Microsoft to buy Sega?

[Pygmy_Hippo]

Source

it?s no surprise that rumours are once again circulating that Microsoft may be about to make a move for SEGA (now SEGA Sammy Corp). It?s certainly not the first time we?ve heard about such a move - the last mention of it being back in early 2004 when it was speculated upon on many industry sites such as The Register and Gamespot. When you think about it, such a move would make perfect sense.

Microsoft are expected to make a ?shocking and desperate? announcement at this years E3 - all we know is that it will be software related and nothing to do with hardware. It?s also no secret that Microsoft has had a very hard time in Japan with the 360 - SEGA might be the very company to help turn that around.

Could be very interesting - might be good if Sega's back catalogue could be mined for future releases (well as long as it's not another 3d-Sonic!)

[Richard Hammond]

I hope not im really looking forward to Sonic Unleased, i dont want Microsoft to make it 360 only.

[Coldgunner]

No no no no no no no

This would be awful, I think sega are in the best position they have been in for some years, I'm always hoping they can one day re-enter the hardware market.

[Snakehn]

[off topic]

Ohh $h!7 Richard Hammond is a Neowin Member!!!!!!!!

[Rudy]

No no no no no no no

This would be awful, I think sega are in the best position they have been in for some years, I'm always hoping they can one day re-enter the hardware market.

not quite, most games they've released lately have been horrible, Sega was at its peak during the Genesis era and then everything went downhill from there

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

I'm not sure if Sega will be THAT great a purchase, but MS sure as hell need to beef up their first party developers.

Outside of this new Sonic, that for once is actually looking decent, Shenmue 3 is the only really big title that could hugely help I think...

[Typhon]

I would go after Nintendo.

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

I would go after Nintendo.

Joke of the day :|

[ambushed]

As mentioned in the article, the first thing that came to mind is Microsoft starting to pull out the big guns in attempts to get further into Japan. They've come back a little recently with some moderately successful B-tier titles but nothing AAA or even AA. They dont have the resources to launch a console in this day and age. If it happens it could work out.

And Nintendo? even Microsoft doesnt have that kind of cash. It's now Japan's third biggest company. Not that they'd sell anyway......

[Guest]

I would go after Nintendo.

lol, good luck with that :)

[Rudy]

before the ds and the wii they might have had a chance but there's no way they could buy nintendo now

[Typhon]

Joke of the day :|

yay lol but it would work but will never happen

[Antaris Veteran]

I can see why Microsoft want to do this, but I really hope they don't. Because SEGA exited from the hardware market, they need to leverage their software skills to the widest possible array of platforms. If Microsoft buys SEGA, they will no doubt limit publishing rights to the XBox or Windows platforms only.

Now as an avid Sony fan and a long time hardcore Sonic fan, I'd probably be quite distraught if Microsoft/SEGA published the next few titles on 360 only. This move will upset Nintendo the most I think, but I would like to see a new Nights game for the PS3, lush, but a dream I know.

[.KICK]

I don't know if this would be worthwhile, the titles that Sega have done lately haven't exactly been the greatest.

[MightyJordan]

SEGA (now SEGA Sammy Corp)

:blink: Weird name.

Back on-topic, personally, I'd really like to see MS buy SEGA. SEGA have had it. They don't make any good games anymore. The only new SEGA games I've liked are Condemned (the first one; the second one sucks), Virtua Fighter 5 (the first VF game I've actually liked), and Full Auto.

[spenser.d]

I would go after Nintendo.

Joke of the day :|

Oh come on. It wouldn't be that hard. They would just build a giant fortress and trap NOA (which is pretty much right across the street from Microsoft in Redmond) inside with them. Then, NOA is theirs :p

I've heard that MS has something up their sleeve for E3, but I seriously doubt it's out of any kind of desperation. That's a loaded statement.

-Spenser

[PiracyX]

I would prefer SEGA to be brought by MS because then maybe will be get some decent, high quality games again that made SEGA famous and loved.

Most of the crap they throw out now it's very poor. Every Sonic game has been poor after Sonic Adventure, Condemed 1 & 2 were both awful aswell.

SEGA were much better when thery were in the hardware market, maybe they should re-enter.

[.KICK]

I would prefer SEGA to be brought by MS because then maybe will be get some decent, high quality games again that made SEGA famous and loved.

Most of the crap they throw out now it's very poor. Every Sonic game has been poor after Sonic Adventure, Condemed 1 & 2 were both awful aswell.

SEGA were much better when thery were in the hardware market, maybe they should re-enter.

Condemned 1 was awesome, Condemned 2 was alright, could have been better but I agree with the Sonic games, all were rubbish. I doubt Sega will re-enter the hardware market, do they even have enough money and resources to do so?

I think Microsoft would only buy them if they did some promising games such as Shemnue 3 and a new Jet Set Radio or something which would be awesome.

If Microsoft were to buy Sega then they should do it only with guarantees!

[Ayepecks]

Condemned both got great reviews... and they were made by Monolith, not Sega. Sega the developer and Sega the publisher are very different beasts.

[draklin]

SEGA were much better when thery were in the hardware market, maybe they should re-enter.

If SEGA wants to re-enter the market, then they will need to come up with something original in hardware like Nintendo did with the Wii. If it is just another console then it would never stand a chance against the PS3 and Xbox360 (or probably PS4 and Xbox720 by the time they got it out of the door).

[MightyJordan]

I think Microsoft would only buy them if they did some promising games such as Shemnue 3 and a new Jet Set Radio or something which would be awesome.

Now that would be kickass! It might happen, as Shenmue II and Jet Set Radio Future were both released on the Xbox.

If SEGA wants to re-enter the market, then they will need to come up with something original in hardware like Nintendo did with the Wii.

Now that is damn near impossible. Then again, SEGA did do this before with the Dreamcast. The first console ever to have online play, but it was on dial-up, so it wasn't that good. Look at the consoles now. They're all online!

[Windam]

As much as I'd like to see Sega re-enter the hardware market it feels like it won't happen.

We really don't know the outcome of Sega's future, hopefully they won't be bought out my Microsoft because that just leaves the potential for future console hardware out the window.

[BajiRav]

I hope not im really looking forward to Sonic Unleased, i dont want Microsoft to make it 360 only.

I thought you had 360?

[Windam]

I thought you had 360?

even if he does.'

I would want it to come out for other consoles as well.. just because (I own a 360 & Wii)

[George P Global Moderator]

We'll have to wait for E3 to see what MS has to say. The games they've listed for E3 so far have all been shown already so it's gotta be something big. Or I'd like to hope so.

When is E3 again? July?