Embargo on M&S Winter Olympics Gameplay Footage

Why Gamescom Footage–Even from Sega–is Being Pulled

The reason why you haven’t seen any appreciable gameplay video for Mario & Sonic at the Winter Olympic Games–and why what you have seen has only been online for a few fleeting moments–is simply because Sega doesn’t want you to, at least not right now.

TSSZ News has learned that, less than two months away from their release, there is a company wide embargo on showing any moving in-game footage from the Wii and DS title.  It is why yesterday’s footage from German media outlet ComputerHilfen was flagged by YouTube for copyright violations, and it is also why today’s Gamescom video, shot by Sega employees and uploaded to the official Sega of Europe YouTube channel, has now been pulled offline, and why today’s community video may not last for much longer.  TSSZ News has learned the Day 3 video will be re-edited to omit any gameplay footage shown from Mario and Sonic at the Winter Olympic Games.  It appears that some within Sega’s European division, operating along with Sega of America under the revised management umbrella of Mike Hayes’s unofficially dubbed Sega West, didn’t get the memo.

This means, for the moment, still screenshots will have to do for salivating fans, who have long been questioning why no in-game video has yet been seen.

That ban, we are told, is far reaching, applicable both within the company and to members of the media.  It is a rare exception to what has seemingly been the rule of late for most Sega titles.  Both media and amateur footage of Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing littered the YouTube landscape when it was on display at this year’s San Diego Comic Con.  Interestingly, M&S was nowhere to be found there.

The video drought could be short lived, as TSSZ News has learned there are plans for Sega to directly release in-game footage at some point soon.  No specific timetable was given.

As to why this policy is in place, a firm “no comment” was given by the Sega representative contacted.

When all is said and done, what’s left of SoE’s community video is what amounts to a tour of the M&S area at Gamescom, and we will amend our previous story on the matter when that video is again made available.

The policy, if not lifted soon, could also impact those traveling to this year’s Summer of Sonic convention, which is next Saturday in London.  M&S, under the embargo, will be playable at the event, but so will ASR, which isn’t under those restrictions.  Further, the SoS frequently asked question page notes a blanket allowance for video camera recording.  That could make for a very hairy situation for those wanting to share their gameplay experiences with others, and it could become even more complicated if kiosks for M&S and ASR are close to one another at the convention.

We’ve put in for comment with SoS organizer Svend Joscelyne on whether the current camera policy may have to be altered in light of this development.  If we get any clarifying details on how this could impact convention-goers, we will pass it along.