Comments on: Why Sega should release a new console

Don Reisinger thinks the only way to save Sega is with a new video game console. Is he right?

[jpmccloud01]

Look Sega wonse was a great company. I myself had the master system and Genesis and thought they where great systems. I also had Atari and Coleco vision at one time. The fact is that Sega needs got a have games and choose who gets first rights to those titles when there released. If not Sega who gets Sonic and Afterburner

[dajump]

Terrible 'article', if you can call it that. This guy must be delusional. Better stick to your day-job - with market insight like that, I definitely wouldn't recommend entrepreneurship.

[DracIsBack]

I would love to see another Sega console but I have to agree with many of the posters: there's a reason why they aren't in the race.

I mean - look at how much they got right with the Dreamcast! It was a killer system. It had a killer lineup of games, including SOUL CALIBUR at launch. It paved the way for things like online play, higher res graphics and motion sensing ... all things at play in the market now.

However, they couldn't afford to compete in an industry where most competitors bleed money for years until they reach critical mass. Microsoft has more money than god from office and Windows and could afford to bleed billions on XBox. Sony has a whole line of businesses to bolster playstation sales until it hits its stride. Nintendo makes a fortune from handhelds and their own lineup of games.

Sega was already hurting when they launched Dreamcast and couldn't afford to ride it out until the system hit its stride. Hell, I can't think of any other console that sold 11 million units, had hundreds of games and was also discontinued in two years ... all because its so brutally expensive to compete.

[dhjellen]

WOW. This guy is really getting hammered by the community. Every article I read by this guy, everyone just tears him apart. I will not do the same here, but I am wondering whether this guy's supervisors actually take this community feedback in or not. It would seem that they are not receiving it because the articles keep coming, but one has to imagine that they have some sense of what is going on. Honestly, I am having a hard time figuring it out.

Perhaps this guy is related to one of the supervisors/executives or something like that.

[htoole318]

Yeah, they should make another console, so you can spend 300 bucks for a system thatll get cancelled 4 months after you buy it just like every sega console short of the genesis.....

[elmagicochrisg]

I would be more than happy to spend 300 bucks for a new SEGA console. Even if I knew in advance it would only last 2 years or so. At least we would see some innovative things in those 2 years. Unlike WII granny, WII fartmeister and WII horseriding... -_- Companies only seem to be able to steal ideas from eachother nowadays. Think how innovative SEGA was, and how much of that innovation has been used/stolen by other game companies.

[zgreenwell]

Good thing you didn't post this on Gamespot. I'm sure the community there would love to tear you apart. Anyway, it is very obvious that you're wrong. Sega's biggest problem isn't that it doesn't have a console, but that it doesn't seem to know how to make games anymore. Any Sega Developed game that was worth buying would do great on the Xbox 360 and PS3. Just look at the success of GTA VI. Rockstar didn't need a console to make that kind of money. I'm sure those 30-34 year olds who remember the old Sega Systems are a little too put out by their recent failures to consider a new one. Remember the Dreamcast was popular in the US and Sega just dumped it. Now, Microsoft is making a killing with the US being its main marketplace. Sega just needs to do something right or sell out. That is all there is to it.

[talker29]

Sooo... I should spend $300 for a sega console so that I can play GTA4 on it.... oh wait I can already do that on my 360, and I can play halo too!

This is the stupidest thing I've ever read. You buy a console because of the games, which ever one has better games people will buy. Sega makes crappy games so that equals no exclusive titles. Would you rather buy a console that could play halo, metal gear, or sonic the hedgehog(most boring360 game i've played ever).

They can't sell a console without good games, and if they had good games, they wouldn't need the console

[aaroberts]

Idiot.

[elmagicochrisg]

Once again, I second that. I for one think SEGA has a lot of good franchises to build upon. Valkyria Chronicles proves they can still make good games and be innovative . Only thing is, I think they lost the appetite to make great games, just BECAUSE they don't have their own machine anymore. I think they lost having fun in what they do the moment they got out of the console business. Losing your independence does that to people... They NEED a new console, and they NEED TO FEEL EXCITED AGAIN. They need love and recognition from the masses. Without stimulation, they will only see making games as a chore. How would you be?... And if by doing so (re-enter the hardware business again) they go bankrupt, so be it. At least they would have tried... At least they would've been able to be proud again. If SEGA fails, it's just because we failed SEGA. Make no mistake about that.

[this1!]

Don, you have seriously lost all grip on reality. First your god-awful story on how apple should release a console, and now this junk.

The only positive thing about your articles is that if you were able to land a job writing on cnet, then there is no limit as to what the rest of us sensible people can accomplish.

[Rod Roddy]

I definately don't think it's a bad idea. This is a company that during its hey day, was always on the cutting edge of emerging technologies. Yeah, the 32x bombed, and Nights into dreams was a bit "out there"--but both these products had one thing in common...they were being done when no one else was doing it. Games like Panzer Dragoon, virtua fighter, House of the dead, and many many others, were awesome in there day. And when you figure in that the Saturn was just as powerful as the first playstation, you gotta really take a second look and see that Sega was no slouch. At this point in time, a really good unique video game is a dime a dozen, we're over saturated with the same old futuristic clan based shooter, or games where you go out and rob banks and car jack other people ***? Sega was always on top of cool if not off beat games ie; Ecco the dolphin, that were just plain fun and they kept our intrest. I think Sega should test the waters first, Sony is not doing as well as it can--not by a long shot, the top two Nintendo and Microsoft, havent put out anything that blows us away(please don't bring up Halo, or Gears of War, these are not cutting edge games anymore). Oh yeah, one last thing, for all the people who put down Sega, because "everyone is doing it" don't forget you're the same people who begged your parents for a Genesis--you know who you are!

[elmagicochrisg]

Nice... We need more people like you educating these shallow fools... :P

[three_toed_frog]

Do you really think a company that is financially in the red should be burning through cash on R&D for consoles?

Just seems kinda backwards.

[elmagicochrisg]

Yep, that's why their R&D made Ringedge and Ringwide... -_-

It's so easy to get sarcastic with you guys...

[listenlisten]

Wait, you're saying that since they are failing in the software business they should release a console. That's just plain dumb. How are they going to support a new console if they can't produce A-List titles? The only way I see them coming out with a new console would be to develop several new blockbuster franchises (making them a ton of cash), using said cash to develop and release the new console and make sure the sequels to the aforementioned blockbuster titles are exclusive to the new console. Even then, four consoles may just saturate the market. Also, with development costs so high there's no guarantee other developers would spend the time and money to develop for a new console (particularly since the Wii, 360, and PS3 already have an installed base).

What you are proposing is not well thought out, and simply constitutes wasted effort on your part.

[elmagicochrisg]

PS3 has an installed base?... ROFLOL!

[maxmuscle]

I'm in the "30-35 year old" category, and consider the Sega Genesis still my all time favorite video game platform, and would definitely get behind Sega and buy their platform if they brought one out.!

[LcdGreg]

This guy is crazy, first of all the Wii cannot be beat for its price point, second of all it would be awfully expensive to make a console more powerful than sony and xbox, and third of all this generation of consoles already has 3 competitors, I just don't see it at all happening.

[elmagicochrisg]

I would love to know how many WII's are collecting dust right now...

[ReisingerLOL]

Can I get this guy's job-- here's a writing sample:

"STARBUCKS should release a console. Right now they're in trouble, as coffee sales are down. Imagine if they could sell a console with each latte! KA-CHING!"

Here's another one:

"THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY should release a console. Right now they're in trouble, as car sales are down. Imagine if they could sell a console with each car! KA-CHING!"

Or how about:

"COUNTRYWIDE HOME LOANS should release a console. Right now they're in trouble, as home sales are down. Imagine if they could sell a console with each mortgage! KA-CHING!"

[elmagicochrisg]

Quote : "THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY should release a console. Right now they're in trouble, as car sales are down. Imagine if they could sell a console with each car! KA-CHING!"

Only if the console came with standard NOS injection... :P

[ceehow]

Though the Saturn and Dreamcast tanked, they were alittle ahead of the curve. The Saturn with its internal memory storage (although it was very limited) and the Dreamcast being online capable right out of the box before any other concole. But with 3 other concoles out there and not too willing to change it would be a hard sell. I would definitely buy one because I loved my Genesis from back in the day and I thought the Dreamcast was ok. Plus the new system would have a cult following, though probably not enough to make the money they need to justify the system. I guess its an idea worth kicking around in the Sega camp if they could get third party makers (ie, EA) to make games for them.

[benleeisgreat]

I read a lot of stupid things on cNet but still find it a reasonably reliable resource for decent opinions on tech stuff. This article, however, is a pointless exercise is pointless speculation for a product that would make no sense. This crap isn't worth the bandwidth its sucking down. I owned a Saturn and a Dreamcast and have no desire to buy another Sega console, or even another console at this point. The gaming market is saturated with portables and home consoles. Why does this make sense to anyone, including the author, for Sega, a company whose last two consoles were FAIL FAIL FAIL and who hasn't made any memorable games in the past ten years to jump back into the fold? What, I need another Jet Grind Radio or Sega GT? This article is composed of pure anti-win, so much so that it puts the safety of our universe at risk.

[TCrimson05]

I do truly understand why people would cringe at the thought. But the reason that the Saturn and Dreamcast failed wasn't because of bad systems just bad business planning. I've played games since i was three so i know something bout them. If Sega wanted to pull this off, two rules. PERFECT planning (followed by perfect execution) and SONIC. Dun pull a Saturn and "surprise" us the same day as the announcement. Dun pull a dreamcast and launch a system two years before the next systems launch with it being not a powerful. Look at Nintendo...the 'cube' didnt sell well but wasn't a "failure" but because of nintendo's execution with the Wii it has out sold Microsoft and Sony (regardless if you like it of not) every month since, that's just the facts. They need to create a system that will stand toe to toe with the other three in EVERY aspect. Graphics, hardware, SOFTWARE!!!, and Online capability (credit dreamcast for starting it -though
'Mircosoft' executed better). Follow your leader - Sonic. Nintendo = Mario, Mircosoft = Master Chief, Sega should = Sonic. But the 1st thing they have to do is MAKE QUALITY SONIC GAMES NOW!!! Make us want to play them and make us aware that their systems are the only way to get them. If they start now making quality games, they will get the revenue for it. They have to be "nintnendo like" is making quality 1st party games while getting third party support.. DO NOT BE LIKE SONY and try to justify a high price for no reason. The PS3 is only slightly more powerful than 360. The reason it used to cost 200 bucks more was because of BLU-RAY built in. They made the mistake of trying to pull what they did with the PS2 and the dvd but it backfired. (Hence them rushing to lower the price). Quality games are very important. Honestly if they timed the Dreamcast better it might not have failed. It had Sonic, Power Stone, Skies of Arcadia, Shenmue, Soul Calibur, Dead or Alive 2, Crazy Taxi etc. etc. etc. Many of whom are shared on the current systems. Sega just needs to get those Multi platform games like Resident evil, Soul Calibur, Call of Duty, Madden etc. etc. etc. And revemp the 1st Party games like Virtual Fighter, Sonic, Shenmue and develop new franchises exclusive for it's system. But it all comes down to EXECUTION!!!! It'll be next to impossible.....but hey if they draw up smart plans to jump in full force for the next round of systems....it'll be the return of a company unlike anything seen in gaming. And there is time between now and then next 'next gen systems'. DJ Drama said it best " The sh*t ain't hard, it's just gotta be done right''. (cough* PHANTOM cough* cough*)

[MrTreize]

I think it is a great injustice to label the Dreamcast a failure, they got out while the getting was good and that little white box consistently turned a profit due to its affordable price and vast library. The Saturn on the other hand was a failure in the US for various reasons. If Sega was even considering getting back into the hardware game they probably would need to heed these words; get a better advertising firm. Whoever handles the Sega brand advertising really sucks ass at it. So many Sega games come out each year for the various systems out there and yet the only game you see consistently advertised is Sonic the Hedgehog. Two, they need to give Sonic a few years off and bring back the original team that made the original game and Sonic Adventure and put them in a room, lock the door and not let them out for 18-24 months until they have a hit Sonic game. Two, they need to take a long hard look into their back catalogue of games released on their previous systems and start reviving some of those well done franchises. I mean Sega was famous for more than just Sonic, Phantasy Star and Shenmue. And lastly, they should partner with a tech firm if making a new system is in the cards and let them develop a machine based on current technology, and it must at least have movie playback and mass storage memory like a hard drive (swappable of course so they can not need multiple SKU's, and make the fact VERY known that the hard drive is swappable). Backwards compatibility to the Dreamcast and Saturn games would be a nice addition but not necessary at all. But it would be nice. I mean, how hard could it be to hire people who know the market, what it wants and how to get things done? And finally, be like nobody else, every game released in Japan should be made for the US and other territories. If they were wise, they would invest in the now defunct Working Designs company, who is well known for releasing Japanese titles translated very well for other territories. An in house translation team would score huge with the vast market of importers and it would crush the system modders that are always blamed for piracy.Thats my two cents anyway.

[wjb1975]

Hey Don,
You are exactly right. I was a huge fan of the sega saturn, and i still rock my dreamcast to play Marvel Vs. Capcom 2. Both systems were completely under-rated, and the dreamcast still looks great to date. I believe if sega were smart...which i know they are...or at least used to be...If they released a system that was equally good in power with the ps3 or the xbox360, ...but had it prebundled with some graphically enhanced old school classic games from the saturn or the dreamcast...and banked on downloadable games from the catalog's the system would be a great success. Why let the wii get all the rad old games when they could be played on a true sega machine. There has been so much talk on the internet where everyone is pretty much begging finally put the dreamcast 2 into production, why not make a move, heck even if they put out a machine with the power of the wii...and just didn't care about being a front runner...and just put out games at their own pace that were fun and look pretty good...it would be a great success, and i assume they'd have the major players back int he game with them as well like Midway, Capcom, Konami.....
it's pretty astonishing also the fact that....so many games that were dreamcast based are all getting facelifts and are being scoop'ed up by the tons on Xbox Live...like Rez, the upcoming Soul Caliber, Ikaruga, Trigger Heart...i say Sega should just DO IT, and not worry about the competition.

[ReisingerLOL]

Yeah! No one in the console business is worried about mundane things like 'making money'! GO FOR IT SEGA!