In the recent Volume 31 of the GT Newsletter, they had a Q&A with Star Force 3 series producer Takeshi Horinouchi. Now, I know what you're thinking; "It's Star Force. Why should we care?". Well, maybe this quote will get your attention:
Quote from: Takeshi Horinouchi
WHAT GAMES ARE YOU PLAYING FOR FUN RIGHT NOW? A remake of Megaman Battle Network which I've been working on.
There you have it. The new EXE game titled "Rockman EXE Operate Shooting Star" is most likely a remake of the first EXE game "Battle Network Rockman EXE"
Not too much happned this week, I'm afraid. small news stories that were overshadowed by the announcement of Operate Shooting Star:
Rockman Complete Works Comes To PlayStation Store
From now until July 28th, customers who purchase Rockman 9 off of the Japanese Playstation Store will be eligible to win a free download of Rockman Complete Works or a special Uniqlo tee-shirt.
Rockman Complete Works is the first of six classic series remakes released on the original PlayStation in 1999. Each title in the lineup featured remixed music, graphical updates and a plethora of extras such as art galleries and PocketStation mini-games. North Americans got their first taste of Complete Works via the Mega Man Anniversary Collection, notably lacking a modes and extras.
Star Force 3 Demo On Nintendo Channel
North American Wii ownwers can download a trial version of Mega Man Star Force 3 from the Nintendo Channel. The demo is very short, consisting of three consecutive tutorial battles and a boss fight.
The demo expires this coming Monday.
Marvel vs. Capcom 2 Retail Pack?
GameStop's online database formerly listed a Marvel vs. Capcom 2 Retail Pack for the PlayStation 3--a special package containing a bunch of stuff pertaining to the upcoming PSN game. The listing has since been removed, but not before somebody could jot down the product description:
* Redemption code for Marvel vs. Capcom 2 * DVD case with sleeve * DVD with exclusive artwork such as wallpapers, icons, art, trailers and screenshots * Eight page color manual with artwork and moves list * One month subscription to Marvel Digital Comics valued at $9.99 * 2000 Capcom-Unity points that can be used for prizes and auctions
The pack was listed to retail for $19.99, slated to hit shelves on August 13th, 2009.
I guess many of you remember the Rockman 20th anniversary party that took place in the year 2007. But do you remeber this artwork from the "20th anniversary congratulations wall"?.
The July issue of Famitsu DS+Wii held a poll to determine which of their former comics will return with a new chapter in the upcoming anniversary issue (October). The Rockman ZX comic adaption by Shin Ogo, was one of the many choices.
Not much to say than that. Results of the poll will be revealed at a later date.
Rockman 9 Coming To PS3/360 On June 24th
4Gamer.net brings word that Rockman 9 will release on the Japanese PlayStation Store and Xbox Live Arcade on June 24th. The title was previously a WiiWare exclusive in Japan.
The PS3 version will cost 1,000 Yen, XBLA for 800 Microsoft Points.
MMSF3 White Cards Now Available For Download
The "bonus area" is now open for business at the official Star Force 3 website, revealing a new page devoted solely to the White Card system.
So far, only two cards are available for download: "Black Ace Master Card" and "Red Joker Master Card." When placed on top of your DS touchscreen at the SF3 Brother Band menu, the cards are said to unlock exclusive features.
More White Cards and more bonus area features are expected to become available in the near future.
It's That Time Again
That's right, the longest running fan-art contest in the MM community returns for its eighth year: Maq's Mega Man Bathing Suit Contest! If you can put pencil to paper, you can enter for your chance to win either a one year subscription to DeviantART or a copy of Udon Entertainment's Mega Man: Official Complete Works artbook!
You have until September 12th to get those entries in, so get cracking while it's early!
Full contest rules and regulations can be found right here.
Since 2001, Maqqy's Mega Man Bathing Suit Contest has been a staple in the Rockman community. After a few glitches last year prevented any results from happening, the contest is back with the hope of being bigger and better than ever! Rockman Perfect Memories is proud to team up with Maq to co-host the 2009 Mega Man Bathing Suit Contest! New this year is the temptation of some Mega goodies. The winners of the two categories will have their choice of either a 1-year deviantART subscription or the Mega Man Official Complete Works artbook from UDON! There are also a few additional prizes ready for those exceptional artists who claim second place.
The rules have not changed over the years, nor will they now. There are two categories: the TALENT Category for artists who want to showcase their skills and the CONTENT Category for those who want to display their humor. You are allowed to submit two different entries, one for each category. Since the contest is getting started a little later, however, the deadline has been extended into early September. This will also shorten the time between when the winners are announced and when the MMOCW actually releases and is available to be sent to our winners.
For the full details, please head over to the contest link. Summer won't be here for long! Get started on those pictures and good luck to all who enter!
Little format change this week; renaming Protodude's Ramblings to "News Round Up", the former was getting a bit repetitive.
News stories from June 6th - June 13th:
Mega Man Dominates Robot Hall Of Fame
Mega Man now ranks number one in Carnegie Mellon's Robot Hall of Fame Inductee Poll. The Blue Bomber trumps the competition with a 35% , just barely overtaking Futurama's Bender who now places at number two with a 31%.
To ensure Rock's dominance, keep on voting every now and then.
Star Force 3 E3 Trailer Hits Nintendo Channel
he E3 2009 trailer for Mega Man Star Force 3 is now available for viewing through the North American Nintendo Channel, a specialty video service on Wii.
Hopefully, this is an indication of a forthcoming downloadable demo hosted on the Nintendo Channel for use on Nintendo DS systems.
A majority of the tracks are looking to be "finalized" by early September. If all goes according to plan, the project in its entirety will release a short while later. Worst case scenario however, it could be delayed till December.
On the superficial side of things, the artwork for the project is shaping up quite nicely; a few more teaser images were added to the gallery section. Very, very cool.
Finally, the mixer section received a small update. The track list now includes a "skipped tracks" category, tunes that won't make it into the final album due to length. They are as follows:
07: Game Start 17: Stage Clear 18: Get A Weapon 22: Dr. Wily UFO 23: Dr. Wily Castle 33: Game Over
Not too big of a loss if you ask me.
Scott McNeil To Appear At Metrocon 2009
Scott McNeil, the "man of 1,000 voices", will make a guest appearance at Metrocon 2009.
For those who don't recognize the name, Mr. McNeil is a voice widely heard in three different Mega Man cartoons, including Dr. Wily and Proto Man in the 1995 Ruby Spears cartoon, Dr. Wily in the Upon A Star OVA, and Guts Man in Mega Man NT Warrior.
The event takes place in Tampa, Florida from June 19th to the 21st. More details can be found at the official Metrocon website.
Mega Man DSi Kit Revealed
In conjunction with The Mega Man Network's fan-art contest, Capcom will reward all three winners with the Mega Man DSi kit. Product details below:
Quote
The DSi kit comes with Limited Edition MegaMan Laser enscribed PolyCarbonite Console Case w/ secret 3 Game Storage Shelf, Graphic Screens, Three 2-in-1 SD Card and Game Cases, Precision Stylus, 2-in-1 Screen Cleaner Wrist Strap with Retro 8-Bit MegaMan + 1GB SD MEMORY CARD.
A DS Lite version is planned to be included in a special bundle at Capcom's online store.
For those who don't win the contest, the kit will ship to stores on June 16th for $19.99.
E3 has come and gone, leaving us a slew of itsy bitsy news stories.
Voice Work Possibly Cut From Star Force 3
E3 attendee, Kim101, had the opportunity to speak with a Capcom representative regarding Star Force 3's upcoming North American release. Apparently, the small snippets of Japanese voice work from the title have yet to be removed, but there is a strong possibility it won't make it into the finalized english version. Gee, I'm so surprised.
Tatsunoko VS. Capcom Online Play Confirmed
Capcom issued a press release for the US version of Tatsunoko VS. Capcom, announcing a plethora of details including confirmation of the much demanded online play option:
Quote
26 fan-favorite characters from the Tatsunoko and Capcom universes face-off in this stylish 2D fighter Tag-team battles and customized two-character fighting techniques produce a wild, dazzling spectacle Wi-Fi Online gameplay allows worldwide matches Four battle modes include Friend, Rival, Free and Ranked Battles Match-ups are not restricted to just Friends Earn Points and Titles (for Title Creation) for all to see All-new VS gameplay mechanics creates a new way for fans to return to the series More than 20 Mini-game provide additional multiplayer fun Enhanced control schemes offer a simplified control scheme option and allow use of the Classic Controller and Gamecube Controller Wii-exclusive
"DSi Mega Man 1GB Kit"?
GameStop is listing a strange item by the name of "DSi Mega Man 1GB Kit." Details are very scarce; the page classifies the item as a "memory card" produced by Interworks Unlimited. Mega Man branded SD card perhaps? Well, whatever it is, it's scheduled to release June 16th, 2009 for $19.99.
Mega Man Rush Marine iPhone Bound?
Mega Man Rush Marine is coming down the pike, a brand new side scrolling shooter for mobile platforms. Which mobile platform? Unfortunately, Capcom's fact sheet didn't specify, but if the the screenshots are any indication, Rush Marine might be headed to Apple's iPhone.
According to 1Ups Jeremy Parish, the screenshots for the title run 480 x 320 in size, the precise resolution of an iPhone/iPod touch screen.
Quote
"I couldn't help but notice that the resolution on these Mega Man: Rush Marine screens I found over at Siliconera just happen to be sized at 480x320. By a funny coincidence, that's the exact resolution of the iPhone's screen."
"In case you didn't know, the iPhone has some pretty solid shooters available for it. Rush Marine seems like a perfect fit, don't you think? Its retro-favored graphics (taken largely, though not entirely, from Mega Man 3) would be super-crisp on the iPhone's screen. Plus, unlike all your crazy Japan-only superphones, the iPhone is available to just about everyone in the world... and for those who can't own one, there's always the iPod Touch."
An iPhone release sounds likely, but bear in mind that the screenshots for RM are conceptual images according to Capcom's press room; it might not reflect the final product.
Now don't get overly excited, but N4G and VGReleases have added Mega Man Legends 3 to their respective databases, listing the title for a PS3/Xbox 360 release. Whether this is a screw up or a leak is anyone's guess:
In preparation for E3 2009 (June 2nd-the 4th), Capcom is touting a super secret mystery title that will make its grand debut at the show. Is it related to the Blue Bomber? Feel free to speculate on the following clues left by Capcom's Twitter:
- It is a new entry in an existing franchise (IP), not a remake. - The game is, quote, "a title fans have been waiting for" - It is an action game - developed by Capcom - the franchise this game belongs to has "never appeared on this hardware." ("this hardware" seems to imply a console exclusive)
I'm praying for a DASH 3, but the latter tidbit blows that hope completely as the RM franchise has appeared on every current gen console thus far. We'll know for sure on Tuesday morning, June 2nd.
In other news:
Funimation Gets Ruby Spears, Upon a Star Cartoons?
According to a fellow tipster, a Funimation Entertainment rep at Anime Boston announced the company acquired the rights to re-distribute the Mega Man RS cartoon and the Upon a Star OVA. Both shows were previously licensed to ADV Films.
Through Funi, the titles will receive the online streaming treatment as well as new DVD releases in late 2010.
Apparently, Funimation acquired the rights to several ADV properties over the last year, a possible indication that the company is planning on an eventual buy-out of ADV as a whole. The addition of the RS cartoon and the Upon a Star series further fuels that possibility.
Funi has yet to announce such plans via press release.
AbnormalGravity
