RUMOR: Sega leaving console game development

[InsanityRequiem]

Original source (For the Japanese literate): http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20150221-00000530-san-soci
English source: http://en.rocketnews24.com/2015/02/24/fans-mourn-segas-exit-from-the-console-video-game-market-fume-over-new-sega-games-name/

I say this is a rumor because I couldn't find any other source of Sega possibly leaving game development for consoles, but it would be a major shock if there was some sort of truth. Heck, the english source could be dead wrong, since I'm unable to read Japanese.

Sega was a big dog in the console and game days of the 80s and 90s, but their quality has been dropping within the past eight years.

What do folks think? Good, bad, neutral? True, false, or a wait and see approach?

 

[tippy2k2]

Now I haven't tracked Sega in forever but unless they've really overhauled what they do and I never noticed, this seems like it would be a really bad move.

What games have they developed for the PC? I know Valkyria Chronicles was ported over to the PC but they were the Pub, not developer, correct?

Other than that, does Sega has any real experience in the PC and mobile market (I assume they are talking about cell phones, NOT handhelds)? If this is true (and I'm correct that they have minimal experience here; that could be incorrect) then this seems like a desperate Hail Mary attempt from a company in the last twitches of death...

 

[WouldYouKindly]

Now I haven't tracked Sega in forever but unless they've really overhauled what they do and I never noticed, this seems like it would be a really bad move.

What games have they developed for the PC? I know Valkyria Chronicles was ported over to the PC but they were the Pub, not developer, correct?

Other than that, does Sega has any real experience in the PC and mobile market (I assume they are talking about cell phones, NOT handhelds)? If this is true (and I'm correct that they have minimal experience here; that could be incorrect) then this seems like a desperate Hail Mary attempt from a company in the last twitches of death...

Sega publishes the Total War games, the Company of Heroes games, Alien Isolation was one of theirs(not ONLY on PC, but it was developed for it), Phantasy Star Online 2.

Their own in house development teams don't seem to have much experience with PC; Phantasy Star Online 2 was made for PC and was made by Sonic Team, but that's about all I can see from them.

They can do it, though I can't attest to the quality of Sonic Teams work on the game as it's only ever been released in Japan(and is a bit too much anime bullshit for my tastes if that weren't the case). They'll sink or swim. I just hope Creative Assembly doesn't get taken down in the resulting wreck because the strategy game genre has few enough games with a real time component.

 

[Timeless Lavender]

They better not leave, I would love to experience Jet set radio, Shenmue or even Yakuza and their other franchise this current gen. I used to like Sonic but to me, other Sega's franchises already winning me over so I really don't care about it.

 

[gyrobot_v1legacy]

As someone in middle of a conference. The truth is they are focusing on development of Sega Networks. I saw a presentation from one of the suits. From Segas pov, console and arcade gaming have hit a stable point. It makes money off a solid fandom that isnt growing as fast for the dev costs. adding salt to the wound is there isnt as many employees in a regular console/Arcade game so the prospects of getting a game dev job is poor. To them mobile gaming lowers the entry level and brings money in.

Sad, I know.

 

[Maximum Bert]

What games have they developed for the PC? I know Valkyria Chronicles was ported over to the PC but they were the Pub, not developer, correct?

Pretty sure it was internally developed and published by Sega I believe the director of it was the lead director on Skies of Arcadia hence the character guest appearances (not 100% sure on this though).

Unless you are talking about who handled the port in which case I dont know.

Heard about this as well cant see them leaving the console market all together but looks like they are definitely cutting back. They are still releasing games like Dengeki Bunko Fighting Climax though which is awesome as I love some of those characters in it and the genre but its a pretty niche game in a pretty niche genre. Makes Capcoms refusal to release a new Darkstalkers look a bit stupid as well.

 

[gyrobot_v1legacy]

What games have they developed for the PC? I know Valkyria Chronicles was ported over to the PC but they were the Pub, not developer, correct?

Pretty sure it was internally developed and published by Sega I believe the director of it was the lead director on Skies of Arcadia hence the character guest appearances (not 100% sure on this though).

Unless you are talking about who handled the port in which case I dont know.

Heard about this as well cant see them leaving the console market all together but looks like they are definitely cutting back. They are still releasing games like Dengeki Bunko Fighting Climax though which is awesome as I love some of those characters in it and the genre but its a pretty niche game in a pretty niche genre. Makes Capcoms refusal to release a new Darkstalkers look a bit stupid as well.

The alternative is rely on Galapagos syndrome style marketing to stay relevant. They would love to make a new game but SEGA and Capcom only got so many in house devs working on a series. They are running out of new talent and finding people who can do a bit of everything is a rare breed.

An example put out by the Capcom Vancouver rep is that they want people who could do a bunch of things, they aren't looking for a guy who is ultra skilled in programming a movement but also bring ideas and animation to life. The situation is made worse by the fact the console/HH profit to development demand has plateaued, you won't lose any money from this but don't expect to earn more than operation and development cost. So you can forget about hiring new guys to help make your dream game because you are more concerned about staying profitable. Mobile gaming at this point is the best way for them to find new talent to develop and keep money rolling in to keep them in the black and give them some hope of making a vanity project again.

 

[Dragonbums]

Didn't the owner of Sonic clarify though that they will still be making games for consoles?

I mean, either way it's their own doing. With the recent Sonic Boom SEGA has nothing but themselves to blame for that fiasco. I'm in the camp that it would of been a good game had SEGA did some basic fucking developmental oversight and keep the studio on track as opposed to washing their hands off the idea because they didn't "like it" (Like they haven't come up with some mega stupid shit before.) only to result in half the production team leaving half way through.
You would think they would learn their lesson after they did that with Gearbox and A:CM.

That aside though rumors are just rumors. Could be true, could not be. But SEGA can't continue the path they are going.

 

[Pirate Of PC Master race]

According to the news source given, with my limited knowledge of japanese reading skills,

isn't this news just about the name change of the development team within Sega?

Edit: I need some REAL Japanese reading person to confirm this.
Edit #2: nvm, English ver seems pretty much word to word translation, except Japanese ver. said Sega will be focusing on "internet" games and... er, "home-oriented"? games?
I lack so much context.

 

[gyrobot_v1legacy]

According to the news source given, with my limited knowledge of japanese reading skills,

isn't this news just about the name change of the development team within Sega?

Edit: I need some REAL Japanese reading person to confirm this.
Edit #2: nvm, English ver seems pretty much word to word translation, except Japanese ver. said Sega will be focusing on "internet" games and... er, "home-oriented"? games?
I lack so much context.

That is Sega Networks. Its their mobile gaming division that maintains and develops mobile games.

 

[Shoggoth2588]

I could be mistaken on this but doesn't Sega make most of its money in Japanese arcades, pachinko parlors and, casinos? Again, I could be wrong but if that's true then I wouldn't be surprised if Sega did end up shifting focus to making themed Pachinko & slot machines alongside the sporadic mobile game or, mobile port.

 

[Ieyke]

As long as they sell Sonic, Super Monkey Ball, and NiGHTS to Nintendo, I don't particularly care what they do.