Is Sega really returning to the hardware market with the Vision?
By Dave Parrack
When the Dreamcast failed to sell in the huge quantities the executives demanded, Sega exited the games hardware business. But could the company really now be re-entering the market with an all-encompassing multimedia device called the Sega Vision?
Register discovered the new hardware, which is a cross between a PSP, DS, iPhone, and even Kindle. The Vision is like a jack-of-all-trades, combining gaming, a portable TV tuner, a music player, a digital camera and eBook reader all in one. Whether it does any of these things well remains to be seen.
None of the technical specs have yet been released and no launch date has been set but it’s thought to be due for released early next year. As the embedded video below shows, this is one ugly mother of a machine, but if looks aren’t important to you, then this could be the perfect mobile device to cover all your needs.
But, assuming this isn’t one big wind-up, what the hell is Sega thinking? Didn’t Sega exit the hardware business because it’s very hard to make any money from it? Sure, the Vision isn’t a dedicated games machine but in some ways that’s even worse because its range of competitors is even larger than the one which battled the Dreamcast and Game Gear.
In terms of the games side of things, the Vision is not going to be able to compete with either the Nintendo DS or Sony PSP because its games are all Java based. In fact, it will probably struggle to compete with what’s available to play on an iPhone.
I cannot see the logic in this device as it’s trying to be all things to all men, and that’s never worked. People are much more likely to buy separate devices for each of their needs rather than one device which attempts to do everything and does it badly.
Part of me loves the fact that Sega may, after two generations out of the hardware game, be getting back in the saddle. If the Vision is a success (which is not very likely), could the company be tempted to go up against Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft in the home games console market next? In short, no.
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October 6th, 2008
It seems like this would be a…monster for games as an afterthought more than as a goal.
If they do release this, who’s to say they’ll release games for it, besides maybe some little minigames. It seems that this would be an answer to the iphone, not the DS.
I really doubt Sony would get back into the handheld market, anyway, at least while Nintendo is there. They would be more likely to compete with home consoles, where they have gone toe to toe with two of the three companies in the market in that area, and stood up pretty well until the Dreamcast was murdered by the third.
However, with how Nintendo seems to be going with handhelds, after seeing the DSi, if Sega would give us a simple handheld that did nothing but games, I may be on board.
October 6th, 2008
Sega doesn’t have the money to comeback. They barely survive from the beat down Sony gave them with the PS2.
October 6th, 2008
Have Sega commented on this thing yet? I don’t know if its being advertised for anything, but is it still possible its just a hoax (seeing as the dreamcast 2 ones have been done already)?
If its real, well I can see where its ‘trying’ to fit in but I don’t see it going there.
October 6th, 2008
Sega should wait for Sony to leave the market before releasing a console.
October 6th, 2008
I can’t even remember the last game from Sega I bought. They no longer create anything I’m interested in.
I may give the new Golden Axe a rent though. Something to hold me over slightly till God of War 3.
October 6th, 2008
me:
You such a fanboy. Sony will always be here 4 LiFe.
October 6th, 2008
Ivan:
I’m not a fanboy, you’re a fanboy!!!!
Cop that!
October 7th, 2008
OOhhh it’s on! hahaha
October 7th, 2008
At last!!! My beloved console and favorite company of all time, SEGAAAAAA!!!!! Welcome back Sega! I am your future!!!
PS3 and Xbox 360 are done for!!! Nintendo Wii, you can kiss your ass goodbye!!! PSP and Nintendo DS, it’s time to rot in hell.
SSSSSSSEEEEEEEEEEGGGGGGGGGGGAAAAAAAAAAAA
October 8th, 2008
Is a MP4 Player they said already is not a fucking gaming console idiots.
October 8th, 2008
The glory days of the Megadrive. They were fun times.