Sega to become more arcade focused (1 Viewer)

[Romier S]

It should also be noted that Sega's change of focus was happening to a degree already. Note the shift from Xbox to PS2 for new projects. Note the reorganisation of studios & parting of ways with the head of the oh so arty UGA. Note the focus on key, older brands again. I don't blame Sammy for wanting to focus on the arcades at all - it's what they know, it's what's generating revenue for them & Sega back home. I don't like it, but I understand it.

Exactly!

 

[MattBu]

When have Sega ever released a dating simulator in the West?

They haven't, but if they begin to focus solely on the Eastern market they will have no choice but to port dating schlock over here. (Im sure they think Football is schlock, but whatever)

 

[Romier S]

Sega NEEDS successful games like Sonic was in order to produce Niche games. I agree that a Sega without Niche games is nothing, but you cant JUST have Niche games or else you end up getting bought out by a pachinko manufacturer.

Of course! I never said any different. One of the best fighting games ever created in my estimation is Virtua Fighter 4 and its a very mainstream titles these days. If anything I was commenting on your direct words of a game like Panzer Dragoon being sacrificed for a stronger focus of Sega's sports line-up. I simply prefer a balance of the two.

I don't think one should be sacrificed for the other. I think Sega needs above all else to learn how to manage thier intellectual properties. To devote the correct games to the correct market. I've ben saying that for over a year now.

Thankfully, they are as of now doing some intelligent stuff. Sonic Heroes multiplatform? Damn good business decision if you ask me. More focus on the PS2? Again another damn good business decision even if I would like to see the wealth spread around more, I understand the need. Understand what I mean?

 

[MattBu]

Completely. I understand that a support of the PS2, a machine that I loathe and have relegated to playing porn DVDs in my bedroom, is necessary to the support of any company. That's why I had no problem with giving the PS2 my Xbox's Halo scraps after it had been out for awhile. What's good for the Goose (PS2) is good for the Gander (Sega).

I for example think Sega could make inroads by allowing there to be some kind of inter platform gaming. If they dont, EA soon will I promise.

 

[Kyle McKnight]

Some challenge is better than nothing. Things are only going to get worse as well with some heavy speculation that EA is coming around in regards to the Xbox live situation. Think the 2K line has problems now? Imagine if EA next year brought thier titles to Live?

That's for sure. Working for GameStop, you wouldn't believe how many times I heard someone say they were buying ESPN Football because it supported live instead of Madden. There have been many people who picked up Madden on the PS2 when they wanted it for Xbox, just for the on-line play. Personally, I like Sega Sports, it just seems that I enjoy it more. I have never been a "Madden Fan" like many are, who buy the new Madden because it's Madden.

 

[KevinRB]

"You wouldn't believe how many times I heard someone say they were buying ESPN Football because it supported live instead of Madden."

I did the same with ESPN NBA. EA actually has a TV advertisement now bragging that their sports games are only available online via PS2. Hmmmm... I wonder what kind of kick back EA is getting from Sony?

It's ridiculous to think the 2k games can't be profitable. (Look how long a piece of crap like NFL Quarterback Club hung around.) They just need to realize it's a mistake to try and out market EA. I hope the Sammy CEO understands this.

As for their other games... It seems like Segas profitability is inversely related to how much I like their products. My selfish reasoning wants them to continue creating games like Rez and JSR. Unfortunately, the new Sega regime seems more "bottom line" focused then "create good games" focused.

 

[BrianB]

(Gaming Age's forum is finally back up, so I could get the stats to back this up...)

GC Sales
SONIC ADVENTURE 2 BATTLE 757,523
SONIC MEGA COLLECTION 319,182
SUPER MONKEY BALL 299,391
SUPER MONKEY BALL 2 289,870
SONIC ADVENTURE DX 202,147
PHANTASY STAR ONLINE I & II 165,102
NFL 2K3 114,152
NBA 2K3 88,748
SKIES OF ARCADIA LEGENDS 75,210
BILLY HATCHER 74,153
NBA 2K2 72,001
BEACH SPIKERS 61,611
HOME RUN KING 61,605
SOCCER SLAM 35,850
NCAA FOOTBALL 2K3 19,567
VIRTUA STRIKER 2002 7,898
NHL 2K3 7,199
NCAA BASKETBALL 2K3 5,700

Xbox Sales
NFL 2K3 251,502
NBA 2K3 173,978
ESPN NFL FOOTBALL 139,720
WORLD SERIES BASEBALL 123,309
NBA 2K2 108,739
PANZER DRAGOON ORTA 106,422
CRAZY TAXI 3 96,331
NFL 2K2 94,023
HOUSE OF THE DEAD III 92,193
JET SET RADIO FUTURE 92,024
GUNVALKYRIE 90,576
NCAA FOOTBALL 2K3 87,800
ESPN NBA BASKETBALL 78,513
NCAA BASKETBALL 2K3 77,773
WORLD SERIES BASEBALL 2K3 76,627
SEGA GT 2002 72,293
TOEJAM & EARL III 61,678
NHL 2K3 59,033
OTOGI: MYTH OF DEMONS 42,225
ESPN NHL HOCKEY 38,501
SOCCER SLAM 28,100
ESPN COLLEGE HOOPS 10,512

PS2 Sales
VIRTUA FIGHTER 4/EVO 737,003
NFL 2K3 729,211
NBA 2K2 464,702
NBA 2K3 389,310
NFL 2K2 357,006
SHINOBI 260,186
NCAA FOOTBALL 2K3 158,597
ESPN NFL FOOTBALL 132,270
ESPN NBA BASKETBALL 96,398
NCAA BASKETBALL 2K3 87,927
WORLD SERIES BASEBALL2K3 86,488
TENNIS 2K2 86,270
NHL 2K3 77,359
GUNGRAVE 70,210
ESPN NHL HOCKEY 48,181
SOCCER SLAM 42,782
BASS FISHING DUEL 37,452
AERO ELITE: COMBAT 23,667
KING OF ROUTE 66 22,724
REZ 19,356
FERRARI F355 CHALLENGE 16,919
VIRTUAL-ON MARZ 3,280

 

[Jay Mitchosky]

They of course share a bit of the blame for their marketing and own financial controls but overall I blame the general gaming community for not supporting the better product, which people never seem to do.

But ultimately it is the consumer who determines what is best. Products aren't made from the good of people's hearts - they are made to be marketed and sold to the customer. What the customer perceives as the best is what the they buy. Better is in the eye of the beholder.