http://podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/dreams-of-sega/
Above is the link to a podcast that I would highly recommend to all Sega fans and everyone interrested in gaming history, as it tells the story about the downfall of Sega through the perspective of the Japanese - through Japanese sources that were unearthed recently, such as oral histories and newspapers. Previously, alot was told through the American perspective.
A cliffnote version from me
Crazy stuff, highly recommend listen to it yourself!
Above is the link to a podcast that I would highly recommend to all Sega fans and everyone interrested in gaming history, as it tells the story about the downfall of Sega through the perspective of the Japanese - through Japanese sources that were unearthed recently, such as oral histories and newspapers. Previously, alot was told through the American perspective.
A cliffnote version from me
- Before the success in the early 90's, Sega was run like a start-up and everything went through Hayao Nakayama, and his whims. Such as the hiring of Tom Kalinske and his plans of reducing the price of the Genesis and including a pack-in game for free. Most of the Japanese board did not approve, but through Nakayama Kalinske made his plans a reality
- Sega grew and had to be a more professional outfit, where middle management weigh in on decision making, rather than just Nakayama. They needed executives for managing the growing overseas business, toys and anime they got into, and also for their theme park ambitions.
- Sega was diversifying and Nakayama had his roots in arcades and had his sights on becoming the next Disney, through opening hundreds of in-door theme parks throughout the world, which is gonna cost tons and tons of money
- Sega of America was only just breaking even, because their marketing cost a ton, which middle management saw as a thorn because they also needed a ton of money for the in-door theme park ambitions. So the decision making for Sega of America was scaled way back.
- The in-door theme parks had just a couple locations opened overseas and were closed after a while. So that failed. To save face Nakayama wanted to merge with Bandai. That also failed. Nakayama left the company
- Saturn and Dreamcast happened, attempts to turn to American chip-makers and engineers never worked out
- Isao Okawa, the Chairman of Sega since 1984, became president in 2000. Bizarrely, he was responsible for both keeping Sega in the console market with the Dreamcast due to his personal funds, and also pulling them out of the console market when it all failed.
- After Okawas tragic death, he put Hideki Sato as his successor, the head of development of all Sega's consoles since SG-1000. Okawa recommended to merge with Sammy, whose president was Hajime Satomi who he knew personally.
- Hideki Sato and alot of Sega folks were not in favor of merging with Sammy, because it was felt that it was below to get bought by a pachinko maker. Instead he wanted to merge with Namco. That failed. Hideki Sato left after this failed merger, just like Nakayama before it
Crazy stuff, highly recommend listen to it yourself!
