I've got to say that even though the Playstation 2 is allegedly more powerful technologically, the Sega Dreamcast has continued to produce some very noteworthy and original games, Shenmue at the top of my list. I've loved this system probably more than any other up to this point. I have seen legendary games like Soul Calibur that redefined the fighting genre and Skies of Arcadia, a very worthy and innovative RPG. Resident Evil: Code Veronica was the very best of the series and even played on the things that made "The Matrix" kick ass. NFL2k brought with it some of the most intuitive AI and commentary of any game to date. Crazy Taxi showed that Arcade Games brought home can provide unending hours of fun. Seaman taught us that we can interact with our games like never before and showed that we don't have to settle for inherently stupid Pokemon or Tomagotchi's as "virtual" pets. Various rumors have been ciruculating around the internet and news sites recently indicating that Sega is going to quit working on the Dreamcast and team up with Sony, or in other instances Nintendo. At first Sega said that all the rumors were false and the media was taking a rumor and running away with it, but then just a few days later they have admitted that they will scale back production of the Dreamcast in favor of developing games as a Third Party to other console manufacturers.
Sega has indicated that it is amidst talks over developing for Nintendo GameBoy Advance, perhaps games for Playstation 2, and there are substantied rumors leaning toward X-Box as well. Sega has reported finacial losses for like three or four fiscal quarters in a row this year, and to continue producing the Dreamcast in a market saturated with other consoles perhaps more technologically suitable, was just too much of a cross to bear. The way I see it, even though this means the Dreamcast is going to eventually crash and burn, Sega has produced some really awesome titles in it's day, from Sonic, to Ecco to Phantasy Star and of course Shenmue. With Sega doing what they do best, making games, we will likely see the house that Sonic built thrive on new consoles rather than die prematurely with the Dreamcast, a sinking financial ship. The company made a good move and undoubtedly we gamers will benefit from having Sega onboard the GameCube, Gameboy Advance, and Playstation 2.
The thing is, the Dreamcast isn't going to dissappear completely, Dreamcast production will slowly diminish until it ceases but recent news has indicated that Sega will be incorporating Dreamcast components into an Interactive TV/Satellite Service box to be released in Europe. The unit will be able to download games via the satellite service for a fee. Perhaps this will appear in the US, but I wouldn't hold my breath. This is one of those moments in gaming history where you have to shed a tear for all the gaming memories brought to us by systems like the Master System, Genesis, Sega CD, the 32X (okay, I thought it sucked too) and the Saturn.
From what I can see, Shenmue II is still on track to be released soon, as well as a whole group of great games from Sega. I can't wait for Shenmue II, it it's anything like Shenmue Chapter 1, then I will be greatly satisfied. Sonic Adventure II is shaping up to probably one of the best platformers ever made. Good Luck Sega, and may Sonic the Hedgehog run circles around the competition.
