P L A Y S T A T I O N   2

- Here are some new screens of Square's PlayStation 2 soccer game World Fantasista, scheduled to release in Japan on June 6, for 6800 yen. This game features a total of 36 world soccer teams, you can also use the Team Edit function to create your own dream team. You can also use the team formation function to plan your strategies before each match.

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- Here are some new screen shots of Sega's PlayStation 2 action game Shinobi. (From IGNPS2)

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- Yahoo Japan and the Softbank Group will begin to sell the PS2BB Starter Kit (PlayStation 2 Broadband) in Japan on May 16, coincide with the release of Square's Final Fantasy XI. The Starter Kit will include the PS2BB Unit, USB Keyboard and Final Fantasy XI. The PS2BB Starter Kit can be purchased for 18,000 yen, and it is also available for rental per 980 yen monthly.

- Gust has pushed back the release date of their PlayStation 2 RPG Atelier Judie: The Alchemist of Guramnat from May to June 13 release in Japan, the reason is to further improve the quality of the game.

- Bandai is working on a new Digimon adventure game for PlayStation 2, the game is scheduled for release in Japan sometimes this fall.

- Bandai will release the PSone fighting game Shaman King: Spirits of Shaman in Japan on June 6, for 5800 yen.

- Capcom announced that they are working on a new title named Project Devil, the developer Shinji Mikami mentioned that the game will not feature Dante from Devil May Cry, so it is still uncertain whether this is a sequel to Devil May Cry. Full details of the game will be revealed at E3.

A R C A D E   /   M U L T I

- Capcom announced they will be holding a private show in Japan called Capcom Game Fair 2002, on June 2 at Tokyo Zepp and June 9 at Osaka ATC Hall. The purpose of the show is to allow people in Asia to preview their latest works, including titles that are scheduled to be exhibited at E3 on May 22. The titles to be exhibited are as follow:

PlayStation 2
Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Whirlwind of Gold
Gun Survivor 3: Dino Crisis
Pride
Auto Modellista
The Anime SuperMix Joe Boxer
The Anime SuperMix Giant's Star

GameCube
Biohazard
Biohazard 0
Capcom Vs SNK 2 EO

GameBoy Advance
Super Ghouls n' Ghost R
Rockman Zero

- In the Square Investors Meeting, the company has announced Square's future development strategies, here are some highlights: (Source Madman's Cafe)

• Square will focus on video game business from now on, they are not planning to invest into other fields of business like movies.
• Square is planning to reproduce classic hits such as Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy Tactics, Seiken Densetsu and Parasite Eve.
• For 2002, they will not begin any major projects other than the Final Fantasy series. Square is planning to expand the Final Fantasy series, such as sub-series that focus on certain characters, or spin-offs like Final Fantasy Tactics.
• Square is aiming to generate between 4 - 6 billion yen profit in console games, and 1 - 3 billion yens on online games for the next fiscal year.

- In the Japan Sun Product Forum 2002, Square revealed the hardware systems behind its PlayOnline services. Square has planned to run the PlayOnline service in separated server groups named "World", each group can server between 50,000 - 60,000 users. Each server group contain game servers, user profile servers, item shop servers, game information servers and so on. There are roughly 1500 computers in total, or 20 "Worlds" (server groups) connected together,  which are all running on Sun Solaris8.

- For the PlayOnline database, there are two database systems: a full-cluster system composed of two SunFire6800 (UltraSparcIII/8CPU,8GB Memory) servers, and a system composed of a SunStorEdge (73GB Triple layered mirror system). Data that only requires access by users are managed under a NAS (Network Attached Storage) system, running under 8 NFS servers. (Source Madman's Cafe)

G A M E C U B E

- Nintendo has confirmed that Yoshi will feature in the upcoming GameCube action game Super Mario Sunshine. Mario can also walk on tight-rope, as well as hanging on the rope with his hand. The game is scheduled for release in Japan on July 19, for 6800 yen.

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- RUMOR: Nintendo is planning to release a GameCube version of The Legend of Zelda Collection, which will feature the 3 classic Legend of Zelda titles for Famicom (NES) and Super Famicom (SNES). The remake versions will feature improved graphics, sounds and voices. Furthermore, The Legend of Zelda Collection will come with 3 discs: game disc, sound track and "The Making of Zelda".

- Sega has released new screen shots of their GameCube party action game Super Monkey Ball 2, scheduled to release this fall, the game features over 150 stages; an all-new Story Mode with 10 massive stages; 6 brand new party games such as Monkey Boat Race, Monkey Shot, Monkey Dog Fight, Monkey Tennis, Monkey Baseball and Monkey Soccer. (From IGNCube)

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H A N D H E L D

- Nintendo will release a GameBoy Advance sequel of their N64 robot simulation game Custom Robo, entitled Custom Robo Advance. The GameBoy Advance sequel is scheduled for a June release in Japan.

- Bandai has released new info on their WonderSwan Color SRPG game Arc the Lad: Resurrection of the Machine God, scheduled to release in Japan this summer. The story takes place 3 years after Arc the Lad III, where you play as the lead character Alec, you will meet with an original character name Sofia, who has lost her memories, she seems to have a connection with another character name Sou. There is a Guild Connect system, which helps you to collect important information such as rare items and enemy weakness in the towns.

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- Banpresto will release a new GameBoy Color RPG on June 28 called From TV Animation: One Piece - Grand Line Fantasy Adventure, for 4500 yen. This is the sequel of Banpresto's popular RPG from last year, featuring characters from the anime series One Piece. The storyline is based on the anime series, but the game will have original characters and many other new events not found in the original story. A new Adrenaline Gauge system will be added to the battle, which enable you to execute super attacks when the gauge is full.

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