10.09.2000
| Lapse of Judgement? | Index
> "Oops, I did it again - played with your heart... ... I'm not that innocent."
Taking a line from a Britney Spears song I'd like to muse over the latest
development of PS2's big launch. Perhaps many are already aware of the
recent news of unpleasant numbers.
> It seems that Sony stumbled across an unexpected shortage of particular
PS2 components, thus cutting shorter (again) the available systems for
their North American Release date. Dropping from a launch weekend of at
least over a million down to 500,000. To ease this there will be (if all
goes well) 100,000 PS2 provided each successive week for the remainder
of the year, coming to a total of 1.4 million units. Now in all fairness
1.4 is A LOT of merchandise, and a launch weekend starting with 500,000
IS substantial. But this is THE LAUNCH, the one with over a year of intense
fan devotion and publicity awareness, snowballing into the supposed "juggernaut
of doom" establishing the guaranteed primacy of Sony's new system. The
big wallop is almost upon us and they are guesstimating how much gas they
can spare for the first "big strike"... This leaves something wanting.
> As if to add insult to injury (and to whom is left for debate) Europe
is has met with even greater confusion (and - dare I say it? - fizzle).
They are getting 500,000 units for all of Europe, perhaps to last for the
rest of the year; yes the same amount for just our opening weekend! And
the retailers are only involved in offering a convoluted pre-sales order
form, atop the factory direct order, all courtesy Sony Computer Entertainment
Europe. Yes, the retailers will only be a way station, a mail box if you
were, to the direct ordering of PS2s. But since there's limited supply
you must get with a priority list or do without, thus the necessity of
pre-ordering indirectly (that and the retailers were starting to get very
angry. very.). Confused? You're not alone amongst the rest of Europe.
So through veritable fog our friends of Europe scrounge to get their hands
on the elusive machine.
> Now the debate rages through forums whether this will hurt the PS2 and
to what degree. Well, Peter Moore (head of Sega of America Dreamcast) finds
that whatever happens Sega stands in an opportune situation. I couldn't
agree more. Whether this is to Sony's severe detriment is yet to be seen,
but be aware the sting has already been felt in stock values dropping after
the North American announcement. Rebound can always occur, but the blitzkreig
tactic tries not to factor this in; it seems like at this juncture the
Sony higher-ups have no other choice than to play rebound - at their own
deteriorating game. And so I don't portray as callous to this plight: here's
to a good launch and interesting times ahead.
Good Gaming,
-Senpi
What do you think? Email
(comprehensible English only)
03.20.2000
| Dreamcast Network | Index
> The Dreamcast Network kicked off ahead of schedule with the release of
Sega Swirl and Chu Chu Rocket. Along with the recent Ethernet
announcement, my anticipation of all the upcoming internet games for
Dreamcast has increased. Games like Phantasy Star Online, NFL 2K1,
NBA 2K1, Quake III, and many more are headed to the Uberconsole before
the end of 2000.
> Right now, playing Chu Chu Rocket online is just the tip of the iceberg.
Not only is Sonic's puzzle title fun for one, it's an absolute blast against
others in cyberspace! I think Sega is in a good spot to take the
network lead and keep it as the console industry transforms into the online
era.
> Sega's decision to include a 56k modem with every Dreamcast was monumental!
This ensures that the Uberconsole will be the ONLY internet ready console
for at least another 18 months! What can I say? The Dreamcast Network
is another reason why the Dreamcast console is the Uberconsole!
Good Gaming,
-Shinobi
What do you think? Email
(comprehensible English only)
03.19.2000
| Sony Screwed?? | Index
> By now, everyone knows about the rumors and the facts regarding Sony's
not so spectacular PSX2 launch in Japan. Whether it's the overheating,
memory loss, DVD non-playback, weak launch software, or the stock tumble,
the media has been quick to report the anti-hype of Sony's latest console.
I must warn, however, against the notion
that this will continue.
> First, no self respecting hardcore
gamer wants to see Sony's problems continue. Next, if you're enjoying
their current state and think it will still be there come this Fall, then
you're in for a rude awakening. Not only will Sony get their act
together, but the media is sure to prepare American gamers (via "unbiased"
influence) for the forthcoming PSX2 launch in America.
> So all I can say is don't worry... The PSX2 and/or its peripherals
may not be constructed of quality parts, but the system is sure to sell
well. I also happen to think that Sony will make it their goal to
surpass every record the Uberconsole set in 1999. That notion plus
the fact that Dreamcast will enter its second wave of US games sets the
stage for an exciting year for gamefans...
Good Gaming,
-Shinobi
What do you think? Email
(comprehensible English only)
03.12.2000
| You Know What's Funny? | Index
> I have noticed a recent increase in the reference to "Sega fanboys" by
videogame magazines. I assume they're talking about most pro Sega
sources of information. The thing that's funny is they usually create
the impression that "Sega fanboys" have a major voice in the media.
Hah, ha... LOL! If anything, "Sega fanboys" make an effort
to counter the vast anti-Sega bias of the media in general -- sort of an
attempt at equal time.
> Now, I don't know if Sega/Shin Force would qualify as a "Sega fanboy"
site as defined by the DFPs.
I do know, however, that we make a concerted effort to accurately inform
people about Sega and its products instead of deterring
them from Sega. Anyway, this new unnamed reference to pro Sega informers
is a good sign.
> You see, the media wouldn't bother mentioning "Sega fanboys" unless they
thought people were being influenced or informed.
Maybe it's a weak attempt to nullify pro Sega gamers?? One thing
is for sure, the days of mostly one sided videogame information are coming
to an end. I hope I'm around when pro Sega information is as plentiful
as the negative...
Good Gaming,
-Shinobi
What do you think? Email
(comprehensible English only)
03.11.2000
| Dreamcast Used Up? | Index
> While reading the most recent issue of GameFan, I discovered an interview
with a member of Team Ninja. In case you're unaware, Team Ninja is
the Tecmo program team responsible for Dead
or Alive (Saturn) and Dead
or Alive 2 (Dreamcast). Anyway, the Team Ninja member stated
that they used 100% of the available power in the Dreamcast in Dead or
Alive 2. Let's take a look at this...
> I believe the most accurate way to describe what they've actually accomplished
is this: Team Ninja used 100% of the power they were able to find
in the Dreamcast during the game's development cycle. In other words,
Team Ninja maxed themselves out and in the process, they claim to have
done the same on Dreamcast. That's fine with me as they've done an
excellent job. However, it will be interesting to see the media response
and/or spin...
> Now, we all know that any Sega game that doesn't use the "full power"
of a console is going to be imperfect for sure. On the other hand,
any Sega game that does claim to use the "full power" of a console will
precipitate questions of hardware
obsoleteness. Meanwhile, we all know the Dreamcast has a long way
to go until somebody, probably Sega, comes close to using all its power.
At least when Team Ninja uses "100% of a console's power", they have something
to show for it...
Good Gaming,
-Shinobi
What do you think? Email
(comprehensible English only)
03.08.2000
| The Silence Speaks Volumes | Index
> One of the most amazing things to me is the fact that the media consistently
applies their bias and hypocritical
views in the guise of being fair and unbiased. For a while, all we heard
was how Sega Dreamcast games were being delayed left and right. Headlines
like "yet another delay hits Sega's new console", and "Dreamcast delays
continue to worry gamers" were attached to almost every delay. Now that
the PSX2 is faced with multiple delays, including some launch titles, they're
predictably silent on the situation.
> Sure they simply report the delays, but where's the "what's wrong with
Sony", and "will Sony screw up their PSX2 launch"? Where's the in depth
investigation to uncover the culprit of these delays? Is the PSX2 so complicated
that a pool game can't be finished on time? For crying out loud, I don't
mind the heat on Sega but at least shell it out evenly when it's earned
by other companies. All I can say is, "the silence speaks volumes"...
Good Gaming,
-Shinobi
What do you think? Email
(comprehensible English only)
03.04.2000
| What's Taking So Long? | Index
> As you remember, the media informed us that the Saturn was "dead" at
least a year and a half to two years before the final US release.
Now I ask, "What's taking so long to pronounce the N64 or PSX dead or dying???"
After all, support for both systems is declining in light of the Dreamcast,
PSX2, and Dolphin. (note: I don't think they're dead,
I'm using the media's definition)
> For instance, the N64 was recently hit with numerous dropped titles in
development and a unilateral decrease in hardware prices at retail.
The fact that N64 already has a nice collection of quality software (with
more on the way) isn't supposed to deter and/or delay the media from this
announcement.
> Take the PSX, which has seen a decline in new development and profits
for many of its third party supporters. You might say, "The PSX will
not die because third party publishers will continue to release titles
for it which will be compatible with Sony's forthcoming console."
Well, this might materialize, but Sony would surely be the only company
capable of receiving a pass on this -- if Sega continued to produce Saturn
games because they worked on Dreamcast, then all we'd hear (from the media)
is "We didn't spend $199 on a new console to play Saturn games!!!" -- even
though most of the media has now decided, with 20/20 hindsight, that the
Saturn has quite a few quality titles to be enjoyed. In this case,
I'd bet the media will remain silent rather than state, "We didn't spend
$375 on a new PSX2 to play PSX games!!!"
> So I ask again... What's taking the media so long to start building
caskets? Why haven't we been warned of the impending doom?
And I don't mean via a one time article buried in the back of a magazine
or in fine print -- I mean consistent,
repeated warnings from now until the last N64 and PSX game is released
in America. Afterwards, I'll be waiting for the "see, I told you
so" articles which list all the Japanese releases we're inevitably going
to miss out on as well...
Good Gaming,
-Shinobi
What do you think? Email
(comprehensible English only)
|
