Sega Stops Making Sports Games For Gamecube!!

**xboxtito** · 11-23-2002

This is a few days old, After announcing slumping financial results, Sega of Japan announces that it won't continue to develop sports games for all consoles.

Earlier today in Japan, Sega released its financial results for the last six months, which showed that its operating profit was down 20 percent from the previous year, with revenue down 3 percent. The company still posted a net profit of 1.01 billion yen (about $8 million). Sega said it has been harder than expected to become a cross-platform publisher, and that its initial plans to transition from its hardware-based model were overly optimistic.
A Dow Jones report said that Sega is focusing on improving profits in its "loss-making" sports game operations in the US, which Sega has had big hopes for. While Sega doesn't plan to back down from its fierce competition with Electronic Arts on other platforms, it will completely halt GameCube sports game development as of next year.
http://www.xboxusersgroup.com/index.php?s=

**Dre** · 11-23-2002

Hmmm... I wonder if this increases the possibility of a Sega buyout by MS.

**carlbme** · 11-23-2002

I wouldn't want MS to buy SEGA out, however I wouldn't mind them turning into what Rare was for Nintendo, except for the Xbox

I think that way with the ability for them to go elsewhere if they wish MS wont try to push them too hard to make them make games a certain way and loose the Sega originality.

**Dre** · 11-23-2002

Originally posted by carlbme
I wouldn't want MS to buy SEGA out, however I wouldn't mind them turning into what Rare was for Nintendo, except for the Xbox

I think that way with the ability for them to go elsewhere if they wish MS wont try to push them too hard to make them make games a certain way and loose the Sega originality.

Thats a very good point. But I don't think that Sega would dismiss the PS2 otherwise. But with Sega as a 2nd party (is that the correct term for what ur talking about?) they would really start exploiting the Xbox's power. Can you imagine for example NFL 2k4: stadiums, fields, weather, uniform effects (dirtying and sweating) like Fever with NFL 2k3 type character models and faces? Add in a couple features such as coach's challenge and you're on the way to what could be the best football game available. Then apply the same type of technology to other Sega Sports games... *droool*

And of course, little game called Shenmue 3 would be amazing with lighting effects the Xbox is capable of. I've even heard that Yu Suzuki (the producer of Shenmue games) has technology that makes games look like CG à la Final Fantasy movie. *drools even more*

Oh, and don't forget the slew of other games that Sega's got. Now that I think about it, I totally agree with you Carlbme. Keep Sega's originality, but push Xbox hardware to its limits and beyond

**Discretion** · 11-23-2002

Well, XBOX is now closer to getting Sega. I don't know if it's a good thing, but it might be. Good for XBOX people, bad for Gamecube!

**Kortiz** · 11-23-2002

Sports has become a big thing for Sega.....and as far as i know....the only talks about joining alliances has been Sega and Nintendo.....I heard that Sega and MS wont be doing any sort of buy out at all and that Sega basically begged Nintendo to buy them out.

So what i get from this, is that Sega is gonna stay sega......out there like any other game maker for all three consoles with exception to sports for Nintendo.

**The Informer** · 11-23-2002

Yes, we know.

http://www.xboxaddict.com/forums/sho...threadid=27972

http://www.xboxaddict.com/forums/sho...threadid=27949

**carlbme** · 11-23-2002

Originally posted by The Informer
Yes, we know.

http://www.xboxaddict.com/forums/sho...threadid=27972

http://www.xboxaddict.com/forums/sho...threadid=27949

copycat

**VenoM** · 11-23-2002

well..im sure this makes EA very happy since most of all the gc users will pretty much now only have one company that supplys there system with sports games

**xb_jim** · 11-24-2002

sonic on xbox, mwuahahhaha... we could call him the mascot whore! givin it up to 3+ diff systems!

**thunder** · 11-24-2002

i was a sega man before they ran out on there customers i would hate to see MS put them in there pocket but they will probably have everthing else in the market one day so why fight it

**Knight** · 11-24-2002

Originally posted by xboxtito
This is a few days old, After announcing slumping financial results, Sega of Japan announces that it won't continue to develop sports games for all consoles.

Earlier today in Japan, Sega released its financial results for the last six months, which showed that its operating profit was down 20 percent from the previous year, with revenue down 3 percent. The company still posted a net profit of 1.01 billion yen (about $8 million). Sega said it has been harder than expected to become a cross-platform publisher, and that its initial plans to transition from its hardware-based model were overly optimistic.
A Dow Jones report said that Sega is focusing on improving profits in its "loss-making" sports game operations in the US, which Sega has had big hopes for. While Sega doesn't plan to back down from its fierce competition with Electronic Arts on other platforms, it will completely halt GameCube sports game development as of next year.
http://www.xboxusersgroup.com/index.php?s=

Shouldn't this be in Xbox vs. Gamecube Debate Area forum?