How the mighty have fallen. Then gotten back up, dust themselves off, and fallen again. But yet, gotten up again. That’s basically the story of Sega over the last seven years or so as the once mightily publisher has flipped and flopped about, eventually merging with Sammy. Yet, despite all of this, they have no interest in joining forces with anyone else.
Sega’s Dreamcast was, in many minds, the last great old school console. The games were a mix of arcade ports and Japanese styled classics. When it died many hoped that Sega would bring its superb blend of games to other consoles as a third party. They did go third party, but the great games didn’t come with them. Instead, Sega as a third party basically drove itself out of business before Sammy stepped in and saved it.
Flash forward a few years and game mergers are all the rage. Between Activision and Electronic Arts, there aren’t too many independent companies left. So, is Sega interested in talking with one of the burgeoning behemoths? Not really. Sega Sammy’s US CEO, Simon Jeffrey, told Reuters, “That’s not an area we want to play in right now. We have no interest in being acquired; we are very happy with our position right now.”
That happiness, Jeffrey goes on to explain, has a lot to do with the surprise success of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games. Still, how often does Sega expect such triumphs? It was the first title to prominently feature the two icons together. Of course it was going to sell well, but beyond it? One supposes they could team Sonic with Mickey Mouse, but beyond that they’re running out of cultural icons. Other Sega titles have sold terribly, and other than an Aliens game they don’t have many prospects. No one wants to see Sega as part of EA, but perhaps Sega is delusional?
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