Service Games: Rise & Fall of Sega Enhanced Edition

[cube_b3]

@ SM: Again, you are referring to the customer cover book that was softcover. That was a business backer thing, allowing business backers to sell it with their own custom cover. The whole purpose of the 2nd Kickstarter was to give people another chance to buy a low price color hardcover while we could raise some money for the audio edition.

The actual softcover can be purchased for 25$ MSRP, you can easily find it for much cheaper on amazon. Have fun!

@ George: Sam Pettus is a published author, however he uses a pen name. Specifically to avoid haters. This is a book for the community by the community. Eidolons Inns previous effort included the Tavern RPG however that eventually spun off into Pier Solar.

Correct me if I am wrong but we do not have any other books that tons of community members collaborated on that was released commercially? The book on the cover only credit 5 authors, but if you actually open the book you will see that their are over a hundred credited contributors (such as myself), who helped provide references and proof read the book before David Munoz went for a final read through and then when he was done we brought in a "big time published" author/editor David Chen.

I read the original SEGA BASE over a decade ago, it inspired me on so many levels and not just on gaming but on a more professional level. I think I was 14 when I read it, it wasn't the first rise and fall feature I had read but it was certainly the most human. Sega Base wasn't about SOJ did that and SOA did this, it was about the relationship between people. People like you and me.

Now so many years later I can't wait to read the fully realized book. I have read two reviews and I was discussing them with our project lead and we were sad that a few things could not be addressed but David was happy with all he could accomplish.

We have a writer at DC Emu I won't take any names, but I have known him for over a decade and he has really taught me a lot over the years and he hated Sega Base because it focused to much on America and he wanted the book to have a more global focus. When David Munoz released the original book back in 2012 he hated it with a passion. David invited him to join the team and he basically just listed all the things wrong with Sega of America and blamed David for being overly sympathetic towards SOA. Note that the original edition was basically SEGA BASE in print. So David shouldn't even have been blamed for it.

Nonetheless, he is a senior member and he obviously knows a lot more about the history of the company but instead of being positive or constructive he was more interested in hating. David listened to his complaints and found Kevin and Ivan who also had the same complaints, only instead of hating these two gentlemen wanted to help fix and expand the history written in the original book.

Now I have already said this before and it is unfortunate because this was almost the tone of the commentators at Bits as well back when I interviewed David.

Instead of uniting the community and bringing enlightened connoisseurs on board the comments were just weird:
 
- "OMG THE NAME IS SO WRONG, CHANGE IT!!"_ Random Commentator

- "for the record, we aren't opposed to changing the name do you have any suggestions" _ David

- SEGA BASE SUCKS  _ Another commentator writes in response.

____________________________________

In conclusion, I will reiterate that those who had a genuine love for the company coupled with expansive knowledge missed out on an opportunity.

Anyway those who are interested in a book by big time published author can look forward to Console Wars by Blake Harris though from the description it looks like it won't go to far beyond 1989 - 1994.

[Saturn Memories]

Have fun!

At this point, I'll pass.

[TimmiT]

@ George: Sam Pettus is a published author, however he uses a pen name. Specifically to avoid haters. This is a book for the community by the community. Eidolons Inns previous effort included the Tavern RPG however that eventually spun off into Pier Solar.

Correct me if I am wrong but we do not have any other books that tons of community members collaborated on that was released commercially? The book on the cover only credit 5 authors, but if you actually open the book you will see that their are over a hundred credited contributors (such as myself), who helped provide references and proof read the book before David Munoz went for a final read through and then when he was done we brought in a "big time published" author/editor David Chen.

I read the original SEGA BASE over a decade ago, it inspired me on so many levels and not just on gaming but on a more professional level. I think I was 14 when I read it, it wasn't the first rise and fall feature I had read but it was certainly the most human. Sega Base wasn't about SOJ did that and SOA did this, it was about the relationship between people. People like you and me.

Now so many years later I can't wait to read the fully realized book. I have read two reviews and I was discussing them with our project lead and we were sad that a few things could not be addressed but David was happy with all he could accomplish.

We have a writer at DC Emu I won't take any names, but I have known him for over a decade and he has really taught me a lot over the years and he hated Sega Base because it focused to much on America and he wanted the book to have a more global focus. When David Munoz released the original book back in 2012 he hated it with a passion. David invited him to join the team and he basically just listed all the things wrong with Sega of America and blamed David for being overly sympathetic towards SOA. Note that the original edition was basically SEGA BASE in print. So David shouldn't even have been blamed for it.

Nonetheless, he is a senior member and he obviously knows a lot more about the history of the company but instead of being positive or constructive he was more interested in hating. David listened to his complaints and found Kevin and Ivan who also had the same complaints, only instead of hating these two gentlemen wanted to help fix and expand the history written in the original book.

Now I have already said this before and it is unfortunate because this was almost the tone of the commentators at Bits as well back when I interviewed David.

Instead of uniting the community and bringing enlightened connoisseurs on board the comments were just weird:
 
- "OMG THE NAME IS SO WRONG, CHANGE IT!!"_ Random Commentator

- "for the record, we aren't opposed to changing the name do you have any suggestions" _ David

- SEGA BASE SUCKS  _ Another commentator writes in response.

____________________________________

In conclusion, I will reiterate that those who had a genuine love for the company coupled with expansive knowledge missed out on an opportunity.

Anyway those who are interested in a book by big time published author can look forward to Console Wars by Blake Harris though from the description it looks like it won't go to far beyond 1989 - 1994.

Most contributors =/= most accurate book. If anything, the book could potentially become less accurate if the contributions aren't checked properly to see if they're actually true. And considering the book does have mistakes, it's easy to assume that that is the case.

It's also amazing how you wrote this much and you either didn't address the issues or you actually made them worse. Yes, there are people who write poorly and give poor criticism. But just ignoring all comments because of those people means that actual important criticisms are missed.

Also cube, can you please stop overhyping the book? Because at this point you just sound like a snake oil salesman.

[Nameless 24]

It's awful! Terrible, Japan's gaming industry is collapsing, the Playstation 4 is struggling and the 3DS nor Vita are pushing amazing numbers anymore. The developers have only themselves to blame, fragmenting it by supporting only one or two consoles and then being unable to get to grips with HD development and trying to make Westernized games which was never the answer. There's a lot of points to be made but perhaps it's best for another thread.

SEGA were fine between 2008 - 2012, the amount of games released coupled with what they were releasing was great, I'd say 2012 was infact the best third party year they ever had in terms of game quality.

The problem is this is the trend in Japanese gaming;



Coupled this with two major new IPs for SEGA opening less than 20,000 and Ryu Ga Gotoku: Ishin struggling to meet its target I must face the reality in regards to the future of the Japanese video game market.

SEGA will survive in thanks to their smart acquisitions of popular Western IPs and Sonic the Hedgehog but I am wary in regards to heavy weights like Konami and Capcom. Dark times ahead for Japanese video game companies, I am hoping the indie revolutionary might help Japan out but I am still unsure if it can do anything at all...

Interesting graph there Aki!

I believe there are a few problems regarding Japan's struggling market, and I do believe it's to do with their economy,  the Yen re-evaluation, the inflated prices of products in Japan in addition to the Ageing Population, the managerial structure in Japan (where the Senior positions rarely retire for their younger peers to step up), the reluctance to adapt for the Global market, in addition to things like work overload by males, the lack of reproducing between adults and the rise of a culture where socialising with your work colleagues rather than neighbours or other social activity friends.

Some of that may or may not contribute to the lowered profits of Japanese games, but when you have the likes of even Nintendo failing to even up-start their home console in Japan, I do believe that the gap in the population is a very big and worrying problem, not just for Gaming, but for Japanese centric hobbies, media and even the Japanese people are indeed in danger of becoming a less populated race.

I don't mean to sound harsh in any of these criticisms, I genuinely believe the solutions to their economy, population and perhaps the immigration problems can be solved with actions from the Government (god forbid me saying that, as I am very anti-Government at the moment).

SEGA will indeed survive moreso than the likes of Capcom and Konami, but they can't rely on their western studios alone. The profits from them are indeed high, but I am guessing that (I am likely wrong) sales in their home territory is what SEGA needs to stay afloat.

Overall, I am not too bothered by SEGA's future. I am confident in saying that they'll weather the storm, but I honestly think almost all Japanese Development Studios (and publishers) need to invest in new blood. Recruiting students from college/university is just what they all need. Looking at some of SEGA's own well known producers, the youngest ones are in their mid 40s, whereas their oldest producers are getting into their 60s.

I admire Japan's work ethic and dedication, especially in their latter years, but I do believe they need to know when it's time to retire and have faith in their younger staff.


This is only my hypothesis and not based on any facts.

[Sharky]

What fall of Sega? They still exist, they're profitable, they top the sales charts regularly, they have games on every platform and are one of the leading Japanese PC developers and Steam supporters making it easier to play their classics than ever before, still dominate in the Arcade industry and just baught Atlus... Alien Isolation was voted the best game at Rezzed...

I get that some people want more high budget titles from Sega Japan but otherwise I see Sega as pretty damn on the ball right now.

[Deefy]

I get that some people want more high budget titles from Sega Japan but otherwise I see Sega as pretty damn on the ball right now.

Here! Sharky, this is the sore point; what one complains mainly, myself included, for the rest of you are quite right.

   Ah, cheers Sharky!

[Nameless 24]

What fall of Sega? They still exist, they're profitable, they top the sales charts regularly, they have games on every platform and are one of the leading Japanese PC developers and Steam supporters making it easier to play their classics than ever before, still dominate in the Arcade industry and just baught Atlus... Alien Isolation was voted the best game at Rezzed...

I get that some people want more high budget titles from Sega Japan but otherwise I see Sega as pretty damn on the ball right now.

Sorry to put a downer on things, but I need to say this:

In comparison to their Japanese rivals, they're doing much better then people give them credit for, that much is certain.

However, topping the charts doesn't necessarily mean success. Especially when they're in the charts for about a week or two before falling off of it, add to that a pretty low ranking chart, where Number 1 sold 10k units.

As for the rest, I can't exactly say whether they are Number 1 on the PC/Steam or not, but they are certainly up there.

Arcade wise, they're pretty high too, but I don't think the Arcade scene is nearly as relevant as it used to be, given that arcades are being closed down every year worldwide.

SEGA also didn't necessarily buy ATLUS, Sammy did. It's a bold move actually, and something I commend them doing, but otherwise I don't think SEGA would have bought ATLUS with the losses they made the years before.

I'm happy SEGA still exists at all, but it's still a damn shame they aren't making as many games as we'd hope.

[Saturn Memories]

Sorry to put a downer on things, but I need to say this:

In comparison to their Japanese rivals, they're doing much better then people give them credit for, that much is certain.

However, topping the charts doesn't necessarily mean success. Especially when they're in the charts for about a week or two before falling off of it, add to that a pretty low ranking chart, where Number 1 sold 10k units.

As for the rest, I can't exactly say whether they are Number 1 on the PC/Steam or not, but they are certainly up there.

Arcade wise, they're pretty high too, but I don't think the Arcade scene is nearly as relevant as it used to be, given that arcades are being closed down every year worldwide.

SEGA also didn't necessarily buy ATLUS, Sammy did. It's a bold move actually, and something I commend them doing, but otherwise I don't think SEGA would have bought ATLUS with the losses they made the years before.

I'm happy SEGA still exists at all, but it's still a damn shame they aren't making as many games as we'd hope.

I'd actually like to see them release more arcade-style games with international appeal for Live, PSN, and Steam. Gimme a new Daytona or something.

[Sharky]

Here! Sharky, this is the sore point; what one complains mainly, myself included, for the rest of you are quite right.

   Ah, cheers Sharky!

Cheers too you!! Deefy!

Sorry to put a downer on things, but I need to say this:

In comparison to their Japanese rivals, they're doing much better then people give them credit for, that much is certain.

However, topping the charts doesn't necessarily mean success. Especially when they're in the charts for about a week or two before falling off of it, add to that a pretty low ranking chart, where Number 1 sold 10k units.

As for the rest, I can't exactly say whether they are Number 1 on the PC/Steam or not, but they are certainly up there.

Arcade wise, they're pretty high too, but I don't think the Arcade scene is nearly as relevant as it used to be, given that arcades are being closed down every year worldwide.

SEGA also didn't necessarily buy ATLUS, Sammy did. It's a bold move actually, and something I commend them doing, but otherwise I don't think SEGA would have bought ATLUS with the losses they made the years before.

I'm happy SEGA still exists at all, but it's still a damn shame they aren't making as many games as we'd hope.

I think they have been doing quite well in the charts in Japan and selling much more than 10k units on their bigger games, though Im no expert right now Aki's chart summeries always seem quite positive! And as they are regularly making an overall profit I think they must be doing something right!

I'm not saying they are number 1 on Steam, but they have more games up there than most western publishers and by far more than any other Japanese publisher. Which is a very good thing for me as I'm really not interested in Games Consoles at the moment.

The arcade industry is dying, that is for sure but I'm happy that Sega can still make a profit from it and really are the last big publisher keeping it afloat. I think if Sega dropped Arcades suddenly it would leave a huge hole.

I don't really see much difference between Sega and Sammy at this point, it was a merge the money pot is held by a joined company. But it was definitely Sega which bid for and bought Atlus, regardless of who's money they were using.

[George]

Considering that the book is about SEGA's hardware years, I'm not too against the title, since technically they did 'Rise and Fall' out of the the hardware business.

[Barry the Nomad]

The "Rise & Fall" bit is badly placed in the title, I think. Stating "Service Games" implies going all the way back to the company's beginnings (which the book does) but then the "Rise & Fall of SEGA" bit implies that SEGA as a whole has fallen. The problem is, if you we're to go back and chart the beginnings of the company through to today, you'd see that SEGA isn't just about home consoles. As a home console maker, they've only spanned 1983-2001 (18 years). As a business as a whole they've grown, through acquisitions and expanding their reach in various markets in order to survive, and in many cases thrive, as a company.

A far better title would be "Service Games: The Evolution of SEGA" - because let's be honest with ourselves, it sucks that there isn't a SEGA console now in 2014, but the company simply couldn't maintain what they were doing after Sony and Microsoft entered the arena. If anything, the company changed in order to survive, and by and large they were successful.

Let's also remember that SEGA began their presence in homes publishing games for other hardware makers.

[Randroid]

problem is, if you we're to go back and chart the beginnings of the company through to today, you'd see that SEGA isn't just about home consoles. As a home console maker, they've only spanned 1983-2001 (18 years). As a business as a whole they've grown, through acquisitions and expanding their reach in various markets in order to survive, and in many cases thrive, as a company.

Couldn't agree with you more. There seems to be a lot of people who equate Sega solely as the Home Console Manufacturer. If anything they should be regarded as an entertainment brand as I can't think of any branch of entertainment that they are not involved in in some capacity.

That's why the common comment of "CompanyX should just buy out Sega already" is just annoying. No understanding of how far their reach actually is.

[Saturn Memories]

Meh, I look at it from the perspective of their best years being well behind them. Shove a sales chart in my face and try to tell me otherwise if you want, but to me, they're a shell of their former self.

[Aki-at]

Interesting graph there Aki!

I believe there are a few problems regarding Japan's struggling market, and I do believe it's to do with their economy,  the Yen re-evaluation, the inflated prices of products in Japan in addition to the Ageing Population, the managerial structure in Japan (where the Senior positions rarely retire for their younger peers to step up), the reluctance to adapt for the Global market, in addition to things like work overload by males, the lack of reproducing between adults and the rise of a culture where socialising with your work colleagues rather than neighbours or other social activity friends.

The strange thing is outside of entertainment, Japan in general is still a massive global leader in several markets. Audio-Technica, Wacom, Honda etc are all top quality companies. I suppose the difference is Japan's other industry have adapted to ensure their products have a global appeal, whilst their entertainment products are designed first at being suitable for the Japanese marketplace and then the world.

SEGA will indeed survive moreso than the likes of Capcom and Konami, but they can't rely on their western studios alone. The profits from them are indeed high, but I am guessing that (I am likely wrong) sales in their home territory is what SEGA needs to stay afloat.

Actually majority of SEGA's software sales come from Europe and America. Whilst it's true they get a bigger share of the revenue in Japan, the fact that they have 4 multi-million sellings IPs (And own the license to 2 more) means their Western core gaming sales outpace their Japanese ones. It really is smartphone gaming that is giving SEGA their bulk of their money in Japan, simply because it is the biggest part of the market.

Overall, I am not too bothered by SEGA's future. I am confident in saying that they'll weather the storm, but I honestly think almost all Japanese Development Studios (and publishers) need to invest in new blood. Recruiting students from college/university is just what they all need. Looking at some of SEGA's own well known producers, the youngest ones are in their mid 40s, whereas their oldest producers are getting into their 60s.

Fan fact, the team that developed Sonic Unleashed was mostly made of new employees. Really what they need is good producers, something they have been seriously lacking. Iizuka is okay to good but often seems out of his depth. He has done well steadying the ship but that's about it I believe, they need a better producer taking care of the Sonic franchise.

However, topping the charts doesn't necessarily mean success. Especially when they're in the charts for about a week or two before falling off of it, add to that a pretty low ranking chart, where Number 1 sold 10k units.

Depends which country and at what time of year. Also all sales for their PC centric titles might not show up in charts due to digital sales eg Rome II did 30,000 in the UK in packaged sales for the first week but factoring in digital sales pushes it to above 100,000 units. However in Japan digital sales often amount to little less than 5% of total sales.

SEGA also didn't necessarily buy ATLUS, Sammy did. It's a bold move actually, and something I commend them doing, but otherwise I don't think SEGA would have bought ATLUS with the losses they made the years before.

It is true most of the money is generated from Sammy but we know that Nagoshi pushed for the acquisition of Relic so it's not like SEGA do not have access to the money pot.

I'm happy SEGA still exists at all, but it's still a damn shame they aren't making as many games as we'd hope.

State of the industry I'm afraid. EA was producing 68 games in 2008, by 2014 they only have 14 games I believe.

I think they have been doing quite well in the charts in Japan and selling much more than 10k units on their bigger games, though Im no expert right now Aki's chart summeries always seem quite positive! And as they are regularly making an overall profit I think they must be doing something right!

SEGA's Western arm is making a killing, right now their Japanese packaged sales are hurting but the success of Phantasy Star Online 2 and their iOS games is ensuring that division is making a profit, at least for now but I'd imagine the fact they have Atlus now will only further strengthen their grip in Japan long term.

I'm excited to see what might have in the future though, last year was barren due to the effects of the restructuring but this year we have already seen their release schedule bulk up significantly. Hopefully 2014 ends on a high thanks to Alien: Isolation and Sonic Boom and sets up the platform for an excellent 2015.

[cube_b3]

@ TimmiT: I am a contributor on the book and everything I provided was provided with primary references. Dave was open to work with people, but he always took in everything with appropriate references. As I have stated earlier we will be sharing some of the books content on the official site and we will upload all the references there.

Lastly, I am not overhyping the book, nor am I a "snake oil" sales man.

As I have stated I have only read SEGA BASE (a decade ago), I loved it then and I can't wait for my copy to arrive.

Also note that the Kickstarter ended hours after making this thread. So the option of selling the hardcover books had already expired when I posted my responses to the comments in this thread.

@ Barry: The book is published. 2 Kickstarters have successfully ended. An audio book is nearing completion and you are still complaining about the name.

You aren't even interested in the book. Why are you still dwelling on the name? Move on.

I am not trying to be rude, I like your suggestion, but the ship has sailed.

@ Aki-at: I spoke to David about your suggestion and he liked em. We have removed Rise & Fall from the T-Shirt. We also made some other chances like the Arcade Unit now has a sketch of a hedgehog that is blue in color instead of the Enhanced Edition sticker.