Friday Discussion: Sega Support

Written by Ryan Smotherman on July 20, 2001

Friday Discussion: Sega Support: Which platform do you want Sega to support more than a DD bra?

Hello everyone, welcome back for the second installment of our new weekly feature, Friday Discussion. Today the Sega Target staff will answer the question of: Who do we wish Sega to give the most support to in the upcoming console war? So far Sega has shown no signs of favoritism in any way. Each respected console seems to be getting an excellent dose of Sega goodness. Nevertheless, there is always the possibility that Sega will side with one of the three powerhouses, which in effect could change the outcome of this monumental battle. No one can deny the importance that Sega holds in the gaming industry as of now, and if it did come down to Sega picking a favorite, that company would have good times up ahead. So, whom would the Sega Target staff like to see end up with all this good fortune? Read on to find out.

Ryan's Take: Let's go Xbox
Well, of course there is going to be some biased opinions on this matter. People just like certain company's better than others, it's a fact of life. And since we're asking this question to a team of Sega worshipers, I don't think a lot of us will be hoping for a bunch of Sega support to go Sony's way (not me at least). In addition, I think we can all agree that the Playstation 2 has enough 3rd party support as it is. Then we have the Gamecube, could you imagine Sega only supporting this behemoth? Man, it'd be the ultimate system. The two greatest developers in the world would be supplying games to what looks to be one of the greatest systems ever conceived. I think that'd be somewhat of an unfair advantage.

Which leaves us to the new kid on the block, Microsoft's Xbox. With the Xbox's under whelming response it received at its debut a few months back at E3, they surely need all the support they can muster. That's why I'm hoping Sega supports the Xbox the most. I've always been the kind of guy that roots for the underdog, hmmЕmaybe that's why I'm such a huge Sega fanboy. Anyways, I believe the Xbox should be given a fair chance. And remember, no one expected Sony's Playstation to rule over the Nintendo 64 and Sega Saturn five years ago, but it did. I also believe that the Xbox offers the most out of the three systems, which makes it worth the little extra dough.

And there is no better 3rd party developer better than Sega that can supply Microsoft with that extra boost of software that they need to become contenders. Could you imagine games such as Shenmue 3, Skies of Arcadia 2, and Sonic Adventure 3 blazing along on the Xbox? Ahh, the possibilities.

Daniel's Take: Anyone but Sony
I can't tell you who I want Sega to support more come November. I can definitely tell you though that I don't want them to support Sony. I wish no real ill towards the company mind you, I even own a Playstation 2. I just want a more even playing field. Sony already has Square all locked up (for now anyways), and EA isn't going to support the other consoles as much as the PS2. Sega has a chance to really bring the three party war close to even with its content.

I plan on purchasing both Gamecube and Xbox that second week in November. While Sega games don't figure heavily into either consoles launch plans, I have my eye on the future. Some of the games that are coming look amazing. Jet Set Radio Future is an absolute must buy for me personally. Crazy Taxi Next is something that I am looking at with great interest, as well as the new iterations of Panzer Dragoon and GunValkyrie.

Don't forget that the Blue Blur will be on the purple cube Ц automatically a shoo in for spending the allowance money. Sega has not revealed yet what all it has in development for Gamecube, but has promised to give forth some much-coveted information at Nintendo's Spaceworld in August.

I really want Sega to come out ahead in the third party software race, and if that means bringing games to PS2, then so be it. I just hope that eventually more and more games come to the Xbox and Gamecube.

Bill's Take: Equal support for all
Since I'm the kind of guy who likes all video game consoles, having to choose only one that I would like to see Sega support the most was extremely difficult. I would like to see Sega to support all of the future consoles equally. Yeah, you heard me, all of them equally.

Could you imagine seeing the Sega GT series challenging the Gran Turismo series on the Playstation 2? And at the same time seeing NFL 2K2 blowing Madden 2002 out of the water on the other consoles too? I think that seeing Sega on all consoles might end up being the best thing to ever happen to the industry. With Sega's creativity and the power of all the consoles, we will be getting some really great games. Only time will tell though.

Ben's Take: Gamecube all the way
Sega's support will play a very important role in the upcoming videogame battle. Up to this point, Sega appears to be dividing their support pretty evenly among the Playstation 2, X-box, and Gamecube. Of course, if I had it my way, Sega would be sticking to the Gamecube or the PS2 only. Sega's announced that they have eleven titles in development for the X-box, including Panzer Dragoon and Jet Grind Radio Future. If Sega does not port them over to another system, I might end up buying an X-box just because of Sega.

I'd much rather see Sega hook up with Nintendo than anything, just to see the best Sega and Nintendo games on the same system. Any gamer that isn't seriously whacked can easily tell you that Sega and Nintendo are the two best developers out there. What better thing can you get that seeing both of them on the same system, perhaps even making games together, such as a Shining Force 4, or even a Sega vs. Nintendo game in the Smash Bros. fashion. Yes, that would certainly be sheer gaming bliss, something that I have dreamed for quite a while now.