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Castle of Illusion free on PlayStation Plus this week
Mickey Mouse tackles a remade 16-bit classic this week on PlayStation Plus, as the PlayStation 3 version of Sega's Castle of Illusion is this week's featured entry in Sony's Instant Game Collection. Developed by Sega Studios Australia, Castle of Illusion expands on Mickey's classic platformer with new exploration elements, 3D platforming sequences, and retooled boss encounters. The result retained the playful spirit of its inspiration, earning 4 out of 5 stars in our review. The PlayStation Plus version of Castle of Illusion also includes a downloadable copy of the 1990 Sega Genesis edition of the game, previously available exclusively for pre-order buyers. PlayStation Plus members can download Castle of Illusion for free starting tomorrow, and the bundle will remain available through April 28. [Image: Sega]
Castle of Illusion review: Once upon a mouse
Longtime video game fans speak fondly of the "Disney magic" that made for great platformers throughout the '80s and '90s. As recent efforts demonstrate, however, licensing is only a small part of the equation. The reality is that many memorable platformers – including DuckTales, Rescue Rangers, and yes, Castle of Illusion – took severe liberties with Disney's characters and canon, leading to unexpected innovation. This approach may not sit well with brand managers today, but it made for great video games. Modern-day developers of Disney platformers often lean heavily on the license in the hopes of repeating previous successes, but their attempts have come up short. 2012's Epic Mickey: The Power of Illusion for the Nintendo 3DS cited direct inspiration from Sega's 16-bit classic, Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse, but its gameplay was burdened with endless dialogue and ill-fitting Disney cameos. More recently, DuckTales: Remastered attempted to add more character to Capcom's beloved classic with frequent cutscenes, trampling the perfect pacing of the original game. Sega's HD update of Castle of Illusion throws the failings of Disney's recent platformers into sharp relief, exposing the pitfalls of brand-driven remakes while demonstrating a love and reverence for its source material. Castle of Illusion is both a great remake and a showcase for the key elements that make up a successful platformer.
Castle of Illusion hopping to PSN September 3, XBLA and PC September 4
Sega's Castle of Illusion remake will launch on September 3 for PS3, then arrive on XBLA and PC the next day, September 4. The platformer will set players back 1200 MSP, or $14.99 in North America, and will cost £ 9.99 and €14.99 in Europe. Sega also announced that those pre-ordering the game through PSN will receive the original Genesis version of Castle of Illusion for free, along with one theme and three avatars. What's more, the Genesis game will be available for download right after you pre-order the HD remake, so those finding the wait for the new version excruciating can feel a little more at ease.
Castle of Illusion scrubs up decades-old graphics and sound
This seven-minute behind the scenes trailer for the HD remake of Sega Genesis platformer Castle of Illusion gives a sense of the updating that went into the 23-year-old game's art and sound. It's not as cool as a "duckumentary," but it's still pretty neat.
Castle of Illusion video looks back at the original platformer
This behind-the-scenes video for Castle of Illusion shows the developers at Sega reflecting back on the original game and how some of its elements will translate to the remake currently in development. Castle of Illusion is coming to PS3, PC and Xbox 360 this summer.
Castle of Illusion remake out this summer on PS3, Xbox, and PC
An HD remake of the Sega Genesis platformer Castle of Illusion has been officially announced for summer 2013. Mickey Mouse stars in this revitalized Disney adventure, which joins Capcom and WayForward's Ducktales Remastered on modern systems. According to PlayStation Blog, the game is being developed by Sega Studios Australia, which will reportedly be shuttered by year's end. The new Castle of Illusion will be available on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC via Steam. %Gallery-185685%
Report: Sega Studios Australia to close later this year
Sega Studios Australia, the team behind 2009's Stormrise and London 2012 Olympics, will close "later this year," Sega tells Kotaku.Sega Studios Australia was originally part of The Creative Assembly Australia, responsible for Medieval 2: Total War, but was renamed to work on the Olympics game. In 2012, Sega laid off 37 of 80 total employees at Studios Australia to better transition work on a "multi-product deal focussing across the digital marketplace." Nothing materialized publicly from this deal.This is the latest in a smattering of studio restructuring, including Disney shutting down LucasArts, Square Enix layoffs in Los Angeles, and Activision's High Moon Studios clearing out the Deadpool team.
Sega Studios Australia lays off 37, transitions to digital
Sega Studios Australia, developer of the upcoming London 2012 Olympics game, is laying off 37 of its 80 staffers as part of a restructuring effort. The studio, which features advanced motion-capture facilities, was originally part of The Creative Assembly, and was renamed last year when development of this game was announced.According to a statement sent to Joystiq, Sega Studios Australia will now focus on digitally distributed titles. "We can confirm that SSA has signed a multi-product deal focussing across the digital marketplace," SSA said. The downsizing effort will "ensure we have a more effective and agile team that will enable us to quickly adapt to consumer needs and deliver strong content across multiple digital platforms," according to the studio.Find the full statement after the break.
Sega brings Kinect and Move to the London Olympics in June
Care to experience a video game version of the London 2012 Olympics, without all those ... hedgehogs? Sega has a product for you too. The publisher announced the release window for London 2012 - The Official Video Game of the Olympic Games, its "normal" Olympics tie-in. You can compete in the world sports arena in June 2012. This time, the PS3/Xbox 360 outing will support motion controls via the Move and Kinect for certain events, allowing you to play Kinect-based beach volleyball or shoot at your TV with Move-enhanced rapid fire pistol. Sega has also added global leaderboards, so you'll actually be competing with other players worldwide, just like some kind of massive sporting event.
Sega Australia boss shows interest in acquiring ex-THQ talent down under
Two days ago, THQ announced it's realigning its resources, shutting down two of its Australia-based studios: the Melbourne-based Blue Tongue Entertainment and the Brisbane-based THQ Studio Australia. Today, Sega Studios Australia's head honcho, Marcus Fielding, has shown interest in THQ's dismissed devs. Fielding told MCV that Sega is looking to "explore our short term hiring strategy to reflect the sudden influx of talent in Australia." He added that he hopes to "announce the potential for taking on more staff soon." Sega Studios Australia is currently the largest video game development studio in Brisbane, and is busy working on London 2012 - The Official Video Game of the Olympic Games for the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC platforms. Over the last several years, Australia has lost a handful of Brisbane-based studios including Pandemic Australia, Auran, and most of Krome.
Sega's Australian studio making London Olympics game
For its last Olympics game, set in Vancouver, Sega employed the development talents of the UK-based Eurocom. The 2012 Olympics will be held in London, and Sega has consequently moved development of the tie-in game to Brisbane, Australia. Obviously! Today, Sega announced London 2012 - The Official Video Game of the Olympic Games, coming out next year for PS3, Xbox 360, and PC (Mario and Sonic are the chosen Olympians for the Wii and 3DS platforms). It's developed by "the newly rebranded SEGA Studios Australia," formerly The Creative Assembly's Australian studio. Sega namechecked the studio's "state of the art motion capture facility" as a potential reason for the choice. As for the actual game, it features 30 events of unspecified Olympery, with online leaderboards.
