Sands of Destruction Announced by SEGA

SEGA ANNOUNCES UPCOMING U.S. RELEASE OF SANDS OF DESTRUCTION ON NINTENDO DS

Splendid visuals, fascinating characters and a high-powered battle system to be featured in the next epic Japanese RPG experience

SAN FRANCISCO (December 4, 2008) – SEGA® of America, Inc. announced today that the exclusive Nintendo DS™ title, Sands of Destruction™, will be releasing in North America. Critically acclaimed in Japan and gaining recognition through the television anime World Destruction: Sekai Bokumetsu no Rokuni™, gamers will experience an action-packed story featuring a unique range of characters, a gorgeous artistic atmosphere and an intense RPG battle system.

“We are very excited to bring this original RPG to the U.S.,” states Yoichi Shimosato, producer of Sands of Destruction. “Our very talented team is eager to showcase the unique world and gameplay experience of Sands of Destruction and they firmly believe we have created an RPG world that can be enjoyed by everyone.”

In Sands of Destruction, a race of powerful beastmen known as the Ferals rule over the human population with tyranny and prejudice. A group of warriors, the World Annihilation Front, believe their only option for ending the corruption of the Ferals is to end the world as they know it. This intense game puts gamers in control of an intriguing cast of characters including the crusading Morte Ashera as well as Kyrie Illunis, who unknowingly holds the key to global destruction. Gamers will explore a fantastic world, traveling across oceans of sand, battling colossal enemy monsters and unraveling the mystery of the creation of the world.

”SEGA is excited to be bringing this innovative, engaging IP to Nintendo DS,” states Sean Ratcliffe, Vice President of Marketing for SEGA of America, Inc. “With the incredible talent and vision of the development team, Sands of Destruction promises to deliver the next epic RPG experience to gamers everywhere.”

Featuring an all-star team of Japanese RPG developers, Sands of Destruction utilizes the upper and lower DS screens for its dynamic battle system, including major boss battles where elite monsters take up both DS screens. Mixing traditional turn-based tactics with fighting game mechanics to create an intense gameplay experience, Sands of Destruction also features an innovative “Quip system” where characters utter inspiring battle commands that enhance abilities and boost attributes to give them various advantages during battle. As the story unfolds new battle commands will be discovered and gamers will be able to customize the different commands to each character.

Sands of Destruction will be released in fall 2009, exclusively for Nintendo DS™

I am actually very excited for this game. But seriously, Fall 2009? Why would it take another year for the game to come out? Come on now SEGA, Nintendo doesn't take a whole year to get games out...anymore at least. Give this to us early next year please :)