SEGA Networks to launch game-focused crowdfunding service that could use SEGA IPs

crowdrive
SEGA Network a mobile gaming offshoot of SEGA and Japanese Television network Fuji TV have invested in Tokyo-based start up Goopa with an undisclosed amount of money. Goopa is known for crowdfunding independent anime and independent musical acts. This new investment will launch later this month and focus on crowd sourcing indie games, this new service will be called ‘Crowdrive‘.

According to the CEO of the company, Hiroaki Taira, crowdfunding is usually used to hire additional talent on projects. He also talked about how small the company really is, saying he started off with himself in Japan and two people in Thailand, now they have six people working on the project.

Even though Crowdrive will start off by funding mobile games, they say they want to extend the service to both console and PC games in the near future. Anipipo (their anime crowdfunding site) took 15% commission from projects and have stated that Crowdrive (their gaming crowdfunding site) will take less. They state that having a relationship with SEGA Networks opens the doors for projects that could feature SEGA IPs.

If SEGA Networks does try to revive a old SEGA IP through Crowdrive, what franchise do you want it to be?

Round Table: How we feel about Yu Suzuki bringing back Shenmue III

RoundTableShenmue2
 
There are many questions about how Yu Suzuki would bring us Shenmue III. He has stated many times he just wants to end the series and now more than ever has been making headlines. First he suggested he wants to use crowd sourcing like Kickstarter and recently was spotted at GDC in talks with Sony (and former SEGA) employee Mark Cerny. Hit the jump to hear what we think of this whole thing in this week’s round table!