SEGA Mega Drive/Genesis: Collected Works is an upcoming book by Darren Wall that looks like one of the best pieces of Sega nostalgia you’ll ever get your hands on.
It features 20 interviews with “original Sega team members”, and has all kinds of stuff like design docs for Mega Drive games and hardware concepts.
This isn’t some idle fan project; it’s the real deal. Wall and publisher Read-Only Memory have been given “unprecedented access” to Sega’s archives, and promise the following:
We are working closely with SEGA Corporation on every aspect of the book. They have provided us unprecedented access to their archives, where we have already uncovered an unbelievable number of hidden treasures — including detailed technical drawings of the Mega Drive/Genesis console, a range of alternative controller designs, a collection of stunning character paintings for The Super Shinobi/Revenge of Shinobi and pencil and marker storyboards for Bare Knuckle/Streets of Rage.
We have also secured the rights to reproduce images from the hard-to-find, Japan-only SEGA Video Game Illustrations book, published in 1994 and now out of print. More recently we’ve been working with ex-SEGA of America team members who have provided beautiful production art from games such as Eternal Champions, Vectorman andComix Zone. Finally, we have also unearthed material from the personal archives of a number of original Japanese developers. My aim is to gather the very best material into one hefty but affordable volume.
From hand-drawn sketches right through to meticulously-presented in-game artwork, the book will catalogue the incredible visual history of SEGA’s best-loved franchises, including:
After Burner, Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle, Alien Storm, Bare Knuckle/Streets of Rage, Beast King’s Chronicle/Altered Beast, Bonanza Bros., Comix Zone, Cyber Brawl/Cosmic Carnage, DecapAttack, Dynamite Headdy, Ecco the Dolphin,ESWAT, Eternal Champions, Flicky, Golden Axe, Gunstar Heroes, Super Hang-On,Kid Chameleon, Knuckles Chaotix, Landstalker, Metal Head, Phantasy Star, Puyo Puyo/Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine, Rent-A-Hero, Ristar the Shooting Star/Ristar, Shadow Dancer, Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic & Knuckles, Sonic 3D,Space Harrier, The Super Shinobi/Revenge of Shinobi, Tempo, ToeJam & Earl,Vectorman, Virtua Racing, Wonder Boy and more …
So, yeah, awesome. The book’s currently up on Kickstarter looking for £30,000 ($51,000) in funding, with £25 ($43) securing you a copy.
SEGA Mega Drive/Genesis: Collected Works[Kickstarter]
Comments
7 responses to “Hey, Sega Fans, Get A Load Of This Mega Drive/Genesis Book”
cool
wow. This looks amazing. I have never backed anything on Kickstarter. does it work for aussie backers?
It does.
Although, check the details as they will usually state that anyone backing from outside of the U.S [and has physical rewards] should add a few extra bucks on top of the pledge tier to cover postage.
Otherwise, it’s totally fine. I’ve received plenty of both digital and physical items from backed projects.
Just keep in mind, that you are backing a project. The items are a “thanks” from the creators for your support. It isn’t a store and you aren’t pre-ordering items.
All of my items have eventually made it to me, but just thought I would clarify as I’ve seen plenty of people get angry demanding the items they “purchased” when things get delayed.
Anybody know what the first one is? The Blue top and Red bottom.
I know the Second one is Golden Axe.
Phantasy Star Gaiden apparently:
http://www.psalgo.com/boards/phantasy-star-complete-collection-gaiden-logo-vt7480.html
I’m going to sound like a grumpy old man but.. kickstarter? Really. Why not just make a good book and go to a publisher?
The point of Kickstarter is as a means of support for the entire “Indy” movement which is taking place.
Crowdfunding has addressed the biggest issue with the traditional publisher model, being that unless you can demonstrate a clear, large audience for a piece of media which will make them money, then you will get passed by. On top of this is the fact that if this is your first venture into creating a book, the odds are against you again.
A book on the history of a now-retro game console is – while not for the audience of Kotaku – otherwise a VERY niche product for the rest of society.