SEGA in the design phase of a new system.

[orangutan]

http://www.iii.co.uk/investment/deta...ail&id=6041779

As we have previously reported, SEGA SAMMY plans on moving on from LINDBERGH/RINGEDGE development to the next generation of technology in 2011. We exclusively reported that both Hiroshi Yagi and Yu Suzuki are heading the research and development team tasked with the creation of the new platform. We were also the first to break the news that the new board shall have a console counterpart that shall see a consumer release in 2012 aproximately one year after the debut of it's arcade cousin, designed to compete with the next generation of XBox and PlayStation. Like we previously reported SEGA plans a one year lead on both MS and Sony as due to the introduction of Natal and Arc neither have any hardware refresh plans prior to 2013.

Further developments

Today we can exclusively reveal that SEGA has signed with Imagination Technologies of the United Kingdom to provide, to quote our source "a very high end next generation graphics chipset" for exclusive arcade and console use.

If we were to take an educated guess we would have to say that this emplies the in development PowerVR Series 6, the successor to the PowerVR SGX5XX Series.

Regarding other technicalities nothing is yet known. Thus information such as Ram Configuration, Ram type, CPU, CPU provider etc... currently remain a mystery.

In an earlier article we stated that Sony had chosen PowerVR for next generation, however, according to our source Sony decided against the design in favor of a cheaper solution from AMD or nVidia. Apparently after the loses made with PS3, Howard Stringer the CEO of the company wants a sub $300 price/performance system for the next round.

Stay tuned for further details on SEGA's next generation plans as and when we get them.

[Leo_A]

I can't see Sega attempting a new console entry with their history of past failures and the massive losses Microsoft has endured to finally reach a profitable stage and the struggles Sony has had this generation after dominating the previous two.

The barriers of entry are too high now and they simply don't have the resources to even be taken seriously. I somewhat believe the new hardware for the coinop division (Although coming from a unknown poster and an unfamiliar source cast suspicions on it), but as far as the console counterpart, it isn't happening.

[Oobgarm]

Sega will never re-enter the console business. End of story.

[BetaWolf47]

I bet this is just for their next arcade platform.

[buzz_n64]

I'll be looking forward to the upcoming arcade system, but console? Don't think so, but Nintendo and it's underpowered Wii are hitting it big, so I wouldn't say it's 100% impossible, just unlikely. If they make a system though, I'd buy it for sure.

[swlovinist]

I think that Sega coming back to the hardware console scene would be a mistake. I would buy it like others, but I cant see it being more successful than even the Dreamcast.

[Dangerboy]

You know, from the sounds of it, almost seems like they're going for a Neo Geo-like set up. Not a mainstream contender, but for the more dedicated arcade afficianados. If there was a way to bring older direct-arcade ports (ST-V, etc) I could see that being a nifty 'other' console.

[Bill Loguidice]

I agree, there is no chance of this happening. Even creating a new arcade platform seems risky since it would be much cheaper to piggy back off of someone else's technology, and also make home conversions much, much easier (and again, cheaper and more cost effective). The hardware business is for rich companies with little to no debt, which is why you only see companies of the stature of Nintendo, Microsoft, Sony, and Apple duking it out these days. Trying to compete against those four would be commercial suicide unless you were content in carving out a niche, and there is no viable niche in mainstream console gaming.

[Overbite]

I can see them making a new arcade chip, but for consoles? Maybe if it's gonna be used in the next xbox or playstation or even nintendo console, but I doubt SEGA is going to make their own console. It'd be a disaster.

[chrisbid]

what are they going to release on a new arcade board? house of the dead 6?

[hbkprm]

this shit again?
they swore off it

[otoko]

I'd never say they'd never make another console. If they gained footing again in the future sure, there is random possibility. But now? I agree with everyone else. It's a no.

[JunkTheMagicDragon]

i'll repost the numbers i gathered the last time one of these threads popped up:

sega doesn't have the money to seriously launch a console against the big boys. take a look at these figures for 09:

revenue
sega: 1.64B
nintendo: 20.6B
sony: 79B
ms: 58.4B

net income
sega: 190M
nintendo: 6.2B
sony: -1B
microsoft: 14.5B

[LaughingMAN.S9]

then the hope for shenmue 3 is still alive....

















ZOMGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kupomogli]

I don't think they'll make another console but it wasn't until after the Dreamcast died before most people started coming out saying they thought it was a great system.

Possibly because of the fanbase that thinks the Dreamcast is one of the greatest systems ever made(me included,) it may actually be a system that sells well if Sega did release another console.

[Shadow Kisuragi]

...sorry to hijack this thread for a moment, but:
ZOMG! kupomogli has a gamercard! It finally happened!

Back on track:
I forsee this being viable if Sega uses it to launch first-party titles and caters to its core audience. They need to carve out a niche before having any hope of taking on the bigger prey. The Sega name these days is really only known for kids games.

[Enigmus]

then the hope for shenmue 3 is still alive....






ZOMGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That, and it'll be on the only system that would last two weeks and then burn up in the gaming stratosphere.

Seriously, Sega's WAY too soft to do it. I mean, look, they're owned by Sammy! Owned by another company! And they would never stoop that low in 1991-92! They're just a rotting house frame in the middle of a desert, far from the river valley of the Big 3. Don't get any hopes up.

Wait a minute, isn't there a topic just like this one?
I put $20 on merge!

[kupomogli]

...sorry to hijack this thread for a moment, but:
ZOMG! kupomogli has a gamercard! It finally happened!

This is actually a very old gamercard. It'll be a PS3 trophycard again soon though. Still haven't changed it.

The Sega name these days is really only known for kids games.

I don't really see that. Sega has plenty of current IPs for older gamers. Yakuza 3, Valkyria Chronicles, Madworld, House of the Dead, Virtua Fighter, and Phantasy Star. The other thing is that Sega doesn't just have a single genre under their belt, they cover pretty much everything.

If Sega ever does release a new system. They already have the best 3d fighting game for a console exclusive, several great series that they can bring back for sequels, etc. They also have a mascot that is as well known as Mario is. Also. I know Sonic fans would give this system their undying support as they still support every Sonic game released no matter how bad, so when all these Sonic titles are exclusive, Sega will be raking in the sales.

[Icarus Moonsight]

But, I'm afraid I'll get hurt again...

As far as barriers to entry, they've never been lower, post-crash. No one has everyone, like NES, PS1/2 did. The Wii is a great system, but it has fairly large gaps in the markets it serves on the software side. Like Dangerboy alluded to (SNK - Neo Geo) this 20 year old model, just might have some legs to it. Especially since it seems they plan on offering superior hardware for a value price... I hope beyond hope that we're not being toyed with here. I'd love to see it happen.

[otoko]

But, I'm afraid I'll get hurt again...

Don't worry...



This guy knows your pain.