Does Sega Have Secret Plans To Release A New Home Console?

[futuramaguy42]

Kinda unrelated, but wasn't Sega supposed to release a PMP that you could only get through those arcade crane games? That was supposed to be their first hardware release in years.

On a more unrelated note, I finally got an avatar.

[elvis]

Comparisons to Sony or Microsoft are not accurate. Those companies don't rely on videogames so as to make a profit and in Microsoft's case they don't even care about losing money. Microsoft is losing millions on the Xboxes but he doesn't care.

This is a very important point. It's well known that Microsoft make the lion's share of their cash from Office, and that it is so profitable they can happily incur huge losses elsewhere and keep on ploughing forward.

The first XBox made a capital loss over it's entire life. The XBox 360 wasn't planned on making profits at all until year 3, and I think with the massive amount of RRoDs out there, that will be pushed back to year 4 or 5. But again, it doesn't matter as they've got the cash to float it.

Likewise for Sony, profits from the PS3 aren't the top agenda. Market dominance is (both of their platform, and of BluRay). Sony want to be seen as the ubiquitous entertainment company - home theatre, home electronics, movies, music, games, cross-licensing, etc, etc. Funnelling profits from one part of the business to another is not a problem, so long as they can keep their brand recognition high.

Sega don't have those luxuries. They can't lose billions on hardware and recoup it somewhere else like their competitors.

I'm starting to lose count of how many times I've said it, but people need to stop getting giddy about reliving the glory days of Sega, and start thinking like a corporation would. If you have troubles doing so, take a look at this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sega_ ... 3-2004.svg

Sega lost money consecutively from 1997 (SegaCD/MegaCD launch) through to 2002 (official death of the Dreamcast). After the Genesis/Megadrive, all hardware Sega made caused them to nearly go bankrupt, and the only thing that saved them was dumping hardware and becoming a software-only company (and again, a few general-purpose PCs in arcade cabinets is hardly a "hardware business" - much like Namco use hardware based on the PS3 in most of their arcade systems, Sega merely use someone else's commodity hardware in a box).

Now ask yourself, as an executive or shareholder of Sega, would you want to see those massive losses all over again?

Until Sega claw their way back up into the top 3 software developers/publishers, it makes zero sense for them to even consider a new hardware platform. Their positive relationship with existing hardware makers is worth far more in pure dollars than a new console could ever be, particularly in the current market.

[GSZX1337]

Kinda unrelated, but wasn't Sega supposed to release a PMP that you could only get through those arcade crane games? That was supposed to be their first hardware release in years.

I don't know what happened to that. I thought that was a good idea for Sega. Maybe try to work up to make an iPhone/iPod killer.

On a more unrelated note, I finally got an avatar.

It's nothing compared to James Cameron's Avatar! MUAHAHAHA!

[the7k]

On a more unrelated note, I finally got an avatar.

Let's hope that avatar doesn't make you into a Homicidal Maniac.

[Frizz.Meister]

You have forgotten 2 facts which may or may not influence your views. Sega is most famoud for the mega-drive/genesis but made a huge amount of cash of the master system across most of the world except the USA where nes rules. The master system has only recently stopped being manufactured (be it a different model) because of its recent sucess in south america. Also the new sega vision device coming out soon is harware is it not? Even if it isn't aimed at games it shows that sega has some form of r&d still running, be it a small percent of what it once was.

Personally i beleive sega will release a new console, but not for a long time. What it will take is a new head of the company with different ideas influenced by segas strong starting period. But this could be many years from now. Many many years.

[DCsegaDH]

I doubt Sega will release another console, but if they do I will buy it right when it comes out and I usually don't do that. I'm kind of worried because if they do make a system and it fails than the company might not be around anymore. I think they should stick to being a third-party company, its not as risky.

[IcKy99]

my big gripe is only with the controller patent, where the hell is the 2nd analog stick???!! how do they expect to draw the mass of FPS fans to their "Console" without a proper controller.

if its real, ill buy it

if not, oh well, its nice to think about

[Gonnawhoopya]

Sega needs to get with Apple and make a living room entertainment system! They are already working together, sega is creating games for the appstore. The Apple tv is missing the gaming part that Apple's competitors offer with ps3 and xbox 360. I would love to see a joint venture between Apple and Sega to make the awesomest home entertainment device ever!

[MrPopo]

Sega needs to get with Apple and make a living room entertainment system! They are already working together, sega is creating games for the appstore. The Apple tv is missing the gaming part that Apple's competitors offer with ps3 and xbox 360. I would love to see a joint venture between Apple and Sega to make the awesomest home entertainment device ever!

Pippin and Saturn combine to form Sucktron!

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

Sega needs to get with Apple and make a living room entertainment system! They are already working together, sega is creating games for the appstore. The Apple tv is missing the gaming part that Apple's competitors offer with ps3 and xbox 360. I would love to see a joint venture between Apple and Sega to make the awesomest home entertainment device ever!

Pippin and Saturn combine to form Sucktron!

You did NOT just say that the Saturn sucked....