New Challenge Conference 99. - Zifei 4:48pm CST, 5-27-99

It's been one year since Sega announced the Dreamcast at the New Challenge Conference 98. Now the 1999 version is coming on June 1. So you ask, what's on the show. Here's are the rumors: Sonic Team will show at least one game (Sonic or a new game, no NiGHTS). Squaresoft will announce DC support with something (Chrono Trigger 2). Black colored Dreamcast. Price cut in Japan to $160...hoping here that SoA and SoE will catch on.

Robotnik? - Zifei 3:28pm CST, 5-27-99

Is he back or isn't he? Ken told us in a interview a long time ago that the real Robotnik is erased/gone for good. So why is there a Robotnik standing in the pages of #73? Someone asked why Archie is going back on the words after End Game that the dead will stay dead. Here's what Ken has to say: Even though I have the excuse of NOT writing the current issues of SONIC, you'll notice I haven't commented at all regarding Robotnik's so-called "return". There's a reason, and I trust you'll figure it out eventually. Take that the way you want to take it, because I have some idea, but it'll spoil the whole thing.

Sonic On Game Boy? - Zifei 3:18pm CST, 5-27-99

This is NOT a joke. Sega has announced today that they will develope for the Nintendo Gameboy/GBC. The reason is that Sega doesn't plan to take a step into the handhold ring anytime soon. The two game makers have not had an agreement on which games. And I don't think Sonic will make it there, unless Sega and Nintendo can make a really HUGE agreement.

Sonic Anime Release Date! - KILLOHURTZ email 5:11pm CST, 5-26-99

AnimeonDVD.com reports that Sonic the Hedgehog anime will be released on the same day as Sega's release of its new Dreamcast video game system (September 9, 1999) in a manner similar to the treatment the Tekken OAV got (possibly on DVD). ADV's summer releases sport a preview for the Sonic OAV series, which will probably be released with a name proclaiming it a "motion picture". Heh..so we'll get a Sonic "movie" after all...

Violence And The S&K Comics - Zifei 3:51pm CST, 5-26-99

Ken Penders wrote a pretty long editorial to Ron's list after he read Dan's #73 review about the comics seeing too much violence. Below is the responding letter: After reading Dan's review of KNUCKLES #26 and a couple of your comments regarding the use of violence in the back-up stories appearing in SONIC #72 and 73, I thought I'd take a moment to address the issue head-on. At the time I wrote the opening sequence to KNUCKLES #26, I debated with myself, especially after reading Dan's comments when he read a sneak preview of the first six pages, whether or not I should go ahead with the opening sequence as is. In the end, I likened it to some of the over-reacting the characters in many of the Warners cartoons had committed, and let it go at that. In retrospect, ever since the massacre of the students in Colorado, I've revisited that debate many times, and while I may have regrets, there's a part of me that wonders where the line should be drawn. I don't have any easy answers. I know what I was exposed to when I was growing up, and I sure didn't come away with a desire to blow away my fellow man. I've recently reread a number of comics from the 60's and 70's, not to mention also watching videos of a number of movies from the same era, and I have come away from the the experience with these observations: - Your average Comics Code Approved book portrayed killing and adult vices such as smoking and drinking in a much more open and graphic manner than you see today. - your average PG and R-rated movie contained a lot more questionable material than many of the films today. They certainly had more nudity, sex and drug use than most films today do. The only aspects I would say are more prevalent now over then are the increased body counts and more rapid-fire editing style. What differs [sic] the 90s from the 70s is the amount of material produced as well. On the other hand, your average film back then had a wider audience than most films do these days. The same holds true for TV, comics, etc. It's all a niche market these days. Addressing the back-up stories in SONIC, these are meant to establish an [official] back-story and timeline once and for all, in answer to a lot of requests. While the stories are my creation, they are based on established events or "facts" that were part of the series long before I came aboard. In deference to Ben Hurst, while I have no problems with what was established in the SatAM series, I knew in regards to the comics that if we kept going long-term (which we did), certain things would come back to haunt us regardless. By establishing the kingdom of Acorn had been in a Great War prior to Robotnik seizing power, a great number of thorny questions would have to be addressed, leaving aside the issue of King Acorn making Julian his "Warlord". As soon as the questions "who was the Kingdom at war with" and "what started the Great War" are asked, immediately the problems with the series premise for its intended audience are apparent. The series would have been a LOT better and stronger conceptually if the people at DiC had simply written a premise where there once existed a peaceful Kingdom of Acorn, and from parts unknown on Mobius came the vile Robotnik, who threatened to destroy the Kingdom's way of life. With that simple premise, you have set up Sonic against Robotnik, the episodes would have been basically the same with very little rewriting, and more important, you wouldn't have all these disturbing questions needing to be answered. But as everyone knows, that's not what happened, and we did end up with disturbing questions needing to be answered. In SONIC #72, the violence is entirely off-panel. You never, ever see the Prince take the shot. Even the blood was not colored as blood, so as not to glorify or exploit the whole situation. In fact, the entire episode is portrayed as a tragic accident that could have, should have been avoided. Paladin is portrayed as being upset at what he has done. He takes no pleasure, nor is there a lack of guilt on his part. As for SONIC #73, the villains are shown to be bad guys plain and simple. I don't try to obfuscate and paint in shades of gray. There simply are no redeeming traits to these characters. The brutality, however, is again played off-panel. Again, no glorification or pleasure is meant to be derived from this sequence. In both instances, events are portrayed that would justify why two sides engaged in a bloody war with each other. If you didn't have events such as these, then what else would justify a war, and what would make King Acorn feel he would need someone like Julian to win it for him. (That King Acorn would even need a Warlord is something I've always had a problem with, as it made him seem less of a leader. It was like saying he wasn't up to the task of leading his troops against the enemy.) Which brings me to KNUCKLES #30 through #32, wherein I answer readers complaints about all the bad guys being wusses when compared to Robotnik. Be careful what you ask for, for you may get it, and indeed you do with Hunter, an overlander who has his sights set on Knuckles. By setting up Hunter as the nastiest, deadliest villain we've yet seen since Robotnik, I ran into some editorial questioning over a sequence where Hunter discusses his "hobby" with Knuckles. They are in Hunter's den, decorated in a manner you would associate with a hunting sportsman, including mounted heads on the walls of previous quarry. There's an empty wall plaque awaiting the head of his next trophy. Beneath the plaque is a bronze plate with the [inscription] "echidna". [Knuckles'] reaction most likely will reflect the reader's: Hunter is one sick puppy. The reader is alerted to the fact that Hunter plays for keeps, and anything can happen. From my point of view when writing this, I used "The Most Dangerous Game" as a basis, but I also thought of the real-life hunters, and how things would be if the quarry really could fight back. I felt that was an entirely appropriate action-based premise for a series like Knuckles. In every case where action or violence is portrayed, I'm very conscious of who is reading the material, and I'm extremely careful in its use. Violence does play an intregral part of the series, but its usage should never be gratuitous. Individuals may not like the use or portrayal, but on the whole, it would be entirely unrealistic not to mention unreasonable to do away with it altogether. One final point: in today's marketplace, we walk a tough line between individuals like Alessandro, Dan and Ron - who would prefer we do less violence, with those who feel we're handling it just right to those who feel we need to be even more gritty and graphic. No matter what we do, someone is always bound to be unhappy. Ken Penders The "The Most Dangerous Game" Ken stated is a story about how a crazy hunter got tired of hunting animals and started using humans as the prey. He killed many humans before running into an equal. I would suppose every school district in America teach it in middle school.

Ken Scheduling Chat! - Zifei 3:21pm CST, 5-25-99

Ken Penders is scheduling a chat with fans at his webpage. Here's what he said: I'm scheduling an online chat here at the website for Tuesday, June 1st, at 9:00PM Eastern Standard Time. Anyone who would like to participate is more than welcome. I'll be online for an hour, but will stay longer if circumstances warrant. Sonic HQ will have a few reps over there.

SSS#11 News. - Zifei 5:41pm CST, 5-24-99

BEHIND EVERY GREAT HEDGEHOG STANDS EVEN GREATER WOMEN... Sonic the Hedgehog. The mere mention of his name is enough to make children smile and get adults high-five-ing! Not to mention nasty 'ol Robotnik running for cover! There's no denying it-- Sonic is loved and adored by millions! But he's not fighting the good fight alone. With his trusted band of Freedom Fighters by his side, he has managed to survive an impressive 75 plus issues of his own monthly title, not to mention 10 plus specials! And did we mention his appearances in his friendly nemesis Knuckles' series? Among Sonic's colleagues, some of his most prominent friends are of the female persuasion. Daring, headstrong warriors who believe in the causes of freedom and justice and use every ounce of courage and intellect at their disposal to achieve it! This fall, Archie is proud to spotlight these fearless female friends of Sonic in SONIC SUPER SPECIAL #11! This 48-page special is chock-full of female furry action, including sizzling solo stories starring Princess Sally, Bunnie Rab-bot, Julie-Su, Hershey and Lupe. Plus, it features some of the most popular talent ever to work on Sonic, including Colleen Doran, Jim Valentino, Patrick Spaziante, James Fry and Ken Penders! Don't miss one of the most requested issues ever! SONIC SUPER SPECIAL #11, ships 10/1. 48-page, full color special, $2.29 US; $2.79 CANADA. Because the fans demanded it-- it's a special all-female furry issue! Here's where we separate the girls from the boys as an all-star creative lineup lend their talents to five all-new tales spotlighting the popular female cast members appearing in the SONIC and KNUCKLES series. "Ascension" showcases Princess Sally undergoing the rite to follow in her father's footsteps, while "Family" reveals the fate of Lupe and her kin. See Bunnie Rab-bot experience an "Upgrade", resulting in a major redesign, as Hershey goes "Solo" on a mission deep in enemy territory. Finally, the story all Julie-Su fans have been waiting for, as her past is finally revealed in the haunting tale "SHADOWS". SCRIPT/INKS: Ken Penders. PENCILS: Jim Valentino, Patrick Spaziante, Colleen Doran, James Fry and Ken Penders. Source: Ron's list.

Archie News... - Zifei 4:51pm CST, 5-24-99

Here's a few Archie Sonic/Knuckles comic that doesn't deserve their own header: Colleen Doran is pencilling the Espio back-up stories, and [Ken] believe they're being inked by Andrew Pepoy. Knuckles #27 is coming out on June 9th to a comic store near you.

Sonic Adventure Ad! - Zifei 4:31pm CST, 5-24-99

Remember I told you last week Sega plans to do some "character" ads in the gaming magazines before the DC launch? Well here's the Sonic one thanks to SegaNet.

Sonic Adventure Pre-order! - Zifei 4:30pm CST, 5-24-99

On May 23rd, Toys-R-Us begin pre-ordering Dreamcast titles for $10 each. Sonic Adventure is still marketed as $49.99. So go pre-order yours now!

SoA Is Doing It Again! - Jerry P. email 1:19pm CST, 5-23-99

From the latest issue of Gamefan (sporting a very cool Spaz SA cover, I might add), I bring the news: Sonic Adventure is getting a new soundtrack for its U.S. release. Yep, apparently some of the higher-ups at Sega figure that us lowly Americans won't 'get' the cool, world-music-meets-'80s-cheese-metal tracks laid down for the import rev. Nope, we're getting Sonic CD'd on this one. Not to be the harbinger of doom, but when you start emulating the management styles of your less-than-successful forebears, that can't be a positive thing. Adding insult to injury, the music is of the Nine Inch Nails variety so all you folks out there who're heavily into the whole industrial sound thing, well, happy days. For the rest of us (most of Gamefan) let's hope we don't see a repeat of the Sonic CD import/domestic reviews. Personally, I've come to like the Japan version of the music, and I don't think it's SOA's place to make these kinds of changes without first getting the consent of its fans (who decide whether Sega stays in business or not, get my drift?)

New Fan Comic! - Zifei 3:49pm CST, 5-22-99

There's one more Dan Drazen fan-fic adaption comic at Team Artail. The art is good, and the story is Dan Drazen's First Honor. Click here to see it.

Official DC Launch Box! - Zifei 3:19pm CST, 5-21-99

Here it is! Sega released this picture of the official North America Dreamcast launch box today. So come 9-9-99, look for this box (on the right, the left one is the Japanese comparison)! Source: GameFan.

Slow News Week... - Zifei 7:29pm CST, 5-20-99

This week is moving ever so slowly in news after THE movie came out...but whatever the case, go watch The Phantom Menace, it's basicly a critic-proof movie. Oh and to make this Sonic related, we'll have an exclusive Manny Galan later this week...

Sonic Adventure News... - Zifei 4:09pm CST, 5-18-99

This quote is from SegaNet: I am pleased to discover that Steve Urkel is not the voice of Sonic. In fact, I rather like the voices of Sonic and Tails. Just great, now we have two contradicting reports that we don't know which to believe...

Knuckles Subscription Going 12! - Zifei 3:19pm CST, 5-18-99

If you subscribe to Archie's Sonic or Knuckles, you would know that the newly designed Archie subscription card has a 12 issue + the 13th free Knuckles subscription for $15! Just to let you know, this does not mean the Knuckles crisis is over. It'll be over when the sales pick back up by 30,000 issues per month.

Future Sonic Commercial? - Zifei 3:18pm CST, 5-18-99

This is a descirption from Blue Demon of Dimension-S (which will be back on June 1) about a possible upcoming Dreamcast commercial for Star Wars (Sega won't start showing trailers in SW until June due to Fox restrictions) shown at E3: There was a commercial like presentation at E3 though I am not sure if that would be it. The one at E3 shows a family inside a tornado shelter (a la Twister) The storm door keeps shaking and it looks like it's going to break. But a kid in the family does a strange thing: Instead of cowering he actually gets a hammer or something and starts trying to destroy the lock on the door. He succeeds and they show the twister, a Sonic Adventure twister that is. The one in Windy Valley level =) Then cool Sonic Adventure gameplay footpages are played plus a few other Dreamcast games. Now this presentation isn't confrimed for the movie yet, but most likely it will be used somewhere.

HQ Exclusive: Nigel Quits Fleetway! - Somebody 3:52pm CST, 5-17-99

Nigel Kitching, the "Ken Penders" of Fleetway's Sonic the Comic, will quit writing for Sonic. We received this news from a pretty reliable source. Now, the responsiblity will be handed over to Lew Stringer. Rumors on the net are also suggesting that Fleetway might cancel Sonic the Comic completely. This is major bad news to those living in UK. For you Archie readers to understand, it's like Karl Bollers suddenly quiting Sonic.

Sonic Team News! - Zifei 3:42pm CST, 5-17-99

Here's what SegaNet learned about Sonic Team's future plans at E3: Mixed signals from Sonic Team; sources say Nights 2 is in the works, Naka-san said that Nights 2 wouldn't be done and that Sonic Adventure 2 will be done depending on the reception the game gets in the USA. Burning Rangers 2 will not be done, though Naka said he wanted to do it. Well, that pretty much confirms Sonic Adventure 2. I would really be surprised if Sonic Adventure doesn't sell 3 million copies here.

New Poll! - Zifei 3:50pm CST, 5-16-99

In the last poll, we asked you how often you come to this page. This is the result after 75 people voted: 1) Everyday! (43) 2) Every other day! (15) 3) First time! (8) 3)Every week... (8) 4)Every month... (1) I'm surprised there are still that many first-timers. Now for the new news poll, we ask you this: If a Sonic movie came out on the same day as The Phantom Menace, which one would you see first? Start voting!

Wal-Mart Comics Confirmed. - Mettle email 3:40pm CST, 5-16-99

I saw comics at Wal-mart too. they were right next to the action figures section. there was an issue of Sonic there too, I think it was issue 71. Did anyone see Knuckles comics there?

SA Marketing... - Zifei 8:40pm CST, 5-15-99

Today we have learned from a semi-reliable source that at the Sega-sponcered MTV Music Awards coming this 9-9-99, there would be a 15 seconds Sonic Adventure commercial. Also, Sonic's porfile would be featured in "many" gaming magazines just before the Dreamcast launch.

A New Hope? - Zifei 8:39pm CST, 5-15-99

This is what a poster on Ken Penders' board said: I was in Wal-Mart the other day and I saw a comic book rack with Sonic 72. Now, didn't Wal-Mart decide not to sell comics anymore, or was it just Knuckles comics? Could this be a sign that Wal-mart's upper management finally got some sence? Ken said he didn't know anything about this development. Can any reader confirm this at their local Wal-mart?

Sonic 4 On SNES... - Ray "SilverFox" email 8:09pm CST, 5-15-99

Here's a picture of the pirated cartrige of Sonic 4 on the Super Nintendo. Interesting, eh?.

Sonic Anime News! - Zifei 10:59pm CST, 5-14-99

I just received a return mail from ADV films, the company with the rights to bring Sonic Anime over. Here's what they said: Sonic Anime will be out in mid-September here in the US, it'll be in letter box format. A subtitled version might be available if the video makes it to DVD. You had think they would have let this out a bit sooner (this email came about 1 month after I emailed them), DVD format...now we're cookin'!

SA And DC On Radio? - Robin Gregg email 4:13pm CST, 5-14-99

I heard a commercial for Dreamcast today on the radio. I missed the first couple of seconds, so I'm not sure if it was for a contest to win a DC or a commercial for the Dreamcast itself, though. It talked about the release date (9-9-99) and some games like Sonic Adventure and a basketball game: "you can see the sweat on the professional player's faces" It also talked about how the DC has a modem, is 16 (?) times faster than any available console and could beat a "souped-up Pentium II" Well, that's all I remember about the commercial, but I'm sure we will be hearing (and seeing) more in the near future.

Comic Previews! - WB 3:33pm CST, 5-14-99

Below are the previews for Sonic #76 and Knuckles #30 from Detroit News. Sonic #76 - Cover Written by Karl Bollers and Ken Penders, art by James Fry, Andrew Pepoy, Chris Allan and Jim Amash. "Business As Usual." A mass exodus to Knothole Village is underway for the frigthened Mobians, who once again must face the threat of the recently returned Robotnik. The only problem is, Robotnik might have a computer file on Knothole's exact location. Can Sonic and the Freedom Fighters find and destroy the file before the citizens of Mobius are roboticized? It won't be easy, with all the Shadow Bots on their trail. But an unlikely ally named Snively just might hold the key to victory. "Tales of the Great War." Part four. The series of back-up stories chronicling important events in the Sonic mythology continues. Knuckles #30 - Cover Written by Ken Penders, art by Ken Penders, Harvey Mercadoocasio, Colleen Doran and Andrew Pepoy. "King of the Hill, Part One of Three" . Knuckles faces off against his childhood rival, Monk, in a battle bringing a lifetime of grievances to bear. However, the battle is short-lived as shots ring through the air. Big game hunter Deadeye has arrived on the Floating Island looking for some fresh sport, and it seems he's stumbled upon a double bounty. "Tales of the Chaotix Starring Espio The Chameleon." Part one of three. The heroic Chaotiz team is spotlighted in this back-up series, with the focus on Espio.

E3: SA N. American Voices! - Zifei 3:30pm CST, 5-14-99

Well, here's what ElectricPhase said about Sonic Adventure's North American voices from E3: I didn't spend a great deal of time with this one, having already played through the import, but I did get to look for any changes and enhancements in the U.S. version. On the positive side, the framerate seems more stable and some clever fogging on certain levels has helped reduce pop-up. I can't be sure, but the camera seems a bit better as well. On the uglier end of things, the dubbing of the voices seems pretty terrible. Amy and Tails have crossed the line from cute into irritating, and Sonic seems to be voiced by a small girl. Still, the E3 demo was very well set up, allowing access to most of the game's action stages, and the game itself is so gorgeous and playable as to make all of its genre competition look stunted and boring. OK, so we still don't really know who did the voices, but at least we got an opinion on it...a bad opinion.

Spaz Covers On Sale! - Zifei 6:30pm CST, 5-13-99

Ken Penders just announced that Pat Spaziante has decided to sale the Sonic covers he drew: Spaz has sent my wife a package of original cover art for her to sell on his behalf. One of the prize items will be going up for auction: the cover art to SONIC #25, with a starting bid of $250. Serious inquiries only can be e-mailed to Bernie at Dulcinea32@aol.com or me at my KenPenders@aol.com address. $250? Heh...wonder how much the #50 will cost.

E3: Sonic Adventure. - Zifei 5:20pm CST, 5-13-99

Sonic Adventure did show up at E3 in a big way. A large part of the Sega booth is used to show off this incredible game. The game came with a few Sonic events where people dressed as Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy went on stage to show off the game. So far the reaction to the game has been great. Here's a quote about the NA version of Sonic Adventure from Gamespot: Sonic Adventure is receiving the greatest facelift for US gamers. Sega's representative, David Karraker of Access Communications, said that 12 of Sonic's Japanese developers came to the States to see the project through, including improved cameras, restructured voicework, and a lighter load of FMV sequences. Apparently, according to Karraker, the difficulty level with not be adjusted for the US. No word on just who the voice actors are yet. But rumors floating around the industry do suggest it will be J. White playing the role of Sonic.

Sega At E3. - Zifei 3:40pm CST, 5-13-99

DC will have a internal 56K modem, this is confirmed by Sega. Sonic Adventure is again confirmed as a launch title. There are now 15 launch titles for the Dreamcast. European DC will have free intervet access. For more infomation, goto Sega's own E3 page.

Sega's Marketing Plan. - Zifei 3:38pm CST, 5-13-99

Read this press release carefully, as it outlines the entire Sega USA marketing plan: LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 12, 1999--Segaź of America today announced further details surrounding their $100 million marketing campaign for the much-anticipated Sega Dreamcast(TM), ``the ultimate gaming machine.'' Prepping for the biggest videogame launch the industry has ever seen, Sega is armed with an arsenal of far-reaching marketing elements ranging from an expansive print and broadcast advertising campaign; to promotions with Pepsi; to full sponsorship of the ``SuperBowl'' of the young adult demographic -- the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards. At launch on 9-9-99, consumers won't be able to go about everyday life without thinking about or seeing Sega Dreamcast. This kick ass marketing campaign will ensure for a blitz before, during and beyond launch, the likes of which the videogame industry has never seen. The marketing campaign for Sega Dreamcast is aimed to hit the enthusiastic nerve of hard core gamers. Knowing that the die hard gaming community is the heart of their business, Sega is 100% dedicated to this consumer with marketing, events, promotions, but most importantly -- the hardware and games that will get consumers excited about Sega Dreamcast. ``Sega has been in this industry for more than 40 years and the company has deep roots and history with the gaming consumer,'' said Peter Moore, senior vice president of marketing, Sega of America. ``We are committed to this audience and can't wait to show them the face of the 'new Sega' this year through our ads, promotions, events and activities that touch them directly.'' The introduction of Sega Dreamcast will encompass all parts of the target consumer's life through unforgettable advertising, sales promotions, event marketing and retail merchandising. The campaign will focus not only on the emotional, visceral experience one gets from Sega Dreamcast games, but also on the hardware and the ways it is setting the benchmark for videogames. Advertising Created by Foote, Cone and Belding, San Francisco, the first stage of Sega's print ads will have a cryptic feel, focusing solely around Sega Dreamcast's signature swirl logo. Consumers will see the swirl popping up in various natural, organic places, giving them the feeling that something living, breathing and big is coming. These ads will be featured in the gaming publications through June. The cryptic phase will be followed by four other stages of ads for pre-launch, launch, holidays and in Winter 2000 -- a critical software selling period. Sega's television advertising campaign will kick-off in July of this year and run through March 2000. Six innovative television spots are being created by Pacific Data Images, the same company that created images for the movie ``Antz.'' Look for Sega Dreamcast television ads on the WB Network, prime time television, sports-related programming and other stations tying into Sega's key demographic. Worth noting, Sega Dreamcast will have 950 television spots on MTV alone from July through March 2000, buys on ESPN and Monday Night Wrestling. With an impressive media buy, Sega Dreamcast will be everywhere, as consumers watch television come this summer. But the ads don't stop with traditional media. Sega, in a partnership with Pepsi, will sponsor ``Hot Topics'' (advetorials), which focus on cool happenings in movies and pop culture. These two pieces will run before movie trailers from June -- August on more than 11,000 screens across the country. These spots will be tied-in with the new Arnold Schwarzenegger movie trailers and will hit when the highly anticipated ``Star Wars'' and other hit summer movies are running nationwide. 1999 MTV Video Music Awards On 9-9-99, the same day that Sega Dreamcast is launching, Sega will be a full sponsor of the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards show, airing live that evening to an audience of approximately 22 million. Considered the ``SuperBowl'' of the young adult demographic, the MTV Video Music Awards typically play to an audience of young men and women aged 12-24 -- which makes this an ideal marketing marriage between the two companies. Sega will show six advertisements both before and during the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards featuring Sega Dreamcast. The system will also be featured at the awards show post-party. In celebration of the launch, Sega will be conducting local market consumer promotions in which consumers can win trips to the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards. Promotions Key to the marketing program for Sega Dreamcast are promotional opportunities with mass market vehicles. Sega is continuing to line up large-scale consumer promotions which partner Sega Dreamcast with a host of products specifically targeted towards people in the mid-teen to mid-20s market. Product Placement Sega is currently conducting a ``celebrity and sport celebrity seeding'' program for Sega Dreamcast to ensure that ``everybody that's anybody'' has a Sega Dreamcast. In addition, there is also a seeding program already underway that will place Sega Dreamcast on the hottest shows, movies and music events.

Commercial Confirmed... - Zifei 6:48pm CST, 5-12-99

But, I don't think it's a SEGA commercial. It says SAGA at the end [the SAGA starts now] (I think), maybe I need to see it again. But I know I'm going to wack my friend on the head tomorrow...

Pre-E3. - Zifei 3:55pm CST, 5-12-99

Since E3 will start very soon, a lot of the industry journalist have already been let into the building in Los Angles. Here's a shot of the Sega booth. Surprisingly, as of now, Sonic Adventure is not a confirmed game that will make an appearance.

Sega Commercial?! - Zifei 3:37pm CST, 5-12-99

According to my friend, Sega has aired their first Dreamcast commercial yesterday. This is not confirmed, but the commercial starts with the KFC guy, he's later joined by the Pizza Hut guy, then the Toco Bell chiwawa. All the while the Star Wars theme is playing in the background, then they arrive at a theater (?) with the chiwawa saying "Let's do it" (?), and the screen turns black, with the words "the Sega starts now" (or something like that). Strange, can someone confirm this? It could be true because it's right before E3.

SA & Dreamcast In Newspaper! - Jet email 3:35pm CST, 5-12-99

In the L.A. Life section of the Daily News today, there was an article about the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) runing Thursday to Saturday this week at the Los Angles Convention Center. E3 is going to be showing off some soon to be released games and consoles. Among them, Sonic Adventure and Dreamcast. Some quotes from the article: "...the star of this really big show will likely be Dreamcast, the next-generation gaming coscole from Sega." "The Dreamcast - realeased last winter in Japan and debuting here in September - is the fist console to use 128-bit computer chips to generate increasingly realistic graphics." "Sonic Adventure, with Sega's blue hedgehog mascot, is so fluid that it's almost too fast." "After the Saturn's faliure to excite the market, Sega is betting big on the Dreamcast to revive its gaming fortunes, spending an estimated $500 million worldwide to market the machine this year." Not much new except that it's good to see Sega getting the media spotlight. On another note, Nintendo announced their new system today. "Project Dolphin", as it's called is a joint effort by Nintendo, IBM, and Panasonic. For more info, click here. It'll not be out until 2001.

Ken On Tails: TCO. - Zifei 6:59pm CST, 5-11-99

Here's what Ken Penders said about The Chosen One storyline on his messageboard: Because of certain scheduling neccesities, it was decided just before I left for NY for the convention at Madison Square Garden that KNUCKLES: THE CHOSEN ONE would run in KNUCKLES #36 through 38, with RETURN TO ALBION following after that if all is still going well. (This much is certain, things will definitely remain status quo until KNUCKLES #35 and the completion of the SONIC ADVENTURE adaptation. After that, anything can happen as of now.) It seems the storyline has been pushed back due to Sonic Adventure, let's hope Knuckles (the comic) doesn't die by then...

Dulcy On The Late Show! - Zifei 3:21pm CST, 5-11-99

Cree "Elmyra" Summer, voice of Dulcy in the SatAM cartoon, will be on Jay Leno May 12 (tomorrow). Thanks to Nefaria for the info.

More StF To DC. - Neon Chaos email 3:19pm CST, 5-11-99

Hey while I was reading your Sonic the Fighters, I thought to let you know that I have a petition for Sonic the Fighters to be on Dreamcast up on my site.

Sonic #73 Release Date! - Zifei 3:17pm CST, 5-11-99

Archie Comics' Sonic the Hedgehog comic issue #73 will be released in comic stores on 3-26-99.

Sonic On Gameboy... - Ray "SilverFox" email 3:57pm CST, 5-10-99

Is it possible?! Has Sega gone mad? No, of course not, it's only a ROM. And Secrets of Sonic the Hedgehog has the ROM of it for you Sonic Emulation fans.

NA Sonic Adventure... - Zifei 5:57pm CST, 5-9-99

Sorry about the no-update yesterday, I was too busy making the new Sonic HQ...and it was my Mom's birthday (you better be glad your mother's birthday isn't within 1 day of Mother's Day). Anyway, Software Etc. is showing a new Sega promotion video distributed by SoA. In the video is a clip of the North American version of Sonic Adventure. Here's what DC Prophet, someone who saw it said: Pretty much the exact game as the import version but i did notice the helicopter sequence done a bit smoother at a slightly diffent camera angle. Mostly the same game. Sega said they were working on fixing all the problems but most of them were camera problems which didn't seem to show themselves on the video and colision, which didn't happen often to biggin with, also didn't rear it's ugly head...there was still some pop up though. Hope Sega is smart enough to add a few more levels...

Sonic Adventure Glasses! - Zifei 4:17pm CST, 5-7-99

Well, wish us fans living in the states could get some of those Sonic Adventure drinking glasses. Hope they come out here in September...source: Neo Green Hill Zone.

Sonic the Fighters DC? - Zifei 3:21pm CST, 5-7-99

Remember we told you before that the Sonic the Fighter arcade game for the Sega TitanSTV board have a slight chance at a Dreamcast port? Well, according to the latest Famitsu magazine (the real famous games magz in Japan), the Sega AM2 developed Sonic the Fighters have a 10% chance of making to the DC. Email bomb the Sega AM divisions! Everyone!

Three Geeks? - Zifei 3:41pm CST, 5-6-99

In an ultra-slow news week, here's a filler Rich Koslowski, you know, the inker of Sonic? He wrote a book about the comic industry, or at least it seems like it from the quote below: "There's way too much of that stuff," said Rich Koslowski, whose critically lauded Three Geeks series salmons stoically against the industry's downstream. "Three Geeks is an all-ages thing. No blood and guts. No nudity. A lot of people have called us the Seinfeld of comics. That's the best compliment we've gotten." Koslowski, who started his career as a storyboard artist on shows like Sonic the Hedgehog and Double Dragon and went on to work with Archie Comics, has been to so many shows like this around the country that he decided to build a book about the people who attend them. Three Geeks, Koslowski said, "does not make fun of comic book collectors, it has fun with comic book collectors." You advanced comic readers/future comic industryers might want to check it out...whatever it is...like I said, it's a filler.

Ken Leaving Sonic... - Zifei 3:31pm CST, 5-5-99

Ken Penders' back up stories will be stopping very soon, here's what he said: My primary interests are now THE LOST ONES, KNUCKLES and various SONIC SPECIALS, as #79 will be my last Sonic back-up story. As of #80, the book fully becomes Karl's. This could be good or bad. Ken has always said Karl doesn't have all the freedom to write in Sonic, well, now he does, let's see what he can do.

Madison Square CC! - Zifei 3:29pm CST, 5-5-99

Ken Penders will show up at the Madison Square Garden Comic Convention, here's what he said: Just thought I'd let the [fans] know I'll definitely be appearing at the Madison Square Garden Comic Convention taking place this Friday, Saturday and Sunday (May 7 - 9). The hours are Friday noon to 10PM, Saturday 10AM to 8PM and Sunday 10AM to 6PM. (I, on the other hand, will be leaving around 4PM, as I'll be driving back to Buffalo.) I think you should know where Madison Square is...if you don't, contact Ken Penders for more information.

Knuckles #26 Preview! - Zifei 7:21pm CST, 5-3-99

Ken Penders put up some Knuckles #26 previews, click here to view them! The comic will come out in two days as we reported two weeks ago...

E3... - Zifei 7:20pm CST, 5-3-99

Electronic Entertainment Expo is coming up in just 2 weeks from now, Sega will have a big Dreamcast showing at the show. A lot of Dreamcast games will be announced. Sonic Adventure will be showed there in American form. New Sonic games might and should be also announced, so keep it here for the coverage! Starting May 13th.

Sonic Hype! - SonIXcool email 7:00pm CST, 5-3-99

A new Sonic fan comic again, this time, it's called Sonic Hype. Click here for more info. It looks mighty promising!

New Poll! - Zifei 7:00pm CST, 5-3-99

In the last poll, we asked you what kind of Sonic fan do you consider yourself, here's the results after 141 people voted: 1) All out fan (42) 2) Archie (34) 3) Sega Games (30) 4) SatAM (23) 5) Sonic Anime (11) 6) Fleetway (1) I'm surprised only 1 voted for Fleetway! I know there are a bunch of UK people coming here... In the new poll of this week, we ask you "How often do you come here?" And we don't mean Sonic HQ, we mean this page. So start voting!

Sonic Underground In UK! - Iain B. email 6:56pm CST, 5-3-99

Sonic Underground has started in England, on ITV's Diggit (related to Disney!) The cartoon itself is okay apart from the high pitch voices of the three hedgehogs [expect Manic who has a low voice]. The amination also is okay but not excellent, if you ever watched the new versions of Ace Venture, that's the type of animation your going to get from this. One bad thing, THE MUSICAL INTERVALS, I hated it so I muted it on the TV. If I had to rate it, it would get a 7/10 So this is kinda of a shock, Sonic Underground is still not on in Amercia and now it has started in England not on Channel Four but on ITV. It is okay, should have a look at it when it comes on TV over there.