Sonic HQ News - 03/2000

Issue 177. 22 March - 4 April. £1.35.

NIGHT TERRORS!
Script: Nigel Kitching
Art: Richard Elson
Lettering: Ellie De Ville

Sonic quits the gang, blaming himself for the death of Johnny Lightfoot. Meanwhile, Knuckles and Porker find out the hard way that Chaos is still alive.

Knuckles: Carnival Night Conspiracy: Part 6
Script: Nigel Kitching
Art: Richard Elson
Lettering: Steve Potter

If Knuckles can't even get into the Carnival Night Zone, how on Mobius can he protect the people that are walking unwittingly towards their doom?

Tails: Fox on the Run: Part 3
Script: Lew Stringer
Art: Carl Flint
Colouring: Mike Hadley
Lettering: Steve Potter

As they evade danger, Tantrum makes Tails realise how he must sound to Sonic

Sonic the Hedgehog: The Great Escape Part 2
Script: Nigel Kitching
Art: Rob Corana
Colours: Timothy Marx
Lettering: Ellie De'Ville

Sonic, Tails, Johnny, Amy and Porker are on a rescue mission outside the Metropolis Zone. Shame that they've already landed themselves into a 2-parters worth of trouble. :)

As usual, you can expect the full lowdown on Sonic the Comic: Sonic the Electronic Magazine... albeit not from me because for the time being I can't load up to it.

Okay, to be straight and to the point, I recieved a package from Sega Enterprises today. Along with all the Sonic Adventure plushies, I found a letter from Yuji Naka himself. Here's what he had to say:

Hello! I am very sorry for the sudden mail. Please excuse me for this since it is necessary for me to contact you about your web, Sonicteam.com.

First of all, I think I should introduce myself since I am going to ask you if you can do me a favor! I work for Sega Enterprises and I am the producer of many Sonic series. Currently I am working on Phantasy Star Online, Samba de Amigo and other titles that I hope you to enjoy soon.

I have accessed to "Sonicteam.com" today again though it seems that this homepage has been shut down already. As you may understand from my previous mail (Have you recieved my mail? I am afraid that I have been sending to a wrong e-mail address.), I am currently working on our Sonic Team's official homepage website and I would like to use the URL "Sonicteam.com". If you're not going to use this address anymore, I would like you to consider giving us your URL to inform our new updated information and all other fun stuffs to have everybody enjoy.

"Sonic team" is very important name for us, and as you may know my games have sold millions of copies throughout the world, and this name is very closely associated with my project team. If you can hand over your URL "Sonicteam.com". that will be really nice, and I have no intention to harm you. Of course if there's something that I can help with your Sonic Adventure page, I am willing to support this.

Feel free to contact me. I am looking forward to hearing from you!

Many Wishes,
Yuji Naka

Well, not only was I thrilled to hear that SEGA wants my old site, I said YES. I'm ging those who are currently using the site one week to move to my other server, AtlantisCity.net, before I close the account and hand it to Yuji Naka. Anyway, here's the scan of the letter that Yuji sent me.

GameSpot have been able to snag some lovely Phantasy Star Online Pics!

See the artical here. there are 4 pics in all.

"GameSpot News has acquired new screenshots of Phantasy Star Online for the Sega Dreamcast. These willi mmediately excite any Phantasy Star fan who is anticipating this game.
The story begins when a scout team is sent to investigate a mysterious explosion on the planet,
right before their space vessel is scheduled for landing. Phantasy Star fans should not be
worried, since the settings of the game will be strongly based on the original series. Yuji Naka
of Sonic Team has mentioned that the current version of the game can already be played online but that the title is only about 20 to 30 percent complete. Although the development team wishes to release the game this summer, it is more likely that we will be seeing the title around fall of this year.

Phantasy Star Online will be at the Sega booth during the Tokyo Game Show. We'll have full coverage of the game starting next week. But for now, take a look at the new screenshots, courtesy of Japanese gaming publication Famitsu."

From all the "gibberish" I read on Japanese sites, I found that there is going to be some Sonic merchandise at the Tokyo Game Show this spring. The T-shirts are priced at 3,000 yen, which is about $21.50 U.S.

There are also wallets which are about $20.79 U.S. (left) and $12.90 U.S. (right), if my calculator isn't lying to me.

View the page here.

Source: Sega Japan

IGN DC has more info on Sonic Team's newest game, Phantasy Star Online- a fully online RPG. Apparently,the game will be launched this summer simultaneously in Japan, the US and the UK, and get this- Japanese players can go head to head with the English and American! Read the full story here.

Source: IGN.Com

For those few fans out there that have been waiting for my website (Mobotropolis) to reopen, sorry, it won't be. Too much stress and too many complications are screwing the site up big time. Not to metition everyone but me quit. But don't freat, i'll be reformating it into a petition (SATam) and sonic news website soon. So keep checking back at www.mobotropolis.cjb.net. Also check out my club at http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/mobotropolisalley.

Sonic Stuff was not hacked. SoNiN wrote that himself. I know cause I talked to him myself. Well, see ya

Link: tSf

STJR MB: There have been a lot of confusion surrounding the status of the Sonic Stuff website (we will not post the URL due to current offensive material on its main page). Saturday, we thought it was hacked, but then it returned, and someone claimed it was used to get attention! It turns out that might indeed be true, because the current message of the main page now takes a stab at Sonic Foundation webmaster Kedzie K! Who knows what might be next, but keep your eyes peeled for it.

DC Tech Pages: Someone has made a very nice remix of the ChuChu Rocket commercial theme. You need RealPlayer to listen to it here.

Tolwyn.Net: Here's a quick update to JD Harding's announcement to bring back the Sonic Corner: He's going to redesign TSC, and that will begin any day now. We'll tell you when the new site opens.

The JD Harding is going to put back up the Sonic Corner ^_^, for more details check tolwyn.net

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #86

Written by Danny Fingeroth, art by Sam Maxwell and Saleem Crawford.

"Heart of the Hedgehog." Part one of a two-part story. After the Freedom Fighter Special makes a crash landing, Sonic and Tails perform a little reconnaissance and find themselves up against the menace of Metal Sonic.

32 pages, $1.99, ships on June 23.

SONIC SUPER SPECIAL #14

Written by Ken Penders, Jim Spivey and Evan Skolnick; art by Steven Butler, Pam Eklund, Suzanne Paddock and Harvo.

"The Best Of Times, The Worst of Times." Everyone's favoriet red dude with the 'tude, Knuckles, returns in this novel-length epic. The action comes fast and furious as old plotlines are resolved and the stage is set for new Knuckles adventures which will appear regular in the monthly Sonic series. Plus: In another "Zone Wars" feature, Sonic is thrown into the trial of his life by a Mobius of another zone called Litigopolis, where everyone sues everyone else.

Source: Comics Continuum

I just got this in the mail today so expect this soon if you didn't get it yet. Archie is giving all subscribers five different options on your remaining Knux issues:

1) If you don't have a Sonic subscription, you can get a Sonic subscription for the length of the Knux issues they owe you.

2) If you have a Sonic subscription, you can extend it by the number of Knux issues they owe you.

3) You can get back issues of Sonic, Knuckles, SSS, or Nights that equal the number of Knux issues that they owe you.

4) You can subscribe to Archie's comics, such as Archie, Betty, etc.

5) You can get a refund that is the number of issues they owe you times $1.25

Those are the choices.

True Red

Missing an integral Sonic music CD? Ineterested in the Sonic Anime? What about the ORIGINAL Sonic Anime OVA series in japanese? ^_^

CD Japan has added the Sonic Anime OVA's Volumes 1 and 2 in thier original no holds barred raw japanese to thier databases! No more problem of title/serial references or japanese language. You just have to make a search for "Sonic" with all matches... And you will find a

-Sonic the Hedgehog Vol.1 "Animation"...39.67 USD

-Sonic the Hedgehog Vol.2 "Animation"...39.67 USD

+ about 15 $ of Shipping/handling

You simply have to check the basket and Register as Customer...Special thanks to Solly N Hedgy of Dream Avenue for finding this gem! :O) Also on sale for those interested are certain gems like "Best Of Dreams Come True" from the group that helped to make part of the soundtrack of "Nights Into Dreams", (Correct me if I'm wrong), The Sonic Adventure Remix CD, Best Songs From Sonic Team, The Sonic Adventure Vocal Album, and The SA Soundtrack! have fun shopping!

Soource: Sonic Newsgroup

I got this news from Oxygen, who did a search on tvguide.com.

Sonic the Hedgehog: The Movie
60 min.
This high-octane animé adventure based on the popular video game finds the hedgehog and his friends on a quest through the Land of Darkness in order to save Planet Freedom. Directed by Gary Dehan and Kazunori Ikegami.

Rating: NR
Category: Movie, cartoons & animation
Director: Kazunori Ikegami,Gary Deham
Release Year: 1996

It premieres this morning, but it will be played throughout the week.

Sort of off topic, but I was really digging this article. If you're into programming, have thoughts on creating videogames or just have your own opinion on it - this article is for you.

From Gaming Age, author Alax Makar, in response to an oppositely focused article on Newsweek, asks the question "Can Videogames be considered a form of art"? Its very well written and very insightful. I suggest anyone interested in videogaming, creating videogames, or artists in particular read it.

Source: Can Videogames Be Considered As Art?

Chu Chu Kachoo !!! Ladies And Gents - Chu Chu Fever Has Struck!

In todays news we start out with some Sonic Team stuff. Several videogame websites have sent in reviews of the American version of Sonic Team's insane cat and mouse puzzler "Chu Chu Rocket" and it seems to be a bonafide hit! To see who is saying what about it, check out our links below:

Review #1 - Sega X Sega X Review

Review #2 - IGN DC IGN DC Review

Review #3 - Daily Radar IGN DC Review

In other news we get our dance on as what may be a prototype controller for Samba De Amigo has been seen. Here is the news byte from IGN DC:

Samba De Amigo's Japanese release is close at hand, and Sega of Japan has begun the hype machine. Our Japanese correspondent ran into this on the 4th floor of a Japanese Sega arcade:

At first glance, that looks like it may very well be the maracas-style controllers set for use with the Dreamcast version of Samba De Amigo. Actually, this is an unfinished version of the hardware which makes use of the arcade maracas. Still, we expect the Dreamcast version to look nearly identical.

We'll be back with more on the game as its release nears.

This is interesting...

Someone just informed me that Canada's Teletoon is hosting a contest of sorts of all thier shows. What this contest is for is beyond me, but its most likely gauging the popularity of all of thier liscened shows combined including: Cybersix, Johnny Bravo, Ned's Newt, Scooby Doo, Angela Anaconda, Mega Babies, Cow And Chicken, Ren And Stimpy, Archie's Weird Mysteries, Pippi Longstocking, I Am Weasel, Bad Dog, Tom and Jerry Kids, Redwall, Calliou (sp?) and Sonic Underground

Currently the voting is set at Cybersix VS Sonic Underground. It seems SU had won previously but that was mostly due to a technical glitch in thier system. And thanks to the glitch Cybersix now has a lead of 150 votes - compared to Sonic Undergrounds, which I think had something like 40 when I saw it.

At any rate - vote which you think is the better cartoon, Cybersix (whatever that is) or SU, below! ^_^

Source: Teletoon Toonament Of Champions

Well now that I'm set up thanks to my trip home for Spring Break, I can get to posting today's latest editorials! ^_^

For today we have two new ones, a response from Bumper to Ian on his Rotor Rumor editorial and a new one concentrating on views from Archie, from a newcomer to the editorial page - Tariq Bhatti.

The Rotor Rumor: Response To Rebuttal - And lo - the masses cried Rotor! Bumper takes a good look at what Ian said and sets a few facts straight of his own, as he looks at the collaboration of Nate and Rotor and what it actually means for minors to be roboticised VS majors.

Opinions On Archie - So what does the regular joe think about current Archie situations? Submitted by Kamal Bhatti, comes a simple editorial that gives his honest opinion on recent happenings in the comics, what he thinks it needs and what he wants to see. Give it a peek and tell us in two or three paragraphs what you want and whether you agree with him.

Opinions On Archie
The Rotor Rumor - Round Three!

More "Sonic the Comic" previews: this time it's STC 177, entitled "Night Terrors!"

For the previews and more info check out Sonic the Comic: STEM

Edited By WB - March 12, 12:44 AM

Due to two conflicting news posts on prices I decided to check some things out, and it turns out that both posts were right. One from Joey saying that the price was 30 bucks and one from Tristan saying it isnt all the time (below). Both posts are right. It turns out that some places are selling it for 30, and some are not. I went to the mall tonight and found it for 35, then went to another to find it for 30. So obviosly some stores are selling it at conflicting prices and you'll just have to do "comparative shopping" to find the better bargain.

Problem solved. ^___^

This isn't really news, but it's been slow lately anyway. On eBay I'm selling a lot of Sonic comics. They are #1, 2, 3, 3, and 4. There are two #3's because of the original mini-series and the normal series. If anyone is interested, click here.
See ya around!

Break Man

If you are wondering the scores several big-name Sega sites gave ChuChu Rocket, they range from 86% (Sega X) to 95% (Sega Otaku).

Rlan will be AWOL weekdays for the next 2 weeks, so he is saying to send Reviews of games or Demos to Rocket, SSRG Maintainer during that time.

Russell Blakley of the Sonic Saga has posted a new audio show on the official Sonic Saga site, titled Live Wire with Russell Blakley.

Don't be fooled by CCR's MSRP of 30 bucks. In order to make a profit, some big name chains (Babbages/Software Etc.; EB; and so forth) have upped the price to 35 dollars. So be sure to bring enough money to the stores.

And finally, a quick release date to pass on to our European Sonic fans-May 12th is when CCR will be released over there.

Sonic the Comic 176 has a smashing new look. The "Data Zone" gives loads of insight into the heroes - Sonic, Amy, Knuckles, Tails and Tekno; and the villains - Robotnik, Grimer and Chaos. There's also a great poster and lots of other redesigned malarkey.

WHAT PRICE VICTORY?
Script: Nigel Kitching
Art: Richard Elson
Lettering: Ellie De'Ville

Since Sonic broke free from Chaos, his eyes have gained green pupils. But the gang have bigger problems when Chaos returns.

KNUCKLES: Carnival Night Conspiracy - Part 5
Script: Nigel Kitching
Art: Richard Elson
Lettering: Elitta Fell
The Carnival Night Zone is open to the public - but it looks like Knuckles has been defeated.

TAILS: Fox on the Run - Part 2
Script: Lew Stringer
Art: Carl Flint
Colours: Mike Hadley
Lettering: Ellie De'Ville
Tails is trying to guide Tristrum home, but the lava pits are guarded by some nasty badniks.

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG: The Great Escape - Part 1
Script: Nigel Kitching
Art: Rob Corana
Colours: Timothy Marx
Lettering: Ellie De'Ville

Sonic and the Freedom Fighters attack a badnik processing plant, while Doctor Robotnik learns that the people of the Emerald Hill have disappeared (to the Floating Island).

In the next issue, it's Knuckles VS Chaos. Previews, reviews etc. at:

STC:STEM

Ronald Bauerle, owner of the Archie Sonic mailing list, has taken the time to get the chat transcript up for Ken Penders recent chat. For a larger detail of the more important things concerning what went on, see Chainspike's report below. For the full transcript hit the link. Do not put this transcript on your page. You can feel free to link to Rons' transcript, but it woudnt be right to take it and put it up after Ron did all that work just getting it for the mailing list. ^_^

In other news not listed in CS's report:

We would officially like to be the first website to announce that Lara-Le and Wynmacher (Knuckles mother and soon to be stepfather) will be getting married in Sonic Super Special #14!!! And to add to the excitement, Constable Remington will get a girlfriend. Kewlies. ^_^

The Sonic Comics 40% drop in sales was confirmed by Ken Penders as it was reported here by the "Phoney" WB and Sonic Next, but due to lack of distribution more than anything else. (Wal Mart, Comic Book Shops)

This was discussed ON THE LIST and not in the transcript. James Fry did the actual design for Zonic The Zone Cop and not Spaz as some people have thought. Though he takes no responsibility for his coloring. ^_^

People on the list may know this, but some people off may not. Archie gets 100% profit from thier own books, but not on Sonic related ones. They have to pay them for the liscense. So they dont get a full profit even i it is thier biggest selling book.

More major news below in Chainspikes report! ^_^

Source: Ken Penders Chat Transcript

Chu Chu Rocket was released yesterday! I got mine- where's yours?

I was at Ken Penders' chat today and while we wait for the log to be posted up, I'll report the interesting things that were mentioned.

Ken and Spaz are working on a Sonic "manga" that will probably be in SSS#17. this must be the "Super Secret Sonic Super Special" that was mentioned several months ago. I wonder why he called it "manga".

About Spaz, Ken mentions that we don't know how much longer Spaz might be staying with Sonic. He's very busy with Gamefan and other fields of work. I guess it's inevitable... it sounds like Spaz might leave. However, this is not completely confirmed as of now.

Ken mentions a "new cartoon series". This I was surprised at. It's only in the discussing stages now, but the logic is that DiC will need something to produce anyway. There's not much more info on this. He says that it "will be a cross between SatAM and the Archie series. If you had to give it a name: Sonic SatAM Third Season". Others in the chat brought up the letter than Ben Hurst posted about his meeting, and Ken had this to say: "However, no offense to Ben, but he's not critical to the process whereas executives at DiC and Sega are." So I suppose it has more hope than we thought? We'll just have to wonder for now.

Someone asked about a Sonic Anime adaptation, and this was Ken's reply: "No anime adaptation at this time. Sega would just as soon we not acknowledge it. However, I did restore Knuckles' hat for K:20YL. Anime adaptation: For some reason, Sega says we don't have the legal rights to do so. Go figure."

SSS#14: We're going to see the one Guardian that hasn't been shown yet. "The Knuckles story in SSS#14 dwells on the overall family of characters. Spectre and the rest of the Guardians make an appearance I wanted the emotional reaction to be the most intense I could make it." Ken expects it to rip our hearts out. We'll see what's in store.

Bean & Bark: someone asked if these characters would ever show up in the series. The answer is no. There isn't any opportunity to write stories with them, as there are many many characters already. "Sonic the Fighters was never released in this country, and as such, Sega would prefer we not acknowledge it. Sega never supplied us with anything on it."

Sonic #100: "There's a lot of stuff going on behind-the-scenes affecting the production of the book that I just can't talk about at this time. What I can say is that we haven't decided whether SONIC #100 will feature Sonic and Knuckles together, or in separate stories. Part of the problem with that is I'm unsure if I want to use SONIC #100 as the beginning of what I planned for KNUCKLES #50. We're currently lobbying the publishers to at least let us do a Knuckles mini-series.
As for planning a year in advance, because of all the material we had in the pipeline at the time of the cancellation of Knuckles, the publishers have dictated they want us no further ahead in production than two months, three absolute tops. To plan that far ahead right now when a lot of things could change would be counterproductive at this time."

Well, that's all the important stuff for now.

The Sonic Anime (English Dubbed Verson) is going to be on the STARZ cable channel and no I won't tape it for you... wait that's not the point of this...

STARZ, Mon Mar 13 9:10AM
STARZ, Thu Mar 16 5:20AM
STARZ, Sun Mar 19 10:00AM
STARZ, Mon Mar 20 4:15AM

We got this e-mail today from someone in Singapore:

From Fred: I come all the way from Singapore, and rewcently my cable provider gave us 19 days of free Disney Channel, and on the Disney Channel WAS THAT GREAT SONIC THE HEDGEHOG CARTOON! So, in way your petition seemed to succeed...maybe in Asia! Weird, but it's better than nothing.

Not much more to add. Be excited, be very excited - it's Sonic the Comic 176 and the title is apparently "What Price Victory?" Cool or what?

Source: STC STEM

So you think you can cheat on the poll and get away with it huh? >;O)

Well several people brought it to my attention that things were looking rather inflated on two of the polls, so I did some checking and discovered that in my infinite wisdom - I forgot to turn the IP and Cookie Checker on for the polls :P

At any rate - The polls have been changed to reflect the TRUE stats of it and the Sally and Amy one rebooted entirely for the simple fact that it had been inflated so much I couldnt even FIND the true stats anymore. :P Whoever was in the lead is STILL in the lead for the Devils Advocate Poll (Reflective of that answers original stats w/o inflation) but at least now its fair. If you've already voted then vote again, but this time you can't vote a second time. >:O)

All polls close on March 18, 2000 at Midnight

***Wiggles finger at SegaSonic fans*** Shame Shame Shame! ^___^

It's a promo for Dreamcast and the poster itself is really huge. 37" X 49"!! The picture is to big to desplay here so you'll have to go here to view it. It's really a nice item!

Two submitted editorials in one day? I don't even remember the last time that happened...Well now it seems my little editorial question has started something, now hasn't it. ^_^

In response to Bumper's editorial on the rumors floating around of Rotor's robotization, which you can read below, Sonic fan Ian The Potto makes a rebuttal/response and takes a look at something that wasnt previously brought up before - the prospect of a small little scientist, named Nate Morgan. What role will he play? Click to source code see what Ian thinks.

And as an added note, if this really is a good topic, as it seems to be, I'd like to hear from more of you all on it as well as the one mentioned in the Editorial Challenge. After all, thats what this is for. Send me some more editorials folks so I can get rebutalls and responses up. We've got a while before the next poll change. What are you waiting for! Get to it! ^__^

Source: Rotor's Robotization - Round Two!!!

Here's something to start your day off nice - A new Sonic font has been found!

This font is based off of the logo of Sonic and Knuckles and while the lowecase only works in the font I can only assume that its an "unfinished" version and was still in the making.

I have no idea who to credit for this, so if you are that person send me an email and tell me where I may have gotten it from as proof and I'll put your name up as a credit. Click the link below to download the "Sonic Title Font" and as an added bonus, the Sonic 3 font "Andes" for those that don't already have it....

Font #1: "Sonic Title Font"
Font #2: "Andes - Sonic 3 Font

A new editorial is here ! Today, Sonic fan Trevor "Bumper" Lake takes a look at the situation surrounding the rumor concerning Rotor's robotization. And he won't exactly be happy with the creatives types at Archie if it happens to be true...

This editorial comes in part of our "Editorial Challenge" for this month. The current question in part with our polls asks:

What do YOU think the Archie comics needs. If Rotor is roboticised will you read the comics anymore? For that matter, do you think another love triangle between Sonic and Sally and Amy would work? What are your opinions?

Send in your opinions on this or anything in general and we'll put it up ASAP! Later guys! You can check out Bumpers editorial response on the link below:

Source: Rotors Robotization ?!?

The Sonic SatAM files! How ever did you guess? ^_^

Here are a few miscellaneous notes and quips just to finish things off:

Sonic SatAM Files - Well I recently talked to Fishboy concerning the Sonic SatAM files and I found out the problem again, as many of you have pointed out - Action XTreme is gone. O.o So this time I'm gonna have to try and store them on this server and figure out once and for all why theyre not working on ours. I should know something by late today or tomorrow.

WB's Email - Vector pointed out to me last night that lately everyones been saying that they've had a heck of a time trying to get in contact with me. Well it seems that Hotmail has been bouncing certain messages from my personal account and I think I know why. So if you emailed me personally and I never responded within the last month (perhaps the last two) nine times out of ten it didn't get through. The same goes for my Outlook Express mail. I checked it last night and was flooded with over 50 messages...Something on my email accounts isnt working right and I'm working on getting a new email adress and cleaning out the Hotmail one to see if that will help, but until now please send any email directed to me concerning Sonic HQ through my Sonic HQ account at Kontek until I can give word otherwise. At least I can rely on it not bouncing messages back. Sorry about the confusion folks!

Okay, I think it's pretty obvious after what Ben Hurst said that that report below is a fake and not by WB. The IPs are completely different as well and if I'm wrong, may my email be engulfed in flames.

Nice try WB Wannabe, but we are not as stupid as you.

Inserted WB note here - Thank you Sonique !!!

This is WB from inside our internal CGI editor

Its true - the post below is a fake, so please ignore it. The real SatAM news was posted by Chainspike much further below. However we will leave this news up as proof of harassment considering that this person ISP will be contacted shortly now that we have his IP number. Thanks Sonique and thank you Mr. Mystery Poster. You truly are a big idiot. ^__^

We've been waiting for this for an AGE, and finally we can tell you that it's true - SatAM, after five years off the air, has been brought back for a third season! The new season will be shown on weekdays towards the end of this year. However if that's too far away, perhaps the prospect of the ENTIRE first two seasons of SatAM beings repeated on our screens this coming June may satisfy you!

At present, I'm afraid there's no information concerning which channel it will be airing on, or anything else about it actually, but that's great news for us SatAM fans, as we've finally got what we wanted...

Source: Ron's Mailing List

This "Sonic Party" News comes from the Dreamcast Magazine's website.

Sega of America let slip this exclusive shot of its forthcoming Mario-party style Sonic game, Sonic Party. According to sources from within SOA, the game will feature a more adult Sonic, who 'boozes, schmoozes and cruises' his way through the game, which it described as a new genre, the 'party sim'. Our sources also report that during this latest outing, Sonic kicks ten balls of fur out of Tails ('he was looking at me'), fails numerous times to get Amy's phone number, and tells Big the Cat that Sega plans to get him 'fixed' along with the office kitten next week, before throwing up on Doctor Robotnik and slurring the phrase 'you'd all be nothing without me. Nothing! Do you hear me? NO-THING!'. He then jumps into his Porsche and promptly wraps it around the nearest lamppost. And that's just the intro. Expect a Spring Break release.

Hmm, seems....different. My guess is they're lying. ^__^

Source: "www.dreamcastmagazine.com"

Hello all.

Lately we have had two attacks on this newsboard by a person using the public poster to basically mar the names of myself and Zifei. Once when I was away getting my wisdom tooth taken care of and once yesterday. We have an idea of who it is, but basically this person is just a no life BS troll and we have effectively handled the situation.

As a second note, I'd like to say that we knew the risks of putting a public posting CGI on our newsboard and thankfully no has ever abused it but this one person. We put the Public news CGI up so that Sonic fans in general can come in and feel free to add an update or two if they had things of interest to the Sonic community. Sort of a bulletin announcer of sorts since we can't keep up with EVERY happening in Sonic fandom. Since this is a one person doing, we will not do this, but if it ever gets to the point where people abuse this benefit, we will take it down. Remember - we put it up for you all to use to your advantage.

And lastly to the cowardly immature troll who is doing this. I fully invite you to post again. Try it since you think we (Sonic HQ and Sonic Next) are stupid enough not to know who you are. You'll be in for a very nice surprise if you wanna risk it in the future. And that is that.

If you find any posts here on the board that look out of the ordinary, please report them on the Mobius Forum or send email to me or Vector immediately.

Sorry about this brief interlude, but it was something I needed to get straight about the news page in general. Now - for those that don't act nasty (99% of you) I'd like to say thank you. Its people like you that make doing this page worthwhile. Lets get on with the real news - shall we?

Guess who's updated todays polls! In todays area we have 3 new ones mainly focusing on Archie and SegaSonic. PLUS we're issuing an editorial challenge as well. More details afterwards.

Devils Advocate Poll - Lately most tend to agree the Archie comic needs to have a shot in the arm. Playing Devils' Advocate - Out of these scenarios, What would you MOST LIKELY want to see happen in the Archie Comics. The higher the number of answers to a scenario, the more you wanna see it, the lower the number, the less you will want to. We urge you to add comments on this one!

Sonic Love Poll - No biggie here. 2 names - 1 hedgehog: Sally Acorn and Amy Rose. Who deserves Sonic more? Who would Sonic go for more? This is your time to choose!

Who Will Die... - Lets get morbid !! Rumors move quickly. Lately - Out of all these characters, its rumored that one of the Freedom Fighters may be roboticised or die in the distant future near Sonic #100 or as early as the late 80's, early 90's...Instead of asking who you think it is, we ask who you want it to be. Make a choice and then respond to the editorial challenge below.

For this Month's Editorial Challenge: We ask the question, what do YOU think the Archie comics needs. If Rotor is roboticised will you read the comics anymore? For that matter, do you think another love triangle between Sonic and Sally and Amy would work? What are your opinions? Later guys. And we'll be posting results and editorials halfway into the month. ^_^

Here's something to tickle your fancy. ^_^

The official Sega Dreamcast magazine has launched its website. Hip hip hooray. Located on it will be information about the issues, news, reviews, previews and all that jazz. :O)

Source: Official DC Mag

Guess who's chatroom meeting exploded again? ^___^

When asked whether there will be another chat meeting (#3) Mr. Penders had this to say:

Bob and I are currently working with the ISP in order to correct this problem, now that we've learned the problem is on THEIR end. As soon as the matter is resolved, the online chat WILL be rescheduled. Stay tuned.

Hopefully in the near future, third time will be the charm.

Source: Ken Penders' Mesageboard

Westfields released the large color version of Sonic 85. Coolness.

Now that we can decipher the cover from its black and white phase, it seems Spaz has made it a riff of Marvel VS Capcom. ^_^ Interesting take though. While the previews state that its Silver Sonic, it looks like Archie had a change of heart and retitled him Mecha Sonic Mach 3 before release. Mach 1 being issue #25, Mach 2 being Sonic himself in the "Mecha Madness" arc, and Mach 3 being after the SA adaption. It maakes more sense this way - but whats with all the Machs lately?

Spoilers are in the previous post below for those who missed it. Click the cover to see the larger version of the thumbnail.