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Sega of Japan research, information & discussion

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Dooble

Dooble

Member
Oct 28, 2017
2,468
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

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
Assistance in outside use Sega IP:
  • Streets of Rage 4
Members
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)
Current projects:
  • Samba de Amigo: Party Central
  • Sonic Superstars
Assistance in outside use Sega IP:
  • Chu Chu Rocket Universe
  • Space Channel 5 VR
  • Alex Kidd DX
Members:
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
No console games

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
Console games
  • 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.
Members
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
Riz Inc.
  • Virtua Cop: Elite Edition
  • Shenmue III
Land Ho!
  • Crimson Dragon
  • Derby Tsuku series
  • Just Dance series
Artoon
  • Blinx: The Time Sweeper
  • Blue Dragon
  • Yoshi Island DS
studiofake co., ltd.
  • Custom Robo: Battle Revolution
  • Odama
  • Shenmue III
Q Entertainment
  • Lumines
  • Meteos
  • Child of Eden
Prope
  • Ivy the Kiwi?
  • Let's Tap
  • Rodea: The Sky Soldier
Bitster
  • Aqua Race Extreme
  • Dragon Quest X
  • Sega World Drivers Championship
Grounding Inc.
  • Shenmue III
  • Air Twister
Ys Net
  • Shenmue III
  • Air Twister

Arzest
  • Balan Wonderworld
  • Yoshi's New Island
  • Wii Play: Motion
Enhance Games
  • Rez: Infinite
  • Tetris Effect
Huga Studios
  • Final Re:quest
Nagoshi Studio

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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ItWasMeantToBe19

ItWasMeantToBe19

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Oct 26, 2017
20,440
CS1 and CS3 are their only interesting developers. CS2's failure with Sonic Forces (and previously, Sonic Lost World) was so catastrophic that I think Sonic Team is as bad as ever.

Sonic Team was at least rushed to make '06, they had four years to make Forces.

Beyond CS1 and CS3, their Atlus developers would probably be way more interesting.
 
aisback

aisback

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Oct 27, 2017
8,735
I'm still surprised at how big of a company Sega still is. I just wished the management was better
 
ILikeFeet

ILikeFeet

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Oct 25, 2017
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I know this thread focuses on Japan, but I think it should encompass all of sega. Atlus, Relic, Creative Assembly, etc should all be represented. would help with the thought going around when people are disappointed when Sega reveals a western-made game.

/useless 2 cents
 

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ItWasMeantToBe19 said:
CS1 and CS3 are their only interesting developers. CS2's failure with Sonic Forces (and previously, Sonic Lost World) was so catastrophic that I think Sonic Team is as bad as ever.

Sonic Team was at least rushed to make '06, they had four years to make Forces.

Beyond CS1 and CS3, their Atlus developers would probably be way more interesting.
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Puyo Puyo Tetris though

Also I wouldn't assume too much about how or why Forces is like it is. Even with 4 years of possible development time there's plenty that could go wrong.
 
ItWasMeantToBe19

ItWasMeantToBe19

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Oct 26, 2017
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Timmit said:
Puyo Puyo Tetris though

Also I wouldn't assume too much about how or why Forces is like it is. Even with 4 years of possible development time there's plenty that could go wrong.
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I mean, the rumors are that they ended up making Forces in one year.

But then it's like... What did you do the other three years.

And that's a pretty catastrophic failure when you can't do anything productive for three years.

Regardless, Sonic Team hasn't released an even average non-puzzle game in 6 years and probably won't have another game out for at least 3 more years and that's just fucking terrible work.
 
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Deleted member 3294

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ItWasMeantToBe19 said:
I mean, the rumors are that they ended up making Forces in one year.

But then it's like... What did you do the other three years.

And that's a pretty catastrophic failure when you can't do anything productive for three years.

Regardless, Sonic Team hasn't released an even average non-puzzle game in 7 years and probably won't have another game out for at least 3 more years and that's just fucking terrible work.
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iirc the rumor was four years spent on Hedgehog Engine 2, two years on Sonic Forces, one year of which was full production. Could be wrong though. Either way, it's wrong to assume that when a studio doesn't do much for a bunch of years that it's the studio's fault. There's plenty of reasons why they could have not worked on much during that time, and chances are it's not something as simple as "they're bad at their job". Not when it comes to the game industry anyway.
 
Candescence

Candescence

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Oct 27, 2017
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Regardless, Sonic Team's competency in terms of handling of the franchise has been all over the place since the Dreamcast's launch, and they've never put out a genuinely great game themselves. It took the colossal disaster that was Sonic 06 to get them to try and shape up, but the Boost games have been divisive anyway, and now Forces is a goddamn mess - it doesn't help that it's contrasted with the near-universal praise for Sonic Mania, which Sonic Team basically had nothing to do with.

Any sane management would see the inconsistent quality (both with Sonic Team-made games and other Sonic games who had Sonic Team vets as producer roles (mainly Iizuka, who signed off on such "wonders" as Sonic 4 and Rivals)) and the overshadowing of the latest major title by a digital game made by a team of relative amateurs to be an indicator that maybe Sonic Team simply isn't up to the task of handling such an iconic franchise. The only reasons the people who are veterans are still around and in charge is purely because they've been around longer than anyone else, rather than merit - Takashi Iizuka has had no idea what the fuck he's doing for the longest time and Shun Nakamura is still a producer despite basically being at least partly responsible for the parts of Sonic 06 that went wrong that weren't obviously the fault of the game's messy production (he was the director, the main designer and the fucking head writer for one of the most poorly-written narratives in Sonic's history). Such a spotty record should've caused Sega to clean house, but Sonic Team is practically an institution at this point - Sonic Team USA got shut down after Sonic 06 despite not actually having had a hand in that disaster (their last title being the divisive but hardly terrible NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams).

Seriously, Sonic Team have had too many bungled second chances. I can't fathom why the studio in its current form is still in charge of making mainline Sonic titles.

(Also, they have an astoundingly bad habit of splitting up Sonic games into multiple game modes often with completely different gameplay for no apparent reason, hence "Sonic's shitty friends" until fans complained and Sonic Team missed the point so they ended up shoehorning their habit into Sonic himself in various contrived ways, such as the Werehog, 2D sections taking up most of the game since Unleashed, Classic Sonic, the Avatar in Forces, etc. I've had a theory for a long time that they're paranoid about the attention spans of players.)
 
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fiendcode

fiendcode

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Oct 26, 2017
24,905
Fantastic outline but one correction; Border Break PS4 isn't AM2's first console project in 5 years. They also developed console Miku games (Project Mirai series on 3DS, Project Diva Future Tone PS4).
 
Soheil

Soheil

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Oct 28, 2017
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I think it's better to update this thread to full Sega studios like the CAPACOM thread.
 

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Candescence said:
Regardless, Sonic Team's competency in terms of handling of the franchise has been all over the place since the Dreamcast's launch, and they've never put out a genuinely great game themselves. It took the colossal disaster that was Sonic 06 to get them to try and shape up, but the Boost games have been divisive anyway, and now Forces is a goddamn mess - it doesn't help that it's contrasted with the near-universal praise for Sonic Mania, which Sonic Team basically had nothing to do with.

Any sane management would see the inconsistent quality (both with Sonic Team-made games and other Sonic games who had Sonic Team vets as producer roles (mainly Iizuka, who signed off on such "wonders" as Sonic 4 and Rivals)) and the overshadowing of the latest major title by a digital game made by a team of relative amateurs to be an indicator that maybe Sonic Team simply isn't up to the task of handling such an iconic franchise. The only reasons the people who are veterans are still around and in charge is purely because they've been around longer than anyone else, rather than merit - Takashi Iizuka has had no idea what the fuck he's doing for the longest time and Shun Nakamura is still a producer despite basically being at least partly responsible for the parts of Sonic 06 that went wrong that weren't obviously the fault of the game's messy production (he was the director, the main designer and the fucking head writer for one of the most poorly-written narratives in Sonic's history). Such a spotty record should've caused Sega to clean house, but Sonic Team is practically an institution at this point - Sonic Team USA got shut down after Sonic 06 despite not actually having had a hand in that disaster (their last title being the divisive but hardly terrible NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams).

Seriously, Sonic Team have had too many bungled second chances. I can't fathom why the studio in its current form is still in charge of making mainline Sonic titles.

(Also, they have an astoundingly bad habit of splitting up Sonic games into multiple game modes often with completely different gameplay for no apparent reason, hence "Sonic's shitty friends" until fans complained and Sonic Team missed the point so they ended up shoehorning their habit into Sonic himself in various contrived ways, such as the Werehog, 2D sections taking up most of the game since Unleashed, Classic Sonic, the Avatar in Forces, etc. I've had a theory for a long time that they're paranoid about the attention spans of players.)
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This is making a whole lot of assumptions that aren't necessarily true.

While yeah, Shun Nakamura being a producer on Forces is a bit weird when you think his only credit is being director and lead designer on Sonic 2006, you might want to actually look at what his work has been since Sonic 2006 before saying he's "still a producer". Cause the only Sonic game he had any major involvement in since 2006 was Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games. Otherwise he was only really involved as supervisor or "project support", mostly with spin-off games. There's also that aside from Sonic 2006 and Forces, the games he had a major role in have generally been pretty good. Mainly Samba de Amigo, Billy Hatchet (arguably), and Rhythm Thief. All of which he was director on.

As for Takashi Iizuka: he's not actually at Sonic Team in Japan anymore, he's been at Sega America since March 2016. Kinda doubtful he's to blame for everything bad about Sonic Forces. If anything I wouldn't be surprised if he was more involved with Sonic Mania.

Anyway, maybe don't try to armchair explain why Sonic games are bad actually. Cause truth is we don't really know shit and whatever the case it's probably more accurate to blame Sega than it is to blame the people they're getting to make the games.
 
PachaelD

PachaelD

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I'd also add Sega Networks to their primarily F2P efforts
https://www.segaretro.org/Sega_Networks

Would adding Atlus (100%) and f4samurai (65.8% per wiki) be useful as well?
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/セガゲームス

On Atlus, someone should be able to differentiate the appropriate divisions (SMT, P, Zero)
f4samurai have mostly been involved in Chain Chronicle, Hortensia Saga and Magia Record for Aniplex. No idea what is on next.
 

Phediuk

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Oct 27, 2017
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aisback said:
I'm still surprised at how big of a company Sega still is. I just wished the management was better
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They're a fraction of the size they once were. Their output in the 90s was absolutely ludicrous. That period of Sega is probably the most prolific game company that has ever existed; we're talking like 50 games a year.
 
seiki

seiki

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Birdseye said:
Which one is making Shenmue HD?
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Sega AM2 made them so probably them it is their masterpiece.

It is unfortunate to see the downfall of these legendary divisions at Sega. In the 80s and 90s they were the best and most influential in the industry with the majority of their arcade titles but especially near the late 90s there were still so many amazing projects aswell as those that never saw the light of day. It's amazing there's still projects being produced even today like Sega AM2 creating Border Break but the huge mess up within the early 2000s and departure from hardware development obviously account for this. There is no such fierce competition for Sega to do so well anymore but instead provide content like the publisher they are now.
 
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bionic77

bionic77

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Oct 25, 2017
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Man I wish they could spend that money and time on something other than Sonic.

Give me another Soccer Slam and some new IPs.

But that is probably horrible from a business point of view so I understand the need for more Sonic games...
 
Eolz

Eolz

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I thought that AM2 (the classic one) had been closed and that most of their devs went to CS1 and 3? Am I misremembering or is that just some new arcade team they renamed?
 
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Dooble

Dooble

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Surprised to see some "only Sonic now", "everyone good is gone now".

Here is notable people at Sega still (there is bunch more, but some of my faves), again for exhaustive credits and lists, visit Sega Retro!

CS1
Tetsuya Kaku (programmer at Sega since Virtua Fighter 1)
Masayoshi Yokoyama (since Jet Set Radio, script writer then for Yakuza series)
Masayoshi Kikuchi (director of Jet Set Radio)

CS2
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)

CS3
Akira Nishino (director of Ristar)
Hirotaka Kanezawa (artist for Skies of Arcadia)
Rieko Kodama (Phantasy Star)

AM1
Kenji Arai (Initial D)
Takashi Oda (House of the Dead)
Atsushi Seimiya (Streets of Rage)

AM2
Daichi Katagiri (Virtua Fighter)
Hiroshi Kataoka (Fighting Vipers)
Makoto Osaki (Virtua Fighter Kids)
Shinichi Yoshino (Shenmue)

Online R&D
Akinori Nishiyama (Phantasy Star)
Shuntaro Tanaka (Skies of Arcadia)

And the best gaming musician of all time.

Again I got less detailed over time in credits. But yeah. Don't feel like listing everything.

Sega is still promoting a breath of talent of younger people and seniors through their Iwata Asks esque Sega Interactive (arcade division) Interviews. https://sega-interactive.co.jp/special/#interview
If you browse Sega's Japanese websites (or follow their JP Twitter), you get the feeling that they are aware of their legacy and want to live up to it.
The trouble is, Sega arcade ports and localization was the norm for Sega games back in the day. Today it is the exception.
 
fiendcode

fiendcode

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Oct 26, 2017
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Birdseye said:
Which one is making Shenmue HD?
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Sega Studio China did all the Dreamcast Collection ports on 360/PS3/PC and were rumored to be doing another round including Shenmue and Skies of Arcadia but they shut down years ago. Now I have no idea, maybe they'd be outsourced.

Genki might be good given they were involved in the games originally, have (had?) ex-AM2 staff and did Yakuza 1&2 HD for CS1 several years ago.
 
IronicSonic

IronicSonic

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aisback said:
I'm still surprised at how big of a company Sega still is. I just wished the management was better
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How many AM teams had Sega in Dreamcast era? 6 at least?

Birdseye said:
Which one is making Shenmue HD?
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Bluepoint (I hope)

Dooble said:
Surprised to see some "only Sonic now", "everyone good is gone now".

Here is notable people at Sega still (there is bunch more, but some of my faves), again for exhaustive credits and lists, visit Sega Retro!

CS1
Tetsuya Kaku (programmer at Sega since Virtua Fighter 1)
Masayoshi Yokoyama (since Jet Set Radio, script writer then for Yakuza series)
Masayoshi Kikuchi (director of Jet Set Radio)

CS2
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)

CS3
Akira Nishino (director of Ristar)
Hirotaka Kanezawa (artist for Skies of Arcadia)
Rieko Kodama (Phantasy Star)

AM1
Kenji Arai (Initial D)
Takashi Oda (House of the Dead)
Atsushi Seimiya (Streets of Rage)

AM2
Daichi Katagiri (Virtua Fighter)
Hiroshi Kataoka (Fighting Vipers)
Makoto Osaki (Virtua Fighter Kids)
Shinichi Yoshino (Shenmue)

Online R&D
Akinori Nishiyama (Phantasy Star)
Shuntaro Tanaka (Skies of Arcadia)

And the best gaming musician of all time.

Again I got less detailed over time in credits. But yeah. Don't feel like listing everything.

Sega is still promoting a breath of talent of younger people and seniors through their Iwata Asks esque Sega Interactive (arcade division) Interviews. https://sega-interactive.co.jp/special/#interview
If you browse Sega's Japanese websites (or follow their JP Twitter), you get the feeling that they are aware of their legacy and want to live up to it.
The trouble is, Sega arcade ports and localization was the norm for Sega games back in the day. Today it is the exception.
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I love your post, specially the Mitsuyoshi bit <3.
CS2 and Sonic Team are the same? Still they have a lot of veterans in the artistic side but visually Sonic games are consistently good
 
SharpX68K

SharpX68K

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Nov 10, 2017
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Are we ever going to get HD releases of Scud Race / Sega Super GT and Daytona USA 2 Battle On The Edge / Power Edition on modern consoles?



 
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Dooble

Dooble

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Oct 28, 2017
2,468
IronicSonic said:
How many AM teams had Sega in Dreamcast era? 6 at least?

I love your post, specially the Mitsuyoshi bit <3.
CS2 and Sonic Team are the same? Still they have a lot of veterans in the artistic side but visually Sonic games are consistently good
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Sega had 9 studios during the dreamcast era. The best thing was:
Every game released internaionally (95%)
Arcade AND console projects

And yeah Sonic Team has great artists. No clue where the level designers went (poor Forces).

For Sega fans: https://twitter.com/okunari is a good follow (producer on Sega Ages 2500, 3D Classics etc.)
 
SharpX68K

SharpX68K

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It would also be great to have the Dreamcast Daytona USA 2001 remake in HD.



As well as the recent Daytona Championship USA (already on PC, kind of, lol!)

 
breakYODAy

breakYODAy

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Oct 25, 2017
428
CS2 (Sonic Team) needs a management shakeup to get themselves back on track. I wouldn't be opposed to SoA taking over Sonic development from CS2. The American branch has always understood Sonic's appeal better than Sega Japan anyway.

It would be nice to hear from Sega more often, as I'm usually interested buying their games despite their diminished output these days. A CS4 team, maybe tasked with creating a new IP would probably be good for them.
 
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Dooble

Dooble

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Oct 28, 2017
2,468
breakYODAy said:
CS2 (Sonic Team) needs a management shakeup to get themselves back on track. I wouldn't be opposed to SoA taking over Sonic development from CS2. The American branch has always understood Sonic's appeal better than Sega Japan anyway.

It would be nice to hear from Sega more often, as I'm usually interested buying their games despite their diminished output these days. A CS4 team, maybe tasked with creating a new IP would probably be good for them.
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Not needed tbh! Their teams are fine as they are. More localizations and arcade ports (also localized) is what is needed.
 
fiendcode

fiendcode

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Oct 26, 2017
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I'd like to see CS3 and M2 go back to the PS2 era Sega Ages 2500 type retro collections on Switch/PS4/Xbox/Steam. A comprehensive approach with an emphasis on 1980s and 1990s sprite based console and arcade properties. They could include franchise Complete Collections like Fantasy Zone, Phantasy Star, Monster World, Golden Axe, Shinobi, Puyo Puyo, Sonic the Hedgehog, Streets of Rage, Thunderforce, Mickey & Donald and also developer focused collections like Treasure Box, Shining Climax, AM2 Megamix, etc.
 
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Dooble

Dooble

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Oct 28, 2017
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Okunaris new project should be announced anytime. When was the last 3D Classic Wave? 2016?
 
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Dooble

Dooble

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Oct 28, 2017
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List of all external developers Sega ever worked with in Japan!

Gremlin Industries
Sanristu
Coreland
Vic Tokai
Westone
Sunsoft
Aicom
Compile
Ancient
SIMS
Dempa
Treasure
MLP
Technosoft
Game Freak
Nextech
Minato Giken
Camelot
Aspect
M2
CRI
Givro
Scarab
JAMP
Tose
Red Entertainment
Chime
Vivarium
Quartet
Climax
Zoom
Neverland
Nex Entertainment
AQ Interactive
cavia
Chunsoft
Sumo Digital
Tantalus Interactive
Genki
Platinum Games
Anchor
Thunder Stone
Rutobo Games
System Sacom
Micro Cabin
Land Ho!
Media.Vision
Access
Studios Saizensen
Imageepoch
Gulti
Ecole Software

How many of them do exist today? Well obviously the newer companies, like Media.Vision M2, and Platinum Games. And then Camelot, Game Freak and Treasure...but mostly...

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/
 

Deleted member 8593

User requested account closure
Banned
Oct 26, 2017
27,176
I feel like most of the studios are performing as intended. If there's anything that needs to change it's a fundamental shakeup of CS2 and maybe more arcade ports. Hopefully Border Break performs well.
 
VinylCassette64

VinylCassette64

The Fallen
Oct 26, 2017
2,418
Arguments and theories can be made until the cows come home about whether CS2/Sonic Team is properly managed or not (and whether it's even fair to make assumptions about their management in the first place); but people have twenty years of products to look back on and judge for themselves on whether they have made consistently quality games or if they understand the Sonic series. (And going by recent and overall historical reviews and sales, the market has decided the studio for the most part have not for several years, and still do not for that matter.)

Consumers may not be entitled to build theories on what CS2/Sonic Team's day-to-day operations are, but by the same token consumers also aren't entitled to buy their games or support their ownership of the series. As far as I'm concerned I'd rather see nearly anyone else's effort with the IP than another "not broken"/"playable" CS2/Sonic Team Sonic game, and I'm sure I'm far from alone when I say this. The critical and commercial performance of TaxStealth and Friends' Mania speaks for itself, especially so compared to the performance of CS2/Sonic Team's Forces.
 
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fiendcode

fiendcode

Member
Oct 26, 2017
24,905
Dooble said:
How many of them do exist today? Well obviously the newer companies, like Media.Vision M2, and Platinum Games. And then Camelot, Game Freak and Treasure...but mostly...
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Taking a stab at it...

Gremlin Industries: acquired by SOA
Sanristu: aka Sims, still around
Coreland: became Banpresto, absorbed into Bandai and became BB Studio
Namco: merged with Bandai, still around and huge
Vic Tokai: still around (Tokai Engineering) but not in gaming
Westone: closed, IP transferred to LAT
Sunsoft: still around (barely), mainly IP licensing
Aicom: absorbed by Sammy
Compile: shut down ;___; IP owned by D4 Enterprise, except Puyo Puyo which Sega got
Ancient: still around! :D
SIMS: still around
Dempa: still around (Dempa Publications) but not in gaming
Treasure: still around (barely), mainly IP licensing
MLP: ??? Did you mean MNM?
Technosoft: shut down, Sega bought their IP
Game Freak: still around, ruling the world
Nextech: aka Nex Entertainment, still around
Minato Giken: shut down
Camelot: still around
Aspect: still around
M2: still around, always awesome!
CRI: Absorbed into Sega AM2
Givro: shut down
Scarab: became feelplus, absorbed into AQi, became Marvelous
JAMP: no idea, probably shut down
Tose: still around, still secretly developing everything
Red Entertainment: still around, planning company again
Chime: still around
Vivarium: still around! and maybe working on a new Seaman according to twitter! :O
Quartet: ??? You mean Quintet?
Climax: shut down ;___;
Zoom: still around (barely) mainly IP licensing
Neverland: shut down, staff went to Marvelous
Nex Entertainment: still around
AQ Interactive: merged with Marvelous
cavia: absorbed into AQi, became Marvelous, key staff left to form Orca
Chunsoft: merged with Spike, still around
Sumo Digital: still around
Tantalus Interactive: still around
Genki: still around
Platinum Games: still around
Anchor: still around but not in gaming
Thunder Stone: who?!
Rutobo Games: still around (barely), game staff left to form Gotch Technology
System Sacom: still around (System Sacom Industry) but not in gaming
Micro Cabin: still around (barely), mainly IP licensing, bought and sold repeatedly
Land Ho!: still around
Media.Vision: still around
Access: still around
Studios Saizensen: still around
Imageepoch: RIP JRPG savior
Gulti: still around
Ecole Software: still around
 
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Dooble

Dooble

Member
Oct 28, 2017
2,468
Hehe pretty good! And yeah, I meant Quietet and I just saw a MLP somewhere, who knows...and Thunder Stone actually developed Segagaga!

But Sega worked with a lot of companies over the years.

Access is co-developing the new Virtual On. M2 and Media.Vision are the only other Sega partners currently has. But you can't forget the many western partners over the years.

And I totally forgot Dimps, which Sega also seemingly dropped for their Sonic games.
 
Switch

Switch

Banned
Oct 27, 2017
1,021
Wales
Dooble said:
Sega had 9 studios during the dreamcast era. The best thing was:
Every game released internaionally (95%)
Arcade AND console projects

And yeah Sonic Team has great artists. No clue where the level designers went (poor Forces).

For Sega fans: https://twitter.com/okunari is a good follow (producer on Sega Ages 2500, 3D Classics etc.)
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SEGA had more in fact . It also had AM#2 and Visual concepts
 
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Dooble

Dooble

Member
Oct 28, 2017
2,468
Switch said:
SEGA had more in fact . It also had AM#2 and Visual concepts
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

Well Visual Concepts was western. And with AM2, it was 9 studios. You can also say 11 studios, if you count the music studio (which made 3 games), and the arcade cab engineering department (Sega Mechatronics).
 
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