Nogoshi on the future of Sega, "We are not a conservative company."

Toshihiro Nagoshi, head of Team Yakuza, was interviewed by Polygon recently about Sega's image and the direction of the company:

http://www.polygon.com/2013/2/27/403...eping-consoles

Some interesting tidbits in there, such as Sega actively striving to dominate the RTS market, but the best parts come when Nagoshi explains Sega's historical philosophy, and where he sees the company in the future:

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When asked about future goals for the company, Nagoshi brought up Sega's traditional image; He describes it as the young upstart that produces wildly out-there titles and doesn't seem too pre-occupied with bottom-line profits. "I want to think about things from ground zero one more time," he said. "That's tough for our younger staff, but it's also fun and exciting. That's what you want the Sega logo to represent: things that seem crazy at first, but really surprise you when they take form. Even if people say 'Oh, now they've done it' at us sometimes, I don't want to do away with the expectations that people have had for us since way back. It wouldn't seem right if Sega acted all firm and conservative, would it? I think I'd like to keep that."

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That is very much in line with my mode of thought about Sega, so that reply makes me very happy. Good to see the company isn't struggling anymore.

I was working at a Regal theater in Baton Rouge yesterday. It was cool to see that half of their games section was Sega. They had Jumbo Safari, Crazy Taxi and Star Wars Trilogy on the floor. :)

That is flipping awesome if they attract developers back with that kind of attitude. They'll be practically the only developer doing it, again.

Sega not conservative? Omg new console!!1!1!!!!!!!1!!!!!!one!!!

I just looked at what Sega has out right now and I was like meh. Though Binary Domain does pique my interest a bit.

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Originally Posted by Da_Shocker

I just looked at what Sega has out right now and I was like meh. Though Binary Domain does pique my interest a bit.

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you were like meh because you don't know about the games you just looked up. sonic all stars racing transformed, for example. it bends mario kart right the fuck over.

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Originally Posted by TheSonicRetard

you were like meh because you don't know about the games you just looked up. sonic all stars racing transformed, for example. it bends mario kart right the fuck over.

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The best Sega game since the Dreamcast was still alive.

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Originally Posted by Knuckle Duster

The best Sega game since the Dreamcast was still alive.

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No way, not when sonic generations was the best sonic game since sonic & knuckles.

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Originally Posted by TheSonicRetard

you were like meh because you don't know about the games you just looked up. sonic all stars racing transformed, for example. it bends mario kart right the fuck over.

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I haven't played a Mario Kart game since the one on the N64.

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Originally Posted by TheSonicRetard

No way, not when sonic generations was the best sonic game since sonic & knuckles.

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I won't disagree with that, but I do think Transformed is a better game.

Sonic Allstars Racing Transformed. Virtua Fighter Final Showdown. Sonic Generations. All 3 of them are like classic Sega games, they would have been traditional system sellers if they were exclusives on Sega hardware. They have the quality that made Sega great in the old days.

Final Showdown could have been better, they made the CPU AI way too easy, removed Quest mode, and made the costumes DLC. The game is still the best in the genre though. The refinements make up for it.

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Originally Posted by Da_Shocker

I haven't played a Mario Kart game since the one on the N64.

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I think the new Sonic Racing is the best in the genre, but people will always argue in favor of DKR, CTR, or a Mario Kart game.

It's 100% Sega fan service. Definitely worth playing. The CPU doesn't cheat like in Mario Kart games, and there's a level of challenge to unlocking everything. It's got an addictive quality to it that keeps you playing.

Just look at it:

I'll have to look into this racing game! Looks like a total blast. Love the fan service and transforming vehicles. Like Hydro Thunder meets Mario Kart meets Sky Drift.

They have done a good job at protecting themselves from the hubris that sunk THQ (and will no doubt kill a few more in the years to come). Finding a profitable and respectable spot in the PC market while their contemporaries were all doom & gloom over it is the icing on the cake.

Sonic should not be in a car = fact.

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Originally Posted by FuturePrimitive

I'll have to look into this racing game! Looks like a total blast. Love the fan service and transforming vehicles. Like Hydro Thunder meets Mario Kart meets Sky Drift.

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It's more like outrun and Daytona USA meet diddy Kong racing, actually.

I received Sonic & All Stars Racing Transformed for my b-day a few weeks back. The game is addicting as hell and IMO, the best Kart racer I've played thus far. Definitely a game that should be in most people's collection. Even if they play it casually.

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Originally Posted by TheSonicRetard

It's more like outrun and Daytona USA meet diddy Kong racing, actually.

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Eh, fair enough. All games I play.

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Originally Posted by FuturePrimitive

Eh, fair enough. All games I play.

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I meant it in a good way, Outrun 2 has the best drifting mechanic of just about any game I've ever played, and it's lifted wholesale into Sonic Racing Transformed. Even a few of the heart attack drifting missions from Outrun 2 made it in Transformed.

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Originally Posted by Mr Smith

Sonic should not be in a car = fact.

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So how does Sonic fly? Sonic's biggest weakness is water, how does he swim?

also, I'm guessing you've never heard of the Cyclone before? Or is 1993 not "classic sonic" enough?

http://www.arcade-gear.com/Games/Son..._Art_Sonic.jpg

I need to pick up the Sonic Racing games. I'm leaning more towards the PC version for Transformed, though if I get a Wii U I might get it for that.

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Originally Posted by TheSonicRetard

So how does Sonic fly?

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He could transform into Super Sonic.

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Originally Posted by TheSonicRetard

Sonic's biggest weakness is water, how does he swim?

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Doesn't need to; in Sonic 3, he could run on the water's surface. Or he could just turn into Super again. ;)

Personally, I've got no problem with him driving a car.

They alluded to the driver in Rad Mobile being Sonic as well.

I keep meaning to pick up Transformed, I really didn't like the first All Stars Racing game, but it seems like they fixed what I didn't like about it with this one. I'd prefer to go PC as well, but Sega games on PC seem kind of iffy still.

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Originally Posted by The Jackal

He could transform into Super Sonic.


Doesn't need to; in Sonic 3, he could run on the water's surface. Or he could just turn into Super again. ;)

Personally, I've got no problem with him driving a car.

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Super Sonic is his all-star move. Allowing him to turn into Super Sonic at will would destroy and sort of playability. It'd be like having a mario kart character who always has the star enabled.

EDIT: His all-star move in the first game, I mean

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Originally Posted by sheath

I keep meaning to pick up Transformed, I really didn't like the first All Stars Racing game, but it seems like they fixed what I didn't like about it with this one. I'd prefer to go PC as well, but Sega games on PC seem kind of iffy still.

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Transformed is optimised on PC; I can run my copy at max settings with no slowdowns on a Pentium D+HD 6450. Trust me, they did good this time.

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Originally Posted by TheSonicRetard

Super Sonic is his all-star move. Allowing him to turn into Super Sonic at will would destroy and sort of playability. It'd be like having a mario kart character who always has the star enabled.

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Yeah I know. Was just throwing that out there, even if it would of been game-breaking.

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Originally Posted by The Jackal

Transformed is optimised on PC; I can run my copy at max settings with no slowdowns on a Pentium D+HD 6450. Trust me, they did good this time.



Yeah I know. Was just throwing that out there, even if it would of been game-breaking.

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Yeah, I have the PC version of Transformed as well. This game is flippin' fun. All of the levels are really satifying as well. Hearing the remixes for Shinobi, Golden Axe, and Afterburner in particular made me tear up a bit. It really does feel like Sega finally has their ducks back in a row.

I'm using a AMD 4X980 + ATI 5750, and the game runs great.

Sweet, I'm going for the PC version then. It's good to know it was made right.

-edit-

Does anybody know if the PC version of Transformed limits you to a Steam account or one PC or anything like that?

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Originally Posted by Armoured Priest

Yeah, I have the PC version of Transformed as well. This game is flippin' fun. All of the levels are really satifying as well. Hearing the remixes for Shinobi, Golden Axe, and Afterburner in particular made me tear up a bit. It really does feel like Sega finally has their ducks back in a row.

I'm using a AMD 4X980 + ATI 5750, and the game runs great.

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You have an awesome name. Like Armored Saint mixed with Judas Priest.

I bought 6 copies of this game already. PC version is definitely the best. The Vita version kicks ass too.

The first game was butchered/ported to PC without online multiplayer. Transformed was optimized for PC, given 3 exclusive characters, and it just got the Bonus Edition content from the consoles (Metal Sonic & Outrun stage) as DLC. It's got local split screen multiplayer, online multiplayer modes, and achievements. They're active in patching it. There are a few collision bugs that occasionally happen in the 360 version that are gone in the PC version.

There are a few people out there with older GPU's having trouble with it though, the game won't render things properly, invisible stages or vehicles. Read the Steam forums, and you'll see the details. They are rewriting the way the game renders for those without INTZ support.

It's a shame they removed Quest mode from Final Showdown, oh well.

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Originally Posted by sheath

Sweet, I'm going for the PC version then. It's good to know it was made right.

-edit-

Does anybody know if the PC version of Transformed limits you to a Steam account or one PC or anything like that?

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It uses Steamworks. Steam is required even if you buy a key elsewhere.

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Originally Posted by Knuckle Duster

It uses Steamworks. Steam is required even if you buy a key elsewhere.

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That's not so bad I guess. Can you still trade games on Steam or did they stop that too?

You can't trade unpacked games, linked to your account already. You can buy them and keep them in your inventory to gift other people or redeem for yourself while going through checkout though.

Sonic Transformed is sold for $29, or you can buy a 4-pack (1 to keep and 3 to gift) for $79.

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Originally Posted by FuturePrimitive

You have an awesome name. Like Armored Saint mixed with Judas Priest.

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Close ;)

I've a long running tendency to play armor wearing clerics in D&D. Judas Priest is pretty much my favorite band of all time.

Armored Saint is pretty good too :)

http://www.getgamesgo.com/product/so...ng-transformed

PC version is 50% off right now at that store. $14.99

Sonic Generations is 75% off at $7.49, PC version is a sloppy port, performance issues unless you have good hardware and configure it right. http://www.getgamesgo.com/product/sonic-generations

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Originally Posted by Knuckle Duster

PC version is a sloppy port, performance issues unless you have good hardware and configure it right. http://www.getgamesgo.com/product/sonic-generations

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It's not a sloppy port. It's a great port that is way better than the console versions, unless you're running the game on like an 8 year old video card. The game runs at 1080p with forced 16xAA at 60 fps in 3D on my PC. The console versions are locked at 600p with no AA at 30 FPS... in 2D.

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Originally Posted by TheSonicRetard

It's not a sloppy port. It's a great port that is way better than the console versions, unless you're running the game on like an 8 year old video card. The game runs at 1080p with forced 16xAA at 60 fps in 3D on my PC. The console versions are locked at 600p with no AA at 30 FPS... in 2D.

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Consider yourself lucky. It's sloppy as hell. The config tool included with it is cumbersome and next to useless, it goes from running great to slowing to a crawl in some sections of the game for most people. Look at the feedback Sonic Generations gets in regards to "Lag."

I have no issues running Sonic Generations on an i3 2500k (or something) & HD 4850.

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Originally Posted by TheSonicRetard

It's not a sloppy port. It's a great port that is way better than the console versions, unless you're running the game on like an 8 year old video card. The game runs at 1080p with forced 16xAA at 60 fps in 3D on my PC. The console versions are locked at 600p with no AA at 30 FPS... in 2D.

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I couldn't run the game without slowdown on my older Athlon X2 4200+ with HD 4850 1GB. Sonic Generations is very CPU intensive. It got a lot more playable when I upgraded to the X2 6400+ (3200Ghz) though.

Also, this thread seems like a good place to mention Anarchy Reigns again. It isn't quite as technical as Spikeout Battlestreet or Golden Axe Beast Rider, but that ought to make all of the whiners happy. It still has a ton of moves that aren't just copying DMC or Zelda or something. Fairly enjoyable for what I have played of it, it has a hub world / sandbox that allows you to go on missions in which you beat the crap out of Rage style mutant thugs. Oh yeah, and you can listen to tweens try to cuss online if you want to.

Anyway:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_6om4tfct8

On the other hand I don't like the writing or the music.

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Originally Posted by Knuckle Duster

Consider yourself lucky. It's sloppy as hell. The config tool included with it is cumbersome and next to useless, it goes from running great to slowing to a crawl in some sections of the game for most people. Look at the feedback Sonic Generations gets in regards to "Lag."

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I see people saying the game has lag on the xbox 360 and PS3, so that is certainly no metric for me to judge by. In case it's not obvious, I'm a pretty huge Sonic fan. I'm like one of the oldest members at Sonic Retro, I've been with the scene since 1998. The overwhelming buzz amongst PC players is that it's a fantastic port.

I'd say consider yourself unlucky, because your situation isn't the norm.

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Originally Posted by gamevet

I was working at a Regal theater in Baton Rouge yesterday. It was cool to see that half of their games section was Sega. They had Jumbo Safari, Crazy Taxi and Star Wars Trilogy on the floor. :)

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SEGA isn't called the "Greatest Arcade company in world" for nothing.

They have Arcade technology no one else has.

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Originally Posted by TheSonicRetard

It's not a sloppy port. It's a great port that is way better than the console versions, unless you're running the game on like an 8 year old video card. The game runs at 1080p with forced 16xAA at 60 fps in 3D on my PC. The console versions are locked at 600p with no AA at 30 FPS... in 2D.

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You know, I've been reading reviews from those who own the PC version and they all state that its the most polished version of the game and runs on 60 FPS even on something as old as Athlon64 from 2006 and even Allendale.