There is a great article over at IGN about the roller coaster ride that is Sega’s history. I tend to avoid reading long articles about anything mainly because I’m a dumb lug and too many words makes Jango tired, but this article completely intrigued me from the beginning. I never knew Sega was founded by Americans or that Sega of America had to spam Wal-Mart headquarters to aggressively pressure Wal-Mart to carry the Genesis in their stores. Read about the humble beginnings with electrical mechanical amusement machines, the slow entry into the home console market, to the rise of the Genesis and the ultimate collapse of the once mighty giant forcing them to exit manufacturing home consoles. (RIP Dreamcast)
What I found most fascinating about Sega was the consistent disregard for the suggestions and warnings of Sega of America. One could almost say that the majority of blame could be place on the Japanese CEO’s for not understanding how the mind of the average American consumer and the overall arrogance that led Sony & Microsoft‘s entry into the cut throat world of hardware gaming. This article just made me feel more empty inside that some of Sega’s greatest developers have completely been taken for granted and that the former heyday of Sega will never be seen again. Now I’m bummed because there will never be a Shenmue III or a good Sonic game ever again.
I suggest commemorating the once amazing Sega, we all need to slam in your cart or spin your favorite CD on your system of choice and play. Play hard like it the 20th century all over again. Think of it like pouring a 40oz. over for your dead hommie , because Sega been dead for a whole long while and she’s starting to smell. Head over to IGN and check out the History of Sega.
