NationStates

Posted: **Thu Dec 18, 2014 12:10 pm**

OK, so Sega has been out of the console industry for roughly 15 years now. And this has both pleased opponents and angered Sega fans. Many of the old Sega fans have moved on to other consoles. Ether finding a new home with the big 3 or just casually gaming on multiple platforms. But, every couple years a hoax is raised about Sega's big comeback. And sure enough, that next Sega console still eludes us. But, this thread is to discuss not if Sega will develop a new console. But instead assumes they are and have done so. Sonic is made Sega exclusive again. Shenmue 3 is coming out. The return of fighters like Power Stone and a new home for Sega cagmes such as Virtua Fighter and finally all of those arcade ports will have a destination. And we will attempt to debate and answer these questions.

What obstacles will the company face coming back into the console market after 15 years of exile?
Who would be their biggest competitors?
Would they be able to regain their former standing and draw in sells and a loyal fan base again?
Would Sonic become a major part of the Sega revival once more as their continued mascot? If not, who would replace him and should Sega even adopt a new mascot.
Which games would be released as launch titles?
What features should Sega include to be competitive?
What kind of marketing strategy should they use?
What lessons should they have learned from their past?
And most importantly, would you purchase a new Sega console?

As side notes, this thread can also serve as a place to discuss past favorite Sega consoles, games, characters ect. What you either love or hate about the company and so on.

First off, on my opinion. I will state, I am a Sega fan. Always have been. My first console was when I was four years old with the Sega Genesis and my favorite game was Sonic the Hedgehog. I stayed loyal with Sega all the way through to the Dreamcast and continued to play my Dreamcast well after support was dropped for it. Not buying a new console until a year or two before the 360, Wii and PS3 were released. And, I got a Gamecube when the new generation arrived a XBox 360. Saying that, I am skeptical that Sega, if they released a new console, it would be successful.

The current market is extremely hard to even stay in and compete with. Let alone break into. The Big Three also all have very loyal fan bases built by now. And few gamers seem to bounce around or experiment too much. Now, I do believe it would get A LOT of hype. E3 would be buzzing, GameInformer Magazine would have a field day. And most every gamer and their mother would talk about it. But, that does not translate to sells. I believe that the small loyal Sega fans would rush to stores and find a new and competent console as I have never known Sega for making bad consoles. It was a myriad of reasons why they tanked. But, they would fail to draw in the support and sells needed. Perhaps they would look very promising at first, as all of the Sega fans go out and buy out shelves, but after that died down, they would be left behind. It is a very sad prediction.

The deal is, Sega does not have much to gain by coming back. And they could lose everything. Right now, as a software company they make and sell games for all consoles. And they make their share of profits. But, it is extremely costly entering into the console war, and another failure after the Dreamcast could possibly destroy Sega for good. And at the end of my prediction, as a Sega Fan, as much as I would love to see a successful comeback. I do not believe it possible.

Seeing the return of potential titles such as...

And many more simply would not be enough for Sega to take on the Big Three and win in my opinion. But enough of my doom and gloom prediction, althout I would most certainly buy a Sega Console, what is the prediction of the gamers of Nation States?! :roll:

Posted: **Thu Dec 18, 2014 12:22 pm**

Where is the option for "I do not waste my time with such quandaries, as I am a member of the PC Master Race"?

Posted: **Thu Dec 18, 2014 12:24 pm**

There should be a option that says, "I don't really give a fuck what console I use"

Posted: **Thu Dec 18, 2014 12:25 pm**

Rob Halfordia wrote:Where is the option for "I do not waste my time with such quandaries, as I am a member of the PC Master Race"?

Seconded.

Posted: **Thu Dec 18, 2014 12:25 pm**

Rob Halfordia wrote:Where is the option for "I do not waste my time with such quandaries, as I am a member of the PC Master Race"?

Thread is pretty much about Sega, and it's would be console competition. PC Master Race goes elsewhere!

Posted: **Thu Dec 18, 2014 12:25 pm**

Where is the pc option? But i wouldn't buy a sega console. It'd be a huge failure.

Posted: **Thu Dec 18, 2014 12:25 pm**

Inb4 the PC master race bullsh-

Fuck. Nevermind.

Posted: **Thu Dec 18, 2014 12:26 pm**

Eastern Equestria wrote:Inb4 the PC master race bullsh-

Fuck. Nevermind.

They ninjas.

Posted: **Thu Dec 18, 2014 12:26 pm**

I already have an Xbox 360. No need for anything else, really...

Posted: **Thu Dec 18, 2014 12:27 pm**

The Rebel Alliances wrote:
Rob Halfordia wrote:Where is the option for "I do not waste my time with such quandaries, as I am a member of the PC Master Race"?

Thread is pretty much about Sega, and it's would be console competition. PC Master Race goes elsewhere!

Posted: **Thu Dec 18, 2014 12:31 pm**

Butballs wrote:Where is the pc option? But i wouldn't buy a sega console. It'd be a huge failure.

What factors do you believe would make it a failure?
Competition, failure at effective marketing, established reputation ect

Posted: **Thu Dec 18, 2014 12:58 pm**

Sega would have little to gain from reentering the game console market.

The game console is a bit of an artefact of the past in some ways. The only reason they prospered was because microcomputers and PC's were very expensive and complicated to use from the 1970's to the mid 90's (When the "Wintel" system made computers much cheaper and easier to use). Today even kids can choose between having a game console or a PC.

Consoles still sell well because they have very established consumer bases, but they are now more entertainment centers than true game console. In that sense, Microsoft and Sony have an enormous advantage:

- They are integrated vertically, with various hardware and software research divisions that bring down the price of technological development. Sega lacks this, and has had no hardware research in 15 years.

- Both have more than one game studio working for/with them. And in Sony's case they have a music division and a film division...so, more chances for multiplatform content.

- They are spread worldwide, and have a well established online multiplayer service, which Sega would have to build (or rebuild to be honest, since the dreamcast had online capabilities before the others) from scratch.

Sega would be worse off than Nintendo itself, since Nintendo can always fall back to their dominance of the handheld console market, and is currently established in the market. (even if the Wii U is a bit of a flop)

So, in summary: Sega simply has nothing to gain to enter this market, and i doubt very much they even could do it. If they really wanted to go forward with the idea, they would need to sell themselves to a bigger consumer electronics entity, like Apple or Samsung

Posted: **Thu Dec 18, 2014 1:48 pm**

I would not waste my money. With a such low install base for a new console, it would suck. Also, both Sony and Microsoft have more money to maintain better infrastructure for online play and security.

Sony and Microsoft also would have more and better exclusives. All I see
Sega doing at this point is Sonic, which is over-done, little improving garbage by this point.

Sega is dead in the console market. Nintendo is next, which is a good thing. I want Mario for my Xbox One. The only companies that should stay in the console industry is Microsoft, Sony, and various PC makers. All others suck.

Posted: **Thu Dec 18, 2014 2:42 pm**

Pandeeria wrote:I would not waste my money. With a such low install base for a new console, it would suck. Also, both Sony and Microsoft have more money to maintain better infrastructure for online play and security.

Sony and Microsoft also would have more and better exclusives. All I see
Sega doing at this point is Sonic, which is over-done, little improving garbage by this point.

Sega is dead in the console market. Nintendo is next, which is a good thing. I want Mario for my Xbox One. The only companies that should stay in the console industry is Microsoft, Sony, and various PC makers. All others suck.

I am sure Sega could work out some partnerships to get them in on the online play. I have heard some suggest they could partner with steam or something. Sega has a large variety of potential exclusives. But, that does bring a interesting point up. Sega had historically a share of exclusives to make some gamers foam at the mouth. But, after the company pulled out of the console market, most of them did not survive the sinking ship. And so, most have been forgotten. The reason you see sonic so much, is because he is the most successful and widely known character to survive the lost console. And many could argue Sonic is making a come back. Sonic Colors and Black Knight are two very enjoyable games along with several other Sega releases.

Sega, "If" it came back could bring back many of their formerly lost exclusives, which would seem new and exciting to many gamers, because they are not known and would not feel played out. Because most have not seen a game release for 15 years, meaning a whole new generation of gamers, would be playing characters which 'feel ' new. But in reality have a history dating back decades.

As far as Nintendo being next, I dont really see that. Nintendo is not going anywhere for a long while. And they would again find themselves in competition again. But, with the many strong exclusives, near monopoly on handhelds, hugely successful games like the Smash Bros and innovative and interactive game play which does have appeal, as their sales have proven. I dont see Nintendo going anywhere. So if you want that Mario game, better get that Wii U.

Posted: **Thu Dec 18, 2014 2:46 pm**

You forgot Skies of Arcadia and CRAZYYY TAXI

Posted: **Thu Dec 18, 2014 3:02 pm**

The Rebel Alliances wrote:
Pandeeria wrote:I would not waste my money. With a such low install base for a new console, it would suck. Also, both Sony and Microsoft have more money to maintain better infrastructure for online play and security.

Sony and Microsoft also would have more and better exclusives. All I see
Sega doing at this point is Sonic, which is over-done, little improving garbage by this point.

Sega is dead in the console market. Nintendo is next, which is a good thing. I want Mario for my Xbox One. The only companies that should stay in the console industry is Microsoft, Sony, and various PC makers. All others suck.

I am sure Sega could work out some partnerships to get them in on the online play. I have heard some suggest they could partner with steam or something. Sega has a large variety of potential exclusives. But, that does bring a interesting point up. Sega had historically a share of exclusives to make some gamers foam at the mouth. But, after the company pulled out of the console market, most of them did not survive the sinking ship. And so, most have been forgotten. The reason you see sonic so much, is because he is the most successful and widely known character to survive the lost console. And many could argue Sonic is making a come back. Sonic Colors and Black Knight are two very enjoyable games along with several other Sega releases.

Then their balls would be in the hands of whoever controlled their online play. Single player is quickly taking a back seat, as online multiplayer is now the biggest part of most games.

Also, Steam wouldn't partner up with Sega. And all other options that would partner with Sega are inadequate. It's like Nintendo right now, but even worse.

Sega, "If" it came back could bring back many of their formerly lost exclusives, which would seem new and exciting to many gamers, because they are not known and would not feel played out. Because most have not seen a game release for 15 years, meaning a whole new generation of gamers, would be playing characters which 'feel ' new. But in reality have a history dating back decades.

Once the basic nostalgia wears off, gamers will not care. More people care about the Halo and Titanfall and the Last of Us and even Mario, along with the countless grand strategy exclusives that you cannot find anywhere else but PC. Many agree that this point the Sonic series has simply became a cash cow that is just bad at this point. And I agree.

As far as Nintendo being next, I dont really see that. Nintendo is not going anywhere for a long while. And they would again find themselves in competition again. But, with the many strong exclusives, near monopoly on handhelds, hugely successful games like the Smash Bros and innovative and interactive game play which does have appeal, as their sales have proven. I dont see Nintendo going anywhere. So if you want that Mario game, better get that Wii U.

Nintendo is only staying a float because of the metric shit ton of money they made from the Wii. They're bleeding a lot of money, and their sitaution is looking virtually identical to that of Sega just before it left the console market.

They barely have any strong exolusives anymore. All they have are Mario, Donkey Kong, and Zelda, which have also been done. The people who've played Nintendo's console in the 1980's and 90's are now grown up and want more adult games such as first person shooters and such. I would rather they made a new IP instead of rehashing Mario for the seven billionth time already.

Their multiplatform selection is horrendous. Half the time they don't even get third party games, and when they do, the games are broke, neutered, pieces of trash that dont even get DLC. Big developers such as EA have directly stated they will no longer support the Wii U platform, and developers like Ubisoft and the Call of Duty trio have stopped bringing much games to the Wii U.

Once Ninentdo runs out of money, they will became the next Sega like they rightfully should be. Nintendo is an arrogant, awful company that has lost touch with the very industry they helped build and currently occupy. When they exhaust virtually all monetary sources and are forced out of the console industry, they'll finally change their company internally. However, by then, they will already be forced out.

Posted: **Thu Dec 18, 2014 3:51 pm**

Transyl wrote:There should be a option that says, "I don't really give a fuck what console I use"

There's actually a lot more merit to this than one might think-- considering that popular titles are frequently cross-platform, there's nothing that'd really set a Sega platform apart, especially now that they've been DPing Sonic the Hedgehog with Nintendo for the past decade or so.

Posted: **Thu Dec 18, 2014 3:56 pm**

Pandeeria wrote:
Sega is dead in the console market. Nintendo is next, which is a good thing. I want Mario for my Xbox One. The only companies that should stay in the console industry is Microsoft, Sony, and various PC makers. All others suck.

Would never happen, nobody would take any of Nintendo's original IPs

Posted: **Thu Dec 18, 2014 4:02 pm**

AHSCA wrote:
Pandeeria wrote:
Sega is dead in the console market. Nintendo is next, which is a good thing. I want Mario for my Xbox One. The only companies that should stay in the console industry is Microsoft, Sony, and various PC makers. All others suck.

Would never happen, nobody would take any of Nintendo's original IPs

What are you talking about? Nintendo would still develop them and make lots of money.

Posted: **Thu Dec 18, 2014 4:02 pm**

Rob Halfordia wrote:Where is the option for "I do not waste my time with such quandaries, as I am a member of the PC Master Race"?

^^^ This

Posted: **Thu Dec 18, 2014 8:00 pm**

PC Master Race. o/ o/ o/

One question, how can you discuss a hypothetical return of Sega to the console business without mentioning the greatest game Sega ever produced?

Posted: **Sat Dec 20, 2014 4:46 pm**

I would definitely purchase a new SEGA console

My eyes on the Dreamcast however. There's still indie support for it. Also, people, right now SEGA is still making consoles in the form of arcade boards, with the latest being the Sega Nu. They are in the arcade market however so we won't see them unless you have the money to order an arcade machine.

Posted: **Sat Dec 20, 2014 9:35 pm**

I would really want to, I've always been a big Sega fan since the 16 bit days, and still keep the Genesis emulator ready to go for when the itch hits me. I've gone through three Dreamcasts over the years, and I finally didn't buy a new one when the last one broke.

The only thing I'd be wary of is I'd need to know they're going to properly support it and stick with it. As much as I am a fan Sega has shown a tendency to just throw things out there and hope they work, and immediately discontinue them when they don't. I'd need to know they were committed to releasing a new console and competing with the others out there. Unfortunately, I don't think they or the market are in a position to make that a reality.

Posted: **Mon Dec 22, 2014 2:07 am**

I definitely wouldn't buy a new Sega console because current Sega is a shell of it's former self and there is no way they would even be able to support a new system. Hell, I'm pretty sure current Sega makes most of their money off like fucking pachinko machines nowadays and not video games.

Posted: **Mon Dec 22, 2014 2:11 am**

Sega is... No, Sega is the definition of "washed-up". If you looked up "washed-up" in the dictionary, you'd find a picture of Sonic sucking the industry's chili-dog.

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