Sega's ongoing push to maximise its massive catalogue of strong intellectual properties continues apace, with the news that offerings will be upped and third-parties will be kicked to the curb.
The Japanese Sega Ages franchise has been condensed from stand-alone offerings into a multipack that now includes a massive 11 titles:
Alien Syndrome
Bonanza Bros
Columns
Decathlete
Fantasy Zone
Golden Axe
Monaco GP
Outrun
Space Harrier
Tant-R
Virtua Racer
At present the pack is PlayStation 2 exclusive, though SPOnG is aware that Sega has been in discussions with Microsoft for some time about the possibility of utilising back catalogue tites as part of an on-demand service via Xbox Live, expected to be fully explained at E3.
In other news, former Sega Ages US publishing partner Conspiracy Entertainment has been given the boot from the project, though no reason for this decision has been offered. Sega will now publish the revamped pack itself, carrying the new title of Sega Classics Collection.
However, perhaps the most interesting point to be raised from this news concerns Sony Computer Entertainment America's increasingly tight guidelines regarding rehashed product. SPOnG revealed some time ago that Conspiracy (on behalf of Sega), SNK and others had seen titles rejected by SCEA on the grounds that not enough enough value was being offered to the consumer per release. Sony argued that offering a massive range of cut-price reworked games would impact on full price sales and that comparisons with Japanese successes with such products were not valid, given the massive difference in buying habits in the two countries.
The Japanese Sega Ages franchise has been condensed from stand-alone offerings into a multipack that now includes a massive 11 titles:
Alien Syndrome
Bonanza Bros
Columns
Decathlete
Fantasy Zone
Golden Axe
Monaco GP
Outrun
Space Harrier
Tant-R
Virtua Racer
At present the pack is PlayStation 2 exclusive, though SPOnG is aware that Sega has been in discussions with Microsoft for some time about the possibility of utilising back catalogue tites as part of an on-demand service via Xbox Live, expected to be fully explained at E3.
In other news, former Sega Ages US publishing partner Conspiracy Entertainment has been given the boot from the project, though no reason for this decision has been offered. Sega will now publish the revamped pack itself, carrying the new title of Sega Classics Collection.
However, perhaps the most interesting point to be raised from this news concerns Sony Computer Entertainment America's increasingly tight guidelines regarding rehashed product. SPOnG revealed some time ago that Conspiracy (on behalf of Sega), SNK and others had seen titles rejected by SCEA on the grounds that not enough enough value was being offered to the consumer per release. Sony argued that offering a massive range of cut-price reworked games would impact on full price sales and that comparisons with Japanese successes with such products were not valid, given the massive difference in buying habits in the two countries.
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Comments
Newtynho 13 Oct 2004 17:49
1/6
What about Phantasy Star, Streets of Rage, Alex Kidd in Miracle World and Virtua Fighter 2??!! I hope there's a volume 2! Maybe on the Xbox.
It's still a very interesting package, though. Except for the sacrilegious version of Space Harrier!
Thanks for bringing it to us, SEGA!
It's still a very interesting package, though. Except for the sacrilegious version of Space Harrier!
Thanks for bringing it to us, SEGA!
Joji 14 Oct 2004 01:36
2/6
If these are all arcade perfect in one pack that's a very good deal, so what bloody planet are Sony on? Clearly the planet money bags.
I don't ever recall Sony doing any market research to see if we'd accept these games or not. If they have where is the proof that we don't want 2D games?
Whatever happens I'll be a watching closely, Sega?
I don't ever recall Sony doing any market research to see if we'd accept these games or not. If they have where is the proof that we don't want 2D games?
Whatever happens I'll be a watching closely, Sega?
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config 14 Oct 2004 08:02
3/6
Joji wrote:
If these are all arcade perfect in one pack that's a very good deal, so what bloody planet are Sony on? Clearly the planet money bags.
I don't ever recall Sony doing any market research to see if we'd accept these games or not. If they have where is the proof that we don't want 2D games?
I don't ever recall Sony doing any market research to see if we'd accept these games or not. If they have where is the proof that we don't want 2D games?
Joji, quit griping! Sony have essentially bagged you a deal where you get more games for less. I think they're right to block SEGA's original plan - trying to foist a single title, albeit at a budget price, is ludicrous. I bought one of those Namco arcade compilations a few years back and, even with four title, thought it was a bit of a con. As with many a retro title, on replay they suddenly seem so shallow and two dimensional (pun sort of intended)
NiktheGreek 14 Oct 2004 09:00
4/6
Newtynho wrote:
What about Phantasy Star, Streets of Rage, Alex Kidd in Miracle World and Virtua Fighter 2??!! I hope there's a volume 2! Maybe on the Xbox.
Streets of Rage and Alex Kidd would be somewhat difficult, as it is impossible to localise a remake that doesn't exist yet.
Phantasy Star and Virtua Fighter 2 would go some way towards selling a second package, as well as Afterburner 2. Perhaps that's exactly what they had in mind when not putting them on this package?
zerocool 15 Oct 2004 06:14
5/6
well i already got the phantasy star colelction on gameboy just because i needed those games and am now just waiting for them to release phantasy star 4 on wutever system they wish to release that game cus i loved that game
obscure 17 Oct 2004 13:01
6/6
Conspiracy is really screwed now. They already lost Choro Q to Atlus, now they've lost Sega Ages they've got f**k-all left.