Sammy Buys Shares, Angling For Sega Takeover 32
cdneng2 writes "Following failed merger talks earlier this year, it seems like game developer/pachinko giant Sammy has made a bid to acquire 22.4% of Sega shares. Sega's former parent company CSK sold its shares to Sammy, Japan's largest pachinko
machine maker, who also has a game development subsidiary. The article mentions: 'Sega managed to rebuff its most enthusiastic suitors [including Namco, possibly EA, Microsoft] in a determined effort to remain independent', but it
seems their efforts may be failing. The piece also notes: 'Sega officials are believed to have been particularly unhappy about a merger with Sammy due to the shady image of the pachinko industry in Japan'."
Pity about Pachinko's reputation... (Score:5, Insightful)
I own one, and I can say that it's very fun to play with. The only prob is keeping the machine fed with ball bearings. They don't recycle their own bearings; they have to be mounted in a special wall for that. I really ought to dig it back out of that attic sometime...
Better than Sony, Microsoft or Nintendo.... (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Better than Sony, Microsoft or Nintendo.... (Score:3, Insightful)
Right now you need all 3 console to get the full Sega product line such as Panzer Dragoon, and Shenmue on the Xbox, Shinobi, Virtua Fighter on the PS2, and Sonic Adventure 1 & 2, Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg on the GCN.
One of them buying Sega would require you to need to own fewer consoles. Of course in the end it would be better for them to produce every game for every console but that's not going to happen anytime soon.
Sega makes Gambling Machines as well (Score:5, Insightful)