There are some pretty interesting rumors and conversations circling out there. I’ve seen it a few separate places. Maybe someone here can fill in more information if they have it. The basic gist is that on May 12th Sega is going to make an “explosive announcement”. It could be that they might enter back into the hardware market again with a new game system.
This would go a long way to continuing series such as Panzer Dragoon, Shenmue, etc. I’d be excited to see what happens, but I’ve been burned so bad by Sega that it’s hard to still hold out hope.
If Sega makes a new system, would you guys put out the dough for it? Also, do you think it would be a wise or really stupid decision? Can they actually mount a competition against such overwhelming powerhouses as Sony and Microsoft? Microsoft is gearing up to position itself as a leader in game development, and Sony is working at trying to maintain their massive fan base. How could Sega survive?
The only way to SEGA release a new console is to make a partnership with a huge, full-of-money company. If another company enters the console wars it would be a good move to use a well-established name to promote themselves.
The problem is that it’s a very unlikely event. And even if some company do it, it can be the end of the Sega as we know it.
[quote=“SegaTecToy”]The only way to SEGA release a new console is to make a partnership with a huge, full-of-money company. If another company enters the console wars it would be a good move to use a well-established name to promote themselves.
The problem is that it’s a very unlikely event. And even if some company do it, it can be the end of the Sega as we know it. :([/quote]
All they would need to is base it on NAOMI III. And don’t make it a massmarket consle or sell it at mm prices.
[quote=“Team Andromeda”]All they would need to is base it on NAOMI III. And don’t make it a massmarket consle or sell it at mm prices.
Very much like what SNK did with the Neo Geo[/quote]
With a much more stronger arcade market this strategy would be a sure shot, making great arcade games for their board and later making them exclusive for a console sold at a very lucrative margin to hardcore players.
But unfortunately the arcade market is very weak now even in Japan. There is not much reason to release plenty of games for them. But who knows? This scenario can change anytime and maybe arcades can return in great style.
[quote=“Team Andromeda”]All they would need to is base it on NAOMI III. And don’t make it a massmarket consle or sell it at mm prices.
Very much like what SNK did with the Neo Geo[/quote]
And we all know how successful and profitable SNK was, right?
Seriously, though, catering specifically to the hardcore is no way to keep a company the size of Sega alive. Once you release your own console, the other hardware manufacturers are less likely to allow you to publish games on their hardware, since they’d basically be helping feed your bottom line as a competitor.
Handheld? You think Sega could jump into the market against Nintendo and soon to be Sony?
Now, now Abadd thats not fair. The last Neo Geo Home Cart game, Samurai Shodown 5 Special, IS coming out this year. I think a 14 year run for a console is pretty good, don’t you?
But in general i don’t think it would be a good idea to just base a new system on an arcade hardware like SNK did. You’d have to do it more along the lines like Sega did with the Dreamcast and Naomi, and even then the home system/arcade hardware would have to be super powered. I think we’re seeing a trend that developers want more power in their systems simply so they can do more things within a game, not necassarily for great graphics (though it helps).
[quote=“GehnTheBerserker”]
Against Nintendo yes, I do.The PSP won’t be a hit imo…[/quote]
Nobody has been able to break into Nintendo’s handheld market. Not Sega, not Neo Geo… nobody.
As for the PSP, everyone said the same thing about the PSX. Sony’s proven they can do it once… I have no doubt they have a good chance of succeeding again. They have built such a powerful brand name amongst gamers, there’s guaranteed to be a transfer of that loyalty to the handheld market, too.
Btw, Sega of Europe announced that Outrun 2 is going to be an Xbox exclusive. AM2 probably came to the conclusion that replicating the arcade game on the Playstation 2 would be all but impossible… or more trouble than it’s worth.
[quote=“Team Andromeda”]All they would need to is base it on NAOMI III. And don’t make it a massmarket consle or sell it at mm prices.
Very much like what SNK did with the Neo Geo[/quote]
With a much more stronger arcade market this strategy would be a sure shot, making great arcade games for their board and later making them exclusive for a console sold at a very lucrative margin to hardcore players.
But unfortunately the arcade market is very weak now even in Japan. There is not much reason to release plenty of games for them. But who knows? This scenario can change anytime and maybe arcades can return in great style.[/quote]
SNK made profits for years. They lost out in the 3D Arcade batlte (with thier sh*t Hyper 64 board), and lost what little money they had left on the Nep Pocket (great machine btw).
This wouldn’t happen with SEGA. Since they are he market leaders in 3D Arcade games (have been since 1984). And unlike the Neo Geo.
NAOMI III games will be on a disc based media which means SEGA will make more profits than SNK did with Neo Geo carts ( where a lot of the price was for memory alone)
But remember, sales of those types of games are primarily supported by the Japanese market. In the US, aside from a small handful of arcade games, who actually cares about them? People can get DDR, Tekken, etc. on a PS2. Why would they need to buy a completely separate piece of machinery?
And like I said earlier, you have to take into consideration the sheer size of Sega as a company. You can’t keep a large corporation alive by trying to do business solely in a niche market.
[quote=“Abadd”]But remember, sales of those types of games are primarily supported by the Japanese market. In the US, aside from a small handful of arcade games, who actually cares about them? People can get DDR, Tekken, etc. on a PS2. Why would they need to buy a completely separate piece of machinery?
And like I said earlier, you have to take into consideration the sheer size of Sega as a company. You can’t keep a large corporation alive by trying to do business solely in a niche market.[/quote]
But I’m no saying that. Even if SEGA were to make home version of NAOMI III. I still would want them to make Sonic and thier ESPN games for the PS2 X-Box.
