Nintega: The Final Frontier?

Written by Nick Schmidt on January 10, 2001

Nintega: The Final Frontier?: Can you fathom the possibilities at hand?!

Let's think about this for a moment or two. Sega and Nintendo, arguably the worlds leading software developers in terms of creativity and innovation in the gaming world, combine forces and become one. Not just one company, but one mega software hub, one creative ultra force, and most importantly - development for one console.

No doubt, especially with all the recent news and rumors speculating Nintendo buying out Sega Enterprises for roughly 2 billion dollars, that you've pondered such an alliance. But the fact is that many are now wondering if such a coalition is possible. And that's what I'm going to try and answer. So is it plausible? Yes, it is. But will it happen? Probably not.

I know what you're thinking, "But why not? I want to play Sonic Adventure 2 on GameCube. I want to play Smash Brothers 2 and beat the crap out of Fox McCloud with none other than Amigo the monkey. Why can't I do these marvelous things? Why do you say Nintendo won't buy Sega?" It's actually quite simple my hopeful friend; but there isn't one definite answer or outcome, so let's look at all conceivable conclusions.

1. Nintendo does buy Sega:
This is what was originally being rumored. It all started when the New York Times and several other well-respected papers, such as the Atlanta Journal and Constitution, ran an article discussing the prospects of a "Nintega" of sorts. In short, Nintendo would acquire Sega due to the fact that the ailing gaming semi-giant was losing so much money that selling the entire company was the only realistic solution. This case would probably be the best for Sega as a creative work force, and I'll tell you why.

Let's just assume that Nintendo buys Sega for the respective 2 billion or whatever they go for. Obviously Nintendo isn't that big of a company, so this would probably put a nice dent in their pockets, but not much. After the acquisition is made, new management would probably be appointed and all that other business junk. But this is where the problems begin.

As we know by now, Sega's internal development teams are now independent, and the rights to develop for other platforms is very possible without consent to Sega's management. Although this isn't really that big of a dilemma, since they are still extremely loyal to developing only for the Dreamcast, but the choice is still theirs. This is evident with the choices being made by Hitmaker, as they are porting their upcoming strategy RPG, Hundred Swords, to the PC market.

Anyways, back to the story. Since the makers of every Sega developed title, like the Sonic series, the Phantasy Star series, and Sega Rally series to name a few, are now fully independent, wouldn't Nintendo have to acquire each of them individually? I would think so: That's the only thing that makes sense, since Sega isnСt "whole" anymore. Apparently I'm the only one who's thought of this, considering every time I speak to a friend about the situation and bring this up, they end up not responding because no one has really touched on the subject. This is why I don't see Nintendo buying Sega. But you never know, maybe they just want the copyright to the name...

2. Microsoft buys Sega:
Sega and the immensely massive Microsoft have had past relations, but have since vanished. If you have your Dreamcast nearby, do me a favor: Look on the front of the console in the lower right hand corner. There is a little sticker that simply says "compatible with Microsoft Windows CE." Those words accompanied by the basic logo speak volumes of the past when Microsoft and Sega had relations. Gates and company made porting PC games to the Dreamcast a snap with the operating system and familiar development tools in tact. But somewhere along the line, the super corporation left Sega in the dust, probably for their own intentions with the upcoming Xbox.

And that leads us up to today - the Xbox. Microsoft wants to make sure that its first entry into the console war is well armed with the best publishers and developers across the land. And Sega is definitely one of, if not the best, development team.

Yet again, the independence issue with the development teams is at hand. Only this time, Microsoft theoretically could buy them all, considering they're huge budgets. I mean look at their obscene finances just for advertising for the Xbox - around half a billion if I'm not mistaken. I don't know about you, but where I come from, half a billion is a lot of freakin' cash.

Remember a few months ago when Micro-satan was trying to buy out Square? C'mon folks, they had the gusto to come up and bluntly offer Squaresoft, the world's largest RPG factory, some absurd amount of money all so that Xbox could exclusively have the Final Fantasy series and any other license that is in their possession. But of course, Square refused, causing Gates to look for the next biggest cash crop - Midway. And of course, Midway turned them down as well. So what's stopping Microsoft from buying Sega and all it's development teams as well? It makes sense, especially considering the financial woes of the beloved company. Think about it...

3. Sony buys Sega:
Of all the buyouts that are possible with the major players, Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo, the Sony takeover seems to be the most far-fetched of all. Why, you ask? For reasons far too complex to the normal human, I just don't see Sony spending a wad of cash on Sega. I know that supposedly Crazy Taxi, Zombie Revenge, and Ferrari 355 are all coming to the PS2 some time soon, but I just don't see Sonic on the slick, black box any time soon.

So what's my reasoning behind this? Perhaps, I have none? Very true. I really don't have any logic stating why I think this. But for some odd and peculiar reason, it makes sense to me. Sony hasn't really stated they are interested in Sega, although I'm sure they wouldn't mind having the super-development power on their system. But who knows, maybe Sony will buy them? Only time will tell...

4. What do I think will happen?:
I can see one of two things happening: Sega is either bought by Microsoft, or Sega just... dissolves. But which is more likely? It's hard to say. It's obvious that something will happen to Sega, but pinpointing it down to one specific situation is like trying to win the presidential election with the popular vote, it's just not going to happen (yes, that was a stab at our government).

On one hand we have the theory that Sega will just ultimately dissolve into nothingness. Since the development teams are independent financially and creatively, this wouldn't hamper them one bit, although seeing their platform of choice succumb to the hardships of capitalism isn't going to be pretty. Oh well, a machine is a machine, on to the next system eh boys?

This is a very likely consideration. But what still confuses me is the fact that Sega keeps saying that they are going to focus on Internet applications and quit the hardware business, then retract their statements and introduce this new chip that will be planted in DVD players, something strangely similar to VM Labs' NUON technology. Maybe this is a way of them staying in the hardware business without having to produce costly machines? Maybe they will save money and come back as a major player? Those last two questions completely blow my assumption of Sega fizzling to nothing, but with the company tied up in contradictions, what can you believe?

And on the other hand, the buyout situation comes back for another round. The most likely candidate I see purchasing Sega and its development teams is obviously Microsoft. What a wise decision it would be, eh? Not only would Microsoft secure some of the best licenses available, but could also gain an edge in the Japanese market; something they so desperately need. American systems in a foreign land usually don't work out, but Gates is out to prove that ancient myth wrong.

So where has this article gone? Nowhere. I just wanted to bring up as many cases possible so you can decide for yourself what you think will happen. Feel free to post anything in the forums discussing the topic of Sega's future. There's a long road ahead for the innovators of gaming design, but one thing's for sure, it's going to be friggin' hectic.