Megapolis

Megapolis is a massively multiplayer online game. The ambitious game promises a very realistic, fast-paced 3D world, with real-world landmarks such as the Great Wall of China. And, according to Nival Interactive, this sense of scale is possible through a mixture of both a host of game modes, such as exploration, and a mode that allows for both 4-player co-op and versus multiplayer gameplay.

Although details are thin, Megapolis will include a full-featured 24-player online universe. Players will be able to take control of a variety of special vehicles from Toyota, Mitsubishi, Fiat 500, and Mitsubishi GTI, and use a special support system to earn funds for repairs and to customize their own personal rides. The game also offers persistent items and locations, which will let players level up and use the environment to earn new items.

Megapolis is currently in development at a Singapore-based team, and it will be available for play at the upcoming Tokyo Game Show. For more information, visit the official Megapolis Web site.

The final entry on the list of Sega's gaming development teams is Game Designer and Design Director of the Fantasy Zone. While the game's title may be in the more conceptual sense of the word, Game Designer (and vice president of SEGA Europe) Yu Suzuki is quite obviously the man. He is responsible for both the creation of the Super Famicom, as well as the development of the Shinobi series, among other game series.

"I'm very happy that the results of the past year have been great," Suzuki said in a statement. "When it came to choosing the best game designer to take on, it has been the past year of a very motivated game designer. With the upcoming release of Pocket Detective: Return to Chiba, my responsibility to develop the next adventure for the Sega Dreamcast has finally come to an end."

Of course, this is not to say that Sega didn't have one of its own, as Sega's head of game development recently told the gaming world that he would rather take on the task of designing games that were available only on a Nintendo console. But rather than make a collection of puzzle games, Suzuki said that he would rather focus on more traditional genres.

"I also think that if it were possible, it would be possible to develop more modern game ideas. To me, the PS2 is the best controller for game design," he said. "I think that with Sega, the Dreamcast has seen a massive increase in quality and innovation, so it's really interesting to consider what we could do to bring some of that innovation to the market. I would not suggest it, however, if we are going to release two new entries in the series. And that would be the question of one of the mainstays of the Dreamcast strategy."

With the Dreamcast already established and being able to offer games with great precision, Suzuki and his team are making a game that has a lot of potential. And with games such as Virtua Fighter 5 and Virtua Fighter 4 hitting store shelves next month, we can expect to see more of the same when the game ships.

Sega of America vice president of marketing Mike Hayes told GameSpot, "When you look at our own business, the Virtua Fighter franchise is one of our strongest assets. Virtua Fighter 4 is one of the most respected games in the business. The key to that success is a great fighting game that we can deliver the kind of action and amazing depth that has been seen in Virtua Fighter and Tekken. We look forward to continuing to offer the experience that has made it so easy for us to bring Virtua Fighter to the Dreamcast."

If Sega does not reveal what Virtua Fighter 5 is, it is almost certain that it will be a multiplayer fighter. In an interview with GameSpot News, Sega of America vice president and COO Ken Kutaragi said that Sega is not content with just being a Dreamcast-exclusive publisher. "We're still exploring ways to support the Dreamcast with more titles." Kutaragi, who was primarily responsible for the console's arcade and home conversions, added, "We are also currently evaluating the possibility of developing a Virtua Fighter 5. We are confident that this title will become the next great Sega Dreamcast title."

It is not clear how Sega will unveil Virtua Fighter 5 at this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo, but there are a few possibilities. Kutaragi has said that it will be a game like Devil May Cry, which makes it the last one released for the Dreamcast. Also, the Sonic Team has previously mentioned that it is developing games for the PS2 and is currently working on PS2's Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II, the game which was not announced for the PS2.

GameSpot will have further details on the Naomi VMU in the near future.