Sega News, Tips, Tricks & Ideas

Relic Entertainment has announced redundancies following its sale from Sega last week.

UK high street second-hand gaming and technology retailer CeX has launched a new repair service in partnership with the specialist gaming console repair company Tech Centre.

Atlus has released a new trailer for Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance, this time around showcasing a new form for the protagonist, as well as new demons and dungeons that players can take on. Check it out below.

Company of Heroes developer Relic Entertainment has said it will make further layoffs, following its sale by Sega announced last week.

Relic Entertainment has announced sweeping cuts it said were made to give the studio “the best possible chance to survive.”

Thrones of Decay, the upcoming expansion for strategy game Total War: Warhammer 3, will now be available to purchase as either three separate faction packs, or as a bundle at a discount. So, if you don’t fancy shelling out the full £19.10 for all three factions, you can grab new bits for either Nurgle, the Empire, or the Dwarfs for £7.49. If you do buy just one to start off with - say, to get a feel for the quality of Thrones of Decay as a package - you’ll get a 15% discount on the remaining two packs in the future.

Company of Heroes maker Relic Entertainment is cutting some jobs as the firm prepares to go independent.

Sonic Superstars players have the chance to unlock another costume, this time a retro outfit for Amy Rose. This latest costume being added to the game is part of a collaboration with IHOP and adds to the extensive list of cosmetics available for Sonic and his pals in Sonic Superstars.

C-Smash VRS — last year's well-recieved PSVR2 update of Sega's cult 2001 arcade and Dreamcast sci-fi sports game Cosmic Smash — is wiggling out of its headset to get a non-VR edition on PlayStation 5, also available to existing owners, later this year.

Last year’s revival of Sega’s late-Dreamcast-era obscurity Cosmic Smash is coming to a much wider audience in 2024. C-Smash VRS, based on the Sega game that combined Rez aesthetics with racquetball and vintage arcade game Breakout, has been exclusive to Sony’s PlayStation VR2 headset for the past year, but it will get a version playable on PlayStation 5 without that headset sometime this summer.

The critically acclaimed VR game C-Smash VRS is getting a non-VR release on PlayStation 5.

Last year, Sega revealed a newfound commitment to its wide catalog of franchises. In December, it announced that several series would get the revival treatment, including long-dormant franchises like Crazy Taxi. We’d even get a tease at that IP comeback with three new Samba de Amigo games, which were released across Nintendo Switch, VR, and mobile.

A well-known Sega leaker has confirmed that a sequel to Demon Slayer: The Hinokami Chronicles is currently in development. The first Demon Slayer: The Hinokami Chronicles was released in 2021, based on the 2019 anime adaptation of the same name. Hinokami Chronicles was developed by CyberConnect2 and published by Aniplex in Japan and by Sega globally. CyberConnect2 worked on a number of action-heavy anime style games before Hinokami Chronicles, such as the Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm series and Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot. Hinokami Chronicles, much like the Ninja Storm series, has both an action game focus and a 3D arena fighter multiplayer mode.

A reliable Sega insider has claimed that a sequel to Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Hinokami Chronicles is currently in development, presumably at CyberConnect2.

Loud disapproval for Sonic's original film design has prompted far greater scrutiny within Hollywood for getting video game adaptations right.

The head of Like a Dragon developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio says he wants to make Yakuza Kiwami 3 at some point.

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, the team behind the longstanding Like a Dragon franchise, has expressed interest in remaking Yakuza 3, the franchise's third mainline entry that originally released in 2009. The studio had previously remade the first two games of Sega's celebrated Yakuza series, Yakuza Kiwami and Yakuza Kiwami 2, in 2016 and 2017 respectively. Ever since, fans have been eager for confirmation of a potential Yakuza 3 remake.

Sega and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio (RGG Studio) are gearing up for a new installment in the Like a Dragon series, revealing today that the next installment will begin its cast auditions soon and and that it won't be Yakuza Kiwami 3.

Though Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio delivered two solid Yakuza remakes in the form of Yakuza Kiwami and Yakuza Kiwami 2, contrary to what many had expected (and hoped for), the studio did not keep that remake train going. Of course, we did get Like a Dragon: Ishin! last year, but those who’ve been waiting for a Yakuza Kiwami 3 (or Like a Dragon Kiwami 3, as it would now be known), have been left wanting, with RGG Studio seemingly content to have remasters available for the series’ third, fourth, and fifth numbered entries.

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio said last week that it would be making an “important” announcement related to the Like a Dragon series today, with many expecting that new details would be shared in the series’ next instalment- which is sort of what’s happened. During the recent episode of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio TV, though a new Like a Dragon game wasn’t announced, RGG Studio shared the first behind-the-scenes update on it.

Publisher SEGA and developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio will hold cast auditions for the next Like a Dragon title, series director Masayoshi Yokoyama announced on the latest episode of “Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio TV.”

Sega has found a great deal of success with the Sonic the Hedgehog movies, and that train is going to keep chugging along. Paramount Pictures announced back in 2022 that a third film in the franchise had been officially greenlit, and ahead of its release later this year, the movie has wrapped up filming. The same was confirmed by its director Jeff Fowler in a recent tweet.

More Sonic Toys Party gameplay footage has leaked online, giving fans a possible look at some of the stages and character costumes in the rumored mobile game. Sega had stated earlier this year that it was interested in developing titles exclusively for mobile devices. Spin-off games like Persona 5: The Phantom X and Sonic Toys Party are some of the ways that Sega is looking to expand its reach into the mobile gaming market.

Persona 5 Royal ending spoilers ahead.

The development studio behind the storied Like a Dragon franchise has urged fans to tune in on April 1 for a special announcement. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth released back in January to critical acclaim. Joining franchise icon Kazuma Kiryu and upbeat newcomer Ichiban Kasuga, Infinite Wealth is the largest entry in the series yet, boasting new adventures in Hawaii and Japan, and introducing several fresh faces to the already large web of characters.

Sega has announced that is now available to preorder digitally on the Nintendo eShop.

It’s now been around eight years since the NES Classic Edition was released, and the ‘mini system’ trend has continued to roll along ever since.

GOG will reportedly be giving away another free game starting on Friday.

With Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth now a couple months old, there isn’t much information available on what developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio is working on for the future (a rare occurrence for the developer), though it seems that might change soon.

Today, SEGA has announced it is selling Relic Entertainment as part of a series of structural reforms mainly taking place in the European region.

More major changes are afoot on the business side of the video game world, as a notable name is changing hands once again. Take-Two Interactive (the parent company of Grand Theft Auto publisher Rockstar and others) has agreed to buy Gearbox Entertainment from the embattled Embracer Group. The deal is worth $460 million in stock and is expected to close by June 30. It had been rumored for several months that Embracer was planning to sell off Gearbox.

Sega has announced that three companies under its umbrella are facing layoffs, and it has also sold Relic Entertainment, the well-known developer behind multiple successful franchises. Since its founding in 1997, Relic Entertainment has released several popular games, including four Warhammer 40,000 titles, Company of Heroes and its two sequels, the first two games in the Homeworld series, and Age of Empires 4. The company has earned a reputation in the industry primarily as a skillful developer of real-time strategy games but has dabbled in other genres as well.

SEGA has sold Relic Entertainment and will reduce headcount by approximately 240 roles at several of its European studios with the aim of optimizing fixed expenses, the company announced.

Sega has sold legendary strategy developer Relic Entertainment, and has also laid off 240 developers across three of its studios.

Sega will shed 240 staff across its European studios, and sell off Company of Heroes developer Relic Entertainment as part of a cost-cutting drive.

Sega has announced another 240 job cuts for its UK-based studios, and is selling off Company of Heroes developer Relic Entertainment, with the studio now going independent.

Along with announcing layoffs across a number of its UK-based studios, Sega has announced another notable shift for its Western business. Canadian studio Relic Entertainment is going back to being an independent studio, as it was for the first seven years of its life (until 2004).

The games industry has been hit with wave after wave of layoffs for well over a year at this point, but the job cuts are not, unfortunately, slowing down. As reported by GamesIndustry, Sega has now announced that it’s cutting 240 jobs across its UK-based studios.

Gearbox is now part of the Take-Two Interactive Family, in a deal that’s a fraction of what Embracer paid to originally acquire them.

Sega of America officially has its first union.

Sega has sold Relic Entertainment, and will cut 240 roles across Sega Europe, Creative Assembly and Sega HARDlight

Workers at Sega of America, a division of Sega Sammy Holdings Inc., have officially ratified their union contract, as reported by Bloomberg. This makes it one of the first major North American video-game companies to take this step, which could bode well for future organized labor pushes in the industry.

Today, workers at Sega of America union AEGIS-CWA have announced they have ratified their first contract with Sega, less than a year after their recognition as a legal union.

Workers at Sega of America voted Tuesday to ratify their first collectively-bargained contract with the U.S. arm of the video game company, granting new protections and raises for about 150 full-time and temporary employees.

Looks like Sega got some unexpected news. A leaked gameplay trailer for Sonic Toys Party, an unannounced game from Sega, hit the internet. It showed off a multiplayer battle royale with Sonic the Hedgehog and his friends.

Recently, the Yakuza series was renamed to Like a Dragon, reflecting its Japanese title and shedding certain preconceived notions about the games. These beat ’em up role-playing games have made Sega a fortune, shipping over 21.3 million copies since its debut in 2005.

The Like a Dragon series (formerly known as Yakuza) has been built on developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’ internal engines for as long as anyone can remember, with the Dragon Engine having served as its primary development toolset since being introduced in Yakuza 6: The Song of Life. Last year’s Like a Dragon: Ishin! broke series convention by being built on Unreal Engine 4, but it doesn’t look like that’s indicative of the series’ future in any meaningful way.

We now have interesting new rumors about what Sega has planned next, and this is one for the Sonic fans.

Rumors regarding Sonic the Hedgehog suggest that the 2003 3D platformer, Sonic Heroes, could be making a comeback. Speculation about the game's revival has been sparked following a recent leak regarding the upcoming mobile game, Sonic Toys Party, igniting more rumors about Sonic the Hedgehog's future.

If Sonic Colors: Ultimate and the upcoming Sonic X Shadow Generations weren’t enough, Sega is allegedly working on a remake of Sonic Heroes. Nintendo Universe reported that it’s developed on Unreal Engine for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC and the rumored Nintendo Switch 2.

SEGA is said to be working on a Sonic Heroes Remake within Unreal Engine 5.

We're currently in a bit of a golden age of Sonic the Hedgehog at the moment, with well-received titles such as Frontiers and the excitement surrounding the upcoming release of Sonic x Shadow: Generations. That's mainly thanks to Sega diving into the blue blur's previous adventures and updating them for modern consoles, and the publisher is showing no signs of stopping any time soon.

The rumored Switch 2 port of Persona 3 Reload will come bundled with the entirety of the game's Expansion Pass content, a well-known leaker has claimed. This would give it a major advantage over the existing versions of Persona 3 Reload, which are priced at $70 and sell the Expansion Pass as a $35 add-on.

A trailer for an apparent new Sonic mobile game that looks similar to Fall Guys is being shared online.

Gameplay footage for the rumored Sonic the Hedgehog battle royale spin-off has just been leaked online, giving interested fans a glimpse at its fast-paced multiplayer action. The past couple of years have seen the release of several Sonic the Hedgehog games, from the experimental open-world format of Sonic Frontiers to the more traditional 2D platforming of Sonic Superstars. 2024 looks to be yet another banner year for the Blue Blur, with several promising tie-in projects on the horizon.

Our first look at the gameplay of Sonic Toys Party – which is a Sonic and Fall Guys-esque mash-up – has popped up online.

A Sonic Frontiers modder has recreated the experience of playing the infamously long Desert Bus. The Sonic Frontiers modding community is incredibly dedicated, as fans have been creating many different experiences ever since its 2022 release. These mods range from adding in new characters to tweaking Frontiers' gameplay. Some of the most impressive mods are the ones revolving around its cyberspace levels, as fans have created both wholly original and nostalgic levels within Frontiers' engine. One ambitious, and incredibly hilarious, mod for Frontiers is one that recreates Desert Bus.

A prominent Sega leaker with a reliable track record has revealed some more information regarding a possible Virtua Fighter reboot and the upcoming Streets of Rage Revolution. These two franchises are a part of Sega's initiative to bring back its classic IPs into the limelight and re-imagine them for modern audiences. A brief teaser trailer was shown at The Game Awards 2023, which highlighted new entries for classic Sega IPs like Jet Set Radio, Crazy Taxi, and Streets of Rage.

Book of Demons is currently free to download on GOG.

SEGA is really embracing its history these days, and it’s resulted in ongoing development of several nostalgic franchises, like Jet Set Radio and Crazy Taxi. But it’s also commissioning some cool merchandise collaborations, and you’ll probably want to add this Axel from Streets of Rage to your wishlist.

Review aggregation website Metacritic has revealed the results of its 14th annual Game Publisher Rankings.

Midori has shared new rumors of a few of Sega’s upcoming remakes of their classic games.

A.B.A., a long-requested fighter, is finally making her way to Guilty Gear Strive as part of the game's third batch of DLC characters. Several iconic characters in the franchise have also been brought to the game through its many expansions.

Players looking forward to seeing Shin Megami Tensei 5 on PC and other platforms will have their wish granted a little bit sooner. Atlus has opted to move up the release date of Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance, the updated version of the original 2021 Shin Megami Tensei 5.

Alpha Protocol has been re-released on GOG, with its latest version boasting a handful of new features, such as support for achievements and cloud saves. One of the most acclaimed espionage games ever made is thus finally once again available for purchase after almost half a decade in limbo.

After being delisted from digital storefronts in 2019 due to expired music licenses, Obsidian Entertainment‘s spy RPG Alpha Protocol is now available on PC via GOG. A launch trailer has been uploaded to celebrate the title’s return.

If you were ever curious about Obsidian Entertainment’s cult classic Alpha Protocol after it’s removal from Steam, good news: it’s out now for PC via GOG. Retailing for $19.99, it’s discounted by 10 percent until April 3rd. Check out the launch trailer below.

The PC version of Alpha Protocol is now available for purchase, digital rights management-free, via GOG for $19.99, the distribution platform announced in partnership with SEGA and Obsidian Entertainment. It is available at a 10 percent-off discount launch prince of $17.99 until April 3.

Obsidian's espionage RPG Alpha Protocol is today making a grand return to PC on the GOG store, 14 years after its debut.

Sega and Obsidian‘s critically acclaimed 2010 action RPG Alpha Protocol is now available on GOG, making it available digitally for the first time in five years.

It's deeply frustrating and disappointing when games get pulled from store shelves due to licenses expiring, and too few ever return. So it's great news that almost four years after Sega stopped selling Obisidian's fascinating spy thriller RPG Alpha Protocol on Steam due to music rights expiring, it has returned to sale on GOG. I'm always surprised that Alpha Protocol hasn't reached serious cult classic status because, as much as parts are distinctly wonky, the globetrotting sneak-o-shooter fizzes with ideas for intense dialogue, branching plot, and reputation systems with consequences. You do feel like a spy going up against the world, backed up only by shifty allies and a ridiculous pair of giant sunglasses.

If you cast your mind back to 2019, you might remember that the cult classic RPG Alpha Protocol was surprisingly removed from Steam, becoming unavailable to purchase and play digitally. Later on, Sega clarified that the delisting was down to the expiration of its publishing rights, leaving the game stranded and the only way to play it being to obtain a physical copy.

The ambitious, yet flawed Alpha Protocol is available for purchase once again. The 2010 game, which was developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Sega, was removed from all platforms in 2019 because Sega’s music licensing rights had expired. The game is making a comeback as a DRM-free exclusive on GOG.com, available today for $19.99, with an additional 10% launch discount lasting through April 3.

SEGA purchased Rovio a little while ago now, so it’s a surprise it’s taken this long for Sonic the Hedgehog and Angry Birds to meet. But as of right now, the two franchises have clashed in five smartphone games, through until 21st March. This includes Angry Birds 2, Angry Birds Dream Blast, Angry Birds Friends, Sonic Dash, and Sonic Forces: Speed Battle.

A remake of Dreamcast rail shooter Rainbow Cotton is set to release in May.

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth has seen great success since launching this past January, selling over one million units in its first week. This is despite other big-name games like Tekken 8 and Persona 3 Reload arriving around the same time. However, according to studio director and series producer Masayoshi Yokoyama, it’s a speed that the developer has “never experienced before.”

Another prominent leaker has claimed that Persona 6 will be launching on the Nintendo Switch successor console. A number of rumors have been flying around Persona 6, despite how it hasn't been officially announced by Atlus yet. Many leakers and insiders have given fans a lot of different pieces of information over the years, which makes things difficult to pinpoint what is accurate or not. The latest rumors regarding Persona 6 revolve around the platforms it will supposedly launch on.

While Atlus recently launched Persona 3 Reload and still has Metaphor: ReFantazio coming this year (not to mention Episode Aigis), rumors have circulated for a while now about Persona 6. The company has yet to officially reveal it, but leaker Midori reported that it would launch in 2025 and have a semi-open world with “more fluid” Social Links.

Persona 6 will be available on Xbox consoles, a well-known leaker has said. The claim was offered along with some speculation about the chances of Persona 6 also making its way to Xbox Game Pass, much like the other recent entries in the series.

Metaphor: ReFantazio has been rated Teen by the ESRB, unlike the vast majority of Atlus's contemporary games. Metaphor: ReFantazio will hence have the same classification as some of the company's most age-accessible titles, such as Persona 5 Tactica.