Sega's Forward Thinking Strategy (a bit long)
Michael Robes
I've come to a conclusion: Sega doesn't have a profitable business strategy,
and, ultimately, it will fail them. They have all said the same thing, "we
are always looking forward, never looking backward". This means new
franchises like Shenmue, Space Channel 5 and Jet Grind Radio, while fan
favorites like NiGHTS, Shinobi, Panzer Dragoon, Space Harrier and Golden Axe
are doomed to remain as past generation titles. This is a serious problem.
While next-generation updates are showing up every now and then (Sonic
Adventure, Ecco the Dolphin), too few classics are being looked at as the
basis for quality game content.
While I don't agree with the strategies applied by companies such as Namco,
Capcom and Eidos who often churn out slightly improved, reworked versions of
previous games (Tekken, Street Fighter and Tomb Raider, respectively),
revitalizing old franchises can be very beneficial. The progression from
The Legend of Zelda to Zelda: TOoT is an impressive one. It still retains
some of the boundaries and ideas of the original throughout the sequels,
ultimately resulting in a superior game package. The same can be said for
Super Mario 64 and one of it's root games, Super Mario Bros. And Metal Gear
and Metal Gear Solid. Ad nauseum.
I realize that comparing a game like The Legend of Zelda to a game like
Panzer Dragoon is like apples and oranges, just for the fact that the
audience for both titles are quite different in size. This wide margin in
size obviously means that their will be less familiarity with the
boundaries, histories and play mechanics. Less familiarity breeds less
hype. However, one of the more important factors in hyping a game is the
video game media. Like most media, they are directly responsible for what a
large portion of the market purchases. The video game print and online
media IS familiar with games like Panzer Dragoon, Shinobi, Golden Axe and
the like. If they see an updated, expanded, truly evolved version of a game
that they care about, hype is generated. And it spreads like wildfire.
Many folks in the press have been itching for these games to be updated for
the Dreamcast hardware, but Sega isn't really listening.
I like to think that video games are art. I like to think that truly great
games are created by artists. They may have not acheived the level of
"fine" art yet, but they are artistic. They require talented visual and
aural artists, and directors that can give people more than just a
responsive electronic signal output to a television monitor. And I don't
want Sega to stifle their artists. I want them to be able to be creative,
and work without boundaries... sometimes. Sometimes I want them to look at
a classic game and work within those boundaries, but push them as far as
they can. A game like Shinobi is still a solid gameplay experience. One
hit kills. One Ninja Magic, beautifully presented, per level. If you can
get through the level without utilizing it, you reap the rewards. A
fast-as-lightning ninja, taking on a bizarre group of evil ninjas and
soldiers for an elusive reason. Now, I don't want Sega just to make Shinobi
2001 = Shinobi + 3d graphics + adventure elements + super-rad visual effects
+ new cool gimmick. I want someone to work with the basic elements of the
game, then provide a new Shinobi experience. And I want a healthy mixture.
I want some Jet Grind Radios, some Shenmues, some Rent-a-Hero's, blended
with a dash of Panzer Dragoon DC and a heaping spoonful of NiGHTS 2.
My thinking here is not to have Sega become like 989 Studios or some other
Sony 2nd party and spew forth a new Twisted Metal, Tomb Raider, or Crash
Bandicoot every 9 to 12 months when nothing new is presented to the player.
But why not revisit the Shining Force universe with new elements that the
Genesis and Saturn simply could not provide? Yuji Naka seems fine with
updating Sonic the Hedgehog. Yet he also has had time to grow with Samba de
Amigo and Phantasy Star Online (No single player element? Please don't let
it be true!). Why not see what you can do, as an artist, with the elements
you and your team have created with NiGHTS?
Sega has done a fine job with providing excellent content for the Dreamcast.
But they will lose the console war without the understanding that sequels,
however unappealing they may be to some, do help sell systems. The success
of Seaman in Japan is a good indicator of what a new idea can bring to the
table, and how it can generate sales. But looking at the sales figures for
games like Resident Evil: Code Veronica, Final Fantasy VIII, Ridge Racer V,
the Bemani series, shows that familiarity sells games.
Evolution is a wonderful thing, but lets not forget the past, Sega.
Microbe
P.S. Apologies for ranting!
rrevved
>After reading recent interviews with Peter Moore, Yu Suzuki and Yuji Naka,
>I've come to a conclusion: Sega doesn't have a profitable business strategy,
>and, ultimately, it will fail them. They have all said the same thing, "we
>are always looking forward, never looking backward". This means new
>franchises like Shenmue, Space Channel 5 and Jet Grind Radio, while fan
>favorites like NiGHTS, Shinobi, Panzer Dragoon, Space Harrier and Golden Axe
>are doomed to remain as past generation titles. This is a serious problem.
>While next-generation updates are showing up every now and then (Sonic
>Adventure, Ecco the Dolphin), too few classics are being looked at as the
>basis for quality game content.
Beg to differ, Michael.
While it would be great to have these Sega fan, classic, titles, you should
remember that most Sega fans already own a DC. It's the rest of the
prospective buyers that they are targeting to sell, at the moment.