I think it goes to show that the market for consoles has become more conservative. When you compare the PS4, XBone and the WII U(yes the Wii U is a part of the market), the PS4 is probably the most simple in its configuration. It doesn't have extraneous gimmicks like a Kinect camera or Wii U tablet that increase the cost of the system. Sure the controller has a LED and a touchpad,but it's not a huge new way of gaming that leads to more casually focused games.With the PS4, you only really get a box and a controller.
The casual market that Microsoft and Nintendo built their machine to appeal to is already satisfied with their phones and tablets for their day to day fix. And for the majority of gamer in the market for a PS4 or XBone, they also have phones and tablets with a great selection of casual games. So when the choice is given between the different consoles, they choose the one with a more enthusiast focus. Their itch for casual games is already sated. And it doesn't hurt that the PS4 GPU is 30-50% more capable and at the same price as an XBone(Kinect-less SKU).
Well, Sega's plan from the start has been to 'evolve' the dreamcast platform to Set-top boxes. DVD players. Plans for such integration can be read about as far back as Feb 1999 in MVC, a trade paper.
Sega, to make such a thing feasible has worked to create what's termed "Dreamcast on a chip" (DCoaC).
And Sega has always been tied to MS in one way or another, even including rumors of a buyout earlier this year. A buyout would have given MS much needed JPN created software and a strong lineup for JPN. But it was rumored MS didn't want to pla ball since Sega was pushing for DC compatability in the XBox.
" Well.. believe it, as it is true
At least according to people that we know (who will remain nameless), that work directly with the Xbox, inside MS.
DC2, here we come!
--Jim"
Jim happens to be the Senior Editor of Gaming-Age.
Despite MS and Sega's denial, It's true.
Funny, that MS denies it since they also denied the XBox initially:)
Sega will only still develop NEW titles for its Dreamcast Platform. The 'Other' in other consoles refers to handheld and older consoles.
quote:
While Sega representatives refused to comment on what consoles they plan to develop for, Vice President Shouichi Yamazaki revealed that Sega's exploring development opportunities on the GameBoy Color and the original PlayStation. It's believed Sega will try and shift some of their older properties, possibly from the Sega Saturn era, to other consoles in an effort to boost revenue. Sega executives remained staunch on new software however, with reportedly two dozen exclusive titles slated to hit the Dreamcast in 2001.
From here: http://www.coremagazine.com/news/3215.php3
If you look at the article, you'll see Sega, Nintendo AND famed Japanese music producer Tetsuya Komuro making up the JOINT company.
Sega DOES have a new console in development. While the Dreamcast has not been performing well in the Japan market neither has Sony. Sony has a terrible software ratio(1:1.8) which makes the $188 hit on each PS2 more difficult.And as you know, the $$$ come from software sales.
Why is Sony losing on the PS2? Easy, the PS2 happens to be one of the cheap(est) DVD player on the market.
The DC in North America (and Europe to an extent)is doing pretty good. There are no PS2 for sale making the DC the only console available for sales. And let me tell you, the managers of Electronic Boutiques and other retailers need to meet sale projections. They can't rely on Sony with no PS2s so the push goes to Sega. Just check your local retailer and see what's being pushed.
Same thing occured when the "Big Thing" was the N64. It was sold out and retailers pushed the little known Playstation( which was at that point doing pretty good.)
Anyway, it'll be tough to stop the DC when it has a strong established userbase, a superb software lineup, and a price point lower of the competitors.
A final thing, if you visit a retailer, see the difference between the DC and a PS2. It's not that great. You may find the DC has better graphics for most titles and Dead or Alive 2, which is on both platforms, looks much better on the DC.
Well, Sega blans to bring the eathernet module by the end of this year (my guess is october).
As well, Sega will be releasing a mouse for the Dreamcast. The Japan mouse was used for the Q3 Dreamcast Demo. They were a little smaller than what were used to, but North America will get a larger version to accomidate our hands.
I realize this is only wild speculation and a bit funny at that. Playstation 2 uses Rambus ram for it's main memory. Toshiba is a partner with Sony with, I believe, a 50% investment in the fabrication of the EE and GS(?) for the PS2. One of Rambus' main focus( if you look at the PR) is Hitachi and their SH series... and of course there just happens to be an SH-4 in the Dreamcast... Like I said, kinda funny and just a coincidence
Well, first off, it should be made clear that SegaNet(I believe this is the name of the service) allows PC and Mac users to sign up and use the service as well as Dreamcast Users.
If someone with a PC signs up for the $22/month for 2 years contract($528) they will receive a $200 rebate which, Sega hope, can be put towards a Dreamcast. Or if you prefer, you can pocket it and essentially pay $14/month.
Why should a PC gamer sign up? According to MCV.COM, Sega has been working with PowerPlay to build the network with better access and lower latencies for games.
SegaNet will have more than 250 servers covering every major metro area in the US, giving everyone in the country access to the network with little latency.
There are other feature which mainly apply towards DC users such as certain sports titles along with other games featuring online play. As well, for DC owners, Sega is releasing a MP3 player(similar in d esignto Sega's VMU Memory card) with 64MB of ram for less then $100. Of course it's useable only with a DC...
While Sega's offering may not be something PC players will take notice of, it's a strong shot off the bow for Sega against their competitors.
Slashdot Mirror
I think it goes to show that the market for consoles has become more conservative. When you compare the PS4, XBone and the WII U(yes the Wii U is a part of the market), the PS4 is probably the most simple in its configuration. It doesn't have extraneous gimmicks like a Kinect camera or Wii U tablet that increase the cost of the system. Sure the controller has a LED and a touchpad,but it's not a huge new way of gaming that leads to more casually focused games.With the PS4, you only really get a box and a controller.
The casual market that Microsoft and Nintendo built their machine to appeal to is already satisfied with their phones and tablets for their day to day fix. And for the majority of gamer in the market for a PS4 or XBone, they also have phones and tablets with a great selection of casual games. So when the choice is given between the different consoles, they choose the one with a more enthusiast focus. Their itch for casual games is already sated. And it doesn't hurt that the PS4 GPU is 30-50% more capable and at the same price as an XBone(Kinect-less SKU).
...and how to hide it...
Well, Sega's plan from the start has been to 'evolve' the dreamcast platform to Set-top boxes. DVD players. Plans for such integration can be read about as far back as Feb 1999 in MVC, a trade paper.
Sega, to make such a thing feasible has worked to create what's termed "Dreamcast on a chip" (DCoaC).
And Sega has always been tied to MS in one way or another, even including rumors of a buyout earlier this year. A buyout would have given MS much needed JPN created software and a strong lineup for JPN. But it was rumored MS didn't want to pla ball since Sega was pushing for DC compatability in the XBox.
http://boards.gaming-age.com/message.asp?topic=879 5611&replies=33
:)
" Well.. believe it, as it is true
At least according to people that we know (who will remain nameless), that work directly with the Xbox, inside MS.
DC2, here we come!
--Jim"
Jim happens to be the Senior Editor of Gaming-Age.
Despite MS and Sega's denial, It's true.
Funny, that MS denies it since they also denied the XBox initially
Sega will only still develop NEW titles for its Dreamcast Platform. The 'Other' in other consoles refers to handheld and older consoles.
quote:
While Sega representatives refused to comment on what consoles they plan to develop for, Vice President Shouichi Yamazaki revealed that Sega's exploring development opportunities on the GameBoy Color and the original PlayStation. It's believed Sega will try and shift some of their older properties, possibly from the Sega Saturn era, to other consoles in an effort to boost revenue. Sega executives remained staunch on new software however, with reportedly two dozen exclusive titles slated to hit the Dreamcast in 2001.
From here: http://www.coremagazine.com/news/3215.php3
If you look at the article, you'll see Sega, Nintendo AND famed Japanese music producer Tetsuya Komuro making up the JOINT company.
Sega DOES have a new console in development. While the Dreamcast has not been performing well in the Japan market neither has Sony. Sony has a terrible software ratio(1:1.8) which makes the $188 hit on each PS2 more difficult.And as you know, the $$$ come from software sales.
Why is Sony losing on the PS2? Easy, the PS2 happens to be one of the cheap(est) DVD player on the market.
The DC in North America (and Europe to an extent)is doing pretty good. There are no PS2 for sale making the DC the only console available for sales. And let me tell you, the managers of Electronic Boutiques and other retailers need to meet sale projections. They can't rely on Sony with no PS2s so the push goes to Sega. Just check your local retailer and see what's being pushed.
Same thing occured when the "Big Thing" was the N64. It was sold out and retailers pushed the little known Playstation( which was at that point doing pretty good.)
Anyway, it'll be tough to stop the DC when it has a strong established userbase, a superb software lineup, and a price point lower of the competitors.
A final thing, if you visit a retailer, see the difference between the DC and a PS2. It's not that great. You may find the DC has better graphics for most titles and Dead or Alive 2, which is on both platforms, looks much better on the DC.
As well, Sega will be releasing a mouse for the Dreamcast. The Japan mouse was used for the Q3 Dreamcast Demo. They were a little smaller than what were used to, but North America will get a larger version to accomidate our hands.
I realize this is only wild speculation and a bit funny at that. Playstation 2 uses Rambus ram for it's main memory. Toshiba is a partner with Sony with, I believe, a 50% investment in the fabrication of the EE and GS(?) for the PS2. One of Rambus' main focus( if you look at the PR) is Hitachi and their SH series... and of course there just happens to be an SH-4 in the Dreamcast... Like I said, kinda funny and just a coincidence
The 1000+ page novel was scripted into 2 parts. Apparently, WB feels fairly confident about Battlefield that the second has been given a go ahead.
If someone with a PC signs up for the $22/month for 2 years contract($528) they will receive a $200 rebate which, Sega hope, can be put towards a Dreamcast. Or if you prefer, you can pocket it and essentially pay $14/month.
Why should a PC gamer sign up? According to MCV.COM, Sega has been working with PowerPlay to build the network with better access and lower latencies for games.
There are other feature which mainly apply towards DC users such as certain sports titles along with other games featuring online play. As well, for DC owners, Sega is releasing a MP3 player(similar in d esignto Sega's VMU Memory card) with 64MB of ram for less then $100. Of course it's useable only with a DC...While Sega's offering may not be something PC players will take notice of, it's a strong shot off the bow for Sega against their competitors.
-Dean
The original article in question can be found at X-Box Article