Sega Japan Confirms Rumors
January 31, 2001

Yesterday Sega of Japan denied all of the Sega rumors circulating the Internet; today they confirmed all of them.  In their Structural Reorganization Plan Briefing held in Japan this morning, Sega have confirmed a number of shocking new developments.  These include:

• Dreamcast console production will officially cease on March 31st.  Dreamcast technology will continue to be included in set-top boxes and PC cards however.
• Titles heading to the PS2 initially include Virtua Fighter 4 (EXCLUSIVE), Space Channel 5, Sakura War and two Tsuku titles.  In addition, a Sonic game is headed to the PS one and other Saturn games were mentioned as possible PS one conversions.
• Sega is currently developing Sonic the Hedgehog, Chu Chu Rocket! and Puyo Puyo for the Game Boy Advance.
• Sega confirmed the long-rumored deal with Acclaim.  Acclaim will be bringing Crazy Taxi, 18 Wheel American Pro Trucker and Zombie Revenge to the PS2 sometime this year.
• Sega is currently in negotiations with both Nintendo and Microsoft regarding development on the GameCube and Xbox.  Sega already has their development environments set-up; they just have to iron out the details.
• It's possible that most of Sega's online Dreamcast titles will eventually be ported to the PS2, once Sony's internet strategy is finalized.

As a gamer (and owner of a Dreamcast, Genesis and Game Gear), I'm extremely saddened to see Sega's hardware production end in this manner.  While it's obviously best for the company, realizing that there will never be another console with the SEGA brand name on it is quite disheartening.  

At the same time, one can't help but be excited with the future direction Sega is taking.  This move will hopefully allow them to do what they do best (make amazing games), and will benefit owners of all new consoles.  Perhaps Sega's games will finally get the respect they deserve.