Category: Grounding Inc

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‘Space Channel 5 VR’ Headed to PSVR This Month, PC VR & Quest Versions TBA

Space Channel 5 (1999) first launched on Dreamcast and PS2 over two decades ago, and now the long-dormant franchise is ready to reemerge on PSVR headsets this month with Space Channel 5 VR: Kinda Funky News Flash!

Originally slated to launch in December 2019 on PSVR, Space Channel 5 VR was later delayed to Spring 2020. Now, Japan-based developer Grounding Inc. says the rhythm game is headed to PSVR on February 25th in North America (prices at $40), and in Europe & Oceania one day later.

Versions for PC VR headsets will be available through Steam and Viveport, and for Oculus Quest, although their respective launch dates are still unknown at this time.

Set in the titular 25th-century space TV station ‘Space Channel 5’, the single-player VR game tasks you with fighting against alien invaders and rival dance crews with the power of choreographed moves—all in the patently ’60s retro-future surroundings. Although you don’t take over Ulala herself, you do get a chance to bust moves as her assistant.

Space Channel 5 VR is said to include a story mode, arcade mode, and an endurance exercise mode with calorie counter. Check out the latest trailer below:

The post ‘Space Channel 5 VR’ Headed to PSVR This Month, PC VR & Quest Versions TBA appeared first on Road to VR.

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PlayStation VR Launch Date Confirmed for Space Channel 5 VR: Kinda Funky News Flash!

Sega Dreamcast classic Space Channel 5 celebrated its 20th-anniversary last year, with developer Grounding Inc. and SEGA originally planning to release Space Channel 5 VR: Kinda Funky News Flash! to coincide with the event. A delay was announced in December until Spring 2020, and now the first launch dates have arrived – only for PlayStation VR.

Space Channel 5 VR

Space Channel 5 VR: Kind Funky News Flash! is a rhythm-action videogame where players have to dance and strike poses to catchy tunes to score as many points as possible. There’s even a story behind this dancing fever in that you work for “Space Channel 5,” the premiere space TV station of the 25th Century. You join senior reporter Ulala as a rookie just as aliens known as “Morolians” arrive, forcing people to dance.

It’ll feature several modes to enhance the content experience alongside the main story campaign. An Arcade Mode will be available to introduce the gameplay which is recommended for VR beginners. For those that like a bit of a workout then the Trial Dance is where you get 100 dances in a row in this exercise and endurance mode – calories are also tracked. A Viewing Mode enables the story to be watched again through a third-person perspective and multiple camera angles, while the Friendopedia has all the character biographies. Finally, a Dressing Room is available to change Ulala’s outfits as they’re unlocked through the story.

Grounding Inc. confirms that: “The English voice cast includes Cherami Leigh taking over the lead role as Ulala, and Tom Clarke-Hill returning to reprise his role as Jaguar. Other cast members include Cassandra Lee Morris as newcomer Kell and Greg Chun as the being terrorizing the galaxy, Glitter.”

Space Channel 5 VR

Space Channel 5 VR: Kind Funky News Flash! will be released on 25th February 2020 across North America, Central, and South America, and 26th February in Japan, Europe, and Oceania for PlayStation VR, retailing at $39.99 USD. Versions for HTC Vive, Oculus Rift and Oculus Quest have been confirmed but no dates have been released at this time.

Additionally, A Space Channel 5 Ukiuki Music Festival to celebrate the launch, as well as the franchise’s 20th anniversary, will be held in Shibuya, Japan on 27th March 2020. For further updates on the videogame, keep reading VRFocus.

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Space Channel 5 VR Release Delayed Until Spring 2020

Japanese developer Grounding Inc. has confirmed that rhythm-action title Space Channel 5 VR: Kind Funky News Flash! is once again being delayed, pushed back from its 2019 release window into the Spring of 2020.

Space Channel 5 VR

In a statement on the official Space Channel 5 VR: Kind Funky News Flash! website Grounding Inc. says: “Thank you for your support for “Space Channel 5”. We regret to announce the “Space Channel 5 VR Kinda Funky News Flash!” will be delayed. Originally scheduled to be released end of 2019, it has since been pushed back to Spring 2020. The new release date will be announced as soon as possible. Thank you again for your support to our game and apologize for the delay.”

While the English version is devoid of any reason behind the delay the Japanese version does note the delay is to improve the quality of the videogame.

A reboot of the Sega Dreamcast classic from 1999, Space Channel 5 VR: Kind Funky News Flash! was originally announced in early 2018 as Space Channel 5 VR: Arakata Dancing Show in Japan. A couple of months later it was confirmed the videogame would be getting a western launch with its new title.

Space Channel 5 VR

Just like its predecessor, Space Channel 5 VR: Kind Funky News Flash! is a dancing rhythm videogame where you have to strike poses to catchy tunes to score as many points as possible. The gameplay should be a good fit for virtual reality (VR) headsets which have seen a growing abundance of rhythm-based titles arrive, such as Beat Saber, Synth Riders and  BoxVR to name a few.

The story is set in 25th century involving Space Channel 5’s top reporter Ulala. She is hosting a news report on a mysterious dancing incident involving aliens known as “Morolians”, forcing people to dance. This means you need to fight the invading aliens by strutting your stuff in the ultimate dance battle, receiving more views and helping Ulala in the process.

Space Channel 5 VR: Kind Funky News Flash! is slated to support PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift and HTC Vive when it eventually arrives. When details of a more concrete release date are confirmed, VRFocus will let you know.

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Further Details on PlayStation VR Release of Space Channel 5 VR

Though the SEGA Dreamcast is long gone now, its legacy lives on in the form of the videogames that came to prominence on SEGA’s last console. One of those is Space Channel 5, whose virtual reality (VR) adaptation has been making the rounds at event in Japan, and now wil finally be getting a home release on the PlayStation VR.

Space Channel 5 VR Kinda Funky News Flash is currently in development and is set for release some time in 2019, appropriately marking the 20th Anniversary of the title’s release on the Dreamcast.

A demo of Space Channel 5 VR Kinda Funky News Flash will be playable at the Tokyo Game Show 2018 on 20th-23rd September, 2018. There are also plans to hold a special campaign called the ‘Gyun-Gyun Campaign’ to celebrate the announcement.

Players will be broadcast into the 25th Century where players will take control of rookie reporter twin sisters Lou and Kee who will act as the player avatars for the futuristic rhythm adventure. Lou and Kee (and the player) will be able to dance alongside iconic Space Channel 5 host Ulala and bring back a wash of nostalgic memories.

Developers Grounding Inc have promised that the classic Dreamcast setting and gameplay will be present, but now players can react to the rhythm using their body, instead of just the controller. Brand new stories, characters, stages and sounds can be expected.

Attendees at the Tokyo Game Show will be able to request time with the Space Channel 5 VR Kinda Funky News Flash demo. Demonstrations will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, though some advanced reservations are possible by contacting the company.

Space Channel 5 VR Kinda Funky News Flash will be at the Grounding Booth, Hall 10, W19. The title is available in both English and Japanese, though a Western release has not yet been confirmed. The English trailer is available to view below.

For future coverage of Space Channel 5 VR Kinda Funky News Flash and other upcoming VR experiences, keep checking back with VRFocus.

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Space Channel 5 VR Prepares To Broadcast Onto PlayStation VR

The SEGA Dreamcast is unique as it is perhaps more beloved after its lifespan than during it. A case of not knowing what you had until it had gone, SEGA’s last home console was almost too ahead of its time in many ways and it and its videogame library brought about a great many ideas now considered standard in the industry.

Space Channel 5 VR Kinda Funky News FlashOne colourful rhythm-action title that made waves was a slightly surreal one about an intergalactic news reporter in the mini-est of vinyl miniskirts who found herself part of a story of alien invasion. Saving the day not through journalism but effectively via a series of dance-offs. That title was Space Channel 5 and it still beloved today, the character of Ulala being elevated to one of publisher SEGA’s ‘All-Stars’.

A virtual reality (VR) version of Space Channel 5 has been a reality for over two years now. Appearing at 2016’s Tokyo Game Show as Space Channel 5 VR: Ukiuki Viewing Show, the initial six minute demo originally used an HTC Vive to transport people five hundred years into a future of interstellar broadcast networks, hostage rescuing and Space Michael Jackson.

Initially an experience for arcades earlier this year the rechristened Space Channel 5 VR Kinda Funky News Flash! confirmed plans at least for a home release thanks to a “Game Hardware for Console Version” label, which said it was TBD – or ‘To Be Determined’.  Now however in the run up to this year’s Tokyo Game Show the PlayStation VR has been confirmed as a platform for release. What has sadly not been confirmed is any release date, or how any Western release might factor into proceedings. However, a newly released trailer for the announcement at least shows that Ulala, the invading Morolians and the residents of the space station are looking, graphically, better than ever.

You can watch that below. We’ll bring you more news about Space Channel 5 VR as soon as we have it on VRFocus.