CVGs ode to the Dreamcast
Posted by Graham. Filed under G, News, Retro. Tagged with Dreamcast, Fan Stuff.
Last week we reported how Sega are to stop repairs for the Dreamcast and Saturn later this year, which, ultimately, will mean the end for the Dreamcast has finally come. From this news, CVG have recenty published a lovely article, as a sort of ode to the Dreamcast.
They speak of how innovovative the console was;
The possibilities for innovative gameplay using the VMU were vast, and Sega was the first to demonstrate with Sonic Adventure, which allowed you to transfer in-game virtual pets (dubbed Chaos) to the VMU where they became a virtual pet you could look after. Although, except for the odd radar in some action games the VMU was seldom used as Sega probably intended.
How it was (possibly) released before it’s time;
Although the Dreamcast died before its time, having been discontinued in 2001 - just three years after its original 1998 release(1999 in US and UK), its many innovations, vast selection of peripherals and huge library of arcade games earned it a huge cult following. Some say that the console was launched too soon.
Some errors on Segas part;
While Sony was wowing the kids, Sega went and spunked a hell of a lot of money sponsoring Arsenal football club. The inevitable was fast approaching.
Plus they speak of some of the games that made the system what it was, and also some problems with the library;
Dreamcast had a cracking library of games but there was the striking omission of anything EA Sports related, which Sony probably paid an arm and a leg for to keep from the platform. And the fact that EA Sports didn’t support the platform… well, we know what happened
 While you may not agree totally with what they say in the article, it is a pretty good read and it’s not that long. So I suggest you check it out.
[Source: CVG.com]
Comments on this article
There have been 9 responses to this article.
The best think about the DC is that it didn’t have any EA games.
Blacker Omegalon
Posted April 7th, 2007 at 3:30 pm.
Yeah me too. Segas 2K sports and Sega Sports range was much better.
But I think them not having EA was a bad thing. Im not a fan of EA at all, but it seems that every week in the top 40 charts most games are made by EA. I think having EA would have boosted console sales a bit.
Just a pity there are so many gamers out there that don’t realise that EA are scum.
RohanBlack
Posted April 7th, 2007 at 3:57 pm.
Yeah EA may bring a poor quality of games to your home- but by jove they seem to sell pretty darn well!
They seemed to be the only ones supporting the GameCube at the end of its life- which Im grateful for. Although I haven’t bought an EA console title since Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup. I can’t see how they could have taken such a great idea for a sports game and completely screwed it up like that.
-I’m willing to buy EA titles for the PC though. Medal of Honour on the PC hasn’t let me down…yet.
G
Posted April 7th, 2007 at 9:52 pm.
If I recall correctly, EA snubbed Dreamcast because of problems they had with Sega during the Saturn years. Sega had no choice but to release their own sports games. Must have been pretty bad because it’s difficult to imagine that happening now when EA releases games on every platform.
“Some say that the console was launched too soon.” Why is that? Would releasing it at the same time as the PS2 been any better? The only reason I can think of to wait is so they could have afforded built-in DVD playback. Many bought a PS2 or Xbox to avoid buying a separate DVD player.
Reset
Posted April 7th, 2007 at 10:55 pm.
Yeah Reset. EA did snub Sega- to some extent. As far as I’m aware EA were pissy at Sega for their Sega sports titles. And said if they didnt stop making their own sports range, then EA would take all their games away.
-So Sega opted to keep making their games.
Well thats part of the story I believe.
Yeah if Sega held off and put in a DVD drive and maybe made it a little more powerful- then it could- COULD- have been better.
BUT at the same time, Sony were very strong with the Playstation brand name- so chances are Sega could have wasted more money trying to launch at the same time as the PS2.
I think they launched at a fairly good time. Just a pity they had to drop out so soon.
G
Posted April 7th, 2007 at 11:10 pm.
I think the exclusion of a dvd drive hurt some, but i think the biggest blow to them was the ease of piracy. Comparing the DC to the other systems, the ps2, xbox, gamecube needed some major modifications. I wonder if Sega would ever give dreamcast owners some kinda ultimate greatness in the form of a DC download.
oh.. and i’m not a big fan of EA. Especially, after hearing about EA wanting sega to stop their sports franchise. What about 989 studios, wasn’t that sony’s sports series? EA didn’t stop them. Sega sports was just too awesome.
jopamine
Posted April 8th, 2007 at 10:13 am.
Yeah apparently with the Sports thing - EA got pissed off during the Saturn era, because EA had games like Nascar and FIFA while Sega had Daytona and some other form of football (soccer) game. But I think FIFA realised how popular Sega Sports really was - with games like Manx TT, Sega Rally, Sega Touring Cars etc… And felt they were in direct competition with them.
-This is what I have heard anyway. I read it in a Dreamcast magazine waaay back when. Good times…
G
Posted April 8th, 2007 at 11:39 am.
I think EA (along with other third parties) were also upset over Saturn’s surprise launch as well as the lack of support for developing for the notriously difficult Saturn.
Reset
Posted April 9th, 2007 at 3:22 am.
just a quick hello and congratulations to your nice website ! i’ll visit you again!
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Posted October 30th, 2007 at 6:54 am.