Sega To Launch New High-End Arcade System?

arcade_memories writes "GamesIndustry.biz reports that British tech company Imagination is building a new cutting edge arcade system for Sega, which will launch early next year. It's going to be based on the next generation of the PowerVR hardware, apparently - earlier versions (as well as being marginally popular PC graphics boards) powered the Dreamcast and the Naomi arcade board. This is interesting because Naomi was the last time Sega actually built its own arcade hardware, so this is a sure sign that they're bumping up the importance of the arcade market - just like new chairman Hajime Satomi (president of arcade and gambling machine company Sammy) wants, right?" Elsewhere, there are also new reports on Sega/AM2's new Chihiro-based CCG arcade game Quest Of D, featuring an interesting "touch-screen interface" concept, albeit on existing Xbox-based hardware.

Comments

Re:Games

[phaze3000]

Yeah, Sega games these days are all crap. Well, except for like Super Monkey Ball. And F-Zero AX. And Ferrari F355 Challenge. And Rez. And Cosmic Smash. And Phantasy Star Online. And Sega Rally. And Outrun 2. And plenty of others.

But yeah, Sega has no rights to any desirable games.

sammy and innovation

[Xoo]

While I don't know a thing about Sammy outside of pachinko machines, I do know that Sega has been a company of innovation for 20+ years.

The touch screen interface sounds like a "gambling"-influenced innovation to me (from slot machines, perhaps pachinko machines). I am a bit skeptical on how well touch sensitivity could work in a relatively fast-paced (and network) multiplayer arcade game. You know there will always be some kids (or adults) that have unusually strong/dirty fingers and will break the sensitive touchscreen ;-)