There seem to be three separate shows planned: two with an emphasis on PSO and one where Samba 2K's the star attraction. The planned events for the PSO show include a discussion session with Dreamcast Magazine's editor-in-chief (referred to simply as "Nishimura-san") and the PSO development staff. Also planned is a live PSO demonstration by the staff; a Q&A session with an unspecified member of the Team; a premium goods rally where fans are challenged to quiz matches for the chance to win some awesome Team swag (pictured below); a "history corner" that chronicles the development and works of Sonic Team since the big blue one himself; and playable demos of Phantasy Star Online, Samba de Amigo Ver. 2000, and Sonic Adventure 2.

   Wow. Sonic Team loves its fans, that cannot be denied or questioned. Too bad it loves its fans residing in Japan more than the rest of us. There's always got to be a favorite... But while time and money must dictate the winners and losers, our cries of anguish do not fall upon deaf ears. Just like loving parents, those great buncha guys hangin' at the Team are sympathetic to those of us who just can't make it to Osaka or Tokyo this month, so they'll be breakin' out the old Fall Festival webcams and giving us live online coverage! It's not as good as being there, of course, and I won't get my chance to decimate my sorry opponents in the Sonic Team trivia match, but we'll be there in spirit. Kinda like phone sex. Or something. Anyway, the first event is planned for Saturday, December 16, 1:00-5:00 PM on the first floor of the Nihonbashi Sofmap 7 Shop in Osaka. A second event is scheduled to coincide with PSO's release on the 21st from 3:00-7:00 PM...that one's in the Akihabara Hirose Wireless Event Space, first floor.

   Alright, we know what the most intriguing part is: the swag! There's no better way to express blind fanatacism than by paying the company to advertise their product, but if you're an old Sonic Team buff, you stand a chance at winning some of this for free. Here's just a few of the items that will be available:

This is an exact replica of the staff jumpers given to Sonic Team USA members upon the team's creation.	Ah, now these guys look familiar! These are Toy Island's talking figures, which are readily available on this side of Pacific.
These little gems were distributed only at the Sydney Sega World during the Sydney Olympics.	A big slosh o' plushies available in various Sega toy machines. Ah, but look closely at the Sonic plushie. I bet I couldn't get Yuji Naka to sign my belly...
This display features the fabulously rare "Dreams Dreams" single CD, which was originally distributed at the spring '96 Tokyo Game Show and is not for sale here. Included were the phone cards, but they're not for sale either.	Now here's a rare find. This is one of the jumpers given to Sega of America staff during the early Dreamcast production stages. You can't see it in this picture, but the front of the jacket actually reads "Project Katana."
And the pièce de résistance...a fold-out NiGHTS pamphlet handed out to press members prior to the game's release. This is golden. These pages are worth more than the printing factory that produced them.

   Not quite as much fanfare for the Samba 2K event. Apparently, there's going to be some kind of show, the chance for attendees to meet members of Sonic Team, and playable versions of Samba 2K. There's only one showing: Sunday, December 17 in Osaka.

   Fans (that's us) indeed have reason to be giving thanks. Last one there is a rotten Eggman! (Sorry.)

   -- Green Gibbon!

Compiled and arranged by Jared "Green Gibbon!" Matte. Hosting provided by Emulation Zone and Emulation World.