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Thanks to GamesRadar for its Edge-reprinted cover article interviewing UK developers Sumo Digital on its conversion of Sega's arcade title Out Run 2, and trying to explain why "Sega has handed the Xbox conversion [of the new AM2-developed arcade game] to an unknown dev studio responsible for exercise bike software." The developers discuss the issues is conversion: "The arcade board has essentially got twice the memory that the Xbox has... and most of that was used", before explaining a new-for-Xbox Mission Mode which "will feature in excess of 50 missions consisting of Heart Attack-style challenges, marathon routes and AI character challenges", and also revealing "[Xbox] Live compatibility, which promises score uploading and ghost downloading while also permitting online play."

arcade_memories writes "GamesIndustry.biz reports that British tech company Imagination is building a new cutting edge arcade system for Sega, which will launch early next year. It's going to be based on the next generation of the PowerVR hardware, apparently - earlier versions (as well as being marginally popular PC graphics boards) powered the Dreamcast and the Naomi arcade board. This is interesting because Naomi was the last time Sega actually built its own arcade hardware, so this is a sure sign that they're bumping up the importance of the arcade market - just like new chairman Hajime Satomi (president of arcade and gambling machine company Sammy) wants, right?" Elsewhere, there are also new reports on Sega/AM2's new Chihiro-based CCG arcade game Quest Of D, featuring an interesting "touch-screen interface" concept, albeit on existing Xbox-based hardware.

Thanks to 1UP for its coverage of Konami's Gamers' Day, during which U.S. press are being shown new Konami titles, including the newly announced Neo Contra for PlayStation 2, a 3D update of the classic Contra action/shooter series - 1UP/EGM includes a brief interview with the creators. GameSpot is also covering the Gamers' Day, and notes that Konami has officially announced Silent Hill 4: The Room for PS2 and Xbox on their website, and "the game will see players assuming the role of Henry Townsend, who has become trapped in his cursed apartment." 1UP also has new details on Nanobreaker, an sci-fi PS2 action title "that doesn't fall that far from the Castlevania: Lament of Innocence tree" in terms of gameplay, and is, indeed, developed by the Castlevania team, who are also interviewed about the game. Update: 01/10 00:01 GMT by S : The full coverage overviews for 1UP and for GameSpot are being extensively updated as the day progresses, and GameSpy also has a coverage overview page.

Thanks to Kikizo for their in-depth look at Sega's OutRun 2 arcade machine, as the all-time classic racing game gets a now-playable Xbox hardware-based arcade sequel. Thanks to Yu Suzuki's obsession with a particular car manufacturer, you get to drive "one of at least eight different Ferraris, ranging from the Dino 246 GTS to the F50, including the 360 Spider and the awesome Enzo", and the game even shows track-side advertising from Ferrari sponsors like AMD, particularly piquant since the game is running on the Chihiro/Xbox's Intel chipset. However, Polygon reports that an Xbox conversion of the game is still in doubt, with an AM2 producer citing "disadvantages in terms of translation potential" and mentioning "problems with players renting most racing games as opposed to purchasing them."

Thanks to an anonymous reader for pointing to the System16 arcade game info site, which has "...added a Capcom section by popular request", showcasing some of that company's classic arcade boards such as CPS1 hardware (as used for Street Fighter II), and the seminal CPS2 hardware used in so many of Capcom's '90s arcade titles. The site takes a different approach from the excellent VAPS arcade site, in concentrating on games by hardware type, and featuring famous arcade software/hardware manufacturers such as Sega, Atari, Konami, Midway, Namco, and Taito.

Thanks to an anonymous reader for pointing to the System16 arcade game info site, which has "...added a Capcom section by popular request", showcasing some of that company's classic arcade boards such as CPS1 hardware (as used for Street Fighter II), and the seminal CPS2 hardware used in so many of Capcom's '90s arcade titles. The site takes a different approach from the excellent VAPS arcade site, in concentrating on games by hardware type, and featuring famous arcade software/hardware manufacturers such as Sega, Atari, Konami, Midway, Namco, and Taito.

Thanks to an anonymous reader for pointing to the System16 arcade game info site, which has "...added a Capcom section by popular request", showcasing some of that company's classic arcade boards such as CPS1 hardware (as used for Street Fighter II), and the seminal CPS2 hardware used in so many of Capcom's '90s arcade titles. The site takes a different approach from the excellent VAPS arcade site, in concentrating on games by hardware type, and featuring famous arcade software/hardware manufacturers such as Sega, Atari, Konami, Midway, Namco, and Taito.

Thanks to an anonymous reader for pointing to the System16 arcade game info site, which has "...added a Capcom section by popular request", showcasing some of that company's classic arcade boards such as CPS1 hardware (as used for Street Fighter II), and the seminal CPS2 hardware used in so many of Capcom's '90s arcade titles. The site takes a different approach from the excellent VAPS arcade site, in concentrating on games by hardware type, and featuring famous arcade software/hardware manufacturers such as Sega, Atari, Konami, Midway, Namco, and Taito.

Thanks to an anonymous reader for pointing to the System16 arcade game info site, which has "...added a Capcom section by popular request", showcasing some of that company's classic arcade boards such as CPS1 hardware (as used for Street Fighter II), and the seminal CPS2 hardware used in so many of Capcom's '90s arcade titles. The site takes a different approach from the excellent VAPS arcade site, in concentrating on games by hardware type, and featuring famous arcade software/hardware manufacturers such as Sega, Atari, Konami, Midway, Namco, and Taito.

Thanks to an anonymous reader for pointing to the System16 arcade game info site, which has "...added a Capcom section by popular request", showcasing some of that company's classic arcade boards such as CPS1 hardware (as used for Street Fighter II), and the seminal CPS2 hardware used in so many of Capcom's '90s arcade titles. The site takes a different approach from the excellent VAPS arcade site, in concentrating on games by hardware type, and featuring famous arcade software/hardware manufacturers such as Sega, Atari, Konami, Midway, Namco, and Taito.

Thanks to an anonymous reader for pointing to the System16 arcade game info site, which has "...added a Capcom section by popular request", showcasing some of that company's classic arcade boards such as CPS1 hardware (as used for Street Fighter II), and the seminal CPS2 hardware used in so many of Capcom's '90s arcade titles. The site takes a different approach from the excellent VAPS arcade site, in concentrating on games by hardware type, and featuring famous arcade software/hardware manufacturers such as Sega, Atari, Konami, Midway, Namco, and Taito.

Thanks to an anonymous reader for pointing to the System16 arcade game info site, which has "...added a Capcom section by popular request", showcasing some of that company's classic arcade boards such as CPS1 hardware (as used for Street Fighter II), and the seminal CPS2 hardware used in so many of Capcom's '90s arcade titles. The site takes a different approach from the excellent VAPS arcade site, in concentrating on games by hardware type, and featuring famous arcade software/hardware manufacturers such as Sega, Atari, Konami, Midway, Namco, and Taito.

Thanks to an anonymous reader for pointing to the System16 arcade game info site, which has "...added a Capcom section by popular request", showcasing some of that company's classic arcade boards such as CPS1 hardware (as used for Street Fighter II), and the seminal CPS2 hardware used in so many of Capcom's '90s arcade titles. The site takes a different approach from the excellent VAPS arcade site, in concentrating on games by hardware type, and featuring famous arcade software/hardware manufacturers such as Sega, Atari, Konami, Midway, Namco, and Taito.

Thanks to an anonymous reader for pointing to the System16 arcade game info site, which has "...added a Capcom section by popular request", showcasing some of that company's classic arcade boards such as CPS1 hardware (as used for Street Fighter II), and the seminal CPS2 hardware used in so many of Capcom's '90s arcade titles. The site takes a different approach from the excellent VAPS arcade site, in concentrating on games by hardware type, and featuring famous arcade software/hardware manufacturers such as Sega, Atari, Konami, Midway, Namco, and Taito.

Thanks to an anonymous reader for pointing to the System16 arcade game info site, which has "...added a Capcom section by popular request", showcasing some of that company's classic arcade boards such as CPS1 hardware (as used for Street Fighter II), and the seminal CPS2 hardware used in so many of Capcom's '90s arcade titles. The site takes a different approach from the excellent VAPS arcade site, in concentrating on games by hardware type, and featuring famous arcade software/hardware manufacturers such as Sega, Atari, Konami, Midway, Namco, and Taito.

Thanks to several readers for pointing out that Sega AM2 have opened an official page for their forthcoming arcade driving game, OutRun 2. This sequel to the all-time classic racer, originally released way back in 1986, was unveiled at Sega's private show in Tokyo last night, and confirms earlier information that it would run on the Chihiro arcade hardware, a modified Xbox arcade board, making it a prime candidate for conversion to Microsoft's console. The game also sports licensed Ferrari cars (the F50, F250, and Testarossa), and apparently, driving 'cool' will impress the girl in the passenger seat and get you different game endings.

Thanks to Kikizo for running a series of articles on Sega, including an unconfirmed list of the AM2 studio's output for 2003, and new information about the state of Sega Rally 3. The AM2 list includes both Virtua Fighter Quest (working title) for Gamecube and Outrun 2 for arcade, both due later in 2003. Interestingly, the Outrun sequel is marked as running on the Xbox-based Chihiro arcade board, which powered the arcade version of Crazy Taxi 3, meaning an Xbox conversion would be very straightforward if this is true. Finally, as well as a separate story touching on the possible existence of Fighting Vipers 3, Kikizo claim Sega Rally 3 has been "..completely finished since January this year", but remains unreleased in arcades (and unannounced for PS2) because of "licensing issues", presumably with cars.