We’re excited to announce that Takashi Iizuka, leader of Sonic Team, will once again be our guest at Sonic Boom. Iizuka-san joined us for our first Sonic Boom event last year, and we’re thrilled that he’ll be joining us again. Iizuka-san will be one of our judges for the costume contest, and we’ve still got more surprises in store.
Having been involved with the Sonic the Hedgehog series since Sonic 3 on the Sega Mega Drive, Iizuka-san certainly knows what makes the blue blur tick. He has most recently produced a string of successful titles consisting of Sonic Colors, Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I, Sonic Generations, and Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II.

Iizuka-san will also be at Summer of Sonic this year.

Crush 40 will be playing live at both Summer of Sonic and Sonic Boom events, and special guests Jean Paul and Alex Makhlouf from Cash Cash will also playing live at Sonic Boom. Get ready to rock out to your favorite Sonic song with your fellow fans!

Sonic Boom 2012 will be held on Friday, July 13^th, 2012 from 5:00 PM until 10:00 PM at the House of Blues in San Diego, CA (during San Diego Comic Con). Tickets are $20 each ($15 for the ticket and $5 for the TicketMaster fee) and include 2 drink tickets (for those 21 or older) and free food. You do not need a Comic Con badge to get into Sonic Boom. You must have a ticket to get in. Tickets are going quickly, so get yours today! You can purchase your tickets at http://bit.ly/IM9OoT

Summer of Sonic 2012 will take place in the Hove Centre, at Hove Town Hall, Brighton on Saturday, July 7^th 2012.  Tickets are available from the Summer of Sonic website: www.summerofsonic.com/

A fine vintage, indeed: some great classics and collections are now on their way to both Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network! This selection includes both some all-time favorites as well as a few that have been very hard (or impossible) to come by.

All PSN games will be available individually. XBLA games will be available in several package deals grouped by title. Here’s a breakdown of what you get:

PlayStation Network

Release Date: May 22nd ($4.99 each)

Wonder Boy in Monster Land (Arcade)
Wonder Boy in Monster World (Mega Drive)
Monster World IV (Genesis/Mega Drive)
Super Hang-On (Arcade)
Revenge of Shinobi (Genesis/Mega Drive)
Alex Kidd in Miracle World (Master System)

Xbox Live Arcade

Release Date: 5/23

Monster World Collection (800 MSP)
Wonder Boy in Monster Land (Arcade)
Wonder Boy in Monster World (Genesis/Mega Drive)
Monster World IV (Genesis/Mega Drive)

Alex Kidd & Co. Collection (800 MSP)
Super Hang-On (Arcade)
The Revenge of Shinobi (Genesis/Mega Drive)
Alex Kidd in Miracle World (Master System)

Release Date: 5/30

Golden Axe Collection (800 MSP)
Golden Axe (Arcade)
Golden Axe 2 (Genesis/Mega Drive)
Golden Axe 3 (Genesis/Mega Drive)

Streets of Rage Collection (800 MSP)
Streets of Rage (Genesis/Mega Drive)
Streets of Rage 2 (Genesis/Mega Drive)
Streets of Rage 3 (Genesis/Mega Drive)

If you missed our write-up of some of these titles for the Nintendo Virtual Console, you can check them out here. Here’s some quick notes on what’s available:

•  Golden Axe III was originally available only in Japan and on the SEGA Channel in North America (and never in Europe)! The final entry to the Golden Axe series on console expanded on the gameplay of the previous two, offering a wider variety of moves including blocks, sweeping attacks, unique character moves, and offensive & defensive special attacks.
• Monster World IV has never been released outside of Japan — the game is notable for being one of the first to feature a female protagonist.
• Super Hang-On is the arcade version — while we sadly cannot bring you the actual arcade motorcycle via digital download, we do recommend players rock back and forth on their couch as they play in order to simulate maximum arcade-style value.
• Golden Axe was terrific on all versions — even the Master System had great graphics, if a questionable frame-rate. But the Arcade version is included for a reason, and that reason is the ending — if you’ve never achieved it on your own, you owe it to yourself, as it was one of the great payoffs of the era.
• Lastly, Alex Kidd in Miracle World is representing the Master System: more than almost any other, this game gives an idea of the quirky, experimental, hybrid of adventure/action gaming that SEGA helped pioneer during the heyday of the home console.

Hail, Knights!

SEGA and Three Rings are pleased to announce that we have hit a major milestone for Spiral Knights: today the game saw the creation of its three millionth account!

In celebration, and of course to thank all of you wonderful players for traveling this journey with us, all elevators will have no energy cost from now to Saturday, May 19 at 2pm PST.

To have seen this game grow from an infant Knight in its earliest alpha stage to a cool one million — and now to hit three million (and growing) accounts just a year after release, is definitely special. Seeing the game grow and change along the way is the best part — of course, there’s no need to rest on our spiral laurels, as it were, so here’s a sneak peak of what’s on the way:

• More Missions, More Levels

Ever deeper into the Clockworks — new levels are on the way. And if it’s a challenge you want, then it is a challenge you will get — the new “Danger Missions” will offer enhanced challenge for those who think they’re tough enough.

• More Combat Options!

Much secrecy around this so far — but expect it to be unveiled in stages. The end goal is to make combat more dynamic and strategic — and possibly more explosive – and therefore, more fun! Stay tuned …

• More Accessible DLC!

Operation Crimson Hammer will eventually be giftable to all players. Making sure this works properly can be tricky so please give it a bit of time — but it’s on the way!

• Expanded Guild Features!

If there’s one thing Knights do naturally, it’s band together for common purposes. Well, we want to reward your camaraderie — Spiral Knights is looking to expand existing guild features and introduce new ones, giving you ever-more ways to compete in groups.

Thanks everyone for continuing to help make Spiral Knights a success … we couldn’t have done it without you, and we’re looking forward to what the future brings for the Clockworks …!

Calling all cosplayers! We had some amazingly dressed fans at last year’s Sonic Boom, and this year’s will be no different. We’re looking for your best Sonic or SEGA-inspired costume, so come dressed to impress! Anyone at Sonic Boom can enter the contest, and a winner will be chosen by our special SEGA guests, including Jun Senoue from Crush 40, and Steve Lycett (S0L) from Sumo Digital.

Crush 40 will be playing live at both Summer of Sonic and Sonic Boom events, and special guests Jean Paul and Alex Makhlouf from Cash Cash will also playing live at Sonic Boom. Get ready to rock out to your favorite Sonic song with your fellow fans!

Sonic Boom 2012 will be held on Friday, July 13^th, 2012 from 5:00 PM until 10:00 PM at the House of Blues in San Diego, CA (during San Diego Comic Con). Tickets are $20 each ($15 for the ticket and $5 for the TicketMaster fee) and include 2 drink tickets (for those 21 or older) and free food. You do not need a Comic Con badge to get into Sonic Boom. You must have a ticket to get in. Tickets are going quickly, so get yours today! You can purchase your tickets at http://bit.ly/IM9OoT

Summer of Sonic 2012 will take place in the Hove Centre, at Hove Town Hall, Brighton on Saturday, July 7^th 2012.  Tickets are available from the Summer of Sonic website: www.summerofsonic.com/

Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode II begins rolling out today! This new entry in the Sonic 4 storyline has the iconic blue hedgehog taking on two legendary rivals with the help of one of his oldest friends, Miles “Tails” Prower. Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode II is available today on the PlayStation Network and Steam for $14.99/€12.99/£9.99/AUD$18.25. It will be available tomorrow on Xbox LIVE Arcade for 1200 points, as well as NVidia Tegra 3 powered devices on Android for $6.99/ AUD$7.49/€5.49/ £4.99. On 17^th May, it will be available for iPhone and iPad on the iTunes App Store for $6.99/ AUD$7.49/€5.49/ £4.99.

“Sonic 4 Episode II is very special because we’ve integrated community feedback into the game.” said Haruki Satomi, Senior Vice President of Digital Business at SEGA of America. “We have some of the most loyal and dedicated fans and I hope they enjoy this next chapter in the Sonic 4 saga.”

Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode II also offers players who have purchased Sonic the Hedgehog™ 4 Episode I the exclusive chance to experience Episode Metal, a special unlockable story available to anyone who owns both titles on the same platform. Lead one of our hero’s greatest foes, Metal Sonic, across four reworked Acts from Episode I to learn more about how he survived the events at the end of Sonic CD.

Sonic 4 Episode II and Episode Metal will also be coming to all other Android Device systems this June, and Windows Mobile Phones by this July. For more information about the game, visit http://www.sonicthehedgehog4.com/.

The True Blue Initiative, Episode II

When Episode I launched, we wanted to pay a special thank-you tribute to everyone who purchased multiple copies of the game. We called it the True Blue Initiative, and it’s back for Episode II!

Anyone who picks up two or more versions of the game will be included in a special video, featuring me and Ken Balough, to be posted on the SEGA America YouTube channel, the SEGA Blog, The SEGA forums, the Sonic Facebook, and the SEGA Twitter. This will be a sort of MVP list that will document all of the fans out there who went above and beyond to help support the game. (Rumor has it that interested parties may also request that Ken present his thank you in Spanish, and he will actually do so. Es loco!)

Those fans who have the determination to grab four versions of the game will also be in the video, but as a special bonus thank you, will also receive a mini-poster featuring artwork from Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode II that is signed by the Sonic 4 team at SEGA of America. Pretty awesome!

Here are the details:

• There are 5 platforms eligible for this – XBLA, PSN, PC, iOS, and Android.
• You must submit a screenshot of your purchase receipt of the 2 or 4 versions. You can private message them to me on the SEGA forums or submit them by email to communityteam@sega.com with the subject line “True Blue Initiative”. (JPGs are our preferred image type.)
• Please include the name you’d like us to mention in the video (and a pronunciation guide to your name, if you think that would help us).
• If you are submitting receipts for 4 games, please also send us your full name, mailing address, telephone number (required for shipment), and the name you’d like us to personalize your mini-poster with when we sign it.
• You have until 10:00 AM Pacific Time on Friday, June 15th to submit your receipts.
• For XBLA, you need to show us your purchase history that contains Episode II. Instructions for accessing your purchase history are below. Screenshots or photos of this are acceptable.

  If you want to see a history of items that you’ve purchased, go to Purchase History and sign in with your Windows Live ID (email address and password).

  You can also view your Xbox LIVE purchase history on your console. Here’s how:

  1. On your console, sign in using your Xbox LIVE gamertag.
  2. Go to Settings, and then select Account.
  3. Select Download History.
  4. The items that you’ve downloaded are shown.

The wait is over! Go play some Sonic 4 Episode II, and thanks for being True Blue fans!

One of the Sonic questions we’re asked most often is about purchasing soundtracks — where, when, how. Well for all fans of Sonic music, we’ve got good news for you! The following soundtracks are now available for purchase on iTunes, and the music of Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episodes I and II are coming soon!

Sonic Adventure Original Soundtrack – 20th Anniversary Edition

Sonic Adventure 2 Original Soundtrack – 20th Anniversary Edition

Sonic Heroes Original Soundtrack – 20th Anniversary Edition

Sonic CD Original Soundtrack – 20th Anniversary Edition

Super Sonic Songs (The Best of Crush 40)

The Works

Sonic Colors Original Soundtrack – ViViD SOUND × HYBRiD COLORS Vol. 1

Sonic Colors Original Soundtrack –   ViViD SOUND × HYBRiD COLORS Vol. 2

Sonic Colors Original Soundtrack – ViViD SOUND x HYBRiD COLORS Vol. 3

Earlier this week, we showed you concept art and screenshots from Dragon Canyon, a level in Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed inspired by Panzer Dragoon. Today, we’ve got more concept art and screenshots — this time, from Temple Trouble, a track inspired by Super  Monkey Ball.

Super Monkey Ball first appeared in 2001, and has been a fan favorite ever since. The technicolor extravaganza of this level is inspired by the graphical and level design of the Super Monkey Ball titles. The checkerboard tracks wind above the infamous bottomless pits of the Monkey Ball series as the precariously balanced participants race in a battle to the finish line. The multiple colors of the checkers warn of dangerous routes, which add to the tactical nature of this more advanced track. Watch out for the monkey balls trying to stop you in your tracks, also taking inspiration from the characters in the game!

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed will speed on to the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo 3DS, and PC Digital Download late in 2012.

Don’t forget to enter your art into our contest! We need graffiti-style art to go into the Jet Set Radio level of the game. Get all the details and read the official rules, and then get started! The deadline for the contest is May 22nd for the US & Canada, and May 31st for the UK.

On the Block

1. Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing RC Car & Track Set – Get this awesome 8 foot track along with Sonic and Knuckles remote control racing cars.

2. Controller Hoodie – We’re running out, so get them while you can! This one is a size Large.

3. Doctor Who Sonic Screwdriver (11th Doctor) – For all your time traveling needs.

How it Works

1. You must be following us on Twitter to be eligible. (If you don’t have a Twitter account, you can create one by going to http://www.twitter.com and click the green “get started — join!” button in the center of the page.)

2. At random times on Friday, we will announce the prize we are giving away, a word or phrase, and what number of response you need to be to win. Send us a direct message (DM) via Twitter and be that number to win the prize. (@ replies do not count as entries!) We only accept one direct message per person per prize!

Example:

We tweet “GIVEAWAY: Sonic T-shirt, size L. Be the 15th person to DM “Sonic Adventure” to win!”

You see this, and want to win it, so you send us a direct message that says “Sonic Adventure”. If you are the 15th person to do so, you are the winner!

Quotation marks do not matter, capitalization does not matter, but spelling does matter!

3. All followers are eligible to win all prizes, unless a restriction is noted. Restrictions are usually due to the prize being region-locked. For example, US games that won’t work on UK gaming systems. There may also be age restrictions due to the rating of the game.

4. We will announce the winner on our Twitter feed once eligibility is confirmed.

Other Assorted Information:

• Free Stuff Friday duties alternate between the London and San Francisco offices and are done during business hours (usually mid-morning) in our respective time zones.
• No, you can’t know what number message you were – so please don’t ask! We will tell you that the information is classified!
• If you have questions during the giveaway, please contact us with an @reply. As you can imagine, we get a whole lot of direct messages during the contests and there  is a very good chance we will miss your question if it is sent as a DM.

How to Send Direct Messages on Twitter

Due to a change in our account status with Twitter, you should be able to send us direct messages without us following you. However, third-party applications may not allow you to.

There are a few ways to send us a Direct Message on Twitter. The easiest way is:

1. Log in to your Twitter account.
2. Click on the person icon and select Direct messages from the drop down menu.
3. You’ll see a pop up showing your Direct message history. Click the New message button, highlighted below.
4. In the address box, type the name or username (SEGA) of the person you wish to send a message to.
5. Enter your message and click Send message.

You may also select the “direct messages” tab from your Twitter homepage, and select SEGA from the drop-down menu at the top of the page. Again, if you don’t see our name there, it’s probably because we’re not following you. Let us know, and we’ll follow you. If you still have questions on sending direct messages, please visit Twitter’s Help Section.

There are also many Twitter clients that you can use instead of using the website. These include TweetDeck, Twitteriffic, Tweetie, and Twhirl. Each of these programs works differently, so you’ll want to figure out how to send a direct message on the program you use. If you want to send us a test message, we’ll let you know if we received it or not. Please make sure your message says “test” somewhere.

New Starting Experience for New Knights

The Crash Site, Rescue Camp and Rescue Camp Missions have been revamped!

New players will now meet their pal Rhendon and join him as they save the Rescue Camp from the monsters that lurk in the dark and the evil gremlin schemer, Razwog.

This new experience is a taste of what’s to come in the Spiral Knights story. Stay tuned!

Additional Notes

A number of changes have been made including increased damage output for all bombs, increased damage area for some bombs, and increased damage on a number of swords.

For full information and a list of all modified items, and a list of bug fixes, please check the official patch notes here!

Finally, a few quick notes on other changes – some neat adjustments by our artists to help create a more immersive look & feel for the game:

• Many levels now have beautiful new lighting, effects, backgrounds, etc.
• Tier 1 levels now convey the proximity to Cradle’s surface while deeper levels lose sunlight and become darker.
• Crown and heat payouts have received further balancing, most notably in the Royal Jelly Palace.
• Battle Arena-style mission levels have received an overhaul and now feature new rooms and a slick new presentation.

The summer Sonic events, Summer of Sonic and Sonic Boom 2012, are just 2 months away! There’s lots of great stuff planned for all the Sonic fans who will be hanging out with us in Brighton, UK and San Diego, USA. Last year, you got to play Sonic Generations for the first time and this year is no different – attendees will be the first fans to get some hands-on time with Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, which we just announced last week.

We’re also very excited to announce that Steve Lycett from SUMO Digital (known as S0L in many Sonic forums, including our own SEGA forums), Executive Producer on Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, will be appearing at both Summer of Sonic and Sonic Boom 2012! Many Sonic fans have interacted with him online for a while, and this will be your chance to see him in person.

Crush 40 will be playing live at both events, and special guests Jean Paul and Alex Makhlouf from Cash Cash will also playing live at Sonic Boom. Get ready to rock out to your favorite Sonic song with your fellow fans!

We’ve got lots more surprises in store for this year’s Sonic events… and we’re not ready to let them all out of the bag just yet. Stay tuned for more announcements in the coming months!

Sonic Boom 2012 will be held on Friday, July 13^th, 2012 from 5:00 PM until 10:00 PM at the House of Blues in San Diego, CA (during San Diego Comic Con). Tickets are $20 each ($15 for the ticket and $5 for the TicketMaster fee) and include 2 drink tickets (for those 21 or older) and free food. You do not need a Comic Con badge to get into Sonic Boom. You must have a ticket to get in. Tickets are going quickly, so get yours today! You can purchase your tickets at http://bit.ly/IM9OoT

Summer of Sonic 2012 will take place in the Hove Centre, at Hove Town Hall, Brighton on Saturday, July 7^th 2012.  Tickets are available from the Summer of Sonic website: www.summerofsonic.com/