NiGHTS
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NiGHTS to have weather effects
Looks like Sega is trying to stage a comeback. After years of wading in a pool of mediocrity, there is a feeling of change in the air. Following the announcement of NiGHTS for the Wii, details are starting to emerge that Sega is actually putting -- oh, what's the word -- effort behind the new game. The most striking being the use of the Wii's Forecast Channel to change scenery based on real-world conditions.NiGHTS will also have three masks (Dragon, Dolphin and Rocket) giving shape-shifting abilities. There will be seven dream worlds and using Wii Connect 24 players will be able to "exchange items with friends." Sega has burned us too many times in recent years for us to be optimistic about the new NiGHTS; however, we must admit we are in a state of cautious optimism. We'll be happy if NiGHTS doesn't add fuel to the Wiimote control issues fire.[Via SegaNerds, Thanks Chris]
Poll: How excited are you for NiGHTS?
With all of this NiGHTS business, we've been arguing back and forth here at HQ about the validity of such an announcement. Sure, we're super-excited for the game, but we understand there are some out there who didn't even play the first game, or might've played it and hated it. Also, taking into account the recent separation between Yuji Naka and Sega, would this new NiGHTS come close to being as good as the original?"What better way to find out," we ask ourselves, "then by running a poll?" "None," we reply as we put up the poll ... How excited are you for NiGHTS? I'm skeptical since Yuji Naka has nothing to do with it Who cares about Yuji, a new NiGHTS is worth all this excitement I never played the first game, the images make me think I didn't miss much I never played the first game, but these images and the Wiimote controls get me pumped I hated the first game, this game will probably suck too
Sega planning to cut remaining Dreamcast and Saturn support
Where were you on 9/9/99? It's been almost 8 years since the Sega Dreamcast was launched in the United States, ushering in the "next" (and now previous) generation of gaming with the likes of Sonic Adventure, Power Stone and Soul "Is that intro in real-time?" Calibur. Despite a strong lineup, online gameplay (thanks, 56K modem!) and quirky memory unit minigames, the Dreamcast's momentum wasn't strong enough to halt the PS2's avalanche of hype. A few years into the system's lifetime saw Sega running out of steam and, more importantly, out of money. Those still clinging to their Dreamcasts are advised to take good care of them now, with Sega's Japanese website announcing that malfunctioning systems will no longer be accepted for repair after 28 September 2007. The hilarious machine translation of the page also points out that the Sega Saturn will suffer a similar fate, shortly before spewing forth an incomprehensible "understanding it receives, the fish you say to ask." Fish? Is that like a "fix a man's system and he plays for a day, but teach him how to fix it and he'll play for years" sort of thing? Though it's tempting to lapse into eulogy at this point, the Dreamcast will be around (and thinking) for as long as people still enjoy it. Sega might be hammering the final nail into the coffin, but the system inside is still alive and kicking... and screaming. [Via CVG]
And lo, the angels hath smiled upon thee: NiGHTS 2 confirmed
This isn't some sick, delayed April Fool's joke. After endless rumors and speculation, Japanese gaming mag Famitsu has finally confirmed ONM's "world exclusive": the official sequel to NiGHTS into Dreams, tentatively titled NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams, is coming to the Wii this winter. The Wiimote will be heavily utilized in the flying mechanics, which include soaring, tumbling, and freewheeling through an endless diamond sky. The producer of the title, Takashi Izuka of Sonic Team USA, has this to say about the title: "In 1996, we created the NiGHTS character to achieve a concept of 'being refreshed from being able to fly in the sky'. 11 years later, at last, we have broken our silence. NiGHTS will now fly in a new dream world: new stages, new story, and on the new Wii platform. Please look forward to NiGHTS and friends exploring this brand new adventure." Better news in the world of Wii does not exist, friends. What is it now, like, 264 days till the Winter Solstice? [via Joystiq] [Thanks to Dias and Creamsugar!]
NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams confirmed for Wii this winter
Yes. According to Famitsu, Sonic Team USA will have its sequel to legendary Saturn title NiGHTS ready for a Wii release this winter. NiGHTS 2 will now be known as NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams (although that name isn't confirmed for the Japanese market). Famitsu explains that the main attraction of Journey of Dreams is how it provides gameplay with the Wii Remote, where you can glide, drift, ascend, and loop-the-loop without even thinking about the controls. Takashi Izuka of Sonic Team USA is Producer of NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams. He leaves Famitsu, and the rest of the weeping-with-tears-of-joy world, with this comment: "In 1996, we created the NiGHTS character to achieve a concept of 'being refreshed from being able to fly in the sky'. 11 years later, at last, we have broken our silence. NiGHTS will now fly in a new dream world: new stages, new story, and on the new Wii platform. Please look forward to NiGHTS and friends exploring this brand new adventure." Yes.
NiGHTS Wii screens, interview found in Portuguese game mag
French gaming site Jeux France has what it claims is the first images of the new NiGHTS title for Wii, from magazine scans of Portuguese magazine Maxi Consola. (We're so multicultural.) So far, NiGHTS has been an extremely persistent rumor; this is the either the first concrete evidence of the title's existence or the cleverest Photoshop effort to date.The magazine scans feature an interview with Takashi Iizuka (here written Takeshi), a Sega developer who's had a hand or two in every Sonic game since 1994 as well as the original NiGHTS Into Dreams. Our Portuguese is a bit pathetic, but Play Nintendo has translated the interview. The game is purported to have a two player mode and some online capabilities. Jeux France purports that Sega will make an announcement early April.
A Wii acorda NiGHTS de uma longa e cavernosa hibernacao!
You are looking at either one of the most elaborate Internet hoaxes ever, or you're looking at one of the very first images of the upcoming Wii NiGHTS game. This image is supposedly scanned from Portuguese magazine Maxi Consolas. The article states that this long-rumored sequel will feature new characters, Wii-enhanced controls, and an online mode to boot. Too good to be true? Let's hope not.See the rest of the scans at Jeux France.
Rumorang: NiGHTS 2 spotted on game mag cover
Apparently, world exclusives just aren't what they used to be. Shortly after Official Nintendo Magazine teased readers with "world exclusive" information on a new game, only to backpedal once internet speculation deemed the game to be NiGHTS 2, comes this image of an upcoming issue of Swedish mag, Game Reactor. Their exclusive is right there on the cover -- the androgynous acrobat himself sporting a grand new costume. No mention of platform is made, though most online pundits point to Wii.The image, which was posted on the NeoGAF forums and the Game Reactor website, has since been replaced on the latter page with a version containing an empty outline of NiGHTS. Is that the official motif for teasing gamers with the sequel to a deeply loved Saturn classic? Caution requires us to continue labeling this as an unconfirmed rumor, but we think it's about time we changed our line of questioning.It's not a question of whether NiGHTS 2 exists now, but rather a question of how completely modern Sega (sans Yuji Naka) will mangle a cherished property. We say it in jest, but deep down, we can already picture an Afterburner clone, complete with fly-by shootings and bordello bombing runs.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
NiGHTS 2 gets out of our dreams and into our European magazines
We've been speculating and reading rumors for a while, but now we have what seems like a believable confirmation from Swedish magazine Gamereactor. It's right there on the cover of the April issue! NiGHTS! We are seriously freaking out about the return of one of the coolest Sega games ever.There are, however, a few problems. First is that the cover doesn't necessarily mention the Wii as the platform for the new game. The rumors have all placed this on the Wii, so we'll just continue believing there. Secondly, there's the possibility that this preview cover is an elaborate April Fool's Day prank. We don't even want to think about that.Finally, we have to remember that this new NiGHTS game, if it's real, is going to be made by 2007 "Sonic 360/Shadow the Hedgehog" Sega, and not 1996 awesome Sega. Also, former Sonic Team leader Yuji Naka has already disavowed any involvement with a new NiGHTS.[Via NeoGAF]
Creepy Sega developer kidnap video hints at April release?
Sensitivity to grainy videos of torture will determine if you want to see an alleged Sega viral marketing video found after the break about their big April shocker announcement . Sega Nerds thinks this is an official viral marketing campaign by Sega, but we're not sure. The Nerds say this isn't the strangest marketing tactic ever used by the company.Nothing about the video jumps out as an obvious announcement. A man is tied to a chair wearing a bunny mask with two pseudo-Geisha girls flanking him. The first thing that happens is the girls wax the victim's leg. He screams that he wont tell what the April release is. Then a man in a monkey mask pops out the right side with scissors, the camera tilts down and the man cuts off one of the mask's rabbit ears to the sounds of screaming. Finally they torture the victim with James Blunt's You're Beautiful. Once again, depending on your sensitivity the video is after the break. So, are there any hints in the video about the April release or is it all just a weird ploy for attention?
Yuji Naka not involved in any new NiGHTS game
As dubious as we find this NiGHTS rumor, the community love for the game has kept it alive and kept gamers hopeful. However, the one man who could truly make a high quality NiGHTS game has no intentions of returning to the franchise.Speaking to CVG, Yuji Naka, the former leader of Sega's Sonic Team, has stated quite bluntly that "at present, I have no intentions" of revisiting any of his old Sega franchises, which includes Sonic and NiGHTS. Granted, Sega could make a new NiGHTS title without Naka, who left the company in May 2006 to form his own studio Prope. But the quality of Sonic Team's work has been questionable at best since his departure.If all these rumors lead to a NiGHTS virtual console release, then consider us excited. However, if Sega looks to add another entry in the series, then we hope the hype wears down (not likely) or that Sega gives this to a new studio. Considering recent releases, we're not sure a NiGHTS game from the Sonic Team will be capable of living up to the fanbase's high expectations.
Rumorang: Yuji Naka says no new NiGHTS (from him at least)
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Rumorang_Yuji_Naka_says_No_New_NiGHTS_from_him_at_least'; Responding to the rumors about a new NiGHTS game on the Wii, Yuji Naka, formerly the head of Sonic Team, told CVG that even if such a thing exists, he's not a part of it, and has no plans to be. Naka recently left Sega to form his own studio called PROPE, so for him to rejoin Sega for a project so soon would be slightly unusual.The other major figure involved with NiGHTS is Naoto Oshima, who is now head of Artoon. If the two of them were to reunite to work on a NiGHTS game, then we'd really have something! But the fact that these two esteemed developers no longer work at Sega casts more doubt on the NiGHTS rumors, or at least makes them less exciting if true.
Brand new NiGHTS "confirmed" by SPOnG
We were a little doubtful that NiGHTS would actually come to Wii. Sure, the latest rumor shows some compelling evidence, but too often have Nintendo fans been burned by dubious anticipation. SPOnG, the gaming equivalent of the National Enquirer tabloid, has boldly "confirmed" that NiGHTS is, indeed, heading to Wii. If that didn't raise a red flag, their "anonymous insider" quote certainly did: "Yes, there is a new NiGHTS coming, and coming quite soon actually. It's a full game too, not a rehash of old NiGHTS for Virtual Console as some have said it might be lately. It's a whole new game."SPOnG notes that former Sega mastermind Yuji Naka is supposedly helming the project with his new company Prope. While the wise will cast a great shadow of doubt on anything SPOnG has to say, a glimmer of hope remains that the April exclusive reveal in Official Nintendo Magazine will be everything we've hoped for.
ONM says 'world exclusive' not April Fools prank
Yesterday we reported Official Nintendo Magazine created quite the hype-storm surrounding a cluster of stars and touting "world exclusive" information about a returning franchise. The European magazine owned by Future publications, in hopes of calming things down a bit, had ONM Editor Chandra Nair make a statement on Future's website. Nair says this whole brouhaha is not an April Fools joke and goes on to say, "Inevitably the situation might change between the time of the mag going to print and the release of the next issue (it is a good six weeks after all). The game may end up being announced online before we hit the shelves. Occasionally these things happen and it's completely out of our control. However, the point is that we are not misleading you -- there is a new game due to be announced."Wait, how will it be announced online if they supposedly have the "world exclusive" in the magazine? Sounds like damage control is kicking into gear. While wild rumors are being thrown around, a source of ours in the U.K., heard from a product manager at Sega Europe, that NiGHTS Wii has been in development for six months already and that the recent Sega poll was designed to reassure Sega that its decision to resurrect NiGHTS is shrewd.
Rumorang: NiGHTS returning on the Wii -- Part 2
We are reporting on this because we continue to get tips on it, but we emphasize that next month is April and this could all be one giant hoax. GoNintendo reports April's issue of Official Nintendo Magazine says, "Step back in time as a classic game makes a long overdue return! Only in next month's Official Nintendo Magazine." Looking at the picture and connecting the dots shows what appears to be the NiGHTS logo. Earlier this year there were subtle hints about the return of NiGHTS via the Nintendo Wii, so we'll give this rumor a little bit of wiggle room.This isn't the first time ONM has been a hype creator. Last year they created Resident Evil hype by using a Leon Kennedy silhouette to promote their next issue, a fact they later swept under the rug. That was actually strike two. Strike one came in early 2006 when ONM, with their "unrivaled access," said the Wii's stand would double as the power supply. Is this NiGHTS related hype strike three, or will ONM knock it out of the park?See also: NiGHTS returning on the Wii Rumor: Sega Saturn games to appear on Wii Virtual Console [Thanks to all who sent this in]
Beware the April Fools in mid-March
The gaming press has an immature habit of playing April Fool's jokes on its readers. It's all cute and fine when the online publications do it, no matter how ridiculous or well conceived, because at least it's on April Fools' Day. One day and it's lost to the ether. The problem is some gaming magazines do this with their April issues. Meaning that from the time they go to print, until sometime into May, we have to listen to tip, after tip, after tip about Game Informer said this or EGM said that -- all the time it was their April Fools' "joke." Why are we bringing this up? We're already getting the hints of April Fools jokes in mid-March. We aren't saying that NiGHTS for Wii in the April issue of Official Nintendo Magazine isn't true -- but we aren't trusting the April issues of the game magazines till we get confirmation from the publishers. This isn't the only magazine "news" tip we've received for April, we're just asking tipsters to be a little bit more skeptical than usual during this mid-March-through-early-May April Fools' Day.
Rumor: NiGHTS remake/sequel for Wii? [update 2]
[Update: decided to go ahead and actually post the images.][Update 2: changed the title, which was by coincidence identical to Game|Life's.]Another Sega Saturn-related rumor! Maybe Segata Sanshiro is hitting the press circuit, drumming up renewed interest in his favorite console.The latest rumor comes from the UK's Official Nintendo Magazine, who placed a teaser image in the back page of their March issue, advertising that a revived classic would be revealed in the next issue. The image consisted of a field of stars with an outline of some kind of shape.NeoGAFfers did some detective work and found the image that had been outlined: a character portrait of Sega's NiGHTS character. NiGHTS more than counts as a classic game! The implication here is that a new game in the series might be headed to the Wii.We're still skeptical for a few reasons: first, the next edition of ONM will be the April issue, and it's imprudent to trust any news item that comes out in a game magazine in April. Second, the "revival" might be the original game on Virtual Console ... which would actually still be great. Finally, there's always the possibility that the NiGHTS picture was a deliberate misdirection, and the new game could turn out to be Dizzy or something. We hope that isn't the case-- Sega fans have been put through a lot, and many of us could snap at any moment.We've posted both the original teaser image and the NiGHTS-added version after the break.
Rumorang: NiGHTS returning on the Wii
This is one recurring rumor we'd rather not toss away, instead warmly embracing it and gently scratching behind its furry little ears. Unfortunately, much like realizing the kitten in your hands is actually a squirrel infected with rabies, the truth about a sequel to NiGHTS may just upset you. And tear your face clean off.If you follow the dubious rumor treasure trail, you're bound to end up at a Wii release list published on Japanese website, G-rev. Stashed between Animal Crossing and a Naruto game is the tantalizing mention of NiGHTS (or Naitsu), though no accompnaying release date can be found. It could be a remake, a sequel or an elaborate dance interpretation -- or a complete fabrication. Is the modern Sega even capable of producing a good follow-up to NiGHTS? Would Wii controls shine through the possible dreck of NiGHTS 2: Into Dwiims, now with fly-by shootings and a talking rabbit? Perhaps, but they'll have to make the game before we know. (In other news, G-rev's Xbox 360 page lists a Radiant Silvergun 3 ... )[Via Siliconera, Insert Credit]
New Ninety-Nine Nights trailer
N3 is only a few months away, but it's been a long time coming. It's hard not to get excited over such massive warfare and dizzying battles. If you're interested in checking out the new trailer for this 360 exclusive, head on over and pick your flavor (HD or SD).[EDIT: Make that a June release date. Thanks Johny!]
Yuji Naka confirmed to be leaving Sega to form Prope
Back in March, we heard rumblings that Sega stalwart Yuji Naka was planning to leave Sega to start his own studio. Today, that rumor's been confirmed. According to Next Generation, Naka's new company is called Prope, which means "'beside' and 'near' future." Prope's web site (not linked on Next Gen) apparently explains that the name was chosen "in the hopes of bringing game entertainment much closer to users, establishing closer ties between users and us, and creating near future entertainment." We're just happy that Naka is retaining some ties to his old corporate home thanks to a 10% contribution on Sega's part to prop up the emerging new independent studio (a concept which Sega seems to support with its developers). Unfortunately, as the firm "will commit to new IP," you shouldn't expect updates of Sega classic franchises from the old hand anytime soon. It will also be interesting to see who's guiding the new Sonic games as well. Prope will open for business on June 1st. [Thanks, Sense; via 8-bit Ninja] See also: Rumor: Yuji Naka set to leave Sega NiGHTS Into Dreams, onto Revolution? Next-gen Sonic to be "re-invented" for PS3 and Xbox 360
