A mutual screw lol. For someone who was excited with the anouncement and validation of my console purchase when sonic lost world and the deal was anounced, I feel more burned by SEGA in this. By now it just feels like a franchise on a leash doing its owner a favour by force. Doesnt matter if backed by other's money or not, it gives a horrible impression to me as a SEGAfan of what value they see in their assets. Which looks mostly like $ I Assume. And none of <3
Well considering how protective Iizuka is over the Sonic brand or at least his ideal vision of the Sonic brand, I think there is plenty of care. If only for what Iizuka feels is the right way forward for Sonic.
By now they might as well sell off the IP since it aint gonna be worth **it in a couple of years. Far from what it used to. And since they've made losses plus downscaling, it doesnt bode well for anything I thin. Well except for nagoshi's child yakuza. I still like you nagoshi, but you gotta step it up with the other franchises. Reform sonicteam please!
Did you not read the report?
The Sonic the Hedgehog brand has sold/downloaded over 150 million times, this figure does not include titles with Sonic as part of the cast (IE Mario & Sonic, Sonic and SEGA Allstars Racing etc.) which would probably push it over 200 million if included. Other notable achievement is Sonic Dash has been downloaded over 78 million times, probably more downloads than ALL of SEGA's mobile offerings combined and more than most successful mobile games, this brand is far from being "worth shit." it's probably the second most valued brand behind Mario in terms of platformers.
SEGA's consumer division didn't make a loss, you are wrong in that assumption, they managed an operating profit of 900 million yen and seems Alien is selling more than expected. Forecasts are down but due to the Sonic Boom fiasco.
SEGA's development workforce was 1,500 in 2005, currently in 2014 it sits at 2,600+ they've downsized their publishing capabilities not their developing capabilities as they look to digital for the future.
They still hold multiple major franchises, it might not interest you but;
SEGA West
Total War Series (2 million+)
Sonic the Hedgehog Series (2 million+)
Football Manager Series (1 million+)
Company of Heroes Series (1 million+)
Spiral Knights (?)
SEGA Japan
Yakuza Series (500k+)
Phantasy Star Series (?)
Puyo Puyo Series (300k+)
Hatsune Miku Series (200k+)
Shining Series (100k+)
Add in Atlus too, they aren't exactly a sinking ship. I'm not even throwing in mobile titles, some of which like Chain Chronicle, generated over $70 million in revenue/income for SEGA since release. Most of this can be found in the annual report that shows the growth of SEGA Networks.