Sega rethinks exclusivity – Sonic and Virtua Fighter for all platforms
Share downturn triggers platform rethink.
At a press briefing held in Tokyo yesterday, Sega’s COO Satoshi Kayama sought to rebuild confidence in the firm by announcing an end to its platform-exclusive release bias.
“From here on in, our key franchises cannot reside on just one platform as the market is too fragmented,” stated Kayama. “Franchises such as Virtua Fighter and the Sonic series must be released across the board.”
Interestingly, Kayama mentioned that several Xbox exclusive titles will be released for GameCube and PlayStation 2. Although no games were specifically mentioned, speculation spread like wildfire that Panzer Dragoon Orta will be ported to PS2. Further gossip hinted again that the looming Virtua Fighter Evo will be released for Xbox.
As soon as any substance is added to this startling and important news, you’ll be the first to know.
Kayama also made some interesting comments relating to the future of its GameCube sports titles. "The sports genre hasn't materialised as a dominant enterprise on the Nintendo GameCube. It appears as if most players are interested in action-adventure oriented software on the platform, such as Nintendo's Mario Sunshine and Legend of Zelda. Therefore, we may narrow our software plans for the console in the future to save development costs."
It was also mentioned that Sega realises its last batch of Sports titles were not marketed adequately in the US.
“From here on in, our key franchises cannot reside on just one platform as the market is too fragmented,” stated Kayama. “Franchises such as Virtua Fighter and the Sonic series must be released across the board.”
Interestingly, Kayama mentioned that several Xbox exclusive titles will be released for GameCube and PlayStation 2. Although no games were specifically mentioned, speculation spread like wildfire that Panzer Dragoon Orta will be ported to PS2. Further gossip hinted again that the looming Virtua Fighter Evo will be released for Xbox.
As soon as any substance is added to this startling and important news, you’ll be the first to know.
Kayama also made some interesting comments relating to the future of its GameCube sports titles. "The sports genre hasn't materialised as a dominant enterprise on the Nintendo GameCube. It appears as if most players are interested in action-adventure oriented software on the platform, such as Nintendo's Mario Sunshine and Legend of Zelda. Therefore, we may narrow our software plans for the console in the future to save development costs."
It was also mentioned that Sega realises its last batch of Sports titles were not marketed adequately in the US.
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