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News From April 1998:


Next Console Announcement Date SetTop

Game-Online reports that Sega of Japan plans to officially announce it's next console on May 21. In other news, Sega will have a booth at the latest Computer Game Developers Conference. They plan to show off their hardware for the obvious uprpose of attracting new developers for the system.


Stolar Speaks On Next ConsoleTop

In an interview with GameSpot News Bernie Stolar, CEO of Sega of America, commented on some of his plans concerning the launch of Sega's next console. First off, he plans to keep quiet on details until Sega of Japan announces the console (supposedly May 15). He also admits that Sega had made many mistakes with marketing the Saturn in the US. He plans to not do so again. While the Saturn's surprise American launch in May 1995 left the console selling in selected stores (about 3,400), this time around Sega of America plans a full retail launch in about 15,000 retail locations. Their marketing plan sets the primary age group target as 10 to 18 year olds. Which makes sense, as that's the largest segment of the gaming community. Sega needs to target the casual gamer this time around and not just the hard core gamer. While the target base has gotten younger, it is certain that older fans will not be ignored. With the success of FFVII more RPGs are sure to hit the US. It has also hinted that Resident Evil will make an appearance on the next console. Thinking of current titles in development, I can only think of one that has a younger target group, Sonic. Other titles such as sports games, RPGs, and the Virtua Fighter series all target older gamers...


Next Console InfoTop

Sega Saturn Magazine and Game-Online have reported some information on Sega's next console. Sega is currently shipping final development kits to some developers and the overall consensus is very positive. One developer is quoted as saying that the console is at the same level as Model 3 boards, or even better. Scud RacerSega has also eased development for the next console by giving it a Windows CE based OS. As reported by dEX long ago, the console will use Hitachi's SH-4 chip as its CPU, and one of VideoLogic's PVRSG chips as its 3D processor. According to developers, the PVRSG chip outspecs 3Dfx's Voodoo2 boards in every way. The video output of the next console is of extremely high quality. Its lowest resolution output looks better than the Saturn's best (VF2.) Game-Online states that the next console renders everything in super high resolution before scaling things down to meet the specs of your monitor. Early technology demos using Scud Racer look arcade perfect...Other games in development include Sega Rally 2, and VF3. Rumored projects include a new Sonic game, an Ecco title.



Sega of America is the arm of Tokyo, Japan-based Sega Enterprises Ltd. responsible for the development, marketing and distribution of Sega videogame systems and videogames in the Americas. Sega Enterprises Ltd. is a $3.6 billion company recognized as the industry leader in interactive digital entertainment media, and is the only company that offers interactive entertainment experiences both inside and outside the home. Sega of America's World Wide Web site is located at (http://www.sega.com).



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