Courtesy of Play Magazine, the first outline of the revised structure at Sega has been released, ending speculation about, well, pretty much everything.
It appears that Segaâs fragmented studios have been gathered into something resembling normal divisions (capable of profit, one might even argue) with very distinct roles.
The first is Global Entertainment Software R&D and is led by Yuji Naka, overseen - as are all new departments - by Hisao Oguchi, and comprises three studios:
GES Dept. 1 (Headed by Akinori Nishiyama [Sonic Advance]): Working on TBA projects.
GES Dept. 2 (Headed by Akira Nishino [Sakura Taisen]): Working on Sakura Taisen V for PS2.
GES Dept. 3 (Headed by Yuji Naka [Sonic: The Hedgehog]): Working on Phantasy Star Universe (platform/s TBA).
The next major aspect of a refined Sega is the New Entertainment R&D which breaks down as follows:
NE Dept. 1 (Headed by Toshihiro Nagoshi [Daytona U.S.A.]): Working on SpikeOut: Battle Street for Xbox and Super Monkey Ball Deluxe.
NE Dept. 2 (Headed by Yu Suzuki [Virtua Fighter, Shenmue]): Working on Shenmue Online for Japan/Asia.
Arguably the New Entertainment represents the most important and familiar elements of Sega feared lost. As to what will become of Shenmue Online remains to be seen.
Of course, the arcades have not been forgotten, with the coin-op division, formerly drawing on all departments, now confined to Amusement Software R&D, overseen by Hiroshi Kataoka.
AS Dept. 1 (Headed by Atsushi Seimiya [Shinobi]): working on new arcade titles and technology.
AS Dept. 2 (Headed by Hiroshi Kataoka [Fighters Megamix]): Working on new arcade titles and technology.
AS Dept. 3 (Headed by Mie Kumagai [Virtua Tennis]): Working on new arcade titles and technology.
Sega then has smaller offshoot studios looking after Racing games (Sega Rally 2005) Sports games - seemingly concentrated on baseball games for the Japanese market - and family entertainment, making what looks to be insane games about collecting beetles! Next comes Segaâs Mobile Content division creating software for mobile phones and PDA and of course, the Sonic Heroes famed Sega Studio USA. Segaâs last offering is Sega Studio China which is thought to be focusing on online content for China (well, duh!) and Korea.
It appears that Segaâs fragmented studios have been gathered into something resembling normal divisions (capable of profit, one might even argue) with very distinct roles.
The first is Global Entertainment Software R&D and is led by Yuji Naka, overseen - as are all new departments - by Hisao Oguchi, and comprises three studios:
GES Dept. 1 (Headed by Akinori Nishiyama [Sonic Advance]): Working on TBA projects.
GES Dept. 2 (Headed by Akira Nishino [Sakura Taisen]): Working on Sakura Taisen V for PS2.
GES Dept. 3 (Headed by Yuji Naka [Sonic: The Hedgehog]): Working on Phantasy Star Universe (platform/s TBA).
The next major aspect of a refined Sega is the New Entertainment R&D which breaks down as follows:
NE Dept. 1 (Headed by Toshihiro Nagoshi [Daytona U.S.A.]): Working on SpikeOut: Battle Street for Xbox and Super Monkey Ball Deluxe.
NE Dept. 2 (Headed by Yu Suzuki [Virtua Fighter, Shenmue]): Working on Shenmue Online for Japan/Asia.
Arguably the New Entertainment represents the most important and familiar elements of Sega feared lost. As to what will become of Shenmue Online remains to be seen.
Of course, the arcades have not been forgotten, with the coin-op division, formerly drawing on all departments, now confined to Amusement Software R&D, overseen by Hiroshi Kataoka.
AS Dept. 1 (Headed by Atsushi Seimiya [Shinobi]): working on new arcade titles and technology.
AS Dept. 2 (Headed by Hiroshi Kataoka [Fighters Megamix]): Working on new arcade titles and technology.
AS Dept. 3 (Headed by Mie Kumagai [Virtua Tennis]): Working on new arcade titles and technology.
Sega then has smaller offshoot studios looking after Racing games (Sega Rally 2005) Sports games - seemingly concentrated on baseball games for the Japanese market - and family entertainment, making what looks to be insane games about collecting beetles! Next comes Segaâs Mobile Content division creating software for mobile phones and PDA and of course, the Sonic Heroes famed Sega Studio USA. Segaâs last offering is Sega Studio China which is thought to be focusing on online content for China (well, duh!) and Korea.
