Source: seganerds.com

It seems that Sega has had quite a successful week in the UK All Formats Charts with not one, not four, but three games in the top 10.

Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games is still doing incredibly well, staying up at number 2 - beaten out by Gran Turismo 5: Prologue (much to my personal disgust - I hate the GT games).

Also despite some mixed reviews and opinions among fans/reviewers, Viking: Battle for Asgard is sitting a very respectable 7.

And just released, in Europe, is Condemned 2 - which jumps into the charts at a very cool fifth place.

But it doesn’t all end there Sega Nerds. While making the top 10 is the accolade companies like to aspire to, Sega has another 4 titles making it into the top 40.

Just outside the top 10 is Sega Superstars Tennis, hitting no. 12. Then creeping (slowly) up the charts is House of the Dead 2&3: Return at no. 17 - which was at 21 last week. At 21 we have Football Manager 2008 (Still hanging in there), then last and sort of least (in this case) we have the surprising, for me at least, appearance of Sonic and the Secret Rings!

Top 10 List:

(1) - 1 - Gran Turismo 5: Prologue SCE
(3) - 2 - Mario & Sonic At The Olympic Games SEGA
(2) - 3 - Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 Ubisoft
(4) - 4 - Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 Konami
(-) - 5 - Condemned 2 SEGA
(5) - 6 - Guitar Hero III: Legends Of Rock Activision
(8) - 7 - Viking: Battle For Asgard SEGA
(11) - 8 - Wii Play Nintendo
(10) - 9 - Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training Nintendo
(7) - 10 - Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Activision SCE

Let’s hope Sega can keep this trend of having several titles in the top 40 (preferably most in the top 10 though) and confirm themselves as being one of the great gaming companies once again.

(Damn, that last paragraph was almost bordering on fanboyism - Apologies)

[Source: Spong and Chart Track]

Source: seganerds.com

With the pretty big (and surprising, for some) success of Mario and Sonic Olympics, Sega has now patnered up with ISM, (International Sports Multimedia), giving them the exclusive rights for the upcoming release of the Official Beijing Olympic Games.

“After the successful launch of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games™, we are delighted to announce the official video game of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games,” stated Gary Knight, Marketing Director of SEGA Europe. “Combining an enjoyable game with a truly global sporting license will provide a fantastic sports game experience for gamers everywhere”.

What many may not realise, is that Mario and Sonic was not the ‘official’ video game for the Beijing Olympics.  But it was, however, an officially licenced product, featuring the official Beijing Olympics stadium, and official world records for each event.

“Extending our relationship with SEGA to include the Official Video Game of Beijing 2008 strengthens the opportunity to build upon the success of the children’s character game, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games. We feel certain that SEGA will further the success of Athens 2004™, thereby delivering what will be an outstanding, quality gaming experience”, stated Raymond Goldsmith, Chairman & CEO of ISM. 

But now Sega are to release the official title, coming this summer for the Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and PC.  It seems the Wii has had enough of sporting games for now, eh?

For the full details, here is the complete press release:

LONDON (December 13th, 2007) – SEGA® Corporation today announced an exclusive partnership with International Sports Multimedia (ISM), exclusive licensee of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to develop Beijing 2008™ - the Official Video Game of the Olympic Games. The game is being developed by Eurocom Entertainment Software for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system, the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, and for PC. The online functionality of all of these platforms will ensure that for the very first time, fans of the Olympic Games will be able to experience the thrill of competing against other gamers across the globe in the world’s greatest sporting event. Beijing 2008™ – The Official Mobile Phone Game of the Olympic Games is also in the works and will be available summer 2008.

Beijing 2008™ will be an authentic simulation of over 35 events from the upcoming Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and will allow gamers to experience the thrill of competing in many of the official venues ranging from the famous Beijing National Stadium (the “Bird Nest”) to the National Aquatics Centre (the “Water Cube”).

In addition, Beijing 2008™ will incorporate innovative control schemes that allow novice gamers to learn how to play the game, while providing experienced gamers the chance to set new records. Superb online gameplay, and a variety of game modes never seen in an official video game of the Olympic Games before, Beijing 2008™ will be the new benchmark for the sporting genre and truly allow gamers to experience the “Olympic Spirit”.

“Beijing 2008™ will set a new standard for sports games in this genre.” commented Hugh Binns, Director of Eurocom Development Ltd, developers of Beijing 2008™. “With a huge number of events, innovative control schemes to benefit new and experienced gamers, online multiplayer modes providing hours of entertainment and stunning high definition graphics, Beijing 2008™ will be a fantastic experience.”

“After the successful launch of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games™, we are delighted to announce the official video game of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games,” stated Gary Knight, Marketing Director of SEGA Europe. “Combining an enjoyable game with a truly global sporting license will provide a fantastic sports game experience for gamers everywhere”.

“Extending our relationship with SEGA to include the Official Video Game of Beijing 2008 strengthens the opportunity to build upon the success of the children’s character game, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games. We feel certain that SEGA will further the success of Athens 2004™, thereby delivering what will be an outstanding, quality gaming experience”, stated Raymond Goldsmith, Chairman & CEO of ISM.

Boasting over 35 events, an authentic look and feel, superb online gameplay, brand new control schemes, and a variety of game modes never seen in an official video game of the Olympic Games before, Beijing 2008™ will be the new benchmark for the sporting genre and truly allow gamers to experience the “Olympic Spirit”.

Beijing 2008™ for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC is set for release in the summer of 2008. Further information relating to the content of the game will be available over the coming months from the official website of the game – www.olympicvideogames.com.
For all press assets please visit www.sega-press.com .

Do you guys think Sega has what it takes to make it a double gold medal, with the official game? Let’s hope so.

[Source: Sega - Press Release]