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Sega

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Sega Corporation is a major Japanese video game company.

SEGA logo
SEGA logo

It is a subsidiary of Sega Sammy Holdings. The company is headquartered in Tokyo.

Symbol of Tokyo Metropolis
Symbol of Tokyo Metropolis

Sega is famous for creating many massive game franchises. These include Sonic the Hedgehog, Persona, and Yakuza. The company produces games for both arcades and home consoles. It is recognized globally for its creativity and technical innovation.

The company's origins began with coin-operated amusement machines.

Slot machines at Wookey Hole Caves
Slot machines at Wookey Hole Caves

In May 1940, businessmen Martin Bromley, Irving Bromberg, and James Humpert formed Standard Games in Hawaii. They provided slot machines to military bases during World War II. After the war, they formed Service Games. In 1952, the US government outlawed slot machines in certain territories. This led Bromley to establish Service Games of Japan. The name "Sega" is an abbreviation of Service Games.

Sega 1960s logo
Sega 1960s logo

In 1965, the company became Sega Enterprises, Ltd. after acquiring Rosen Enterprises. This acquisition helped the company move from slot machines to amusement games.

Sega became a leader in the arcade industry through technical development.

Sega Dreamcast arcade machine
Sega Dreamcast arcade machine

Because they imported second-hand machines, they had to build replacement parts. This led them to develop their own original games. In 1966, they released Periscope, their first manufactured electro-mechanical game. Periscope was a submarine simulator with innovative light and sound effects. It was a massive success in Japan and exported to Europe and the US. This success triggered a "technological renaissance" in the arcade industry. By 1979, Sega's revenues grew to over US$100 million. In 1982, they released Zaxxon, the first game with isometric graphics.

In the 1980s, Sega moved into the home video game market.

Sega-SG-1000-Console-Set
Sega-SG-1000-Console-Set

Following a downturn in arcades, executives Hayao Nakayama and David Rosen led a management buyout in 1984. This buyout was backed by CSK Corporation. Sega developed the SG-1000, its first home video game system. In 1985, they released the Mark III in Japan. In North America, this was rebranded as the Master System.

Sega-Master-System-Set
Sega-Master-System-Set

While it struggled against the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US, it was very successful in Europe. In Brazil, the Master System has been a major success through a partner called Tectoy. By 2016, it had sold 8 million units in Brazil alone.

The 1990s saw the rise of the Sega Genesis.

Sega-Genesis-Mod2-Set
Sega-Genesis-Mod2-Set

In 1988, Sega released the Mega Drive, known as the Genesis in North America. The console found massive success overseas after the 1991 release of Sonic the Hedgehog. For a short time, the Genesis actually outsold the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in the US. However, Sega later faced commercial failures with several hardware releases. These included the 32X, the Saturn,

Sega-Saturn-Console-Set-Mk1
Sega-Saturn-Console-Set-Mk1

and the Dreamcast.

Dreamcast-Console-Set
Dreamcast-Console-Set

Because of these failures, Sega stopped manufacturing its own consoles in 2001.

Today, Sega operates as a third-party developer and publisher.

Sega Sammy Holdings logo
Sega Sammy Holdings logo

This means they create games for many different gaming platforms. The company is organized into several specialized divisions. Sega Corporation was formed in 2020 after a merger of Sega Games and Sega Interactive. They own many famous development studios. These include Sonic Team, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, and Atlus. They also own Creative Assembly and Sports Interactive in Europe. Their reach extends to animation through TMS Entertainment and Marza Animation Planet.

Industry5
Industry5

Sega remains a massive part of the global entertainment landscape.

CLUB SEGA Akihabara Annex 20111122
CLUB SEGA Akihabara Annex 20111122

The company manages international branches in Irvine, California, and London. Through Sega Sammy Holdings, they are part of a large group that includes the toy and amusement company Sega Fave. This division handles arcade development and manufacturing. Even though the company has faced criticism regarding business decisions and creative quality, its influence is undeniable. From the early days of submarine simulators to modern digital hits, Sega continues to shape how people play.

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🖼️ Images & Media (21)
File:Sega Annual Income(Loss) 1993-2004.svg
Sega Annual Income(Loss) 1993-2004.svg
File:Sega 1960s logo.svg
Sega 1960s logo.svg
File:Industry5.svg
Industry5.svg
File:SegaInteractive2015.svg
SegaInteractive2015.svg
File:PrefSymbol-Tokyo.svg
PrefSymbol-Tokyo.svg
File:Symbol of Tokyo Metropolis.svg
Symbol of Tokyo Metropolis.svg
File:Sega Sammy Holdings logo.svg
Sega Sammy Holdings logo.svg
File:SEGA logo.svg
SEGA logo.svg
File:Dreamcast-Console-Set.png
Dreamcast-Console-Set.png
File:Sega-Saturn-Console-Set-Mk1.jpg
Sega-Saturn-Console-Set-Mk1.jpg
File:Sega-Master-System-Set.jpg
Sega-Master-System-Set.jpg
File:Sega-Genesis-Mod2-Set.jpg
Sega-Genesis-Mod2-Set.jpg

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