Games

[icycalm]

Famitsu's AOU 2009 preview also unveils Sega's successor (my guess) to Virtual On:

Source: http://www.kobayan.jp/

[Tain]

Holy shit. I freaked out a little reading that brief remark, and I don't think I've reacted to an announcement like that in years.

Does the article say that AM2 is developing it? Weird if true, but I'm not exactly up to date on Sega's internal structure or what ex-Hitmaker guys are up to.

I also wonder how much play VO Force gets these days.

[icycalm]

One thing it definitely says is that the network feature will be connected nationwide, as in Initial D Arcade Stage 4 and Senjou no Kizuna. Were any of the VO games networked nationwide? I don't think so. So if this is a successor to those, that's going to be its major feature.

Also: It will probably be on Lindbergh! Yummy!

[Recap]

Yeah, says AM2 is developing.

[icycalm]

It also mentions (in the little white inset) 10 vs. 10 battles, lol. It will be handled by ALL.Net, which also handles IDAS4, Quest of D and other games:

http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/ALL.Net

[Cacophanus]

This is AM2 though and VO has always been handled by AM3 (aka Hitmaker).

Still, it's a new arcade versus mecha game so count me happy :D

[burnsro]

Maruyama begins talking about a network shooter idea that has gained support. He can't reveal the title since it's being released not by G.rev but "a famous publisher, using a legendary franchise."

http://insomnia.ac/archive/magazines/edge/195/53.jpg

[icycalm]

The problem is that Border Break is not a legendary franchise... Even if it is a successor to Virtual On, it wouldn't make sense not using the legendary franchise's name in some way, would it?

[icycalm]

Ok, yeah, given G.rev's work on Senko no Ronde, which demonstrates that they must be big fans of Virtual On, this game must be the one that Maruyama was referring to. Strange, though, because if so it will be their first true 3D game. I guess they may be just providing some sort of support to AM2. Also:

At the same time, G.rev may be forced into new genres in order to survive. Maruyama begins talking about a network shooter idea that has gained support. He can't reveal the title since it's being released not by G.rev but "a famous publisher, using a legendary franchise."

[Cacophanus]

A G.rev Virtual On is not a bad idea but the piece specifies AM2 as the developer and Border Break is, as you say, not part of a franchise. As much as I'd like a new Virtual On, I would prefer a new approach in all honesty, even if it fails.

[icycalm]

A G.rev Virtual On is not a bad idea but the piece specifies AM2 as the developer

G.rev has done support work in the past (on Ikaruga and Gradius V for Treasure), so if they are indeed working on this, they would simply be supporting AM2. At this point, I am quite convinced that this is how things must be.

[Recap]

http://borderbreak.com/

Via http://www.am-net.jp/

[El Chaos]

The mechanic designs aren't that great looking; perhaps Katoki isn't behind this one. It's still sweet nonetheless.

[Cacophanus]

Lots of lovely coverage today and it's clear that this is NOT Virtual On, it's much more analogue and grittier... It's also using one of the new arcade boards, Ring Edge.

Advertise Movie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd1tuZs55Ko&fmt=18

Play Demo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7sb_qlP8Gs&fmt=18

Lots of nice screenshots here:

http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/20090220/bb.htm





The mecha are called "Blast Runners".

[Tain]

Ring Edge? Interesting. It doesn't look like a huge step up from Lindbergh from the shots.

Weird to see another game with an Outtrigger-style control scheme.

[El Chaos]

BB.TV, basically a multi-part interview with the development director Kataoka featuring a good deal of in-game footage.

Vol.001: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRoD53eFlQQ&fmt=18
Vol.002: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yiyxK0cmEU&fmt=18

[El Chaos]

Here's Vol.003: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXswexwr6zo&fmt=18

[El Chaos]

Aaaaand here comes Vol.004: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZISXnFP154&fmt=18

[El Chaos]

Vol.005: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwXtNBPtNWY&fmt=18

[El Chaos]

Location test in September: http://borderbreak.com/bbb/index.html

Via http://www.am-net.jp/

[El Chaos]

An 18-page guidebook is available for download at the game's official website:

http://borderbreak.com/guidebook.html

[El Chaos]

Vol.006: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqSHPDbvdQA

[icycalm]

That's pretty cool about the guide book, by the way. Arcade games with manuals: this has got to be a first -- whereas console and computer games are going the other way.

[Stephen]

The game is seeing wide distribution in Japan. I have played it in several arcades in Tokyo and at a small farming town on the northern tip of Honshu called Misawa.

It is very similiar to the Battlefield series with the addition of an ultimate objective on each map, to destroy the enemy's main base. The mechanics feel like a mouse-and-keyboard Armored Core with only minimal boosting capabilities.

It also features a touchscreen. The in- and out-of-game menus are controlled with the touchscreen; in addition there are several in game functions, like artillery control, that are controlled with the touchscreen.

The are several game modes, but everyone will spend their time in the online battle mode, which is 10 vs 10. These 20 players are brought together from across the nation randomly. The player has no control over which server they join. I have been unable to determine if playing with specific friends is possible.

There are many customization options I have yet to comprehend. I believe there are weapons, body parts, and avatar options.

[recoil]

http://www.mechadamashii.com/news/news- ... -5-update/

At this year’s AOU show, SEGA have showcased quite a few titles but the one that’s the most interesting to us is the wondrous Border Break. Specifically, that the game has received quite a substantial update. From two new maps, to a whole new blast runner and not to mention new parts, it seems that Border Break is still very much a viable enterprise for SEGA.