Sega bought out...

[Ex Ranza]

Remember? Around 2001, in an effort to consolidate, Sega split their internal teams into several indepedent affiliates (I guess that's the proper term.)

These smaller companies operated under the Sega umbrella, but were each responsible for their own finances, etc.

That's when Smilebit got its name, IIRC.

[ChaoofNee]

Ah, right! Now I do.

I guess that's now irrelevent, too...
But is the fact that they're being reabsorbed good... or bad...?

[Ex Ranza]

Time will tell, I guess.. depends on how much creative license Sammy lets Sega keep.

And sorry.. not that it matters, but the consolidation occurred in 2000 actually.

[EightBit]

Ah, right! Now I do.

I guess that's now irrelevent, too...
But is the fact that they're being reabsorbed good... or bad...?

Probably a bit of both. Alot of now redundant management will probably be cut, saving money. They'll probably exercise more quality control aswell. Games that wont sell well to the masses will probably get cut more often. While that sucks for me and some others, it would be good to see Sega continue tword stability to where they can take bigger risks.

I personally like Sammy and the games they put out. Iron Pheonix and Dark Watch both look very interesting. I dont think Sammy will clash much with Sega on terms of game design for the most part. My guess is a reduction in "risky" games and a little more focus on arcade. Probably with a little emphasis on Atomiswave. I just hope Sammy realises the power Sega can have in terms of thier franchises, and will also encourage them to create new ones.

edit: Not to mention that they will probably share more resources. So one division can probably give some code to another to help them say, make thier PS2 game look better.

[Johnny Nighttrain]

yeah, OutRun 2 is pretty easy. i saw everything the game had to offer in about 20 minutes or so. great graphics though, and really great power slidding system (it's a lot like the first Ridge Racer).

yeah, the game isn't anything special actually. it's a good sequal, more like a remake actually, but enhancements to the gameplay were made. powerslidding does a lot for the game, but all in all, the original is better.

as for playing for times, it's not really worth it with this game. for the most part, traffic never messes your shit up, the tracks are straight for the most part. if there is a turn, well, you just have to do some dragged on powerslide.

it's a fun game though, but don't expect anything more than one of the most simple arcade racing games ever. with not much to offer.

yeah, all in all though, it's just a fun sinchy game.

oh yeah, and how does everyone feel about all the teams having to mege into one super team?

[NeoZeedeater]

oh yeah, and how does everyone feel about all the teams having to mege into one super team?

I don't think they'll be one super team, they will be several teams mixed and matched around all under the Sega name, similar to how they were throughout most of the company's life.

[Gooch]

im glad there is intelligent life on this board.

You said this in response to Jemery's post. I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'.

Let Sega keep turning a profit, regroup, and then judge them on their releases once they've reloaded. Now might be a good time to buy shares (closed around $2.55 today). I really see the price doing nothing but rising; resulting from the merger and especially if Matrix Online pulls one out and does for Sega what GTA did for Take Two. Probably not going to happen, but either way it's seems like a pretty safe gain.

This Sammy-Sega news may seem sorta insignificant now, but this really could have a tremendous impact on the industry down the line.

[Captain Vegetable]

NEWSFLASH!

Sega has been turning a profit for TWO FUCKING YEARS! Two years out of a decade long run of red.

And have you seen the size of these "profits" they're making? Pittance.

That isn't "making money," it's an upswing in a downward trend.

Don't call me ignorant ever again. I know more about this than you do. [/snooty bastard that no one likes]

[Ex Ranza]

[/snooty bastard that no one likes]

Heh.

[Jeremy]

With the teams being merged, what's old is new again, and it should be a sure-fire way to create amazing games with no real exceptions.