I just want to highlight their most notable current divisions. and projects. Why? Because I think they deserve too, much like Nintendo (but I' not sure if I will update this). If you any questions about any staff (say who was manly responsible for Shinobi PS2, and what they did do then?) or which were behind each game in the past, and what they do now, feel free to ask. I'm sure I can answer it. I have it all in my head.
"Full overview" and the lead of each studio link to Sega Retro.
EDIT: UPDATED FOR 2023
Consumer Studio #1 is probably the premiere gaming studio for Sega of Japan. It was headed by tanned mastermind Toshihiro Nagoshi who was behind Daytona USA, Super Monkey Ball and Yakuza as a director. Now headed by Masayoshi Yokoyama
The main purpose of the studio is to create the Yakuza series. The legacy of the developers at the studio are of AM11/R&D4/Amusement Vision and CS1/Sega PC/Smilebit. Super Monkey Ball, Jet Set Radio, Panzer Dragoon and Spikeout.
Now includes some devs from Valkyria Chronicles as well. AM2 staff moved to CS1
Full overview.
Recently completed projects:
Current projects:
Tetsuya Kaku (programmer at Sega since Virtua Fighter 1)
Masayoshi Yokoyama (since Jet Set Radio, script writer then for Yakuza series)
Sega CS2
The second studio for console and handheld games is mainly resposible for the Sonic the Hedgehog, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic games and the Puyo Puyo series. The legacy behind the studio mainly people who worked on the Sonic series since Sonic Adventure as well as Space Channel 5. Also devs from Shinobi/Nightshade joined in around 2006. It also has a US studio, that only supervises Sonic projects out in the West (Sonic Mania) which is headed by Sonic Adventure director, Takashi Iizuka.
However the Japanese studio is now headed by Eigo Kasahara and has most of the dissolved CS3 staff. CS3 main points of fame are RPG's like Valkyria Chronicles or Sakura Wars, and many more off-shoot projects like A Certain Magical Virtual On. With so much under one roof, Sonic is seemingly less of a priority at Sega of Japan.
Full overview.
Staff of AM1 moved to CS2
Recently completed projects:
Kazuyuki Hoshino (artist since Sonic CD, or art director for Sonic Adventure)
Sachiko Kawamura (artist since Sonic 3D Blast, creator of Chao, art director for ChuChu Rocket, art director since Sonic Unleashed)
Shinkichi Tanahashi (character animator for Space Channel 5, then switched to the Sonic series since Unleashed)
Tetsu Katano (programmer since Clockwork Knights, then lead programmer for Sonic Adventure)
Takumi Yoshinaga (game design lead for Space Channel 5, Feel the Magic)
Akira Nishino (director of Ristar)
Hirotaka Kanezawa (artist for Skies of Arcadia)
Rieko Kodama (Phantasy Star)
Has veterans from Sega Rally, HotD and other racers and rail shooters.
Currently unknows if team is intact, teams involved in "Super Game" projects. Staff moved to CS2
Projects:
Members:
Kenji Arai (Initial D)
Takashi Oda (House of the Dead)
Assistance in outside use Sega IP:
The second arcade studio, like AM1 also existing since the 80's. It is headed by Hiroshi Kataoka. Full overview.
Has veterans from Virtua Fighter, Fighting Vipers, Daytona USA, Virtua Tennis and more.
Unknown if team is still intact, teams involved in "Super Game" projects. Staff moved to CS1
On going projects
Members:
Daichi Katagiri (Virtua Fighter)
Hiroshi Kataoka (Fighting Vipers)
Makoto Osaki (Virtua Fighter Kids)
Shinichi Yoshino (Shenmue)
The mobile studio, as well as the studio that is currently making F2P projects on all devices in general. Full overview (Online R&D). Full overview (Mobile Sega Networks)
Known to be working on the "Super Game" project which involved arcade teams from AM1, AM2 as well as the teams working on mobile and consoles. Currently contains all mobile, F2P type projects as Division 3 and 4.
On going projects
Akinori Nishiyama (Phantasy Star)
Shuntaro Tanaka (Skies of Arcadia)
Masayoshi Kikuchi (director of Jet Set Radio)
Licensed Sega of Japan IP:
taken from here: https://www.resetera.com/threads/a-list-of-studios-founded-by-ex-sega-employees.256659/
Genki
Arzest
Also I recommend the article series I did for Segabits:
http://segabits.com/blog/2015/09/23/history-sega-japan-rd-part-1-origins-80s/
"Full overview" and the lead of each studio link to Sega Retro.
EDIT: UPDATED FOR 2023
Sega CS1
Consumer Studio #1 is probably the premiere gaming studio for Sega of Japan. It was headed by tanned mastermind Toshihiro Nagoshi who was behind Daytona USA, Super Monkey Ball and Yakuza as a director. Now headed by Masayoshi Yokoyama
The main purpose of the studio is to create the Yakuza series. The legacy of the developers at the studio are of AM11/R&D4/Amusement Vision and CS1/Sega PC/Smilebit. Super Monkey Ball, Jet Set Radio, Panzer Dragoon and Spikeout.
Now includes some devs from Valkyria Chronicles as well. AM2 staff moved to CS1
Full overview.
Recently completed projects:
- Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise
- Judgment
- Super Monkey Banana Blitz HD
- Yakuza Remastered Collection
- Yakuza 7
- Lost Judgment
- Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown
- Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania
- Like a Dragon: Ishin!
Current projects:
- Like a Dragon Gaiden
- Like a Dragon 8
- Streets of Rage 4
Tetsuya Kaku (programmer at Sega since Virtua Fighter 1)
Masayoshi Yokoyama (since Jet Set Radio, script writer then for Yakuza series)
Sega CS2
The second studio for console and handheld games is mainly resposible for the Sonic the Hedgehog, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic games and the Puyo Puyo series. The legacy behind the studio mainly people who worked on the Sonic series since Sonic Adventure as well as Space Channel 5. Also devs from Shinobi/Nightshade joined in around 2006. It also has a US studio, that only supervises Sonic projects out in the West (Sonic Mania) which is headed by Sonic Adventure director, Takashi Iizuka.
However the Japanese studio is now headed by Eigo Kasahara and has most of the dissolved CS3 staff. CS3 main points of fame are RPG's like Valkyria Chronicles or Sakura Wars, and many more off-shoot projects like A Certain Magical Virtual On. With so much under one roof, Sonic is seemingly less of a priority at Sega of Japan.
Full overview.
Staff of AM1 moved to CS2
Recently completed projects:
- Sonic Forces
- Puyo Puyo Tetris for Switch
- Hatsune Miku Project DIVA X
- Valykria Revolution
- 3D Classics (with M2)
- A Certain Magical Virtual On
- Shining Resonance Refrain
- Valkyria Chronicles 4
- Sakura Wars 2019
- 2020 Olympic Games
- Sonic Frontiers
- Sonic Origins
- Persona 5 Royal Multi-Platform
- Sega Ages for Switch (with M2)
- Samba de Amigo: Party Central
- Sonic Superstars
- Chu Chu Rocket Universe
- Space Channel 5 VR
- Alex Kidd DX
Kazuyuki Hoshino (artist since Sonic CD, or art director for Sonic Adventure)
Sachiko Kawamura (artist since Sonic 3D Blast, creator of Chao, art director for ChuChu Rocket, art director since Sonic Unleashed)
Shinkichi Tanahashi (character animator for Space Channel 5, then switched to the Sonic series since Unleashed)
Tetsu Katano (programmer since Clockwork Knights, then lead programmer for Sonic Adventure)
Takumi Yoshinaga (game design lead for Space Channel 5, Feel the Magic)
Akira Nishino (director of Ristar)
Hirotaka Kanezawa (artist for Skies of Arcadia)
Rieko Kodama (Phantasy Star)
Sega AM1
The arcade studio who's legacy goes way back into the 80's. The last console project were some House of the Dead ports for PS3 Move and Wi last gen. Also a DS conversion of Sangokushi Taisen. Full overview.
Has veterans from Sega Rally, HotD and other racers and rail shooters.
Currently unknows if team is intact, teams involved in "Super Game" projects. Staff moved to CS2
Projects:
- Chain Chronicle
- Initial D Arcade Stage
- World Club Champion Football
- Wonderland Wars
- MaiMai
- Chuunithm
- Ongeki
- Code of Joker
- Sangokushi Taisen
- Sega World Drivers Championship
- House of the Dead Scarlet Dawn
Members:
Kenji Arai (Initial D)
Takashi Oda (House of the Dead)
Assistance in outside use Sega IP:
- House of the Dead Remake 1&2
Sega AM2
The second arcade studio, like AM1 also existing since the 80's. It is headed by Hiroshi Kataoka. Full overview.
Has veterans from Virtua Fighter, Fighting Vipers, Daytona USA, Virtua Tennis and more.
Unknown if team is still intact, teams involved in "Super Game" projects. Staff moved to CS1
On going projects
- Border Break
- Mahjong Arcade & Mobile
- Kancolle Arcade
- Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Arcade
- Fate Grand Order Arcade
- Border Break PS4
- Hatsune Miku: Project Diva Mega Mix for Switch
- Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown
Members:
Daichi Katagiri (Virtua Fighter)
Hiroshi Kataoka (Fighting Vipers)
Makoto Osaki (Virtua Fighter Kids)
Shinichi Yoshino (Shenmue)
Online R&D
The mobile studio, as well as the studio that is currently making F2P projects on all devices in general. Full overview (Online R&D). Full overview (Mobile Sega Networks)
Known to be working on the "Super Game" project which involved arcade teams from AM1, AM2 as well as the teams working on mobile and consoles. Currently contains all mobile, F2P type projects as Division 3 and 4.
On going projects
- Phantasy Star Online 2
- RGG Online
- Dx2: Shin Megami Tensei Liberation
- Rumored Crazy Taxi and Jet Set Radio reboot.
Akinori Nishiyama (Phantasy Star)
Shuntaro Tanaka (Skies of Arcadia)
Masayoshi Kikuchi (director of Jet Set Radio)
Licensed Sega of Japan IP:
- Rez HD/Infinite
- Cosmic Smash
- Shenmue III
- Bayonetta 2&3
- Panzer Dragoon
- Streets of Rage 4
- Panzer Dragoon Voyage Record
- Space Channel 5 VR
- House of the Dead 1&2 remakes
- Alex Kidd DX
Companies founded by ex-Sega employees:
taken from here: https://www.resetera.com/threads/a-list-of-studios-founded-by-ex-sega-employees.256659/
Genki
- Shutokou Battle series
- Kengo series
- Virtua Cop: Elite Edition
- Shenmue III
- Crimson Dragon
- Derby Tsuku series
- Just Dance series
- Blinx: The Time Sweeper
- Blue Dragon
- Yoshi Island DS
- Custom Robo: Battle Revolution
- Odama
- Shenmue III
- Lumines
- Meteos
- Child of Eden
- Ivy the Kiwi?
- Let's Tap
- Rodea: The Sky Soldier
- Aqua Race Extreme
- Dragon Quest X
- Sega World Drivers Championship
- Shenmue III
- Air Twister
- Shenmue III
- Air Twister
Arzest
- Balan Wonderworld
- Yoshi's New Island
- Wii Play: Motion
- Rez: Infinite
- Tetris Effect
- Final Re:quest
Also I recommend the article series I did for Segabits:
http://segabits.com/blog/2015/09/23/history-sega-japan-rd-part-1-origins-80s/
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