SEGADRIVE, is SEGA planning NEW console with it?

[MrSega]

This topic is dedicated to all speculation and rumors regaurding SEGA's upcomming arcade board the SEGADRIVE or Model 4 board and whether or not SEGA is planning a console from it. If the new board is not PC based, then we have loads to be excited about. Here's the trademark for it:

http://www.trademarkia.com/segadrive-78950666.html

First I would like to give you a list of some of the patents that were issued by SEGA in 2009:

http://www.patentgenius.com/patent/7488254.html

this patent is for several game controller designs

Here's the rest of the 2009 patents:

http://www.patentgenius.com/patent/7540805.html

http://www.patentgenius.com/patent/7556197.html

http://www.patentgenius.com/patent/7559841.html

http://www.patentgenius.com/patent/7582018.html

http://www.patentgenius.com/patent/7583264.html


http://www.patentgenius.com/patent/7607982.html

http://www.patentgenius.com/patent/7614954.html

http://www.patentgenius.com/patent/7620686.html

What's interesting is that SEGA was busy with patents throughout 2009 but not one game site reported on any of these.


Tommorrow I'll list thier more recent patents from 2010 and early 2011.


Here's some of the speculation going on with SEGA's upcomming arcade board/console. First the suppossed specs:

CPU : Hitachi SH-X3 3-4GHz Quad Core( 40 32-bit RISCs, 4 large L3 Chache cores and 16 L2 Chache cores.)

GPU : ImgTec PowerVR RTX with on-die “CausticThree” Ray Tracing Processor or Caustic Graphics PowerVR RTU

Audio : 32-Bit High Definition Digital Signal Processor

System Memory : 4GB DDR3 Video Memory : 1GB GDDR5

Physical Media : Undecided between BLU-RAY16 or Flash Memory

Storage : A) Cloud based (Subscription) B) 32GB Flash cards (Sold Separately)

Networking : 802.11n WiFi

Manufacturing Partners : NEC Corporation, Fujitsu Limited

Targeted Launch Price Tag : $299.99 – $349.99($319.99 - $369.99)

Launch Date : Q4 2012 simultaneous worldwide


Here's some speculative articles from Haneda:

http://segaleaks.wordpress.com/2011/02/ ... /#comments

http://segaleaks.wordpress.com/2011/02/ ... ce-part-5/

http://segaleaks.wordpress.com/2011/03/ ... erization/

Here's a claim that the console version is codenamed NEPTUNE:

http://segaleaks.wordpress.com/2011/03/ ... o-neptune/

For now, this gives us all to think about. You can judge for yourself or wait and see what happens if these reports are all true.

[comradesnarky]

This topic is dedicated to all speculation and rumors regaurding SEGA's upcomming arcade board the SEGADRIVE or Model 4 board and whether or not SEGA is planning a console from it. If the new board is not PC based, then we have loads to be excited about. Here's the trademark for it:

http://www.trademarkia.com/segadrive-78950666.html

First I would like to give you a list of some of the patents that were issued by SEGA in 2009:

Eh I'm just gonna set this thread off on a better foot so discussion is more... I don't know, steered towards actual possible future developments? Most of these patents are already in use. These seem to pertain to the Ring boards.

The patents were basically accepted as patentable in 2009. They were not filed in 2009. Patents are filed for, but the technology is typically already in use, even if the patent isn't issued.

http://www.patentgenius.com/patent/7488254.html

this patent is for several game controller designs

Filed: 2005
Issued: 2009

This one is actually interesting. I'd guess it's being used internally for easy control swapping on Ring boards.

Here's the rest of the 2009 patents:

http://www.patentgenius.com/patent/7540805.html

Filed: 2005
Issued: 2009

This is similar to Konami's card system where you have a user profile and your scores are saved to the card from the arcade machine. Sega has been using this a long time.

http://www.patentgenius.com/patent/7556197.html

Filed: 2008
Issued: 2009

More relating to the card system already in use.

http://www.patentgenius.com/patent/7559841.html

Filed: 2005
Issued: 2009

This pertains to a pretty basic motion sensing system, sort of like the original EyeToy. I don't think it was ever used.

http://www.patentgenius.com/patent/7582018.html

Filed: 2003
Issued: 2009

This one is ancient. I'm not quite sure of its function, but it's definitely related to PSO. Seems to be a way to better manage memory card data. There have been several PSO games released, so, it was definitely used in one of them.

http://www.patentgenius.com/patent/7583264.html

Filed: 2006
Issued: 2009

This sounds like ray tracing, but it's not. It seems to be a more advanced method of HDR lighting.

http://www.patentgenius.com/patent/7607982.html

Filed: 2002
Issued: 2009

A very stupid idea for a virtual pool game. Obviously never materialized, and for good reason.

http://www.patentgenius.com/patent/7614954.html

Filed: 2003
Issued: 2009

Judging by the date and the example documents submitted, this seems related to Panzer Dragoon Orta.

http://www.patentgenius.com/patent/7620686.html

Filed: 2003
Issued: 2009

Another patent related to MMORPGs. Definitely related to PSO.

What's interesting is that SEGA was busy with patents throughout 2009 but not one game site reported on any of these.


Tommorrow I'll list thier more recent patents from 2010 and early 2011.

These aren't a secret; they're just either related to the Ring boards or they're not even arcade related at all. Check the filing date on those patents, too.

Here's some of the speculation going on with SEGA's upcomming arcade board/console. First the suppossed specs:

CPU : Hitachi SH-X3 3-4GHz Quad Core( 40 32-bit RISCs, 4 large L3 Chache cores and 16 L2 Chache cores.)

GPU : ImgTec PowerVR RTX with on-die “CausticThree” Ray Tracing Processor or Caustic Graphics PowerVR RTU

Audio : 32-Bit High Definition Digital Signal Processor

System Memory : 4GB DDR3 Video Memory : 1GB GDDR5

Physical Media : Undecided between BLU-RAY16 or Flash Memory

Storage : A) Cloud based (Subscription) B) 32GB Flash cards (Sold Separately)

Networking : 802.11n WiFi

Manufacturing Partners : NEC Corporation, Fujitsu Limited

Targeted Launch Price Tag : $299.99 – $349.99($319.99 - $369.99)

Launch Date : Q4 2012 simultaneous worldwide

Those specs at $299 to $350? No. 4 gigs of video memory? No.

Here's some speculative articles from Haneda:

http://segaleaks.wordpress.com/2011/02/ ... /#comments

http://segaleaks.wordpress.com/2011/02/ ... ce-part-5/

http://segaleaks.wordpress.com/2011/03/ ... erization/

Here's a claim that the console version is codenamed NEPTUNE:

http://segaleaks.wordpress.com/2011/03/ ... o-neptune/

For now, this gives us all to think about. You can judge for yourself or wait and see what happens if these reports are all true.

Haneda posts on a site where the articles are headed with poorly censored softcore porn.

[MrSega]

I never said that these patents were filed, I said there were "Issued" meaning approved for use. It seems that you've completely taken my words out of context. I know how patents work.

As for Haneda, please ignore and disregaurd the NSFW pics, this is all BrianH's doing. Before the Tsunami, these pics weren't being posted. I just ignore them.

Please don't try to turn this topic into a heated debate.

[MrSega]

4GBs of video memory, Umm you do know that SEGA consoles are usually always based off of modified versions of popluar arcade boards right? Price point means very little. They use run of the mill silicon for the console,not the arcade hardware itself. You didn't know that?

[comradesnarky]

I never said that these patents were filed, I said there were "Issued" meaning approved for use. It seems that you've completely taken my words out of context. I know how patents work.

As for Haneda, please ignore and disregaurd the NSFW pics, this is all BrianH's doing. Before the Tsunami, these pics weren't being posted. I just ignore them.

Please don't try to turn this topic into a heated debate.

I'm not trying to turn it into a heated debate. I haven't posted anything aggressively. You seemed to believe that these patents were relevant to current technologies and possibly hint at future arcade boards, but they're all already in usage.

4GBs of video memory, Umm you do know that SEGA consoles are usually always based off of modified versions of popluar arcade boards right? Price point means very little. They use run of the mill silicon for the console,not the arcade hardware itself. You didn't know that?

I know that. You said these were specs for a board/console. 4gb video cards are still around $1000.

[MrSega]

I never said that these patents were filed, I said there were "Issued" meaning approved for use. It seems that you've completely taken my words out of context. I know how patents work.

As for Haneda, please ignore and disregaurd the NSFW pics, this is all BrianH's doing. Before the Tsunami, these pics weren't being posted. I just ignore them.

Please don't try to turn this topic into a heated debate.

I'm not trying to turn it into a heated debate. I haven't posted anything aggressively. You seemed to believe that these patents were relevant to current technologies and possibly hint at future arcade boards, but they're all already in usage.

4GBs of video memory, Umm you do know that SEGA consoles are usually always based off of modified versions of popluar arcade boards right? Price point means very little. They use run of the mill silicon for the console,not the arcade hardware itself. You didn't know that?

I know that. You said these were specs for a board/console. 4gb video cards are still around $1000.

The point being is that SEGA uses heavily modified hardware of arcade boards to power thier consoles which cuts all of the costs and sells them for half of the wholesale price. Its already suggested that the SEGADRIVE arcade board will be unveiled at this year's JAMMA.(RINGEDGE was actually a mid range board not LINDBERGH's successor.Much like Model 3 was not the successor to System 32 Model 2, NAOMI was) As for the patents, thier old, my point is that SEGA might be planning to use some of those controller designs for future hardware. Tommorrow I will list more recent patents, not the UFO Catcher ones that have been the most common but newer ones including documented assigned ones(the ones not yet trademarked or issued.)

[sega2k]

There was one that really caught me by surprise. It looks to be a dreamcast controller with a 6 button layout. I know everyone has said that these patents have all be debunked and that none of this stuff is true. But does make you wonder why you never see any of this stuff. Like im almost positive all those controller designs are not in use. I just pray that in september something comes out.

http://www.patentgenius.com/image/7488254-2.html

[sega2k]

Looks like sega was testing motion control like what the wii did..

http://www.patentgenius.com/image/7559841-12.html

In this one it looks like controller with like removable attachments like wired, a battery charger, and i dont know what the one on the top right is. But it looks like it could be a vmu. Not sure though make its just a wireless cap you put into the controller.

http://www.patentgenius.com/image/7488254-11.html

Here is the back view..

http://www.patentgenius.com/image/7488254-28.html

This is my favorite controller design, looks like a dreamcast controller with 6 button layout (great for fighters), and it removes the analog stick..sega make a console.

http://www.patentgenius.com/image/7488254-32.html

[MistaBuck]

I
WANT
TO
BELIEVE

[MistaBuck]

Ok. Here's the dilly-o

Sega of Japan Is still fairly profitable. They're still making pretty good money off of games and arcade boards (I think... I'm not 100% sure)

They Are owned by Sega Sammy Holdings, A Pretty large Company.

Here are the reasons that Sega Has the capability of creating a New Console

1. Sega Still Makes Good games

Sega has a bad rep nowadays because of the "poor" quality game they produce. This is Sega of America, not Sega Japan.

For Example, In my opinion, Some of the good Sega Titles of this Generation are: Sonic Colors, Yakuza, Valkyria Chronicles, Border Break, Super Monkey Ball, Anything from Platinum Games, and Total War.

With the exception of "Total War", All of them are produced, or developed by Sega of JAPAN.

The Bad Marvel Movie tie-ins are all Sega of America's doings

2. Sega Has The Money

Contrary to popular belief that Sega Does not have the money to support a Console system, They in fact, do

Like I said Earlier, Sega is owned by Sega Sammy holdings. They are a pretty Big Company. Back in the Dreamcast era, i could understand why Sega Struggled to keep their system alive. But now, they are supported by a larger company and (in my opinion), If Sega pitched a Console, They would have enough money to support it.

3. Sega Has the Want for a Console

This one is pretty suggestive, but about everyone who owned a Sega console at one point or another would probably LOVE to own another one.

And I'm not only talking about the Dreamcast: I'm talking about the Genesis/Mega Drive, and the Saturn as well. It's the nostalgia factor of a Sega console that will drive them

4. Sega has learned from their past Mistakes

From what I see today, Sega Has Learned from their Past blunders.

and hopefully. they wont:
Release Stupid Add-ons (32x)
Release Consoles at an abrupt time (Saturn)
or
Release Consoles before the competition (Dreamcast)

5. Sega Is capable of releasing state-of-the-art Hardware

As seen from their Arcade boards, Sega is still able to release up to date hardware to power their software.



There are other factors That I'm not so sure about, such as:
Support From Manufacturing companies
Support From Graphics card and processor companies
Support From Other 3rd Party Video Game Companies

But I'm sure they will work out if the money is in the right place.

To make a Long story short, I Really think that Sega Is capable of making a video game console that can compete with Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo.

They Just need to take the risk.
and without risks,
Their would be no progress.