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October 2014 update: Sega Saturn cover



12 page Saturn cover feature written by yours truly, including a two page Q&A with Tom Kalinske about the console's development, its botched American launch and his departure from Sega, plus a spread on essential imports. Also, if you've ever wondered why the Saturn version of Doom is so shit, your answer's in here. Cheers to Sega Retro for permission to use some images for a spread!

Buy it physically here, or buy it digitally here.

Original post follows:

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If you're not familiar with Retro Gamer magazine, it's a UK-based publication which has been covering classic video games since 2004 and is generally pretty awesome. The mag over 100 pages of editorial content per issue, most of which consists of features with an emphasis on developer interviews. Late last year I was lucky enough to become the magazine's staff writer, and I've just hit three months in the job. Anyhow, dear Sonic Retro forumites, I'd like your help!

What I'd like is for you guys to tell me what Sega-related articles you want to see in Retro Gamer. The benefit for me is that I know you guys are an engaged and passionate audience, and the benefit for you is that we're able to secure excellent access to developers thanks to our status as a professional print magazine with an international readership. How about it, guys?

Some guidelines to help make suggestions as useful as possible:

- Popular products are more likely to get bigger features and even cover stories
- The magazine operates a two-generation rule - Dreamcast, PS2, Gamecube and Xbox games are now eligible for coverage but don't feature too regularly yet
- A game or console that has recently featured in the magazine is less likely to be covered
- Low-status systems are less likely to be covered. For Sega, this primarily means the SG-1000, 32X and Pico/Beena
- Japanese developer interviews are prized, but harder to arrange

So, you want to play Valkyria Chronicles III in English? Yeah? Good. The translation project team has released its first version of the patch - it isn't complete, but appears to be rather substantial. You'll need to have a copy of VC3: Extra Edition (E2) to apply the patch, and by all accounts the process is rather finicky. Plus, you'll naturally need a PSP with custom firmware to play it. Still, it's a small price to pay for an accessible version of the game.

Speaking of small prices: if you want to buy a copy of the game to show support for the series, the E2 release is currently discounted to ¥980 on PSN. Apparently this can generate a clean ISO for patching, so is a viable option.

EDIT: Oh look, it's working and everything.

At Summer of Sonic this year, we have interview slots with Jun Senoue and Kazuyuki Hoshino. I know what I'd like to ask them, but this isn't all about me - I figure you've all got your own burning questions. So, gentlefolk of Sonic Retro, lend me your questions!

Beforehand though, let's quickly go over some simple tips that make your questions more likely to be asked:

1/ Respect the interviewees
We can't go in with a bunch of massively hostile questions. Ask why something didn't work out by all means, but leave any [orchestral masterpiece - Ed] jokes for your next stand-up routine.

2/ Keep it simple
Remember that English isn't the first language of either interviewee, so clarity is appreciated. Also, we have limited time slots with each guest, so priority is assigned to the questions that are most interesting for the most people - minute technical details don't fare well in this regard.

3/ Keep it relevant
Before you ask your question, check that it relates to something that the person actually worked on. Also, we've never interviewed Hoshino before but we did get an interview with Senoue at last year's SoS, so check that to make sure you're not covering old ground.

4/ Remember, it's not all about Sonic
These guys have worked on other Sega games too, so feel free to ask questions about those if the mood takes you.

5/ Let me know who your question is for!
It'll be a huge help if you make sure to specify who you're asking, even if you're clarifying that it is both.

With that in mind, please press your mindgrapes to make some fine questionwine. :D

Every so often, I visit Sega Amusements Europe for the purposes of writing an article. Sometimes it's a public event and things are locked down, but other times I get to explore a bit. Since SAE has expanded into repairs (through the Sega Total Solutions brand) and used machine sales, the warehouse section of the building is often stocked with some neat stuff - they keep spares for games going back 20 years, and have some rarely-seen machines. Occasionally, there's even a prototype cabinet or two hanging about. Here's an idea of what the warehouse is like:



And here's one of the cool machines:



Anyhow, I'll be keeping pics of this stuff in a Photobucket album for anyone who is interested, and will update the topic when I get more material. Currently, I have pics of the STS and used machine warehouses, plus a Super Challenge (Sega Rally 3) proto cabinet and a testing rig.

Enjoy!

I highly doubt that the accessory described in this article exists. Why? Well, apart from the very poorly shopped photos and the near-total lack of information about the item online, I find it quite hard to believe that Sega would release a camera based on the N64 cartridge design. Unless anyone can prove that this thing is real, I suggest that the article be binned.