Difference between revisions of "Ken Balthaser"
From Sega Retro
(Added photo. Let’s source a higher-quality one :)) |
(→History: Added SMS mention) |
||
| Line 14: | Line 14: | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
Hired in 1989 by [[Michael Katz]] to address the issue of the early [[Sega Genesis]] library having a low representation of American-developed games, Balthasar worked to reduce the reliance on localizing Japanese releases. Establishing connections with third-party studios in the United States and Europe for game development to expand the platform’s lineup, he began the Sega of America methodology of having company [[Producers|product managers]] supervise development of external projects. Balthaser’s contributions were also key to the establishment of Sega of America’s first in-house game development studios, and can be attributed to much of the success of the early Sega Genesis library. | Hired in 1989 by [[Michael Katz]] to address the issue of the early [[Sega Genesis]] library having a low representation of American-developed games, Balthasar worked to reduce the reliance on localizing Japanese releases. Establishing connections with third-party studios in the United States and Europe for game development to expand the platform’s lineup, he began the Sega of America methodology of having company [[Producers|product managers]] supervise development of external projects. Balthaser’s contributions were also key to the establishment of Sega of America’s first in-house game development studios, and can be attributed to much of the success of the early Sega Genesis library. | ||
| + | |||
| + | In 1991, Balthaser would establish the [[Sega MultiMedia Studio]], a state-of-the-art audio video software production house. Complete with professional recording studio and advanced video processing abilities, it would go on to provide media-based development and support for nearly two dozen [[Sega of America]]-published games, as well as non-Sega music artists for commercially-released albums. | ||
==Production history== | ==Production history== | ||
Revision as of 01:20, 20 March 2021
|
| Ken Balthaser |
|---|
| Company(ies): Sega of America |
| Role(s): Product Development Manager
Senior Vice President of Product Development |
This teeny-tiny article needs some work. You can help us by expanding it.
Ken Balthaser is the first product development manager of Sega of America, and largely responsible for bringing Western game developers to the Sega Genesis.
History
Hired in 1989 by Michael Katz to address the issue of the early Sega Genesis library having a low representation of American-developed games, Balthasar worked to reduce the reliance on localizing Japanese releases. Establishing connections with third-party studios in the United States and Europe for game development to expand the platform’s lineup, he began the Sega of America methodology of having company product managers supervise development of external projects. Balthaser’s contributions were also key to the establishment of Sega of America’s first in-house game development studios, and can be attributed to much of the success of the early Sega Genesis library.
In 1991, Balthaser would establish the Sega MultiMedia Studio, a state-of-the-art audio video software production house. Complete with professional recording studio and advanced video processing abilities, it would go on to provide media-based development and support for nearly two dozen Sega of America-published games, as well as non-Sega music artists for commercially-released albums.
Production history
- Ship (Mega Drive; unreleased) — Commissioned by