UGA Closes Its Doors

From the moment that Sega announced that it was to restructure its development teams (again), specifically by cutting down the number of individual units, I just knew United Game Artists would be the first to receive the cut. Lo and behold, clicking on http://www.u-ga.com causes my heart to sink just a little. With UGA being swallowed up by Sonic Team, it seems every effort is being made to remove all corporate identity of the small creative team.

It’s worth taking the time, for all those who love unique and stylish games, to pause for a moment and remember Space Channel 5, Rez and Space Channel 5 Part 2. These games burst at the rims with their own unique style and flavour, and were a clear symbol to all that could, and should, be right about the industry. Undoubtedly Rez has influenced many other game designers, most notably Hideo Kojima for his undoubtedly Rez-styled VR Missions for Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance.

It was a small team, with a strong and obvious passion for creating unique games, which just didn’t get much time to do so. One question remains unanswered: Did Tetsuya Mizuguchi join Sonic Team?


Sega Ages Primed to Confuse

I’m sure many have been interested in Sega’s promise to have 3D Ages create new upgraded PlayStation 2 versions of many of it’s classic MegaDrive/Saturn games. I certainly have, especially when they mentioned Streets of Rage would be one such title. However, if the recent revelations are anything to go by, I’d rather they just kept Streets of Rage to themselves.

I speak specifically about the remake of Outrun, seen pictured below. I knew that these remakes were low risk, low budget affairs, but can even that justify how the Sega Ages Outrun looks? It has already coaxed many into believing they could do better themselves, which is a terrible criticism to be levelled at any game, and a sure sign something is amiss. We can only hope that it’s simply a result of it being early in development.

On a brighter note, the sudden appearance of Decathlete (known as Athlete Kings in Europe) is looking very promising. Visually it captures the Saturn game perfectly, and it should be noted that there was one main reason this title was so enjoyable on Saturn. The game was so fun to play, it didn’t matter whether you cared about Olympic sports or not. It was a joyful experience to play, and I urge everyone who missed it the first time to pick it up.

The third title which needs a mention out of those revealed is Virtua Racing. There has never been a faithful rendition of the game on a home console. Virtua Racing Deluxe got close, but how many of us owned a 32X? The PlayStation 2 version is looking like it’s on the right track, but I’ll be interested in seeing how the real time reflections work on such a flat polygon car. I have a hunch it just won’t work, but I’ll reserve judgement for now.

Phantasy Star Repeatedly Online

Naka told us there’d be no more new Phantasy Star Online games after Episode 3, but that didn’t stop him from re-releasing the GameCube game with all of the downloadable content available from the get go. So hey, let it come as no surprise that Sonic Team have announced an LE PSO box set, which contains an official soundtrack CD, Phantasy Star Online Episode 1 & 2, along with Phantasy Star Online Version 3. It’s all quite nice this time, but it really doesn’t solve the problem the series faced ever since leaving the Dreamcast: pay to play.


Kunoichi Gets Them Out

Her lips that is, along with her nose and ears, as Sega revealed the heroine behind the mask. She might be pretty, but her looks don’t hide the obvious, in that this is Shinobi using the oldest marketing trick in the book. I can certainly understand them doing this, but I believed Shinobi to be one of the most memorable character designs in a very long time. He had the instantly recognisable trademark (the red scarf), he had the poses, and he had the defining style. Kunoichi may be all well and good, but I hope we haven’t seen the last of Hotsuma.

Digital Rex

That’s the new name for Yu Suzuki’s new development team for those that didn’t know. I just thought I’d specifically mention this, because it’s anyone’s guess as to what kind of titles the team will create. Any chances of Shenmue 3 are doubtlessly null and void, but what about Virtua Fighter Quest? Has that been canned, or just horribly delayed? Plus the mind boggles at what original titles the team may create. I sense a strong adventure odour coming from their direction though, so they’re doubtlessly worth keeping a close eye on.


It’s busy times at Sega HQ, and surprisingly tight wallet times as well if their recent language is anything to go by. But hey, they’re in profit, and the longer they’re in profit, the more chance there is of some of those quality original products we all know Sega are capable of.