Imagine trying to run a company while the internet pumps out and proliferates strange and sometimes damaging rumors about your companies dealings. It's pretty fucked up but it is a "rumor" after all... *flamboyantly* "...whether you like it or not...".

I wonder how a SEGA stock-holder would react if he'd read the rumor that Sega wants to enter the hardware market again or an EA stock-holder finding out EA is on the acquisition hunt again. I savvy trader should probably find more reliable sources of information but it's not the savvy ones that do the panic trades.

I don't mean to be bitchy but the rumor tags have been leaving bad tastes in my mouth lately. Things like the DSi being real after all only strengthens the strange industry practice and I was hoping the events of three weeks ago would have shifted people towards more conservative and careful handling of these things.

...just my two cents.

okenny :) ...building bridges (to hide under)

+ Watch video

akilshohen

So another "Sega's back into hardware" rumor is proven false.

*Sigh*

You know, one of these days, Sega may actually get back into hardware, but by that time, there'll have been so many of these stupid rumors, that by then nobody will be listening to their announcement, with everyone thinking it's just another bullshit rumor.

Erinaceus

Wow. Way to go, Sega. Cash in on that brand name while you can, huh?

Insomnia Bob

@okenny :) ...building bridges (to hide under):

/agree

EnigmaNemesis

I'm expecting Sega to enter the hardware market one day. It's one of those things that are rumored forever, and will finally come to fruition. Like the KOTOR MMO.

By the way, Mr. Owen Good, good job today. You've made very nice, solid articles that rival and even surpass some of the weekday news.

PuppyGuarder

@DontCrossMyanimals: I do too. I watched a Rerun of "Game Makers" I believe it was called - today on G4. It was all about Sega Dreamcast. The launch, the underground-ness of it, and the subsequent fall. They seemed to place a lot of blame on the competition from PS2 and it's DVD playing capabilities. Plus, they blamed Sega for being over-saturated with so many consoles and handhelds going worldwide (Which was a good point...) Still, from what I could tell, they simply gave up when times were hard. If they had the money to keep going, they would have, but it's obvious the consoles were sitting on the shelves unbought, so they had to stop production.

I would love to experience another real Sega Console. I missed the Dreamcast boat, because I was playing PS2 at the time. There's still some DC games I wish I had played that were console exclusive.

MCWHAMMER

@okenny :) ...building bridges (to hide under): point, but if you're a sega stockholder, you prolly shouldnt be on kotaku, a site where like 90% of us want them to go back to 2000/2001 practices.

TheIrishNinja

@DontCrossMyanimals: Don't we all, don't we all...

DigiMish

@akilshohen: Oh no you did'int just go theeere!

Trowble (XBL/PSN)

I wish Sega would get back into Hardware, I still hope for Dreamcast 2.

DontCrossMyanimals

I definitely don't want Sega to go back to hardware, at least not for awhile. Just looking at the majority of Sega's releases the past few years is really depressing. The Dreamcast on the other hand seemed like they couldn't miss from a gameplay standpoint with their new IPs. I just have the feeling that if they brought out new hardware it would just ruin my memories because it would be the first SEGA console with a catalog of strictly bad games.

But at least they would probably come out with Shenmue 3 *punching myself in the face for tearing open that wound*

Greenman

Is it possible that SEGA is using the vision as a tester to see how the market will react to a new SEGA hardware product? I would love to see a new SEGA machine, anyday, a Dreamcast 2 is a wish I would love to see come true

Makidian

We don't need four home consoles (three handhelds would be stretching it, maybe in Japan though, they've always had way more than most in that department). I don't know why people want Sega back in the hardware business other then nostalgia.

BryanH

I have a really detailed business plan for Sega to make a comeback selling consoles again on my college account. When the mood strikes, I'll post it, and no one will care.

Poo_and_Weeeee

I think SEGA would have wanted to hold back Sonic Chronicles to launch with their new Game Gear, wouldn't they?

dowingba

Opening pic made me lol.

psychobaka

They should just make more game gear games (still waiting for the next game gear installment of columns)

jjammerzs

when i think of consoles i think of nintendo, sega, and atari, come on sega re enter the market.

EaGle1337

@MCWHAMMER:
I remember that game makers episode, i think the dreamcast could have survived if they added a dvd player or didn't give up.

EaGle1337

Let the rumor mongering commence.....NOW!

kidgold

heres the rumors I intend to start so watch for them coming soon.

Nintendo is going to buy Take Two and Launch a high end system to compete with 360 and Ps3. The hardcore launch model will include GTA5 and Resident Evil whatever.

Microsoft is going to announce the microsoft stick. something very similar to the wii control but it will be way better and work with all existing xbox games.

Steve Jobs has athletes foot.

the bioshock movie will star james dean through the miracles of digital engineering.

Sony will concede a loss in the console war and begin producing titles exclusively for the wii.

onepoker

Hey, I have that Bullshit alarm!

lamusiqa

@Trowble (XBL/PSN): @akilshohen: Lindsay Lohan did a song? ...

Really?

Penny29

I really would want Sega to make a new console/handheld again though I doubt that would happen in the next 5-7 years. They need to make their games progressive first. Not to mention they need to be able to revive the franchises that they do have to make their upcoming console look more enticing.

Sega can't possibly be thinking of entering the handheld market because of one simple thing. The DS. Sure it's still technically a 2 handheld race but the PSP is a different market altogether (yes they are!) and I think even they concede to how brilliantly Nintendo marketed and pushed the DS. Going into that retail fray would be financial suicide. Last I heard Sega wasn't exactly rolling in Scrooge McDuck-like pools of money.

Now if I was Sony,MS or Nintendo, I'd try and acquire Sega. Their brand portfolio still looks nice enough for investors and the company itself still has some staunch supporters. They can even go the "nostalgia" route to hook in gamers...Just think if MS or Sony bought 'em out. It'd be like Nintendo vs Sega all over again!

For the EA/Epic thing, I'd say that's not a bad move on EA's part if ever they did acquire Epic. A slew of new IPs, your game engine used by your competitors and by most major studios? Not bad...They get the Cliff as their new PR man to boot!

excaliburps

Now if I was Sony,MS or Nintendo, I'd try and acquire Sega. Their brand portfolio still looks nice enough for investors and the company itself still has some staunch supporters.

Neither Microsoft, Sony or Nintendo (especially Nintendo since they're quite the opposites) have the same ideals and business philosophy of SEGA. They are quite downright peculiar when it comes to business, that's why they reach success very fast and then reach failure also very fast. They're the King and the Bum of the industry combined.

The supporters also stick for it because they still manage to be different then anything out there. There's always a SEGA feel in every in-house studio game to this day. Innovation and creativity that you still can't see emulated to this day. If they were absorbed by any of the others, their philosphy would be butchered and their spirit would be gone. They wouldn't be SEGA gaming anymore.

And then we have Mr. President and Mr.s Investors who prefer to die and go bankrupt before giving SEGA to any of the others in the gaming business.

K_K

@Greenman: Actually, it's widely known in those who've followed SEGA that they and their teams simply have their spirits low since they don't have THEIR console to make games for and some of them even refuse to let their ideas grace other consoles. There was a little bit of spirit left when Xbox was somewhat Dreamcast's successor but then when even that failed, they gave up.

K_K

If SEGA wanted to cash in on the brand name they would have produced Dreamcast 3 not letting some chinese guys make an ipod clone.

K_K

Wait wait, SPACE Chanel no. 5?

Kayonesoft

I WANT that bullshit button. I bet when you hit it, it screams "BULLSHIT!".

NKato

@NKato: It does! One of my coworkers bought me one. It has 5 different sayings. My personal favorite is: "*Siren* Bullshit detected! Defcon 5!"

RStormgull

A friend bought me that bullshit button for Christmas, and yes, it does indeed shout bullshit, among other things, like "Bullshit level Defcon 5"

Supernautus

@K_K: Yea, I can see what you're saying. A perfect example would be GunValkyrie which was FREAKIN BADASS!

Greenman