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Sega Opens Gate, Puts Dreamcast Out To Pasture

Posted by Zonk on from the r-i-p-little-console dept.

Earlier this year we discussed the discontinuation of the GDRom, and what that likely meant for the Dreamcast. In news covered by Kotaku, who translated a blurb on the Sega Nerds site, Sega has now announced that they're officially stopping the repair service for the Dreamcast and Sega Saturn. They've offered the service all these long years to loyal fans, and two new Dreamcast games were even released this year in Japan. Just the same, this looks to be the end of official support for 1999's unsung console hero.

35 comments

  1. I'm amazed that it's limped along this long by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

    But if the history of the Saturn is any indication, we'll be seeing Dreamcasts at the flea market for years to come. I only hope I can score a BBA. I actually have a DC, four controllers, about eight VMUs and a light gun, and I had no idea that they were still supporting the thing.

    --
    "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    1. Re:I'm amazed that it's limped along this long by pupstah · · Score: 1

      I have a BBA I've never used. Same with a DC keyboard. Will grab a $5 DC mouse off ebay one of these days.

      --

      -- pupkick

    2. Re:I'm amazed that it's limped along this long by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      I forgot to mention, probably because it was not important, that I have keyboard, mouse, and fishing controller as well. :) The BBA is the thing I could never find for a "Reasonable" price and now finding one is going to be a nightmare.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    3. Re:I'm amazed that it's limped along this long by tezbobobo · · Score: 1

      I had no idea they were still supporting the thing

      They re not!

  2. wow i had no idea... by kennedy · · Score: 2, Interesting

    that sega was still willing to repair the saturn (well until now).

    laugh all you want, but i still keep my saturn hooked up to my TV for imo the most perfect home versions of street fighter.

    1. Re:wow i had no idea... by AKAImBatman · · Score: 3, Interesting

      i had no idea that sega was still willing to repair the saturn

      Yep. And as the summary mentions, Sega was even providing GDRom (the DC optical format) manufactering services to independent studios and homebrewers up until recently. As a result, there have been a LOT of new releases for the DC in recent years.

      At this point it looks like companies might have to switch over to CDRoms. The only reason why they haven't to date is some information suggests that certain DC models may have trouble reading CD-Rs. At this point that info looks like it may be overblown. And since pressed CDs are not affected, a clear path forward exists. Don't expect the Dreamcast to die too soon.

      As for the Saturn, it should make it long enough for NiGHTS 2 to be released. :P
      --
      Javascript + Nintendo DSi = DSiCade
    2. Re:wow i had no idea... by twistedsymphony · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I've still got my Saturn too, I play the occasional game of nights, recently I picked up an Netlink adapter and a copy of Virtual On Netlink Edition. There's actually group that still play Netlink games regularly: The Saturn Netlink League.

      I have more affinity for my Dreamcast though, I've got quite a few games for it, just this weekend I played through Space Channel 5.

      --
      Collector's Edition
    3. Re:wow i had no idea... by T-Bone-T · · Score: 1

      Don't expect the Dreamcast to die too soon.
      Mine died literally the day after the warranty expired. I really enjoyed playing it, too.
  3. Emulaton by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I hope that the legacy of the Sega Dreamcast and Sega Saturn can live on through emulation...

    1. Re:Emulaton by miscz · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Yup, although Chanka seems to be dead nullDC public beta was released just yesterday and Makaron shows much promise.

    2. Re:Emulaton by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Demul is another emerging (already seen 1 release) DC emulator. :)

  4. NiGHTS 2 coming for the Wii by kennedy · · Score: 1

    saw it on joystiq this morning - i am quite excited (and imo the wii is a perfect fit).

    as a side note, i too still have my wonderful dreamcast. it's a shame that system wasn't a bigger hit. so much potential.

    1. Re:NiGHTS 2 coming for the Wii by AKAImBatman · · Score: 2, Interesting

      NiGHTS 2 coming for the Wii

      Thus the reference. Though I just had a vision of the mysteeeeeerious future. In it, I saw a Slashdot article about NiGHTS 2 being officially confirmed. I wonder if I my post had anything to do with that? ;-)
      --
      Javascript + Nintendo DSi = DSiCade
  5. Sega isn't known for their customer support by spyrochaete · · Score: 4, Interesting

    If Sega discontinues Dreamcast service, how will they populate their canned technical support response?

    I bought Outrun 2006 for PC via Steam a couple of months ago. The game consistently froze my computer every time I played the game for more than about 30 seconds. It's the only game I have trouble with so I asked Sega for support, noting specifically that I needed assistance with my PC. It took them 2 weeks to reply and they sent me a generic response featuring links on how to repair and clean a Dreamcast. Luckily Steam was understanding enough to issue me a refund - one of two refunds I've ever gotten for a software product in 20 years.

    I was going to paste the generic reply letter here but it's longer than I remembered it, so here's a link to my blog where I give a full description of my account. Needless to say I won't be buying Sega software for a PC ever again.

    1. Re:Sega isn't known for their customer support by porkThreeWays · · Score: 1

      That was the most witty blog title ever. And to you sir!

      --
      If an officer ever threatens to taze you, say you have a pacemaker.
    2. Re:Sega isn't known for their customer support by Paperweight · · Score: 1

      Haha! I really like your reply to Sega. Maybe a travel brochure or a banana? Tropical indeed!

    3. Re:Sega isn't known for their customer support by spyrochaete · · Score: 1, Offtopic

      I really appreciate your feedback on this. I've viewed my blog in Firefox 1.5 and 2.0, IE 6 and 7, and Opera 9 on Windows, and in Firefox on Ubuntu, and it's looked the same to me on all those platforms. I even increased the font size from the template original. Is it possible your browser is overriding the stylesheet? Is my blog the only site that looks crappy on your browser?

      Maybe I need to reconsider or tweak my design.

    4. Re:Sega isn't known for their customer support by $RANDOMLUSER · · Score: 1

      It seems I'm a troll. I really wasn't being mean, I was trying to tell you something. I know white on black is very trendy, but it can be hard to read. On a lot of sites like yours, I simply do a ^A, which highlites the whole page.

      On Linux, using Mozilla 1.7.13 & Firefox 1.5, the site really is nigh-impossible to read. The Courier font is particulary hard to make out, and the green isn't much better. On Windows, using Mozilla 1.7.5 & Firefox 1.0 (not my machine), it looks somewhat better, they render about the same, and the Windows fonts look better. IE 6 looks the best of all, somehow the text is more contrasty against the background.

      Perhaps a #666666 background, something a little less deep black?
      Regards

      --
      No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism. - Winston Churchill
    5. Re:Sega isn't known for their customer support by spyrochaete · · Score: 1

      I just flipped over to my Ubuntu partition and actually thought that the font was even bigger and clearer than in Windows. I'm using Gnome on the latest stable Ubuntu distro (Edgy Eft). I even tried browsing in links which didn't really have a point, I suppose, though I learned that my template is not at all SEO optimized.

      I just don't know what the problem could be. The template uses Arial primarily with 3 other secondary typefaces. Maybe I should omit the secondary fonts so that it reverts to the system default. Failing this, could it possibly be your monitor contrast or brightness?

      As for white type on a black background being trendy, that may be the case but that's not why I picked it. I learned in a design class that this is -supposed to- make text more legible and easier on the eyes on computer screens. Paper reflects light and black in absorbs it so text actually relieves your eyes when you focus on it, but computer monitors omit light which can be harsh on eyes so light text on a dark background draws your gaze to the highlights of the words. This is only theory but it sure sounded convincing to me.

      I'll see what I can do about making a "Template Off" or "Format for print" button with no frills. Much appreciated!

      P.s., you ought to consider upgrading to Firefox 2.x. I don't know if that's what's required to make my site look right, but the in-line spell checker alone is what sold me on the upgrade.

    6. Re:Sega isn't known for their customer support by Runefox · · Score: 1

      If I'm not mistaken, wouldn't #FFF on #666 be even worse than #FFF on #000? There's less contrast.

      --
      Screw the rules, I have green hair!
    7. Re:Sega isn't known for their customer support by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The proportional font on your page is fairly readable for me. (Using Windows XP, Firefox 2.x, 1152x864 on a 17"-ish CRT)
      The courier new-ish font looks a little "thin" on that background, but it is fairly legible.. It could just be a good deal moreso. However, I've always had that problem with most proportional fonts in white or gray on a black background. Making the background a bit lighter (a rather dark gray) can help a lot sometimes, at least that I've found in some programs.
      Maybe it's mostly just differences in monitors, brightness settings, etc. Probably eyes, too.

      The font size seems fine, at least.

  6. Samba de Amigo, and 480p by Jozxyqk · · Score: 5, Informative

    I have kept my Dreamcast hooked up to my TV all along, mostly to play the occasional party game of Samba de Amigo (I have a still-working set of maracas I got for my birthday several years ago). Now, with the Wii, and the definite Nintendo+Sega good relationship, maybe they'll come out with a Wiimote-friendly Samba game.

    Also, don't forget that the DC has the option of a "VGA box", which lets you run a good number of games in, effectively, 480p, on newer TVs. Soul Calibur 1 in 640x480 still stands up pretty well to newer games graphically (and even with the BRICK of a controller, still plays pretty well).
    As soon as I get around to getting an HDTV, I definitely plan on plugging my Dreamcast into the VGA port if it's got one...

    1. Re:Samba de Amigo, and 480p by SlashdotOgre · · Score: 1

      All signs indicate NiGHTS will be making its (long overdue) return to the Wii this year, so I have a lot of hope. With that said, Samba is a perfect candidate for a Wii game as well. I wouldn't mind a new Seaman either, but I won't hold my breath.

      --
      Sadly, PS/2 was yet another victim of USB, which doesn't care what you plug into it, the electrical slut.
    2. Re:Samba de Amigo, and 480p by SethraLavode · · Score: 1

      Seaman 2 is on its way to PS2 (in Japan) later this year. No idea whether they'll have a NA/EU release.

  7. Considering Burning Fist was just released... by sesshomaru · · Score: 4, Informative
    Considering Burning Fist was just released for SegaCD, I'm not too worried. In fact here's a page of recent SegaCd releases:

    Sega CD Releases

    Of course, this means CD based games and not GD-ROM based games, but so be it. Looking forward to Age of the Beast

    SEGA was defeated but the soul still burns....

    --
    "MIT betrayed all of its basic principles."
    1. Re:Considering Burning Fist was just released... by generikz · · Score: 1

      Actually the correct line says:

      "SEGA was seriously wounded, but the soul still burns..."

      And, yes, I still have my DC sitting around my video projector and, oh boy, Capcom vs SNK Millennium Fight 2000 is still tons of fun with 2 arcade sticks!

      I briefly had a Gamecube (that I sold after finishing Zelda).
      Passed on PS2, passed on XBOX, passed on PSP, passed on DS, passed on XBOX 360, passed on PS3.

      But seriously considering the Wii now.

      Rgds,
      Julien

    2. Re:Considering Burning Fist was just released... by sesshomaru · · Score: 1

      Ah, the Dreamcast had so many 2D fighters. I have both Capcom vs. SNKs, one Capcom vs. Marvel, the Vampire (Darkstalkers) import, Garou: Mark of the Wolves, JoJo's Bizarre Advenuture (unless I gave it to some kid... because it wouldn't work in VGA. Dreamcast games must work in VGA.)

      --
      "MIT betrayed all of its basic principles."
  8. OT-CRITIQUE by hurfy · · Score: 1

    Well, since i was curious and looked...

    I'll chime in and say it looked fine on my system, the gray (top line and # in parenthesis) is a just little hard to read. The white and green text looked fine. Win98 and firefox 1.5 and IE6 was identical (but slashdot looks a little odd...hehe)

    1. Re:OT-CRITIQUE by spyrochaete · · Score: 1

      Thanks! Glad to hear my design issues aren't too widespread.

  9. Open Source It by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    So they're not getting anything from the Dreamcast, why not open source it so it can be hacked to support CDROMS. Make the Dev Kit downloadable for free. Give it all to a community that even when five years have passed still plays with it. Keep playing!

    1. Re:Open Source It by ldd23 · · Score: 1

      The Dreamcast does support CD-ROMs. This is allegedly one of the reasons that it failed; too much piracy. And there is a freely available devkit: KallistiOS

  10. still a great system by botkiller · · Score: 1

    I bought a Saturn BEFORE I bought a playstation, as at the time, the Saturn was slated to receive the best RPG lineup since the Super NES. Square was just Square at that time, having not bought out Enix, and they were free agents, having just left Nintendo - so I expected a ton of good games on the Saturn. Unfortunately, Square signed with Sony, and the Saturn took a big hit; but the system was still doing more than the Playstation with it's power in it's first year. NiGHTS was an amazing game that I still break out to this day, and Panzer Dragoon Saga is still one of the best RPG's of all time - so it's nice to know that there is still some love out there, albeit limited. No matter what, these systems will stay strong thanks to the fans and geeks out there who keep it alive.

    --
    brian botkiller "Condensing fact from the vapor of nuance" - Neal Stephenson, Snow Crash
  11. About time by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I had no clue that they were even still repairing the DC and Saturn. I understand that the Dreamcast was a great system, but the key word is WAS. Sega should have been putting more effort into their game development and not worrying about the stragglers who are still actually playing their 8+ year old systems.