Source: videogamesblogger.com

An online Dungeon Keeper MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online game) has been announced for release in China by publisher Netdragon, who is licensing the franchise and its themes, characters and other content from EA in a deal for an exclusive online MMO that they will release and distribute throughout the Greater China region, including mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau.

NetDragon is the publisher behind many free PC MMO’s including: Eudemons Online, Conquer Online, Zero Online, Tou Ming Zhuang Online, Heroes of Might and Magic Online, Era of Faith, and Monster & Me

“We are delighted to enter into an agreement with EA in the development of our first 3D MMORPG. Our partnership with this internationally renowned game developer is proof of our capabilities in game operations and development as well as a reflection of our market reputation,” said Mr. Liu Dejian, Chairman and Executive Director of NetDragon. “Capitalizing our strength to create a strong gaming experience, powerful operating platform and unmatched expertise within China’s online game market, we are confident that Dungeon Keeper Online will not only become successful in the Greater China region but also achieve remarkable results overseas.”

Jon Niermann, President of EA Asia Pacific said, “The partnership marks a significant milestone for EA as it will enhance our intellectual property and extend our product reach throughout the Greater China region. It will also further enhance our intellectual property with differentiated, high-quality games, particularly in the field of MMORPGs.”

Dungeon Keeper was a popular “dungeon-building” real-time strategy game created by Bullfrog Productions. The first game was released for PC in July of 1997 with Dungeon Keeper 2 following in 1999. In the game’s you played as the bad guys as you build a dungeon filled with traps to defend your base and recruited monsters to keep the computer-controlled “heroes” and other dungeon keepers from getting inside and destroying your dungeon. The game was very unique for it’s time and has a large cult following, who have been waiting for a Dungeon Keeper 3.

I never played the Dungeon Keeper games personally, but I remember watching my brother and cousin play the games and they always looked quite fun and amusing. Sadly this isn’t the news that Dungeon Keeper fans were waiting for. So keep petitioning EA until they get the message that we want a true (not MMO, but strategy) sequel to Dungeon Keeper.

Source: seganerds.com

Unfortunately, even though we obviously love Sega here, there are times we need to report some bad news about the company and sometimes point out that not all of their policies are good.

Well, now it’s time to bring to people’s attention a problem with Sega toys, that are made in Asia. Asia is partly famed for its sweat shops, partly for some ‘interesting’ adult-themed entertainment and also for its small people (who we all love, especially Nathan).

Today we head to China, where certain large international toy companies have been called out for having “brutal” working conditions for their employees. And, you guessed it, Sega is one of those companies. But not the only one, I’m thankful to say.

Here’s a press release to ponder upon.

“NEW YORK, Aug. 21 (UPI) — Chinese factory workers making toys for Disney, Hasbro, Sega and other big companies work under ‘brutal conditions,’ a U.S. workers` rights group said Tuesday.

New York-based China Labor Watch said it found eight Chinese factories remained ‘devastatingly brutal — long hours, unsafe workplaces and restricted freedom of association — and in blatant violation of Chinese and international labor law.’

Some employers hired underage workers, mandated overtime and had managers who engaged in verbal, physical and sexual harassment, China Labor Watch said.

‘Wages are low, benefits are non-existent, work environments are dangerous and living conditions are humiliating,’ it said.

Chinese manufacturers, which make 70 percent of the world`s toys, are being increasingly scrutinized after Mattel Inc. recalled millions of Chinese-made toys this month for using lead-based paint.

Multinational companies` ’short-sighted policies’ drive them to ‘turn a blind eye to safety — and to ignore the labor conditions in their supplier factories as well,’ the group said.

‘Instead of concentrating on improving product safety and workers“ lives, companies spend their energy creating beautiful pamphlets on social responsibility, disputing critical reports and shifting blame,’ it said.

Representatives of Mattel, Walt Disney Co., Hasbro Inc. and Sega Corp. had no immediate comment.”

Now, some of you may be asking, “Why the hell did you want to bother us with this?” Well, that’s a valid question.

It’s been a slow news day, this has something to do with Sega, and some people might be interested…

*Throws a cup of scalding, hot tea into your face – and jumps out of the nearest window*

[Source: newsmonsters&critics]

Source: seganerds.com

I hate being the bearer of bad news, but I think every Sega Nerd knew it would eventually happen – Shenmue Online has been canceled, and the entire series looks like it may get a permanent spot on the shelf next to franchises like Alex Kidd and Flicky that will more than likely never see another sequel.

Questions surrounding the game’s development have been ongoing for a while, but when it failed to make an appearance at this year’s Chinajoy, things really began to make us wonder.

But now, Kikizo staffer Adam Doree has confirmed the game’s demise with Shenmue Dojo.

“As for Shenmue, I would have to say at this stage, it is worth forgetting about. If all the fans get any rich relatives together and channel it though Dojo perhaps we could buy rights, hire Suzuki (he’d likely say yes) and independently make the game under license from Sega at no risk to them. That is the only way it will get made at this stage I think. “

Doree went on to say that while Sega has no current plans to do anything with the franchise that has lost it millions, but fans shouldn’t close the door on never receiving a sequel to the series.

“… it wouldn’t surprise me if Sega sold off the rights for this IP and somebody went with those rights.

SEGA ON editor Dennis Stachel has also confirmed that Shenmue Online has been canned on the Sega Nerds forums.

Shenmue Online was originally announced announced in 2004, but legal problems with joint developer JC Entertainment in 2005 proved cracks were already beginning to surface in the game’s foundation.

I must say, with all the evidence we have, it truly does look like Shenmue Online is dead and any chance of Shenmue 3 ever seeing the light of day now looks even more doubtful.