Sega - Should they produce more Dreamcast

[Baroque]

So how about Sega re-release a new modified consumer unit Dreamcast?

Perhaps it could replace the aging Neo Geo as the niche "arcade-at-home" console? Echoing the MVS/AES positions.

If Sega are to concentrate more on the arcade sector this could be an ideal way for them to still make money from home consumers too.

The thing about the Neo Geo line was that the hardware was pretty zippy for it's time. It was a razor blade sales model, the razor (console) was cheap enough and very powerful, but you got taken by the blades. (games)

The DC hardware was never designed to last beyond the ordinary system life cycle which means that it was planned that the product would sunset in 03 with new hardware due either then or later this year. The fact is that the DC hardware doesn't have what it takes to be in it for the long haul.

Now while the DC hardware couldn't do it, The NAOMI architecture the DC hardware was based on could. The Naomi 2 would be a better platform to put in the home since it has four times the main memory and four times the graphics memory of the DC. It also has two rather kick ass cache rich GPU Cores which allow it to throw out some amazing graphics.

That's something you could do a Neo-Geo with and stay somewhat competitive with what ever the other three guys are coming out with next.

Will Sega do that?

I don't think so. Sega have lost a ton of money in the home market since going third party, we all expected them to kick the hell out of the competition and they didn't.

They'd also have to take one heck of a loss early on to send people home with Naomi 2 based systems and the games would cost an arm and a leg pushing away all but the most dedicated gamers. Both of which are no good if you're trying to prove you can be a mass market contender.

If I'm Sammy and I make most of my money out of cheap gambling machines and those crappy mechanical "hook a prize systems", I'm pulling Sega out of the home aside from a couple of quick ports of arcade hits a year, and they are not getting back in there for love nor money.

Life is long and anything can happen in the games industry, but we should be prepared to accept that the DC was Sega's final bite at the home console cherry.

[Jushin-Thunder-Liger]

No it was mine. It's already copyrighted and everything.

I wonder if Sega have thought of this though? They must have, surely.

http://ntsc-uk.domino.org/viewtopic.php?t=12512&highlight=dreamcast+neogeo

I have alerted my lawyers and you should be getting a writ in the post soon.
I still think its a good idea, redisgn the case, give it more of an AES look, and bob's your uncle.
It would still outsell the XBox 20-1 in Nihon

[yashiro]

The thing about the Neo Geo line was that the hardware was pretty zippy for it's time. It was a razor blade sales model, the razor (console) was cheap enough and very powerful, but you got taken by the blades. (games)

The situation could be repeated with a new consumer arcade system. Think of it as a successor to the Neo Geo's position. Only this time with some decent games.

Now while the DC hardware couldn't do it, The NAOMI architecture the DC hardware was based on could. The Naomi 2 would be a better platform to put in the home since it has four times the main memory and four times the graphics memory of the DC. It also has two rather kick ass cache rich GPU Cores which allow it to throw out some amazing graphics.

By modified Dreamcast I didn't mean 'another Dreamcast'. I, like you, was thinking more along the lines of a cheap Naomi 2 box.
As you rightly state it's a nice bit of kit.

They'd also have to take one heck of a loss early on to send people home with Naomi 2 based systems and the games would cost an arm and a leg pushing away all but the most dedicated gamers. Both of which are no good if you're trying to prove you can be a mass market contender.

I'd consider this as another string to their bow as oppsed to an attempt at mass market approval.
The Neo Geo never was, or will be, mass market due to it's cost. The same would go for this premium unit.

It would still outsell the XBox 20-1 in Nihon

My arse would outsell the Xbox in Nihon.

[Baroque]

I'd consider this as another string to their bow as oppsed to an attempt at mass market approval.

If one was unkind they'd point out that it was having too many strings on their bow which is what put Sega in this position in the first place.

Sammy have very few strings on their bow and have mountains of money to show for it, when the first words out of their mouth amounted to 'cheap games for cheap arcade hardware or we'll finish you off' I can't see where the idea of premium anything comes into play.

For gamers it's a great idea, I don't think it'll get any play at the first board meeting when Hajime Satomi, probably dancing at the time (Because after screwing Sega like that I'd certainly be), votes Sammy's majority stake and appoints himself Chairman of Sega's Board.