- W59

Anoop responds: I'm of the opinion that a 1998 release in America would have been an absolute disaster for Sega. In Japan, the only triple-A game Sega was able to get out in time for launch was Virtua Fighter III. This game wouldn't have made any sort of formidable impression on gamers in America, and the Dreamcast would have flopped. Sure, Sega of Japan was able to get out a very buggy version of Sonic Adventure in late December in Japan, but that wouldn't have helped any in the US, as big Holiday season releases tend to come out in late November at the latest.

Look at the situation now, though. Sega is launching with no less than eight triple-A titles, along with enough titles to cover many of the niche areas. They're launching like the Saturn ought to have launched back in 1995, like a system that's truly in its second year of development.

-Michael A. Ruppert (almost the first dumbass of the day)

Uh-oh . . . looks like you caught us, Michael. It was assumed initially that Ready 2 Rumble would feature head-to-head internet play. However, that's now changed. We should probably update the caption to be indicative of this.

- Kevin

They won't sue you, or anything, Kevin. In fact, the online retailer NCS actually forfeited their $380 deposit on two systems so that they could keep the systems and learn how to make appropriate modifications in order to play import games on them. I'd suggest that you wait until September 9th, though, as I'm not sure of what you're getting with the Hollywood Video unit. Sega may actually change something to the final design of the system, and who knows if your system will end up being compatible with the final American version. Furthermore, you're going to have difficulty gaining access to the internet unless you buy Sega's official system. Also, keep in mind that if you do manage to find a way to gain access to the internet, you'd probably have some difficulty in registering your system, as I believe it will be done online.

But, if you've got the cash for two DCs, and you want to have a really silly collector's item, you're on the right track.

Doug

Doug? As in psx.ign.com editor-in-chief Douglass Perry? Ha ha! I knew you were a Dreamcast fan at heart!

Regarding your question, Seventh Cross is a life-simulation game by NEC-HE over in Japan. It was received moderately well by Japanese publications (it actually received VERY mixed reviews), but I wouldn't call it a huge RPG or anything. It's not a launch title here in the states; I don't think it ever was, actually. Tommo is currently considering bringing it out over here, along with NEC-HE's other title, Sengoku Turb, and Taito's 3D fighter, Psychic Force.

And Phantasy Star? What in the world is Phantasy Star? Is that like Final Fantasy or something?

9-Cyph

Sadly, 9-Cyph, the Soul Calibur intro isn't anywhere near as impressive from an artistic and technical standpoint as Soul Blade's intro, at lest from my view. Soul Edge's intro is pre-rendered, and features some of the finest computer graphics I've ever seen (still, to this day!). Soul Calibur's intro is generated in realtime by the Dreamcast. It's pretty nice, and the music is just gorgeous, but there are a few technical issues (like how the sequence pauses twice, apparently in order to load more data) that get in the way of greatness. Tecmo, actually, is planning on including real-time cinematics into Dead or Alive 2, but they're putting more effort into it by remodeling all the characters using higher polygon counts. The Soul Calibur intro uses the in-game models for the intro. The whole thing is impressive, but I'm not nearly as impressed as I was with Soul Blade. To a certain extent, though, it all depends on your personal preference.

One thing of note, the realtime intro allows for various changes to occur each time you watch the intro. I've seen the same intro with different characters displayed in certain areas and different costumes for all the characters.

- FreeStyleDust

bernie@sega.com. The man made the mistake of giving out his e-mail address to the public back at last year's E3, and he's received a flood of e-mail since then. He reads some of his e-mail, but the rest is looked at by some of Sega's "other" employees. I suppose you'd have a better chance of getting your opinion heard by the man himself if you'd place a concise description in the subject line, and if you made the message very short (I'm personally more inclined to print your Q&A if it's like this, at least).

Noah

I have great news for you, Noah, who carried on the legacy of mankind after First Impact (assuming First Impact had absolutely nothing to do with the dinosaurs).