Is Sega planning a return to the console market?

If you've read the Digital Home for the past two years, you probably know that I hold a special place in my heart for Sega. I was always a heavy Genesis user and subsequent to that, I owned every console Sega released. That's precisely why a report from Siliconera has me excited.

According to the publication, Sega has trademarked two names, "Ringwide" and "Ringedge," as well as a logo containing rings. The trademark clearly says that the names will be used for "arcade game boards...stand alone video game machines, [or] arcade game machines with built-in screens."

Sega's new console logo?

(Credit: Sega)

So what can this mean? Obviously it's too early to tell, but some are saying that it could be Sega's return to the arcade business. I'm sure they would get excited about that, but the arcade business is a shadow of its former self. Since console gaming became a mainstay, it has lost much of its importance. I just don't see Sega investing in the arcade business.

But what if this filing is for a top-secret console the company is developing to compete with the next-generation of hardware? Will Ringwide or Ringedge take on the Wii 2, PlayStation 4, and Xbox 720?

I certainly hope so.

I not only think Sega can make a triumphant return to the console business, I think it could be one of the best moves the company could make.

As a software developer, Sega has lost much of its appeal. Sonic games aren't nearly as fun as they once were on the Genesis or Dreamcast and major Sega franchises like Shenmue have been all but forgotten by the company.

But if it developed a console to compete with Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo, I think Sega could turn things around. Granted, its executives have said on numerous occasions that they are happy developing games, but the company still enjoys an almost mystical reputation in the market and its following is still loyal.

For those of us who grew up in the days of Genesis-SNES wars, the very thought of a new Sega console gets us excited. If Sega announced its intention to get back into the console market at this year's E3, I'd fully expect fanboys from Japan to Europe to North America to stand in unison and cheer wildly after hearing the news. It would be a monumental announcement that would put Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo on notice: Sega is back.

I'm fully aware that getting into the console market now is dangerous. Nintendo is enjoying incredible success and the once-dominant PlayStation is trying desperately to keep up with competitors. Some might think that there isn't any room in the market for another player. I disagree.

Sega has a loyal following that has been asking for a new console from the company ever since the Dreamcast was discontinued. Sega also understands how to be successful in the hardware business and has the first-party properties in place to be a major competitor to Nintendo's lineup on launch day.

Sega also has learned from its past mistakes. It now knows not to release a console the same day it's announced to a select group of retailers and it now knows to start playing nice with developers. It now knows that to be successful, it doesn't need to be the first console out of the gate, but it certainly needs to provide the most innovative and fun gameplay.

But time is running out. Sega may be loved by millions across the globe who still hold their Genesis and Dreamcast in high regard, but our memories fade and we move on to new things. If Sega waits too long to release a console or doesn't release a device at all, an entirely new generation of gamers will mature in an age where they will never know Sega as anything but a software developer. Once that happens, the importance (and appeal) of a new Sega console would be lost on them.

That's why Sega needs to act now. It needs to announce Ringwide or Ringedge at E3 this year and finally stake its claim to the hardware business.

Bring on the Ringwide, Sega. We've been waiting long enough.

Check out Don's Digital Home podcast, Twitter feed, and FriendFeed.

[troyrig]

I loved Atari when it was out. Played it 'til my thumbs were numb. Then Intellivision came out. I loved it, too. But I wouldn't buy one if they came out with new consoles today. I already have an XBox 360 and a Wii. My bases are covered, and buying another console would just be clutter at this point.

[aztec92154]

I have a Wii60 as well. Excellent combination of the best of the best.

[Brian]

I had the original Atari 2600 VCS.

There is no way either Atari or Sega would be able to replace my handheld Nintendo DS.

[Notoapplefanbois]

@Brian: I could, it's called a pandora, costs £199 though

[Rod Roddy]

I think by the shear number of responses to this article, that this news has peaked interest. Whether this is true or not, remains to be seen. One thing is for sure, if this ends up to be real--it's gonna be a wild ride for all in the next console go around.

[Zeeshan47]

Shear:
VERB:
sheared , sheared or shorn (shôrn, shrn) KEY , shear·ing , shears
VERB:
tr.

1. To remove (fleece or hair) by cutting or clipping.
2. To remove the hair or fleece from.
3. To cut with or as if with shears: shearing a hedge.
4. To divest or deprive as if by cutting: The prisoners were shorn of their dignity.

VERB:
intr.

1. To use a cutting tool such as shears.
2. To move or proceed by or as if by cutting: shear through the wheat.
3. Physics To become deformed by forces tending to produce a shearing strain.

NOUN:

1.
1. A pair of scissors. Often used in the plural.
2. Any of various implements or machines that cut with a scissorlike action. Often used in the plural.
2. The act, process, or result of shearing.
3. Something cut off by shearing.
4. The act, process, or fact of shearing. Used to indicate a sheep's age: a two-shear ram.
5. also sheers (shîrz) KEY (used with a sing. or pl. verb) An apparatus used to lift heavy weights, consisting of two or more spars joined at the top and spread at the base, the tackle being suspended from the top.
6. Physics
1. An applied force or system of forces that tends to produce a shearing strain. Also called shearing stress , shear stress .
2. A shearing strain.

Sheer:
intr. & tr.v.
sheered , sheer·ing , sheers

To swerve or cause to swerve from a course.

NOUN:

1. A swerving or deviating course.
2. Nautical
1. The upward curve or amount of upward curve of the longitudinal lines of a ship's hull as viewed from the side.
2. The position in which a ship at anchor is maintained in order to keep it clear of the anchor.

Peaked:
ADJECTIVE:

Ending in a peak; pointed: a peaked cap.

Pique(d):
NOUN:

A state of vexation caused by a perceived slight or indignity; a feeling of wounded pride.

TRANSITIVE VERB:

1. To cause to feel resentment or indignation.
2. To provoke; arouse: The portrait piqued her curiosity.
3. To pride (oneself): He piqued himself on his stylish attire.

Just thought you should know the difference.

[Arlondiluthel]

If I were Sega, I would have the Ringwide be a new console, with the Ringedge being a sleek, sexy handheld. And have the two essentially work together, whether it be in a new Phantasy Star duo where progress in one game unlocked special items in the other by connecting the two devices (possibly through Bluetooth). Or a new Sonic Adventure with a sidescrolling Sonic game (maybe make a Sonic the Hedgehog 4?) with the Chao Garden on it. The possibilities are nearly limitless. However, if Sega were to release a new system, I would definitely buy it, especially if it was under $200.

[terminalblue]

hopefully this will be the next real step in arcade machines.... truly interconnected machines that let you play on the arcade and at home. like in soul calibur 4, you can play your character online, but you can't take it to the arcarde. if this system works like i think then you can create a character at home...and bring all your stats to the arcade over the the net.

of course, i dont know, but hopefully this is internet connected arcade hardware that will work with console games.

[Arlondiluthel]

They would never allow someone to bring save data from home into an arcade. The only game I have heard of with at-home and in-arcade compatibility is the F-Zero game for the GameCube, and that was to unlock special cars from the Arcade into the GameCube version only. If they allowed foreign data into the arcade, what would stop someone from programming malicious code to give them access to the money stored in the game, or unlimited free plays, or even just plain break the game? It's too high a risk.

[i8246i]

There are plenty of arcade games that let you store your progress on memory cards. DDR, Tekken 5, some of the Gauntlet games and their clones...

And as for programming "malicious code": I'm sure its possible, but considering you have to pay to put the machine into a mode where it can read from the memory cards...its not worth it.

Speaking of "not being worth it", that's the reason arcades are dying. Game consoles have reached a point where they are powerful enough to handle multiple players either cooperatively or competitively with little to no slowdown or graphical setbacks, AND you can play with anyone in the world at any time you wish, and the overall cost of playing these games (even if you pay for a Live Gold account) is still cheaper than dumping quarters to play maybe 1-2 rounds of a 10 minute game.

You also have the general atmosphere of the arcade turning from a family friendly place into a seedy hangout for unsavory people who hog machines (and other people who ruin them physically), and arcade personnel who are underpaid unsavory creatures themselves, who do not care about the shape of their machines.

Finally, you have game manufacturers (like Sega), who don't care about making their games (ESPECIALLY arcade cabinets) accessible to anyone outside of their precious home base (Japan), and only releasing a handful of a certain percentage of their library to non-coastal US cities [F-Zero AX? I would have had to drive about 2 hours ONE WAY to reach an arcade that REPORTEDLY had one of these machines back when I gave a hoot about playing the game. Mario Kart Arcade? NOPE How about any of the hybrid card-game/videogame RPGs? HAHAHAHA].


And adding to this WONDERFUL list of reasons why the arcade market is more than DEAD:

It?s Sega making this new "hope" for the arcade scene.

Sega has made 2 GIANT hardware mistakes in gaming the last 2 times it attempted to "compete" with the big boys (Saturn had 2 different processors that drove programmers insane...and the machine just didn't have the power to run polygons and textures like the Playstation or N64, and the Dreamcast? Listen Sega, unless you're Nintendo, you can't get away with making a machine that doesn't use a widely supported disc format [and only holds 1.2 GB of data max]....and your only shot at staying AFLOAT was your broadband modem, so that people could pay extra to play PSO...and you deliberately shorted supplies of that device), and one BIGGER software mistake: Sonic Team (The last good Sonic game that existed was Sonic Adventure 2...and that's arguable considering the near-horrid vocal tracks, camera angles from heck, and KNUCKLES/ROUGE LEVELS, ARRRGH!)


Ok, so I'm done ranting. If Sega wishes to put my foot in my mouth and create a DECENT SYSTEM that has DECENT GAMES, and that ACTUALLY SEES THE LIGHT OF DAY IN THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES, be my guest. Until then, Sega is bottom-of-the-barrel gaming sludge.

[duperstar]

11/11/2011

[clamenza]

There has to be more to a new console than the Sega name, and as the author admits the company's software's suspect these days. So how does he back up the assertion that they have the first-party properties to challenge Nintendo? This piece seems to be nothing but nostalgia.

[Zoobie]

"As a software developer, Sega has lost much of its appeal. Sonic games aren't nearly as fun as they once were on the Genesis or Dreamcast and major Sega franchises like Shenmue have been all but forgotten by the company."

"Sega also understands how to be successful in the hardware business and has the first-party properties in place to be a major competitor to Nintendo's lineup on launch day."

Yeah--the logic in this opinion-piece certainly is lacking. BTW--if Sega understands how to be successful in hardware, why was the Dreamcast such a flop? Did they become experts by watching from the sidelines? If that's all it takes, then I'm an expert, too! ;-)

[dragonsky1]

The Dreamcast could hardly be considered a flop. It was barely outsold by both the Xbox and Gamecube, despite being on the markte only a third of the time those two were. In two years, it sold nearly as many consoles as Microsoft and Nintendo would sell in 5.

The problem with the Dreamcast was the cost. The system was sold at a loss, as many game systems are. The problem lied with software licensing. Sega didn't license enough software to recoup costs. Not having EA on board hurt the most.

[viper396]

@dragonsky1

You are exaggerating details to back up your faulty argument. Your assertion that the Dreamcast was barely outsold by both the Xbox and Gamecube is false. The Dreamcast sold 10.6 million units during its total official lifespan. The original Xbox alone sold 24 million units during it's lifespan and the Gamecube sold 21.7 Million. Having over twice as many sales over the Dreamcast qualifies them for much more then "barely outsold"

Either way, most of those 10.6 million Dreamcast units sold occurred during it's first year. Yes, that is very good for a console and it did in fact set sales records but hardware sales don't make the money, software sales do. Unfortunately, after the first year, Dreamcast game sales nosedived so dramatically that Sega could not sustain itself. All it proves is that being first out the gate and having strong hardware sales doesn't mean much if you are unable to maintain the momentum and keep the games coming.

[Spartan_458]

Viper-

That's why MS has been so successful so far. They were first, but they've had more great games than the other two consoles.

[deepindigo]

If Sega does release a new console, I hope it dies a sudden death. I bought the Dreamcast shortly after it came out; I loved it, but as soon as Sonly released the PS2, Sega gave a hearty "screw you" to the people who bought a Dreamcast and dropped it so they could focus on making games for the PS2.

[forestryee]

Sega botched the deployment of the Dreamcast - they told retailers one time frame, and launched it suddenly, giving retailers little time to react. It wasn't all Sega's fault - the third party developers had a hard time selling games from the get-go; much like we see from the Nintendo Wii. Sega's support of the dreamcast lasted from Sept. 1999- Mar. 2001, although games were made for it (officially) until mid 2004.

[viper396]

What you said is so far from the truth it's ridiculous. It was the customer that said "Screw you" to Sega, not the other way around. The fact, during it's last year, few people were buying Dreamcast consoles or games because they were all waiting for the PS2 to arrive. Sales were flat. After the Ps2 was released what little sales remained for the Dreamcast took a nosedive. Sega had wareshouses full of consoles that nobody would buy plus what few 3rd party developers they had, were all jumping ship for the PS2. What would you have done?

[lpfan091989]

you know, i had that the dreamcast at one point, sega didn't abandon it, the developers left it because they were expecting it to flop and go away since the ps2 was on the way. Thats why EA didn't make any games for it. I do have to say, i've been a loyal sega fan since i first picked up a controller back in 1993, and i would be excited and frightened because its cool that they would be back but if they do bad, down goes sega as a company entirely. The dreamcast was great, good graphics for the time, much better than the saturn.

[Wiiplay]

@ipfan091989:
EA didn't make games for the Dreamcast because they knew in advance that Sega would discontinue it.
They made games for Segas other consoles, but every time those consoles got discontinued.
EA lost a lot of money making games for Sega. And they didn't want to loose more money as they knew Sega would discontinue it.
So they went on to making games for the other consoles.
And Sega did what EA knew they would do.
So EA did the right thing.

[FlyingPie]

@Wiiplay:
"They made games for Segas other consoles, but every time those consoles got discontinued."

Of course they did. Every console is discontinued eventually. If every game maker decided not to make games for a console because of that, there would be no games. :)

[cmicaro]

Actually in my opinion this might be a pretty bad idea. Given the current economic situation, many people won't buy a console (unless is really cheap); those who wanted a PS3, xbox360 or Wii will get it/them this year or already have it/them.

If Sega comes to play, who will buy it? The sega fanboys that haven't bought any other console? As a gamer I find hard to believe that those who embraced dreamcast waited patiently for a Sega console without having the urge to play videogames by buying one of the current options that were here since some years ago.

[neighborhoodcomentator]

I think sega could do it. not this generation, but the next generation of hardware would be premium. sony's on the down. there is a fork in the road, one direction has the 360 and the other the Wii. if sega can come up with a cheap system between those two, with awesome graphics and awesome gameplay, then it'd be a winner. i think this generation of games really widened the market, and the next generation is the precise opportunity for a new(albeit old) competitor to stand up.

[cmicaro]

You mister, have a good point.

Next Gen: Sega vs Nintendo vs Microsoft ? Sounds more reasonable than Sega versus everyone else on this generation, never though about it.

(Sony might not release another PS, they said that their PS3 is meant to last for a decade or so).

[Brian]

But Sega will have problem keeping prices low as the developers are currently developing for competing systems.

[tmt345]

@cmicaro the Playstation 3 will be SUPPORTED for a decade. Like what the PS2 is now, they will release a new console every 5-8 years and keep the last console running for a decade then phase out, theres still games coming out for the PS2. The PS2 is actually a great platform to develop on because a game is an instant hit if the game one sells to 1% of the 145 million PS2 owner, not to mention its cheap to develop for, and its pure cash for SONY because its cheap to make.

[Notoapplefanbois]

Something's telling me sega-microsoft-google vs sony-nintendo, I don't know why but I think those combinations could go well. Sega for game support, microsoft for the console and command prompt of OS and google for GUI.

And then Sony-Nintendo will make an all around powerhouse, which is more like a linuxbox than a ps3 but more of a major games console than the wii

[Dylan_Wisor]

Notoapplefanbois, that doesn't even make sense. Are console manufacturers teaming up, Voltron style?

[Arlondiluthel]

I seriously see SONY ending the PlayStation line with the PS3, seeing as how it is capable, and will be for a while, and the PSP is a shadow of itself when it launched. So, next generation would be a great time for SEGA to get back into the console, and possibly even handheld, market. Especially if they can give us a nice handheld that doesn't run on 6 AA batteries (I'm looking at you, GameGear).

[Nataku4ca]

@ Arlondiluthel

I laughed when i saw ur reference to game gear, ah good times... lol

My mom bought one and it was played with the A/C adapter for the whole time, stupid 6x battery idea =.=

[xcal78]

I wouldn't mind a new version of "Phantasy Star" but I wouldn't buy a new system just to play that.

[forestryee]

I sure hope Sega doesn't get into the hardware "fray". Does anyone remember the collapse of the video game market in 1983? Part of the reason for the collapse was due to a far to heavy market penetration; Atari, Coleco, Fairchild, Magnavox, among others. (Another reason was lousy games, which, arguably, is happening once again.) This may well shape up; have you seen the dismal numbers the PS3 is posting against the Xbox 360 and Wii. (I don't want to get into the reason behind it; I'm just stating a fact that the PS3 lags well behind both consoles.) Historically, only two systems have been able to survive at any given time; SNES-Genesis; N64-Playstation; Xbox-PS2; add the Game Boy franchise and the PSP. I believe that this generation is shaping up to be Xbox 360 and Wii.
(If anyone is interested, I will post the "failures" that existed between all the generations of hardware. )

I would like to mention that I loved the Dreamcast - I believe it was better than the PS2, and probably would have done much better, if it hadn't been for some of the poor marketing decisions Sega made. While I might enjoy a new Sega machine, I don't think the current market (even before the "economic downturn") will be able to tolerate much more from a new system. They would certainly have to work very hard to mimic and improve on the availability of the current/next gen systems. And they would have to bring it home under the $200.00 mark to make it attractive to most of the general population.

[DetectiveBooby]

The dreamcast came out what? A decade ago?

These "millions" of the loyal fans would never be enough to actually support Sega in the console race.
Lets be realistic, Sony, Nintendo, and even Microsoft are now what you think about when console hardware is mentioned.
Sega Genesis was my first console in the household (and even a freaking game gamegear), but with the economic climate I doubt that Sega would take that big of a gamble.

The only thing I could see them doing is competing with Wii by creating an HD casual console that would appeal to the Wii's audience as well as the Hardcore who aren't being supported by Nintendo at the moment.
But really, with Microsoft shelling out a billion in hardware malfunctions, Sony's inability to lower the price of their console even though they know they need too, and Nintendo's choke hold on the mass market, this doesn't seem like a Sega sweep time, it seems like a save what you got and stay afloat kind of time.

[pugster]

If it is about the Sega Vision, it is kind of dumb if it includes an analog TV tuner. They are promising an all in one device for about $100-$130 that would make psp jealous. Unless they can convince game makers to make games on them, they would be losing money on every console they sell.

[forestryee]

Though the analog television signals will be replaced soon, any device with an external connection can be used on the countless number of vintage game systems, VCR's, DVD players, and anything else with an RF adapter. What would be more ridiculous is for companies not to include a NTSC adapter in devices that can display analog air waves. After 50 years of analog signals there are still Atari's that get played even today. Eventually, those may become obsolete just due to lack of NTSC tuners in newer TV's. If they could make a portable TV with a game slot, that would be really cool.

[basraw]

portable tvs? get a netbook with a usb hd tuner.

don't worry - your cellphone will have hd tv soon anyways.

[MajorSlax]

quote: the arcade business is a shadow of its former self

edit: the arcade business is a shadow of its former self in America and Europe

Go to Japan, the arcade business is very far from a mere shadow. Sega is a multinational company yes, but its origins are in Japan, and Japan is a huge market when it comes to video games, including arcade. With that said, I agree that IF these new trademarks are for a console, then I don't think the current market/economy will be favorable for a new system. And finally, those trademarks make me think more of new game control systems than new platforms, though these are related. But that's just my opinion.

Wait and see.

[Thranx]

Unless it's a breeze of a port, it won't ever get off the ground. Developers are annoyed with the PS3 because if it's hardware. Unless Sega goes with the trimmed down PC architechure that the XBox did, no one will develop for it.

It's too big a risk. Sega won't do it.

[Orion Blastar]

Sega consoles used to be cool. Until the Dreamcast and Saturn ruined things. The Genesis was great, but it was because it was cheap to buy. The Dreamcast and Saturn cost too much to buy. If Sega is going to make a new game console they have a lot of catching up to do with Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo.

The Sega Ringedge or whatever better run some legacy video game console software other than Saturn and Dreamcast games.

[Atlantean]

The Dreamcast ruined things?! The Dreamcast is critically acclaimed as one of the best consoles EVER! The Saturn was an abortion, granted, it was rushed, extremely expensive, and an architectural nightmare, but the Dreamcast?! Expensive?! Oh please. What would you call the PS2? And as for the catching up with MS, Sony and Nintendo - we are talking about the company that pioneered online gaming (and it was way more decent than PS2's service from the get-go), gaming interface (especially in the arcades - you see those motorcicle arcades? Guess who had the idea of making such a controller: Yu Suzuki), innovative hardware (despite its shortcomings, the Gamegear, for example, was ahead of its time) and who is currently seen as a risk-taker in the software market. Sure they need to focus on getting on par with today's quality when it comes to their online services, but one thing is true: in some ways, Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony are still playing catch up to SEGA's vision. I wouldn't be surprised if SEGA actually surpassed them in some ways, while staying behind on other things.

[mroobalooba]

I think Sega have always been cool...the first console i ever had was a Master System with Alex the Kid built in!
it was an amazing thing to own at the time and it was that or the Nes. Sega were way ahead when they started releasing new consoles like the megadrive/genesis with the mega CD, possibly being the first console to use discs rather than cartridges and to take the gamble of producing the Saturn, which may have flopped but lead other developers into new grounds. The Gamegear i agree was rather big but unlike the original Gameboy's it pushed the boundries and was able to give us the graphics of the megadrive in our overly large hands.
The Dreamcast was the cherry on top...a major forerunner in pushing the graphics as much as possible...doubling that of the N64 at the time and introducing a new style of controller with the VMU which was released when Tamagotchi's were popular. I know many people that still have their Dreamcast's and various other SEGA consoles and i think it would be great if SEGA came back to the console market...but possibly take a break with Sonic who has been going a bit funny over the years...release a 3D version of Alex the Kid or Wonderboy!!

[Jumanji1972]

There is no place in the market for another console ...unless...What if...There was a hand held device that has Wi-Max, Wi-Fi,3G and EV-DO...has a CF slot (for games and expansion), USB, touch screen , qwerty kb ( ala Mylo), android based (you can use it as a PDA), games controls ( ala PSP)...comes with free or cheap internet service included (ala Xbox Live) with Netflix AND when you get home you have a docking station to juice it up with an extra processor and put it on a big screen- BTW - patent pending
ONLY IN AMERICA.

[viper396]

Is it a hand-held, a console, a PDA, a phone, what? Something like what you mentioned would be too expensive and unfocused to be successful.

[sting7k]

I think it's too late for Sega. I grew up with my Gensis and it was awesome, I still have it and it works. But, I don't play Sonic 2 on it anymore. I play that on my Xbox 360, as well as a good number of original Sega games from that time.

None of my friend's talk about Sega. Nor do I think they would be interested. Microsoft has grown it's market a lot this generation. Xbox LIVE is hitting new subscriber numbers all the time. I honestly don't know when I would have time to play a Sega console with all the Xbox games I like to play.

It's already too late, I will buy Sega games but I just don't see me being excited about a Sega console.

[Balloonknot]

"Wii60"...I like it. I also agree that that is the best combo and the reason the PS3 is struggling.

I was always a Sega guy...Master System, Genesis, etc. I think that if they release something in the next two years that has superior specs to the 360 and some innovative gameplay a la the Wii they would meet some modest success. Heck, I'd buy one. But then the 720 and Wii2 would come out and I think Sega's system would go the way of the Dreamcast.

Also, you cannot discount the power of Xbox Live, Halo, COD etc...I don't think Sega could create a big enough online following to compete...

[sanenazok]

This is a nostalgia piece. There's no way the market can support Sega again. Haha I don't think the Sonic games or whatever have gotten any worse. I think the author's tastes have changed since he's no longer 12.

[jarkoet]

To be completely honest you dont need to pick consoles. I have the PS3 Wii Xbox 360 PSP and the DS and I play them all. Every console has exclusives so why not own them all. Honestly who really cares about who sells more. People tying themselves to one system and claiming its the greatest is what hurts video game production. Just get what you want and live with it. I would definitely buy a Sega System because I still use my genesis and would look forward to a company going back to its roots and honestly stop letting its game creations be watered down by making it for multiple systems.

[viper396]

Unfortunately not everyone has the means or desire to buy every console that comes out. Hence the reason for "fanboys"...doesn't matter which console is actually better the fanboy will always argue that the one he owns is best.

[Atlantean]

They are not, Don. They've said it time and time again, they have no intention to return, specially not in their current condition, and they've admited they don't believe there's place for them in the market either. AND, have you seen the amount of support they've been pulling for the other consoles, specially the Wii? If they wanted to go back to the console market, why would they feed their enemies? And if they were to continue feeding them, what would be the point of making a console?
Not to mention that their investment in the arcade market has decreased significantly (specially after the Sammy "merger"), even though they're still quite possibly the most significant player in that segment. They have been making hardware (from that Chinese media player to the sex toy), but none of them are consoles. They stripped out the gaming support they had previously announced for the media player because they didn't want people to think they were trying to compete with the DS, the PSP or the iPhone, even after they said it themselves that the support would be very rudimentary, and only for flash-based games.

Seriously Don, where do you come up with your arguments for such speculation?

[aztec92154]

"specially" A.K.A "especially"

[Atlantean]

^ Thanks for correcting me, it was a typo.