PC and the Dreamcast. Furthermore, is said to integrate more networking features for developers. Namco has officially confirmed the existence of a new stage in the Dreamcast version of Soul Calibur. From what we've been told so far, the new stage has been dubbed the 'turkish subterranian labyrinth.' The stage itself has reportedly been designed with the Dreamcast graphical capabilites in mind and is expected to be available openly in the finished Dreamcast version. ---------------------------------------------------------- ======[ RED HOT RUMORS ]================================== ---------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to a new section of Dreamcast Weekly, each week we'll keep you upto-date with the latest RUMORS going around. >>>> The King of Fighters: Dream Match 1999 Not that SOA needs any more launch titles, but rumors say they are considering putting SNK's The King of Fighters: Dream Match 1999 in the lineup. With this many games in the launch lineup, there better not be a software droubt later. >>>> Model 4 Specs - Not Confirmed! I seriously doubt this is anything more than a rumor, it's far to easy for anyone to create Vapor-ware these days... Sega of Japan has revealed their newest Model 4 arcade board in Japan, the first title will be a new version of Virtua Fighter (tentatively titled as Virtua Fighter 3 for Model 4), here are the specs of this board: Processor: Power PC750 processor, running at 500 MHz Graphics: 128-bit GIGALIZE processor from Hitachi, which is capable to produce 32 millions polygons per second, with 5GB bus bandwidth. Memory: 16MB Frame buffer, 128MB Z-buffer Sound: Dolby Synthesizer from Dolby Lab Media: 4X DVD-ROM Accessories: Support VMS, linkable with Dreamcast Multiplayer: Support up to 10 Model 4 machines linked up together. Wow, what arcade can afford 10 Model 4 machines linked together? ---------------------------------------------------------- ======| IMPORT-ANT MATTERS |============================== ---------------------------------------------------------- >>>> New Dreamcast Releases We have received confirmation overnight from our suppliers that Giant Gram, King of Fighters '99, Expendable and Highway Battle are all locked in for delivery on the 23rd. All pre-orders will be dispatched that day, or the following morning. >>>> JUNE Special Deal o BLUE STINGER - Save $20 o SONIC ADVENTURE - Save $20 You can pick up those games for $79AUD each (the normal price is $99AUD), which comes out at about $50US. This is only open to Dreamcast Weekly readers. You can order now from www.extreme-imports.com *********************************** * http://www.extreme-imports.com/ * *********************************** ---------------------------------------------------------- ======| LETTERS |========================================= ---------------------------------------------------------- >>>> Dreamcast In Trouble? Dear Sega 2000, I recently pre-ordered a Dreamcast. Then I found out Sega's planning to develop games for Gameboy and Wonderswan Dreamcast's sales in Japan is going really slow. To make matters worst, they suffered a great loss for the third time in terms of economy. I was wondering: does SEGA really knows what they're doing to succeed? Because every time I hear bad news from SEGA could mean that their future as a no.1 videogame company could completely diminish like ATARI's.I really want to see Dreamcast to succeed here at least in U.S. just like the Genesis days. Also, do you think SOA will bring back Genesis' glorious days to the Dreamcast? I'm really worried about the Dreamcast's situation. - Emmanuel Steve: Well, I spend a lot of time debating this issue. OK, here we go. First of all, let me start off with a little known fact: Companies make games for other companies. It's not uncommon. A long time ago, Nintendo's (Capcom's) Mega Man appeared on the Game Gear. I would be more concerned if Sega made a game like SOnic on PSX2, but on portables, it doesn't really matter as much, at least in my opinion. I really doubt Ecco, Sonic, Tails, or any other characters that are very much linked to Sega will show up on these systems. It won't happen. Don't worry. Sega and Nintendo aren't joining together. Also, Sega isn't turning into Atari, and yes, they know what they're doing. Atari, hmmm. Another good subject for an editorial. Thanks. ---------------------------------------------------------- ======| PREVIEW |========================================= ---------------------------------------------------------- >>>> NBA 2000 >>>> Release Date: October 1999 - USA >>>> Written by Kevin DuPuy While football fans drool over the pictures and movies of NFL 2000, basketball fans might be feeling a bit left out. Never fear, Sega is here to rectify the situation by creating a basketball game to end all basketball games. Visual Concepts, the company currently working on NFL 2000 and a few other secret projects, is once again handling NBA Basketball 2000, a breakthrough Dreamcast title that is sure to impress fans and critics alike. Like its NBA counterpart, NBA Basketball 2000 is full of details and graphical wonderment. With technical numbers like 400 player models and 1,400 motion-captured animations, one would certainly hope the game would at least look semi-decent. It certainly does! Those 400 models aren't just generic characters that could be any NBA player - they are the actual players. You'll see every detail of your favorite NBA star; from Rodman's tattoos to Kobe's unique hairstyle nothing has been left out. Character models aren't the only things so detailed. 28 of the 29 NBA stadiums, and everything that comes along with them, are here in all their glory. When they say everything they mean everything. Floorboards, score tables, fans, and a host of other basketball elements are recreated with amazing realism. Watch as anxious coaches pace the sideline in frustration and pain as angry fans just pick up and leave in bitter resentment if their home team is bombing. Along with an amazing polygon count and seamless animation which runs at a smooth 60 fps, NBA 2000 is quite a visual treat to say the least. At the heart of the game is some fairly decent gameplay as well. All the swipes, touch-passes, and fake-outs are there as well as the regular sticks and moves you'd expect from a top-notch basketball title. In addition, the post moves provide a system that'll allow anyone to cover those really fast or huge superstars that might be causing you trouble on the defense. You can adjust your strategy to whatever the situation calls for, and even use your character's unique moves and talents to get the upper hand in a tough situation. Visual Concepts is also making sure that the AI is realistic and smart enough to make the game look and feel like a regular-season basketball game, as opposed to the laughable dunkfests many gamers are so used to nowadays. Although recently delayed until October, Sega is ensuring that NBA Basketball 2000 sets the standard for all future basketball titles. 4-player support is definite and the rumored "internet-updatable rosters" might make its way to the surface. If not, this game will instantly appeal to the die-hard sportfans out there anyway. Everything from the graphics to the gameplay to the little details, seems to be coming together to give us gamers the best experience possible. And if these first few sports games are the Dreamcast's first generation, the public should prepare themselves for Sega's upcoming baseball and hockey titles (among others). If all goes well, these games will further prove that EA isn't the only company out there that can make a good sports game. Here's hoping all goes well. ---------------------------------------------------------- ======| SEGA TRIVIA |===================================== ---------------------------------------------------------- >>>> Weekly Sega Trivia >>>> By Alex & Thanks to Ozisoft NZ for Question 2 O If you have any questions you think could be printed, O O feel free to e-mail Alex on Alex@sega2000.com. Thanks. O 1: How many sonic games are there for Mega Drive (genesis)? 2: How many sonic games are there for Master System? 3: How many sonic games are there for Game Gear? 4: How many sonic games are there for Sega Saturn? 5: How many sonic games are there for Mega CD? >>>> Answers 1: Sonic 1, Sonic 2, Sonic 3, Sonic & Knuckles, Sonic Spinball, Sonic 3D 2: Sonic 1, Sonic 2, Sonic Chaos 3: Sonic 1, Sonic 2, Sonic Triple Trouble, Sonic Chaos, Sonic Drift, Sonic Drift 2, Tails' Skypatrol, Tails Adventure, Sonic Labyrinth 4: Sonic 3D Blast, Sonic Jam, Sonic R 5: Sonic CD ---------------------------------------------------------- ======| 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" section... o> New Forum Online: http://sega.shoptok.com/boards/695 >>> 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.com Sega 2000's new news system means our staff can put news online any time of the day, and from anywhere in the world. >>>> Media Site - http://media.seganet.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. >>>> Dreamcast.net - www.Dreamcast.net Updates daily, to keep you up with the latest on all things Sega. >>>> Gaming Central Starpath - www.startpath.com/gamingcentral Our newest support site and provides hundreds of links for anything a gamer might be interested in. >>>> 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!! >>>> www.videogames.au.com The newest supporter of Dreamcast Weekly, and a site with a great design. Be sure not to miss this site! >>>> DC Australia - www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Fortress/6831/ Dreamcast Australia has gone undercover to find out the latest in release dates, prices and titles for the Australian Dreamcast launch. Add in some of the best previews, reviews, news and other info and this is one hell of a site. Have a look. 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 :) ---------------------------------------------------------- ======[ CREDITS ]========================================= ---------------------------------------------------------- O Writer: Graham Parker "Tails" - webmaster@sega2000.com O Co-editor: Steve - steve@sega2000.com O DC Questions: Please send to - Steve@sega2000.com >>>> www.DreamcastWeekly.com - Official Website! o> New Forum Online: http://sega.shoptok.com/boards/695