Sega should set up a 'Sega Partners' like EA.

[Sharky]

You may know already about EA partners, its basically just EA signing independant developers to their brand with out actually buying them. The developers games will be funded by EA and EA will get publishing rights.

I think Sega should do this, it seems like a perfect time with the 4 games Platinum deal coming to an end they could sign Platinum Games, Tokyo Vikings and Shinji Mikamis new development group Tango among others.

Sega West could also do something similar for Western companies as they don't actually have many internal Western developers.

[George]

Didn't they do this already with stuff like AVP?

[Sega Uranus]

A major issue with SEGA's image at the moment is that most of their 'good' games are not developed in house.

I do not really think it would work for SEGA.

[Sharky]

That isnt an image problem thats just some whiney little whores trying to scrape togeather some last ditch attempts to make Sega look bad.

It seems to be working out well for EA as they have managed to sign some of the best developer out there with out having to go out and actually buy them.

[MadeManG74]

Aren't they already doing this in everything but name with Prope and Platinum?

[George]

Prope, maybe. Platinum not really. They own the IPs. EA does not own their partner program stuff.

[Deefy]

In the last days also THQ has set up a "THQ Partners" http://http://www.mcvuk.com/news/39154/THQ-reveals-Partners-program

but for me SEGA should amplify the internal resource in the West, then make greater use of those in Japan and only then think of a "SEGA Partners" both in the West in Japan.

[STORM!]

Sega Partners already exists in Japan, since years ago...

 Anyway, I don`t wanna seen Sega spending money on something they does not own.

 Platinum, AAA, Prope deals looks better.

[Aki-at]

I'd agree with Storm, the potential benefits are outweighed by the negatives if you ask me, imagine if SEGA never owned Shining Force and Camelot just left them and took the IP with them, SEGA would have practically made a profitable franchise for someone else. The same could occur under the partners scheme, plus, if a title bombs, with Platinum Games and Prope, at least you still own that IP, under the partners scheme it is a bit too risky for my liking.

[Team Andromeda]

I'd agree with Storm, the potential benefits are outweighed by the negatives if you ask me, imagine if SEGA never owned Shining Force and Camelot just left them and took the IP with them, SEGA would have practically made a profitable franchise for someone else. The same could occur under the partners scheme, plus, if a title bombs, with Platinum Games and Prope, at least you still own that IP, under the partners scheme it is a bit too risky for my liking.

What the point in owing IP rights if the game bombs ?. There is both good and a bads sides to owing IP rights or not . Sure if the game sells brilliant then you make millions, but if the developer owns the IP rights, it's far more in their Interests to make game work, to produce a brilliant product  as its their very company future ridding on it, rather than a big Publisher, when a developer gets the pay check if the game is sheer crap  

Then there the trouble of if the developer leaves or as a Fall out . SEGA may well own the IP rights to MSR, It really hasn't done it any good with out having Bizarre Creations to develop it .
The trouble I have with the Platinum deal is SEGA are paying for Platinium staff to make games, aimed at the west, Multi Platform  and learn in the process .Rather than train its own team up and give them the tasks of making games with World Wide appeal.

When that to me is SOJ biggest trouble. Lack of games being made for the west and lack of Multi Platform tech . That's not great moving forward and for the next generation . The teams need to start learning what it takes and what's needed for this Generation, to be ready for the next

[Aki-at]

What the point in owing IP rights if the game bombs ?.

One can at least fall back on the original IP if after a while, it continues to gainer much cult-apperciation and a devoted fanbase. Then there is the reason why it bombed, was it on the wrong console? Wrong audience it was marketed to? How badly did it perform? Take this all into consideration and a publisher could at least have their hands on a set of ideas that are very appealing but just marketed wrong.

There is both good and a bads sides to owing IP rights or not . Sure if the game sells brilliant then you make millions, but if the developer owns the IP rights, it's far more in their Interests to make game work, to produce a brilliant product as its their very company future ridding on it, rather than a big Publisher, when a developer gets the pay check if the game is sheer crap

And as I said, in SEGA's long term best interest, this isn't quite in their interest. Recently Spike benefited from a 70,000 unit port of 428 after SEGA pushed the title and most likely bought the perfect Famitsu score.

Obviously there are some good titles that someone can get from these, but as they will not hold the IP and the developer can bugger off, best to focus with your own inhouse teams in that case.

Then there the trouble of if the developer leaves or as a Fall out . SEGA may well own the IP rights to MSR, It really hasn't done it any good with out having Bizarre Creations to develop it .

This does not matter, they have the rights to develop a profitable game, even if it may end up being poor. As I said, in SEGA's interest and they would attach a developer as they see fit.

The trouble I have with the Platinum deal is SEGA are paying for Platinium staff to make games, aimed at the west, Multi Platform and learn in the process .Rather than train its own team up and give them the tasks of making games with World Wide appeal.

This has nothing to do with this topic and I would ask you to start a new topic if you feel the need to discuss this. Currently we are debating if Ryan's idea of a SEGA Partners is a viable idea, let's try to keep this topic steering away too off-topic!

[Team Andromeda]

One can at least fall back on the original IP if after a while

I'm talking about the original IP . Not much use to a Publisher if the game bombed at retail . Capcom may well hold the rights to Steel Battalion or God Hand . I doubt we'll ever see sequels to them  

Take this all into consideration and a publisher could at least have their hands on a set of ideas that are very appealing but just marketed wrong.

Those are issues that tend to get addressed with any possible sequel . What if the sequel sell poor , even on a different console . Owning the IP isn't much use then .

but as they will not hold the IP and the developer can bugger off, best to focus with your own inhouse teams in that case

I agree its always better to focus on your own In-House teams

This does not matter, they have the rights to develop a profitable game, even if it may end up being poor

I think its a dead IP, since SEGA have done nothing with it . SEGA did the hardwork and Bizarre Creations went on to work with MS and turn PGR into a far bigger and more established  franchise. That's the risk you take, when its no developed in House, as MS as now found out .

Ryan's idea of a SEGA Partners is a viable idea, let's try to keep this topic steering away too off-topic!

It is on Topic  as Sharky mentioned Platinum,  and SEGA have done it before in the past , not just with Prope , but also with its 1.5 Party plans for the  Dreamcast . Where SEGA worked closely with some of the best 3rd party developers to create new IP for DC . The trouble is, if its not developed In-House developers can just go else where .

 EA Partners,is just fancy PR name for the developers EA is signing up to Produce software for it . Pretty much what all 3rd parties try and do . Seek the best talent to develop games for you, buy a set of shares in them, or sign up what would think could be the next hit. Its not like SEGA America didn't enter in deals with GearBox, Monolith, Silicon Knights, Obsidian.

I for example would like SEGA to enter into partnership with Machinegames. The tech Magnus Hoghahl  produces is just stunning.