Sega confirms Sega Racing Studio’s closure
Posted by Chris. Filed under Chris. Tagged with Financial.
It was rumored earlier today that Sega would be closing down its Sega Racing Studio. However, Sega has confirmed with Next Generation that the bad news is indeed true.
“Regrettably Sega today announced that it is to commence consultation regarding the unfortunate closure of the Sega Racing Studio in Birmingham, UK.
“The decision is part of a review of Sega’s Western Development Studios to ensure that each studio is a profitable entity in its own right, and unfortunately the Sega Racing Studio’s 5 year plan would not result in a successful return for the Sega business moving forward. Sega would like to stress that there will be no changes within their other internal development studios.”
So while it appears every other studio is safe for the time being, it’s probably safe to say everyone is on notice that they must deliver profitable titles or else.
Comments on this article
There have been 18 responses to this article.
I hate this.
James
Posted April 8th, 2008 at 6:46 pm.
I second that Hate.
I only hope some positive will come from this, and sega will get the remaining Internal development studios will make better games.
Adon
Posted April 8th, 2008 at 6:51 pm.
So we can only hope a certain dumbass makes yet another bad Sonic Team game, then his team stops disgracing SEGA for good.
Kogen
Posted April 8th, 2008 at 7:48 pm.
This actually made me sad.
Sega Uranus
Posted April 8th, 2008 at 8:11 pm.
Am I the only one that thought SEGA Rally Revo, while good, wasn’t really a great game?
Though maybe it’s just people were hoping for more racing games. Hopefully other teams do some of those.
Kogen
Posted April 8th, 2008 at 8:16 pm.
Good Ridance, now maybe the lazy asses at Japan can design some games.
Basically what I mean is I don’t want Code Master rejects to design Sega Games, Sega should make Sega games!!!
cube_b3
Posted April 8th, 2008 at 9:15 pm.
I think it’s really sad news…
Although I don’t think Sports Interactive or Creative Assembely have to worry about anything they are gold mines.
Ryan
Posted April 8th, 2008 at 9:37 pm.
It is sad, but at the same time I agree with Kogen. Rally Revo (have it for the PS3) is not that great. It’s a tad bit unforgiving at times and the learning curve (control-wise) is WAY too freaking high… its pretty obvious it would fail considering accessibility is the key to great games now a days.
cliffjumper78
Posted April 8th, 2008 at 9:44 pm.
“So we can only hope a certain dumbass makes yet another bad Sonic Team game, then his team stops disgracing SEGA for good.”
Unfortunately, neither of the words bad nor good have anything to do with the word “profitable”–which does happen to apply to Sonic Team.
Angelo
Posted April 8th, 2008 at 9:59 pm.
NiGHTS 2 proved they can fuck up, though.
Kogen
Posted April 8th, 2008 at 10:17 pm.
I will admit that Sega Rally Revo was not the greatest racer of all time. But the game was fun and I thought the technology behind the game was brilliant.
I was hoping that SRS would use it in future products.
Graham
Posted April 8th, 2008 at 11:57 pm.
the game was good for being from the new sega but the truth is its never like the old sega games still its sad i think they should have give them another chance
paly
Posted April 9th, 2008 at 12:25 am.
This is actually quite depressing to read. Fuck it all. ._.
DiGi Valentine
Posted April 9th, 2008 at 12:43 am.
“I don’t want Code Master rejects to design Sega Games, Sega should make Sega games!!!”
The “Sega” you are talking about doesn’t exist, SRS was part of the new Sega and they did a good Sega Rally, but some classics have no longer place in the actual market…
landman
Posted April 9th, 2008 at 4:41 am.
Shut up Cube, SEGA Rally Revo was better then the last SEGA Japan Rally game, and people losing their jobs in the industry is never something to be happy about unless they deserve it (Which in this case, they don’t)
I just hope this doesn’t mean SEGA is heading for harder times ahead, the gaming industry is booming and SEGA are themselves, I hope the next report does show some profits…
Aki-at
Posted April 9th, 2008 at 7:21 am.
“Basically what I mean is I don’t want Code Master rejects to design Sega Games, Sega should make Sega games!!!”
It was kinda weird for Sega to make a team (former codemasters programmers) to make racing games that resemble Sega’s.
BTW, it’s a shame, SRS have talent, hope their “deformation engine” will not be lost, and hope that the nest Sega Rally and other racing games will be made in Japan.
City Hunter
Posted April 9th, 2008 at 7:22 am.
SEGA RALLY REVO was a great game as their first attempt,
but why they didn’t start making another racing game right after the REVO,
one of the reasons that SEGA could easily close this great studio is that
they weren’t really an active studio with a work in progress.
Well, this wont harm too much if SEGA can allow to those Japanese
racing devs who made Out Run, Daytona, first Sega Rally games
and Yu Suzuki’s/AM+’s new Sega Race TV for developing their future
racing games…I mean SEGA can still give us great racing games
if they get help from Suzuki san, Nagoshi san, Kataoka san and etc…
Come on AM2, come with Out Run 3, Shenmue III and re-makes from
your big hits for Wii, PSP and etc before they even think about closing you!
VF5 R is NOT enough.
BTW there are new info about SEGA RACE TV all over the net!
Regrads-Alimn
Alimn
Posted April 9th, 2008 at 11:51 am.
It’s a shame the studio closed, but remember people, SEGA Rally Revo bombed, badly, real bad, perhaps didn’t even make enough money back. Yes you can complain “CLOSE GOOD STUDIOS FOR MORE BAD SONIC GAMEZ?!?” or something like that, the sad truth is those games sell and games like these do not keep a company alive. The sad, harsh reality of the video game industry.
So those jumping on the SEGA hate train because of this, remember that not enough people bought this game to keep the studio alive.
“BTW there are new info about SEGA RACE TV all over the net!”
E-mail it to one of the admins dude! Would love to know more.
Aki-at
Posted April 9th, 2008 at 2:29 pm.