SEGAbits Forums
Gaming => General Gaming Discussion => Topic started by: Nameless 24 on August 05, 2013, 09:31:14 am
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I am optimistic about this.
ATLUS would have to localise their games to Europe in a timely fashion for starters, since it's SEGA's biggest region for profits.
In addition to this, SEGA has an established JRPG IP in SMT and Persona, in addition to a unique genre from Trauma Centre.
The only downside is that I don't believe ATLUS' games don't sell THAT well, at least for SEGA.
I can see ATLUS' Etrian Odyssey series being put on a back burner for 7th Dragon (but isn't that a good thing if SEGA localises it?), and Vanillaware using SEGA as a publisher for their games too.
ATLUS fans are concerned as SEGA aren't good at advertising, but I believe ATLUS grew their fanbase from Persona 4 and it didn't really budge since...so whoever buys their games already will.
I understand the concerns from most people, but I could see ATLUS retaining their division for having a brilliant record of creative games that sell well, it's up to SEGA to decide if they could make money off of them now.
Not sure if SEGA would own Madhouse though...but we shall see.
By the way, I am not a fan of ATLUS in any way, shape or form...I can blame being european for this but meh...they're games aren't as interesting for me.
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I like their games, but I'm not sure they would be good for SEGA financially.
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Buying them solely for their games would be the biggest waste of money SEGA has done in over a decade. SEGA managed to purchase The Creative Assembly, Sports Interactive and Relic all for under $100 million whilst they would be paying double that for Atlus.
It should also be noted any one of Company of Heroes, Total War or Sports Interactive sell significantly more than most Atlus titles so I see little point in buying them based on potential sales of their product.
So a big nay on me.
Not sure if SEGA would own Madhouse though...but we shall see.
Index only owns 10% of Madhouse.
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I don't know how that 'purchase' would work.
Would Sega keep the atlus brand? Would Sega 'fuse/blend' the companies? would Sega incorporate Atlus' staff and IP's to the Sega brand ? Would Sega just finance Atlus new projects, and wouldn't that hinder the finance of Sega's own projects ? How can Sega still make some profit from Atlus' past IPs ?
hehe, it seems too much complicated for me. i'm sure Sega's expert ivnestors are going to choose the best for the comapny, but IMNO (I mean, In my Nonprofessional Opinion) Sega should not buy it.
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Buying them solely for their games would be the biggest waste of money SEGA has done in over a decade. SEGA managed to purchase The Creative Assembly, Sports Interactive and Relic all for under $100 million whilst they would be paying double that for Atlus.
It should also be noted any one of Company of Heroes, Total War or Sports Interactive sell significantly more than most Atlus titles so I see little point in buying them based on potential sales of their product.
So a big nay on me.
Index only owns 10% of Madhouse.
I agree that the price is too much(I would say this for ANY company who buys them), but perhaps SEGA are seeing something we're not?
I understand Catherine sold 200,000 (which I believe was a success to them), whilst SEGA's PC output does more than triple that. So financially, it's likely a bad move.
Ah right. So they don't have any meaningful say into Madmouse even if they owned the full 10%.
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I don't know how that 'purchase' would work.
Would Sega keep the atlus brand? Would Sega 'fuse/blend' the companies? would Sega incorporate Atlus' staff and IP's to the Sega brand ? Would Sega just finance Atlus new projects, and wouldn't that hinder the finance of Sega's own projects ? How can Sega still make some profit from Atlus' past IPs ?
hehe, it seems too much complicated for me. i'm sure Sega's expert ivnestors are going to choose the best for the comapny, but IMNO (I mean, In my Nonprofessional Opinion) Sega should not buy it.
SegaSammy has been hovering over Index/Atlus for some time now. Sega already has some distrubution and publishing deal with their parent company so they already have their foot in the door so to speak. And while Atlus aren't big sellers they do sell significant numbers and that combined with Sega's/segasammy's other stuff would still increase their market share overall.
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I'm surprised that I haven't seen more speculation on the idea that Sega may be interested in Atlus not just for their IPs, but for the capable and well-renowned localization facilities they have on the Atlus USA side. Is it too much wishful thinking to hope that this could be the start of a more complete and dedicated approach to localization?
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I'm surprised that I haven't seen more speculation on the idea that Sega may be interested in Atlus not just for their IPs, but for the capable and well-renowned localization facilities they have on the Atlus USA side. Is it too much wishful thinking to hope that this could be the start of a more complete and dedicated approach to localization?
That's what I was hoping too. :)
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Unfortunatly this is really to do with the japanese and asian markets with SegaSammy wanting to expand their digital buisness on the mobile side of things and Atlus would be helpful in acheiving a bigger presence for them considering the number of games they have on that platform.
Even if they did get them what's the guarantee that the developers that have spearheaded some of Atlus's well known IPs would stay with the company? And Sega Sammy really doesn't have a good record when it comes to its western asserts. Selling off Visual concepts,closing down its sammy divisons and selling them off ,the recent cull on Sega subsidiries...
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I'm surprised that I haven't seen more speculation on the idea that Sega may be interested in Atlus not just for their IPs, but for the capable and well-renowned localization facilities they have on the Atlus USA side. Is it too much wishful thinking to hope that this could be the start of a more complete and dedicated approach to localization?
if that happened it could be great but I worry it could go the opposite way and we'll just end up with Atlus games not getting localised either
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It's funny because Sega Sammy has been the only name (among the 20 who placed bids) to be spread throught the internet.
Does that mean Sega is the only company who did not ask for confidentiality ?
Or is it because Sega the 'biggest' name (and Sony; Nintendo; etc, didn't even bid) ?
I've read other companies who are trying to acquire Index are not even from the gaming industry....
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Sony and nintendo has bigger things to worry about than trying to acquire Index/Atlus. They don't necessarly need them anyway. With nintendo, why would they need to bid? If sega gets Atlus its a win -win situation for them considering how chummy Sega and the big N are at the moment. Why pay extra moolah on a company when they'll end up on your system anyway without the added cost. The Nintendo bid talk is nonsense because a company like nintendo only buys companies if they have a specific importance to their IP and market. Like they did with Rare at one point. If they were going to buy anybody its the company that helps create the Pokemon franchise, yet nintendo doesn't own Gamefreak.
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I think Nintendo not buying Game Freak is a wise move. Despite Pokemon being important to their franchise IP portfolio, they will never know when the bubble will burst (they will still make money on it, but there will be a time when it won't be as popular), so creating a contract basis of owning the IP but GF make the games is a wiser move.
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It would be about as effective as when they bought Relic Entertainment. Little to no effect. At least they aquired franchises from Relic though. Sega should probably not buy out too many companies, or else they will end up being criticized for the same thing EA is being criticized for.
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or else they will end up being criticized for the same thing EA is being criticized for.
EA is criticized over anything.
Also, Sega knows how to handle bought studios.
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After reading some things, and being convinced. I think SEGA needs to stay away from this company unless they're gonna do the quality atlus offers any justice.
I have always been a great fan of atlus, and the atlus games on the genesis were amazing. "Crusaders of centy" ftw
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On the buisness end of thing it makes sense. Segasammy inherits a digital mobile network from Atlus/index, a market that segasammy has been aggresivly going into much like Sega west has been going into PCs and they boost their portfolio which has many potential for merchandise among other things.
On the gamer end, Atlus publishing arm would cease to exist but considering sega has been handling their publishing and distrubution for a while its not much of a loss. The studio itself could remain intact and continue to create and make their own Ip but it will be under the sega brand much like some other sega subsidaries have been able to do in japan like Dimps and Sims(before they got sold off)
The question mark will be their excellent localisation arm. That could be absored into the larger operations or dismantled. But if Sega plans to use and localise further titles from japn then it shouldn't get rid of it. Another problem is if the company gets absorbed is how they cater to the atlus fanbase. From what i saw with the sammy transition and recently the relic one, they do a poor job of it. I can't speak about the japan end but from the way sega.com operates and how some of the users were being abusive to relic fans i can't see it going well into the larger scheme of things. Like any of their aquisitions with a major following they tend to operate in their own corner of the sega universe landscape and not really interact with the main sega hub. but hat's just part of the bigger problem of what is the sega website. maybe they should recruit or get smaller sites like segabits to use as a gobetween to this fanbase to get them use to and welcome them more into the bigger sega fanbase. But of course we shall see.
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Rudeness to Relic fans? Where? Probably Sonic furry freaks or some such. Doubt the Relic fans are too worried. However, I will say, over at coh2.org the Relic fanbase has been very welcoming to SEGA fans, the few who have come over.
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I've felt a small, but vocal, minority of SEGA fans are being real assholes towards the Relic and Creative Assembly titles. Haven't seen too much of fans attacking fans, but I take a rude comment directed at a game as sort of an attack on the fans.
The main culprits are on Facebook, but I've pretty much written them off as faker fans who are not actually engaged in communities and do not play and follow recent games. They're most likely people who once had a Dreamcast, haven't played a new game in years, and just follow SEGA on Facebook. When a new post comes up for a game that they don't recognize, they'll make a stupid "this isn't shenmue 3" or "where is nights 3?" comment, and go on with their day not actually giving a shit.
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I have always been a great fan of atlus, and the atlus games on the genesis were amazing. "Crusaders of centy" ftw
Wasn't that only published by ATLUS in America? I think either SEGA or someone else published Soliel in Europe (different names in different regions). Nexus Entertainment I think it was?
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Correct nameless, The game was originally a Sega second party game developed by Nex and published by Sega japan. Its kinda famous because it featured Sonic on a beach chair. Atlus published it here. it would be kinda cool if Sega brought them out because of that historical tie betweeen them that started during the genesis era of gaming.
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oh really? i knew about the name soleil, but my first experience through emulator was the ntsc version so i always call it that. surprised to hear it wasnt all atlus. makes me admire sega's effort on genesis even more because that game was better that a link to the past. conceptually, graphically and the audio was one of the best on genesis(yes i also prefer saying that to mega drive :p). makes me happy to see more people knowing it. i feel like the game is very overlooked and hardly find people who know it.
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makes me happy to see more people knowing it
If it pleases you, I too really appreciate Soleil...
(https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQyglC_W21Owb5J1hanX7BcdoyXB0IGQMEFGi5OvF_M-yH1AD9TAQ)
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My man :P
Even better to have a picture of what he says when u talk to him lol
(http://bulk.destructoid.com/ul/user/1/13398-161672-OBG14CoC8jpg-620x.jpg)
Anyway I just looked at atlus history. Seems they havent brought out a lot of games on genesis at all. Guess I was wrong about that uninformed claim.
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Correct nameless, The game was originally a Sega second party game developed by Nex and published by Sega japan. Its kinda famous because it featured Sonic on a beach chair. Atlus published it here. it would be kinda cool if Sega brought them out because of that historical tie betweeen them that started during the genesis era of gaming.
That's new to me...at least, it was never mentioned in the Wikia Articles I have read.
It's supposed to be like Zelda isn't it? Only the story revolves around how Animals aren't always evil or something?
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I don't remember the story all too well, but I know that it takes the backseat similar to games of that time. I mean it's very subtle, and I like that. I am sure you rescue animals and you can equip 2 animals. When you do, you can see them travel by your side and every animal gives you a different power up. A penguin for example turns your sword to ice, some other animal makes the charge throw reach much longer. Gameplay wise the game is just so good. Oh and you can jump in the game.
The only think its got similar to zelda is the top down view but it is more straight forward and.... It's a great game man, very worth anyone's time imo.
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That's new to me...at least, it was never mentioned in the Wikia Articles I have read.
It's supposed to be like Zelda isn't it? Only the story revolves around how Animals aren't always evil or something?
Wikia are written by people who are't bothered researching the info. I mean at one point they listed a game that sega made called AH HARIMANDA! as being made by Kowadesen or something. When they were the publishers of the manga not the makers of the game, Sega was the ones who had the license and developed and published the games for MD and GG respectivly. I mean really how do you think sonic was able to appear in the game? Third parties didn't have access to the character for him to cameo in even on the MD, he only appeared if the game was tied to sega exclusivity or made by an Sega inhouse or second party team working for Sega.
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I'm honestly not sure what to think about Sega buying Atlus. It could be a good or bad thing, depending on what Sega intends to do with them. Are they going to use them to localize their games? Or are they just buying them to have them work on mobile games solely for the Japanese market? But I can't imagine Sega-Sammy being much worse than Index was. In any case the director behind Persona hinted at working conditions not exactly being ideal (http://www.dualshockers.com/2013/08/13/persona-series-director-teases-unannounced-titles-in-zelous-development/) at the moment, so I hope it doesn't take too long for Index to finalize the sale.
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Dumb idea, could have had all the important parts of THQ for under a hundred mill, turned it down and it was far more valuable than anything Atlus has to offer. The most beneficial thing Atlus could bring to the table is better localization which would mostly be a fan pleaser. Their games don't sell great though.
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Wikia are written by people who are't bothered researching the info. I mean at one point they listed a game that sega made called AH HARIMANDA! as being made by Kowadesen or something. When they were the publishers of the manga not the makers of the game, Sega was the ones who had the license and developed and published the games for MD and GG respectivly. I mean really how do you think sonic was able to appear in the game? Third parties didn't have access to the character for him to cameo in even on the MD, he only appeared if the game was tied to sega exclusivity or made by an Sega inhouse or second party team working for Sega.
Ah, so SEGA licensed it! Interesting that Sonic could never be used by any other company at the time (I am guessing to keep the brand valuable by doing what Nintendo did...or do...)
A shame that they no longer exist (or do they?).
Dumb idea, could have had all the important parts of THQ for under a hundred mill, turned it down and it was far more valuable than anything Atlus has to offer. The most beneficial thing Atlus could bring to the table is better localization which would mostly be a fan pleaser. Their games don't sell great though.
And yet the American "hardcore" market see them as the saviours of the market with Persona and SMT.
Being a European fan sucks (not that I am one), and I don't know why they take the negligence of ATLUS...heck, why not support NISA, who not only bring ATLUS games over, but they do so in a timely fashion AND have some pretty cool games in their catalogue (they should release Rhapsody in Europe though...the bastards).
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And yet the American "hardcore" market see them as the saviours of the market with Persona and SMT.
Being a European fan sucks (not that I am one), and I don't know why they take the negligence of ATLUS...heck, why not support NISA, who not only bring ATLUS games over, but they do so in a timely fashion AND have some pretty cool games in their catalogue (they should release Rhapsody in Europe though...the bastards).
Atlus rocks if you're a core gamer, so did THQ, they were my favorite publisher this past gen. Regardless, THQ was the better value for the dollar and if we are gonna discuss it from that perspective, when was the last time Atlus had a game sell 5 mln+? Because THQ had one about a year before they went belly up called Saints Row the Third and SEGA could have had a nearly completed SR4 and the entire ownership of the IP + Volition (the studio) for around 30 mln.
Lots of valuable THQ IP, Darksiders was around a 1.5-2 mln per entry franchise that just needed downsizing, Red Faction did around 1-2 million with each entry though faded pretty hard with Armageddon, Saints Row, WWE license, Metro series (publishing rights, though honestly 4A would be a solid purchase), etc. etc.
Not to mention IP that was ripe for sequels like Homeworld and Titan Quest. I was shocked SEGA let Homeworld slide, demand has been very high for that series in the PC space and it was developed by Relic.
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Oh I certainly don't disagree with you regarding that THQ has a better profile...I was just saying that ATLUS are seen as better than SEGA these days....that SEGA "couldn't possibly do ATLUS justice", which I think is rubbish.
However, yes...ATLUS have no particular game that sells very well...even Persona 4 didn't sell all that much.
In fact, I don't even like most of ATLUS' games from my experience.
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Oh I certainly don't disagree with you regarding that THQ has a better profile...I was just saying that ATLUS are seen as better than SEGA these days....that SEGA "couldn't possibly do ATLUS justice", which I think is rubbish.
However, yes...ATLUS have no particular game that sells very well...even Persona 4 didn't sell all that much.
In fact, I don't even like most of ATLUS' games from my experience.
Oh, I understood you agreed with me, I just didn't make that clear in my post. Sorry bro!
Atlus is probably seen as better by a lot of core gamers, than SEGA, I guess I could maybe get why. While Atlus is smaller and releases fewer games, from the core perspective almost all their games are targeted at cores. Atlus also releases entries in the franchises they have that are popular amongst cores, whilst SEGA's kill IP to create new ones instead policies have created a shit-ton of IP (more than anybody else in the industry in fact) that creates a wide market of people who are fragmented across so many different IP and want to see X IP again.
I appreciate SEGA's innovative IP replacement strategies of old as a core gamer but it created a lot of IP people would love to see again, no doubt. Atlus doesn't have the same issue and hence it has a fanbase that doesn't feel like it's getting ignored really.
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So did this not happen?
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Its for realisies. It totes happened.
http://segabits.com/blog/2013/09/17/sega-sammy-acquires-index-corp-for-14-billion-yen/
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all dat uninformed sega hate on the 20 pages of GAF
don't even realize that they bought index, or what a holding company is.
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all dat uninformed sega hate on the 20 pages of GAF
don't even realize that they bought index, or what a holding company is.
Yeah I just spent more time than I should have lurking there :P
Honestly I don't have a total 100% grasp on the situation but I'm okay with this.
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Holy shit they actually bought Index.
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This could go really good or really bad, it'd be awesome if they could work out something with Atlus USA to localise their stuff
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SEGA is denying Nikkei's report.
http://gonintendo.com/?mode=viewstory&id=212484
Could be it was leaked prematurely. I find it a little hard to believe that Nikkei would just out of the blue report this incorrectly.
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Well, it's confirmed:
http://www.segasammy.co.jp/english/pdf/release/20130918_index_e_final.pdf
Welcome to the family Atlus... I guess.
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Ah, so SEGA licensed it! Interesting that Sonic could never be used by any other company at the time (I am guessing to keep the brand valuable by doing what Nintendo did...or do...)
A shame that they no longer exist (or do they?).
If you're talking about Nex the last time they worked with Sega was on the BAYONETTA port.And to be honest if it wasn't for Sega UK's SegaTech team, BAYONETTA would have never been able to run on the PS3 on time as well as Platinum getting VANQUISH coded onto one disc.
As for Sonic i think some British companies that had a semi exclusive license for development on the MD were able to use Sonic's image like Sensible Soccer but that's going by memory and i only played that game once. Not even sure if it was the right game.
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Well, it's confirmed:
http://www.segasammy.co.jp/english/pdf/release/20130918_index_e_final.pdf
Welcome to the family Atlus... I guess.
Well there's no doubt now Atlus will be re organised under the Sega brand. Which means some downsizing is going to happen. I also wonder if many of the creators are going to remain with Atlus or just take their chances and create a new company. Owning the names mean nothing if half the peeps that made it decide to leave. The main concern is what will happen with Atlus USA. Sega won't need a publishing arm so that will be dismantled or absorbed into Sega. Or they could decide to split off into their own company which is what happened when Sammy and Sega first merge, some of Sammy's american studios had the option to spin out from the merger. Intresting months ahead. Anyway it considerably grows Sega's list of games for the PS4 now when at sega it was only two before.
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They confidently spent double the money they did on Relic, Sports Interactive and The Creative Assembly combined on purchasing Index which greatly surprises.
Also was unaware that SEGA Sammy already held some stock in Index.
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Bad purchase considering they passed over the far more valuable THQ assets for far lower prices.
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I've done some checking. From the hysteria and second messiah nonesense from the web i found two articles that give specific details that wasn't found anywhere else and have to conclude that this is legit because these places aren't known for spreading hogwash. it also coincides with the report.
The first article reports on the aquistion but then it says this.
Sega Sammy Holdings Inc. (6460) won an auction to buy Index Corp., the bankrupt Japanese developer of handheld games, two people with knowledge of the matter said.
The acquisition may be valued at about 14 billion yen ($141 million), said one of the people, who asked not to be identified before an announcement scheduled for as early as today. Index’s bankruptcy advisers plan to complete a deal with Sega Corp., a unit of Sega Sammy, in early November, they said.
Index develops software for Nintendo Co. (7974)’s 3-D handheld players and Sony Corp. (6758)’s PlayStation as well as smartphone applications. The company was forced to file for bankruptcy protection in part because of investment losses from earlier acquisitions, Index said on June 27.
Kazumasa Otsuka, a lawyer at Nijubashi Partners representing Index in bankruptcy, declined to comment, as did Tetsuya Hasegawa, a spokesman for Sega Sammy.
Sega Sammy beat suitors including J Trust Co. for Index in a deal that gives it access to game developers and titles for both mobile devices and consoles. Japanese software makers are trying to speed up development of digital games as consumers shift to play them with smartphones and tablet computers. Index’s titles include the “Shin Megami Tensei” role-playing game for Nintendo’s 3DS handheld player and “Snowboard Kids HD” for mobile devices.
Index drew interest from about 20 potential bidders including Sega Sammy in the first round of the auction, people familiar with the process said Aug. 2.
Founded in 1995, Index expanded by making acquisitions at home and abroad, and raised funds through share sales to domestic companies such as Hakuhodo DY Holdings Inc. (2433), Dentsu Inc. and NEC Corp. (6701), according to its website.
Index, with debt totaling 24.5 billion yen as of May 31, filed for bankruptcy protection with the Tokyo district court on June 27, according to its statement that day. The company hired GCA Savvian Corp. (2174) to advise it on the sale, it said in July.
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-09-17/sega-said-to-win-auction-to-buy-bankrupt-japan-gamemaker-index
Although Segasammy is going to absorb the company, it leaves no doubt now that Sega is the ones going to benefit from this deal as they seem to be the one closing the deal according to this report. So despite some people acting that Atlus will be kept as a seperate company alongside Sega, this indicates otherwise that Atlus although it doesn't say as much will be absorbed into Sega somehow. Itm akes me wonder if it was Sega sammy or Sega themselves that was pushing for this buyout.
This indicates how it might work...
Both Sega Sammy Holdings and Index Corporation confirmed on Wednesday that Sega Sammy's subsidiary Sega is taking over the operations of Index Corporation. Index owns and manages Atlus, a former independent company and the current brand of games such as Etrian Odyssey, Shin Megami Tensei, and Persona.
Sega Sammy Holdings was selected as a sponsor under Index Corporation's civil rehabilitation, a relatively new form of bankruptcy procedures in Japan. On Wednesday, the two companies signed an agreement under which Index Corporation's business will be transferred to Sega Dream, a newly established company wholly owned by Sega. The companies plan for the transfer to take effect by November 1.
Nikkei and Bloomberg reported on this transaction earlier on Wednesday. Soon after, Sega issued a news release that did not deny the reports, but said that Sega did not make an announcement
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-09-18/sega-sammy-atlus-games-index-corporation-confirm-takeover
What suprised me is no one else picked this up as it is also mentioned in the PDF release. Sega Dream (HOW IRONIC) effectivly takes over all of Atlus's assets. I feel this means that this allows Atlus to remain independent but under control of a new company called Sega Dream which is controlled by Sega. The report also said that this Sega Dream is subject to change, which basically means once everyone gets use to Atlus being a Sega company after a few years they'll just reabsorb Sega dreams assets into Sega.
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Interesting finds ROJM. I was wondering what SEGA Dreams was about, so it's just an extension for ATLUS to be absorbed into whilst Index's properties are being absorbed into SAMMY's other businesses?
If so, I do think this is a sort of good move in a business sense, but who knows what will happen now?
Unsure about what it means for ATLUS and their games after November 1st, but I am sure SAMMY (and SEGA) have plans in the background to get them up and running as soon as possible.
I wonder what will become of ATLUS' American branch? Personally, I want SEGA of America to be absorbed into ATLUS' side rather than the other way around, and continue to localise both ATLUS and SEGA games efficiently. So advertising more than just Sonic at this point.
Whatever happens though, this will be an interesting few years. I welcome ATLUS fans but I doubt they see the same thing since most didn't want SEGA to absorb the company judging by Internet reactions, I could be wrong though...either way.
Does this mean that any publishing rights ATLUS previously had are now under the SEGA Dream name, or SEGA's?
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I really want statements of the US Atlus and Sega branch.
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Interesting finds ROJM. I was wondering what SEGA Dreams was about, so it's just an extension for ATLUS to be absorbed into whilst Index's properties are being absorbed into SAMMY's other businesses?
If so, I do think this is a sort of good move in a business sense, but who knows what will happen now?
Unsure about what it means for ATLUS and their games after November 1st, but I am sure SAMMY (and SEGA) have plans in the background to get them up and running as soon as possible.
I wonder what will become of ATLUS' American branch? Personally, I want SEGA of America to be absorbed into ATLUS' side rather than the other way around, and continue to localise both ATLUS and SEGA games efficiently. So advertising more than just Sonic at this point.
Whatever happens though, this will be an interesting few years. I welcome ATLUS fans but I doubt they see the same thing since most didn't want SEGA to absorb the company judging by Internet reactions, I could be wrong though...either way.
Does this mean that any publishing rights ATLUS previously had are now under the SEGA Dream name, or SEGA's?
What it means is this
Index shares will be turned into Segasammy ones
Index mobile networks would be absorbed into Sega networks
Atlus publishing should be absorbed by Sega
Atlus retains autonomy. ALL Atlus games are trademarks of Atlus. Atlus retains its own copyrights and IP. But Atlus is now a subsidary of Sega Dream. Which in itself is a subidary of SegaSammy/Sega.
Distribution unaffected since Sega handles Atlus games in japan anyway. Worldwide distrubution will now fall under Sega.
Games will have or should have Atlus logo with Sega or Sega dream logo present on the packages.
Either Atlus USA is dismantled or i suspect will carry on but under new deal. Also Sega games that sega doesn't want to localise will more likely fall into Atlus USA hands. No doubt that any deal struck with Index had to have had Atlus american wing under consideration.
Index/ excutives more likely to be gone but some may remain with added Sega Sammy personnel to run SegaDream. This is speculation but its most likely the reason why Index went with Segasammy's offer rather than anyone else.
Added Speculation. This gives room for other major companies to be taken over by the SegaDream company like Capcom for example..
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I can't see SEGA America's offices closing down to make Atlus the main branch. Looking at maps, they're 6 hours apart. Maybe SEGA America's offices will expand to include them or they'll buy a new office space for the two in the San Fran area or keep both open and separate.
I'd just assume that SEGA of America comes before Atlus USA.
https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Atlus+USA+Inc,+Valley+Oak+Drive,+Irvine,+CA&aq=0&oq=atlus&sll=33.670919,-117.787933&sspn=0.010911,0.018797&vpsrc=6&t=h&g=5405+Alton+Pkwy,+Ste+A216,+Irvine,+CA+92604&ie=UTF8&hq=Atlus+USA+Inc,&hnear=Valley+Oak+Dr,+Irvine,+Orange,+California+92618&z=15&cid=9322854572570628537&iwloc=A
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I can't see SEGA America's offices closing down to make Atlus the main branch. Looking at maps, they're 6 hours apart. Maybe SEGA America's offices will expand to include them or they'll buy a new office space for the two in the San Fran area or keep both open and separate.
I'd just assume that SEGA of America comes before Atlus USA.
https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Atlus+USA+Inc,+Valley+Oak+Drive,+Irvine,+CA&aq=0&oq=atlus&sll=33.670919,-117.787933&sspn=0.010911,0.018797&vpsrc=6&t=h&g=5405+Alton+Pkwy,+Ste+A216,+Irvine,+CA+92604&ie=UTF8&hq=Atlus+USA+Inc,&hnear=Valley+Oak+Dr,+Irvine,+Orange,+California+92618&z=15&cid=9322854572570628537&iwloc=A
Who's talking about closing down SOA? It seems Atlus will remain a seperate entity under the deal which should include their american branch. If anything Sega's localisation team would be the one in trouble.
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Puyo Pop Fever was published by Atlus on the DS.
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It would be funny if SEGA Sammy purchased them just to see how they can turn niche titles into viable solid sellers.
I wish though people would stop comparing the sales numbers of Atlus titles to SEGA. Shin Megami Tensei IV sold 68,000 in its debut month in the United States, Catherine did 78,000 in its debut month etc for reference, only Yakuza 1 has managed to outsell thoses SMTIV numbers and that was lifetime sales (75,000) so no, I do not see either series suddenly stopping.
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It would be funny if SEGA Sammy purchased them just to see how they can turn niche titles into viable solid sellers.
I wish though people would stop comparing the sales numbers of Atlus titles to SEGA. Shin Megami Tensei IV sold 68,000 in its debut month in the United States, Catherine did 78,000 in its debut month etc for reference, only Yakuza 1 has managed to outsell thoses SMTIV numbers and that was lifetime sales (75,000) so no, I do not see either series suddenly stopping.
It would also stop Sega USA shuffling games like SAKURA TAISEN out to other publishers in the future when they have a subsidary in the form of Atlus USA who can do it for them.
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True that, yo. They should've bought the devs that worked on the Saint's Row games.
But SEGA owning the Persona franchise is not exactly a loss.
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I am actually okay if ATLUS are the niche distributors. I have no qualms about that at all!
Sure, the brand on the boxes will be ATLUS, but as long as SEGA games are finally localised, then I am happy with that outlook.
Capcom being bought by SEGA? If that happened then you could say that SEGA are expanding themselves to be a pretty huge Third Party Developer...perhaps one to match Namco. (SEGA would need to buy Nippon Ichi too for many to start thinking that SEGA are planning something much bigger than just the ATLUS acquisition).
I am also happy at the prospect that VanillaWare Games will be published under the SEGA brand too!
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Not saying that it will ever happen but you got to think of the implication of this Sega Dream company. Atlus is really the first company(if i am right) to be brought by Sega but still act as they were before. Relic,Creative Assembly and others were dev houses that was absorbed into the Sega brand. This is really different as another rival third party has been acquired. The name Sega dream also reflects of course to the Dreamcast. Imagine a company that houses former independent third parties that get taken over by Sega but are still allowed to act independently but Sega effectivly is their boss. They're a third party or third parties under license from Sega. Basically a corporate version of how companies use to buy license for the DC or other consoles made by Sega, but now in reverse because Sega benefits if other companies like Nintendo or Sony want Atlus or any future SegaDream company games as an exclusive. That doesn't mean that it will happen like that but i don't see it stopping with Atlus especially with Hajime Satomi's ambitions.
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The Chairman of Sammy having ambitions in the console market....nah :P
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He's got ambitions in turning SegaSammy into some big entertainment corp, Atlus will help them on part of that. Thanks to index/atlus Sega has a stake in Madhouse,they don't have total control of that company yet. But when you take into consideration the many stakes of shares that they have in other companies including Sansrio the makers of Hello Kitty, all they have to do is wait and pounce whenever these companies run into trouble like Atlus did, which Aki informed this forum that Sega already had a stake in shares in that company.
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Hope this turns out well. I might not be able to ever look at atlus titles as SEGA titles because of how eseblished they are though.
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Coming from a business perspective, this is a good tactic for Sega. They've worked with Atlus before on their Japan releases and Atlus seems to be fond of Sega. I think this just gives Sega more revenue to work with. I'm sure they'll allow Atlus Games to continue business as usual for awhile, as I'm sure they're still working on game releases. They still have Etrian Odyssey Untold and AquaPazza to be released this year. AquaPazza may receive the Sega logo by the time it's released on the PS3. Etrian Odyssey is already being printed and likely the last game done without Sega involved. The Sega of old also was into a lot of niche things. Atlus, aside from Aksys Games, is sort of like the Working Designs of today. Can you imagine if Sega bought those guys back when they were struggling? Sure, WD had a...rough relationship with Sega during the Saturn days, but that's beside the point. Maybe Atlus's localization team will be a big help to Sega in bringing over some other games to the West? I really don't see this as a bad thing at all. The only thing is, yes, the Atlus of today may not fully be the Atlus we come to know in a year..but I'm sure they'll still be about.
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Coming from a business perspective, this is a good tactic for Sega. They've worked with Atlus before on their Japan releases and Atlus seems to be fond of Sega. I think this just gives Sega more revenue to work with. I'm sure they'll allow Atlus Games to continue business as usual for awhile, as I'm sure they're still working on game releases. They still have Etrian Odyssey Untold and AquaPazza to be released this year. AquaPazza may receive the Sega logo by the time it's released on the PS3. Etrian Odyssey is already being printed and likely the last game done without Sega involved. The Sega of old also was into a lot of niche things. Atlus, aside from Aksys Games, is sort of like the Working Designs of today. Can you imagine if Sega bought those guys back when they were struggling? Sure, WD had a...rough relationship with Sega during the Saturn days, but that's beside the point. Maybe Atlus's localization team will be a big help to Sega in bringing over some other games to the West? I really don't see this as a bad thing at all. The only thing is, yes, the Atlus of today may not fully be the Atlus we come to know in a year..but I'm sure they'll still be about.
I'm sure that's what will happen that Sega will give them extra money to boost operations and to localise their games for the west. Atlus USA won't be touched since the head of Atlus japan is also the head of Atlus USA and he was involved with the negotiations so it looks like that Atlus will be running as they normally do but as a subsidary of Sega Dream. And the things that many gamers are afraid of in the west aren't going to see much of here like the Mobile games, the Pachislot/Panchinko tie ins or the more cooler stuff like Sega arcade DLC content of Atlus characters as well as the potential anime adaptions with better studio companies that Sega has acess to. It also sounds like they might be expanding Atlus onto the PC which would be welcomed if it happens here also. As for people in the EU its a win because Atlus games are never really available unless Nintendo was involved in them and now that will change with Sega. I trust Sega Europe doing justice with Atlus than Sega of America any time of the week and it looks like they wont be involved with Atlus's day to day operations anyhow which is good news by me. Now the only thing that could F things up if Sega takes a bad financial turn and they have to draw back operations..
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Most of us were ignoring the fact Interchannel also belongs to Index.
Besides Atlus, Index Corp. owns 70% of Nec Interchannel.
Nec Interchannel, os just Interchannel was a videogame company subsidiary of that famous NEC - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interchannel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interchannel)
Here you can see a list of Interchannel's released games - http://www.ign.com/companies/nec-interchannel (http://www.ign.com/companies/nec-interchannel)
Anyway, my question is: what about those Nec titles (including the classic ones released for turbografx) ? Do them belong to Sega as well?
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Who cares if they buy Atlus, they had their heydays on the SNES, with the Shin-series, and the group of people from Namco who started it off, the entire game was based off a short-story, even the animation itself. Atlus served it's purpose.
Technos on the other hand, had something beautiful, and in comparison to Atlus, they only died when 3d games took hold on the game community, and died around the peaceful activities of late 1990's Japan.
NEC itself is out of the game department, and only plays a hardware supportive role through the world. NA, did a lot of great games, and all but NEC was never a full videogame company, and most of their games were for real computer-nerd types, i mean really. Their lesser known games are on the Turbo. Love em, and all.
I just mentioned three great game giants that was dissolved by lack of programming efforts into 3d, or lack of sales in 3d games. Never going to comeback, because people are so afraid, and do not feel they would wield a proper profit???
SEGA can do whatever it wants to do, they are not coming back, as they once were. Even if they did partner up, I would not play a game console if I had to put my name in and sign a TOS, for the console itself.
I understand your pain. ATLUS makes a unique product. A product that came out of a short-story, and like "Dirty Pair" that is all it really took, was a short-story with some art, and it was a hit.
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Who cares if they buy Atlus, they had their heydays on the SNES, with the Shin-series,
Are you ignoring their recent success of Persona 4 and the Ethrian Oddysey series?
I'd say that ATLUS are currently IN their heydays.
Most of us were ignoring the fact Interchannel also belongs to Index.
Besides Atlus, Index Corp. owns 70% of Nec Interchannel.
Nec Interchannel, os just Interchannel was a videogame company subsidiary of that famous NEC - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interchannel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interchannel)
Here you can see a list of Interchannel's released games - http://www.ign.com/companies/nec-interchannel (http://www.ign.com/companies/nec-interchannel)
Anyway, my question is: what about those Nec titles (including the classic ones released for turbografx) ? Do them belong to Sega as well?
No one's ignoring the fact, we just didn't notice that they owned NEC Interchannel.
As for whether they own them or not, it depends on whether Interchannel sold the IP of their game franchises to other companies. I would hazard a guess that they did, if you consider that the company weren't that big in making games.
If they are still under Interchannel, then it all depends on the creators of said IPs and whether they own them when they either left the company or have kept them under contracted agreements (e.g: work for the company, but keep your rights to own your creations)
I highly doubt that SEGA own them for various reasons, but it would be interesting as to whether Index or perhaps even ATLUS looked into the NEC franchises and bought them or at least offered some sort of acquisition beforehand. If they have, then ATLUS may hold the rights to create games for said IPs and not SEGA.
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I agree, Atlus is in their hayday. I have never seen anyone on campus wearing 'SEGA' gear outside of Sonic the Hedgehog and lately I have seen Persona gear/fans all the time. I would say, for a franchise that had a very small fanbase, Atlus has grown.
Friends I know now play Catherine and love it. It was sold at Walmart. Stepping up!
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The whole Digital Devil, only has fan-base because it is fresh, and different, and with the current trend of implusive buyers. it is only strong because people have not discovered it. Like in my book, I imagined I climbed the unclimbable mountain, but when I report back, nobody wants to believe and call my a nut-case. Going back down the mountain sucks. Everybody at the top of the mountain has a happiness, that too few understand or want to understand. Then the government comes in and bomb mount Everest. The top of the mountain has been limited.
At the moment, I feel Atlus, is still riding the Digital Devil gravy train, only they are dividing the series up like, Final Fantasy, was practically every single other RPG that Squaresoft had made, but they do not call it Final Fantasy.
That is how I view Atlus. LIke you have a bunch of ideas, but you get lazy, and just invent something new by recycling something else. With Digital Devil, they took almost every single kind of
religious, ephemeral, fictionalized beings, that already existed, without the game. Because it uses factors of religion, beginning with demonic creatures, and the after life, it drew a bigger audience.
I mean their is nothing wrong with that, Nintendo have done it, in the past before, many times over, with the current trend being the obvious pokemon, redesigns.
The art, all of the art is digital devil, based, and revolves around that sphere itself. For new comers, into the genre of their games, they are completely ignorant of everything else.
Are you ignoring their recent success of Persona 4 and the Ethrian Oddysey series?
I'd say that ATLUS are currently IN their heydays.
I am ignoring, it because Atlus did more or less the same thing, on the SNES, and the Saturn. I mean extremly on the SNES, compared to things now. I think Atlus is really trying, it's hardest. The most blessed things for them, is that nobody really knows their track record, unlike Squaresoft.
The way I view persona, is Atlus, giving in, to the Final Fantasydome. Meaning they felt, they had to show off graphics, like "Breath Of Fire". Atlus made the game more current ( for people addicted to final fantasy stylistic game play ) to reach a broader audience.
I am not really to fond, of Persona, because people are only playing it for the graphics, rather then the story itself. But that is just the thing, it is really "Digital Devil" with that FF look. Again I said "Digital Devil" which comes off as a "present day" RPG game, as with "Earthbound". You take away the standard issue Japanese Comic book world ( You know, Sailormoon walking down the street, with demonic monsters, and transforming policemen, and giant mecha zoids, or human sized monsters ), your left with some religious practice, interesting character design.
That said, playing it for the story is even worst, because Digital Devil is a short story. I am sure if the original writer is writing anymore, but I do know it is still strong. When is the last time, a short story from the west became an RPG, and was not from Japan????