Sega’s partnership with acclaimed Japanese publisher Platinum Studios is paying early dividends. Two of the three titles announced in May were shown behind closed doors at E3. And they both stood out from the crowd.

MadWorld is a black and white game that serves as a palette for the crimson red that fills the screen. This Mature-rated Wii exclusive uses the Remote and Nunchuk to literally slice and dice through opponents with street signs, chainsaws and assorted weapons. Or the protagonist, Jack, can simply impale enemies on spikes or toss them in front of speeding subway trains or assorted environmental hazards that populate this richly detailed world. The premise of a deadly game show, “Death Watch,” which pits Jack against other contestants in a life or death broadcast is like The Running Man on an acid trip. The game show format also allows a pair of humorous commentators to provide tongue-in-cheek play-by-play of the brutality.

“The objective is to kill opponents as creatively as possible to earn more points, which can be used to purchase new weapons and mini-games,” said Mitsue Nakagaki, product marketing manager, Sega of America, who added that the game ships in March 2009.



Bayonetta introduces a witch who’s armed with four guns—the standard two-handed weapons and an additional pair of guns attached to her ankles. This additional firepower is put to good use in this third-person perspective action game, which throws wave after wave of enemies on screen. But guns are just the tip of this sexy witch’s arsenal. In a videogame first, her hair can be used as a weapon. The gory demo featured Bayonetta’s long black locks transforming into a huge black dragon (the result of reaching into an unexplained portal) and eating a hulking troll-like boss with a few gulps. Other special abilities include an Iron Maiden that enemies can be thrown into. No details on the story or the aforementioned portal were given in this short demo, but this game definitely left audiences wanting more. It ships for next gen consoles in 2009.

Next February, Obsidian Entertainment’s Alpha Protocol will introduce modern day espionage to Xbox 360, PS3 and PC gamers. With a mixture of Mission: Impossible gadgets and real-world locales like Moscow and Saudi Arabia, players control Mike Thorton. He’s a spy, but what alliances he makes dictate the story line. The Moscow level demo featured different scenarios, including Thorton working with the Marines, working against them, or having both the US military and the opposing G22 organization working against you.



“We give players a lot of choices, whether it’s going in guns blazing or using stealth, or through their interaction with characters in the game,” said Alvin Cary Nelson, assistant producer, Obsidian Entertainment. “The story reacts to your every move.”

Sega’s also the latest publisher to bring real-time strategy gaming to consoles with Storm Rising. The next generation game is in development at Creative Assembly Australia, where the focus has been on streamlining gameplay for a console controller. Just about every action in this sci-fi game can be performed by using only two buttons and the analog sticks. A simple flick of the stick propels the close-in camera, which shows the action from just behind unit level, from one end of a cratered cityscape to the other.

“Most RTS games are 3D experiences with a 2D view, we built this game as a truly 3D experience,” said Ken Turner, project director, Creative Assembly. “The AI has been designed to act on its own, whether engaging the enemy or retreating, which allows those new to the RTS genre a fun experience.”

The game, which also will ship for PC next year, retains the deep gameplay that Creative Assembly has provided in all of its RTS games. Across the booth, a separate Creative Assembly team showcased Empire: Total War, the latest PC game in the best-selling franchise. This time around, the action takes place during the Revolutionary war. The game offers intense strategic naval battles on the high seas aboard brilliantly detailed ships, as well as land-based encounters featuring 10,000 troops on a battlefield. These skirmishes also feature horse-drawn artillery.

Sega also had Sonic Unleashed on display, which looks to return the storied franchise to its roots with vibrant next gen visuals and plenty of speed. The game is shipping across all platforms this fall.



by John Gaudiosi