Difference between revisions of "Sega AM2"

From Sega Retro
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As with other R&D divisions within Sega, Sega AM2 was briefly renamed Sega Software R&D Dept. #2 in May 1999. Unlike its sister divisions, however, the department continued to trade as AM2 and was largely unaffected by the internal restructure.  
 
As with other R&D divisions within Sega, Sega AM2 was briefly renamed Sega Software R&D Dept. #2 in May 1999. Unlike its sister divisions, however, the department continued to trade as AM2 and was largely unaffected by the internal restructure.  
  
−
===AM2 of CRI===
+
====AM2 of CRI====
 
[[CSK]] had been the parent company of Sega since 1984, running its own software development division, [[CSK Research Institute]] during the 1990s. [[Isao Okawa]] personally bought the division from CSK on 1st October, 1999{{fileref|CSK AnnualReport 2000.pdf|page=32}}, and in February 2000, it was merged with Sega AM2, creating the short-lived title, '''AM2 of CRI'''. [[CRI Middleware]] was then established to handle the sale of CRI's former products such as [[ADX]] and [[Sofdec]].
 
[[CSK]] had been the parent company of Sega since 1984, running its own software development division, [[CSK Research Institute]] during the 1990s. [[Isao Okawa]] personally bought the division from CSK on 1st October, 1999{{fileref|CSK AnnualReport 2000.pdf|page=32}}, and in February 2000, it was merged with Sega AM2, creating the short-lived title, '''AM2 of CRI'''. [[CRI Middleware]] was then established to handle the sale of CRI's former products such as [[ADX]] and [[Sofdec]].
  
 
AM2 of CRI existed for much of 2000 and part of 2001, continuing to operate as it had before, but downplaying the use of "Sega" and the iconic palmtree logo over this period.
 
AM2 of CRI existed for much of 2000 and part of 2001, continuing to operate as it had before, but downplaying the use of "Sega" and the iconic palmtree logo over this period.
  
−
===As a stand-alone company===
+
====As a stand-alone company====
 
While a few games were released by AM2 of CRI, the CRI name would be dropped later in August 2001, when, as with other development groups within Sega, AM2 was spun-off into an entirely separate (but wholly owned) subsidiary of Sega known as '''Sega-AM2 Co., Ltd.'''{{ref|http://dengekionline.com/data/news/2001/8/1/70e819844b813fbf73f290e563297591.html}}{{magref|dori|2001-07|11}}.
 
While a few games were released by AM2 of CRI, the CRI name would be dropped later in August 2001, when, as with other development groups within Sega, AM2 was spun-off into an entirely separate (but wholly owned) subsidiary of Sega known as '''Sega-AM2 Co., Ltd.'''{{ref|http://dengekionline.com/data/news/2001/8/1/70e819844b813fbf73f290e563297591.html}}{{magref|dori|2001-07|11}}.
  
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Overall [[Sega AM1 (2005-current)|Sega AM1]] is Sega's more prominent arcade division as of recent, with a higher amount of successfull titles.
 
Overall [[Sega AM1 (2005-current)|Sega AM1]] is Sega's more prominent arcade division as of recent, with a higher amount of successfull titles.
  
−
==Softography (arcade)==
+
==Softography==
 +
{{CompanyHistory|Sega AM2}}
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
===Arcade===
 
{{multicol|
 
{{multicol|
−
=== [[Sega Space Harrier]] ===
+
==== [[Hang-On hardware]] ====
−
*''[[Space Harrier]]'' (1985)
+
{{CompanyHistory|Sega AM2|format=Hang-On hardware}}
−
*''[[Hang-On]]'' (1985)
 
 
*''[[Super Hang-On]]'' (1987)
 
*''[[Super Hang-On]]'' (1987)
  
−
=== [[Sega OutRun]] ===
+
==== [[OutRun hardware]] ====
−
*''[[OutRun]]'' (1986)
+
{{CompanyHistory|Sega AM2|format=OutRun hardware}}
 +
 
 
*''[[Turbo OutRun]]'' (1989)
 
*''[[Turbo OutRun]]'' (1989)
  
−
=== [[X Board]] ===
+
==== [[X Board]] ====
−
*''[[After Burner]]'' (1987)
+
{{CompanyHistory|Sega AM2|format=X Board}}
−
**''[[After Burner II]]'' (1987)
+
 
 
*''[[GP Rider]]'' (1990)
 
*''[[GP Rider]]'' (1990)
  
−
=== [[Y Board]] ===
+
==== [[Y Board]] ====
 +
{{CompanyHistory|Sega AM2|format=Y Board}}
 +
 
 
*''[[Power Drift]]'' (1988)
 
*''[[Power Drift]]'' (1988)
 
*''[[G-LOC: Air Battle]]'' (1990)
 
*''[[G-LOC: Air Battle]]'' (1990)
 
*''[[Strike Fighter]]'' (1991)
 
*''[[Strike Fighter]]'' (1991)
 
   
 
   
−
=== [[System 32]] ===
+
==== [[System 32]] ====
 +
{{CompanyHistory|Sega AM2|format=System 32}}
 +
 
 
*''[[Arabian Fight]]'' (1993)
 
*''[[Arabian Fight]]'' (1993)
 
*''[[Burning Rival]]'' (1993)
 
*''[[Burning Rival]]'' (1993)
Line 112: Line 122:
 
**''[[Soreike Kokology 2]]'' (1993)
 
**''[[Soreike Kokology 2]]'' (1993)
  
−
=== [[Sega Model 1]] ===
+
==== [[Sega Model 1]] ====
 +
{{CompanyHistory|Sega AM2|format=Model 1}}
 +
 
 
*''[[Virtua Fighter]]'' (1993)
 
*''[[Virtua Fighter]]'' (1993)
 
*''[[Virtua Racing]]'' (1992)
 
*''[[Virtua Racing]]'' (1992)
  
−
=== [[Sega Model 2]] ===
+
==== [[Sega Model 2]] ====
−
*''[[Daytona USA]]'' (1993)
+
{{CompanyHistory|Sega AM2|format=Model 2}}
 +
 
 
*''[[Desert Tank]]'' (1994)
 
*''[[Desert Tank]]'' (1994)
 
*''[[Virtua Cop]]'' (1994)
 
*''[[Virtua Cop]]'' (1994)
−
*''[[Sonic the Fighters]]'' (1996)
 
−
 
−
=== [[Sega Model 2A CRX]] ===
 
−
*''[[Virtua Fighter 2]]'' (1994)
 
 
*''[[Virtua Cop 2]]'' (1995)
 
*''[[Virtua Cop 2]]'' (1995)
 +
*''[[Virtua Striker]]'' (1995)
  
−
=== [[Sega Model 2B CRX]] ===
+
==== [[Sega Model 3]] ====
−
*''[[Virtua Striker]]'' (1995)
+
{{CompanyHistory|Sega AM2|format=Model 3}}
−
*''[[Fighting Vipers]]'' (1995)
 
  
−
=== [[Sega Model 3 Step 1.0]] ===
 
 
*''[[Fighting Vipers 2]]'' (1998)
 
*''[[Fighting Vipers 2]]'' (1998)
 
*''[[Virtua Fighter 3]]'' (1996)  
 
*''[[Virtua Fighter 3]]'' (1996)  
 
**''[[Virtua Fighter 3tb]]'' (1997)
 
**''[[Virtua Fighter 3tb]]'' (1997)
−
 
−
=== [[Sega Model 3 Step 1.5]] ===
 
 
*''[[Scud Race]]'' (1996)  
 
*''[[Scud Race]]'' (1996)  
 
**''[[Scud Race Plus]]'' (1997)
 
**''[[Scud Race Plus]]'' (1997)
Line 141: Line 147:
 
**''[[Virtua Striker 2 Version '98]]'' (1998)
 
**''[[Virtua Striker 2 Version '98]]'' (1998)
 
**''[[Virtua Striker 2 Version '99]]'' (1999)
 
**''[[Virtua Striker 2 Version '99]]'' (1999)
−
 
−
=== [[Sega Model 3 Step 2.1]] ===
 
 
*''[[Daytona USA 2: Battle on the Edge]]'' (1998)
 
*''[[Daytona USA 2: Battle on the Edge]]'' (1998)
 
**''[[Daytona USA 2: Power Edition]]'' (1998)
 
**''[[Daytona USA 2: Power Edition]]'' (1998)
  
−
=== [[Sega Titan Video]] ===
+
==== [[Sega Titan Video]] ====
 +
{{CompanyHistory|Sega AM2|format=Sega Titan Video}}
 
*''[[Virtua Fighter Kids]]'' (1996)
 
*''[[Virtua Fighter Kids]]'' (1996)
  
−
=== [[NAOMI]] ===
+
==== [[NAOMI]] ====
 +
{{CompanyHistory|Sega AM2|format=NAOMI}}
 +
 
 
*''[[18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker]]'' (1999)
 
*''[[18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker]]'' (1999)
 
*''[[F355 Challenge]]'' (1999)  
 
*''[[F355 Challenge]]'' (1999)  
Line 156: Line 163:
 
*''[[Outtrigger]]'' (1999)
 
*''[[Outtrigger]]'' (1999)
  
−
===[[Sega NAOMI 2|NAOMI 2]]===
+
====[[NAOMI 2]]====
 +
{{CompanyHistory|Sega AM2|format=NAOMI 2}}
 +
 
 
*''[[Beach Spikers]]'' (2001)
 
*''[[Beach Spikers]]'' (2001)
 
*''[[The King of Route 66]]'' (2002)
 
*''[[The King of Route 66]]'' (2002)
Line 163: Line 172:
 
**''[[Virtua Fighter 4 Final Tuned]]'' (2004)
 
**''[[Virtua Fighter 4 Final Tuned]]'' (2004)
  
−
=== [[Chihiro]] ===
+
==== [[Chihiro]] ====
 +
{{CompanyHistory|Sega AM2|format=Chihiro}}
 +
 
 
*''[[Ghost Squad]]'' (2004)
 
*''[[Ghost Squad]]'' (2004)
 
*''[[Quest of D]]'' (2004)  
 
*''[[Quest of D]]'' (2004)  
Line 177: Line 188:
 
*''[[Virtua Cop 3]]'' (2003)
 
*''[[Virtua Cop 3]]'' (2003)
  
−
=== [[Sega System SP]] ===
+
==== [[Sega System SP]] ====
 
*''[[Rhythm Tengoku]]'' (2007)
 
*''[[Rhythm Tengoku]]'' (2007)
  
−
===[[Sega Lindbergh|Lindbergh]]===
+
====[[Lindbergh]]====
 +
{{CompanyHistory|Sega AM2|format=Lindbergh}}
  
 
*''[[After Burner Climax]]'' (2006)
 
*''[[After Burner Climax]]'' (2006)
Line 192: Line 204:
 
*''[[MJ4]]'' (2008)  
 
*''[[MJ4]]'' (2008)  
  
−
=== [[RingEdge]] ===
+
==== [[RingEdge]] ====
 +
{{CompanyHistory|Sega AM2|format=RingEdge}}
  
 
*''[[Border Break]]'' (2009)
 
*''[[Border Break]]'' (2009)
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*''[[Virtua Tennis 4]]'' (2012)
 
*''[[Virtua Tennis 4]]'' (2012)
  
−
=== [[RingWide]] ===
+
==== [[RingWide]] ====
 +
{{CompanyHistory|Sega AM2|format=RingWide}}
  
 
*''[[Sega Racing Classic]]'' (2009)
 
*''[[Sega Racing Classic]]'' (2009)
  
−
=== [[Nu]] ===
+
==== [[Nu]] ====
 +
{{CompanyHistory|Sega AM2|format=Nu}}
  
 
*''[[Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Arcade Future Tone]]'' (2013)
 
*''[[Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Arcade Future Tone]]'' (2013)
Line 225: Line 240:
 
*''[[Soul Reverse]]'' (2018)
 
*''[[Soul Reverse]]'' (2018)
  
−
=== Other ===
+
==== Other ====
  
 
*''[[R360]]'' (1990)
 
*''[[R360]]'' (1990)
Line 232: Line 247:
 
|cols=3}}
 
|cols=3}}
  
−
==Softography (consumer)==
+
===Consumer===
 +
{{multicol|
 +
====[[Mega Drive]]====
 +
{{CompanyHistory|Sega AM2|format=Mega Drive}}
  
−
{{multicol|
 
−
===[[Sega Mega Drive|Mega Drive]]===
 
−
*''[[Sword of Vermillion]]'' (1989)
 
 
*''[[Rent A Hero]]'' (1991)
 
*''[[Rent A Hero]]'' (1991)
 
*''[[Virtua Racing]]'' (1994) (with [[Sega CS]])
 
*''[[Virtua Racing]]'' (1994) (with [[Sega CS]])
  
−
===[[Sega Saturn|Saturn]]===
+
====[[Saturn]]====
 +
{{CompanyHistory|Sega AM2|format=Saturn}}
 +
 
 
*''[[Virtua Fighter]]'' (1994)
 
*''[[Virtua Fighter]]'' (1994)
 
*''[[Daytona USA]]'' (1995)
 
*''[[Daytona USA]]'' (1995)
Line 261: Line 278:
 
*''[[Virtua Fighter CG Portrait Series Vol.9 Kage Maru]]'' (1996)
 
*''[[Virtua Fighter CG Portrait Series Vol.9 Kage Maru]]'' (1996)
  
−
===[[Sega Dreamcast|Dreamcast]]===
+
====[[Dreamcast]]====
 +
{{CompanyHistory|Sega AM2|format=Dreamcast}}
 +
 
 
*''[[18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker]]'' (2000) (also with [[CRI]])
 
*''[[18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker]]'' (2000) (also with [[CRI]])
 
*''[[Ferrari F355 Challenge]]'' (2000) (also with [[CRI]])
 
*''[[Ferrari F355 Challenge]]'' (2000) (also with [[CRI]])
Line 271: Line 290:
 
*''[[Virtua Fighter 3tb]]'' (1998) (also with [[Genki]])
 
*''[[Virtua Fighter 3tb]]'' (1998) (also with [[Genki]])
  
−
===[[PlayStation 2|PlayStation 2]]===
+
====[[PlayStation 2]]====
 +
{{CompanyHistory|Sega AM2|format=PlayStation 2}}
 +
 
 
*''[[18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker]]'' (2001)
 
*''[[18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker]]'' (2001)
 
*''[[Ferrari F355 Challenge]]'' (2002) (also with [[Tose]])
 
*''[[Ferrari F355 Challenge]]'' (2002) (also with [[Tose]])
Line 284: Line 305:
 
*''[[OutRun 2 SP]]'' (2007)
 
*''[[OutRun 2 SP]]'' (2007)
  
−
===[[Nintendo GameCube|GameCube]]===
+
====[[GameCube]]====
 +
{{CompanyHistory|Sega AM2|format=GameCube}}
 +
 
 
*''[[18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker]]'' (2002)
 
*''[[18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker]]'' (2002)
 
*''[[Beach Spikers]]'' (2002)
 
*''[[Beach Spikers]]'' (2002)
 
*''[[Virtua Quest]]'' (2004) (also with [[Tose]])
 
*''[[Virtua Quest]]'' (2004) (also with [[Tose]])
  
−
===[[Xbox|Xbox]]===
+
====[[Xbox]]====
 +
{{CompanyHistory|Sega AM2|format=Xbox}}
 +
 
 
*''[[Shenmue II]]'' (2003)
 
*''[[Shenmue II]]'' (2003)
  
−
===[[Xbox 360|Xbox 360]]===
+
====[[Xbox 360]]====
 +
{{CompanyHistory|Sega AM2|format=Xbox 360}}
 +
 
 
*''[[Cyber Troopers Virtual-On: Force]]'' (2010)
 
*''[[Cyber Troopers Virtual-On: Force]]'' (2010)
 
*''[[Virtua Fighter 5]]'' (2007)
 
*''[[Virtua Fighter 5]]'' (2007)
 
*''[[Virtua Tennis 4]]'' (2011)
 
*''[[Virtua Tennis 4]]'' (2011)
−
 
−
===[[Xbox Live Arcade]]===
 
 
*''[[After Burner Climax]]'' (2010)
 
*''[[After Burner Climax]]'' (2010)
 
*''[[Cyber Troopers Virtual-On]]  (2013)
 
*''[[Cyber Troopers Virtual-On]]  (2013)
Line 309: Line 334:
 
*''[[Virtua Striker]]'' (2013)
 
*''[[Virtua Striker]]'' (2013)
  
−
===[[Wii]]===
+
====[[Wii]]====
 +
{{CompanyHistory|Sega AM2|format=Wii}}
 +
 
 
*''[[Ghost Squad]]'' (2007)
 
*''[[Ghost Squad]]'' (2007)
 
*''[[Gunblade NY & LA Machineguns]]'' (2010)
 
*''[[Gunblade NY & LA Machineguns]]'' (2010)
  
−
===[[PlayStation 3]]===
+
====[[PlayStation 3]]====
 +
{{CompanyHistory|Sega AM2|format=PlayStation 3}}
 +
 
 
*''[[Miyazato San Kyoudai Naizou: Sega Golfclub]]'' (2006) (with [[Global Entertainment R&D Dept. 2|GE2]])
 
*''[[Miyazato San Kyoudai Naizou: Sega Golfclub]]'' (2006) (with [[Global Entertainment R&D Dept. 2|GE2]])
 
*''[[Virtua Fighter 5]]'' (2006)
 
*''[[Virtua Fighter 5]]'' (2006)
 
*''[[Virtua Tennis 4]]'' (2011)
 
*''[[Virtua Tennis 4]]'' (2011)
 
*''[[Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA F]]'' (2013) (with [[Sega CS3 (2008-current)|Sega CS3]])
 
*''[[Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA F]]'' (2013) (with [[Sega CS3 (2008-current)|Sega CS3]])
−
 
−
===[[PlayStation Network]]===
 
−
 
 
*''[[After Burner Climax]]'' (2010)
 
*''[[After Burner Climax]]'' (2010)
 
*''[[Cyber Troopers Virtual-On]]  (2013)
 
*''[[Cyber Troopers Virtual-On]]  (2013)
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*''[[Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown]]'' (2012)
 
*''[[Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown]]'' (2012)
  
−
===[[PlayStation 4]]===
+
====[[PlayStation 4]]====
 +
{{CompanyHistory|Sega AM2|format=PlayStation 4}}
  
 
*''[[Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Arcade Future Tone]]'' (2016)
 
*''[[Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Arcade Future Tone]]'' (2016)
 
*''[[Border Break (PlayStation 4)|Border Break]]'' (2018)
 
*''[[Border Break (PlayStation 4)|Border Break]]'' (2018)
  
−
===[[Nintendo 3DS]]===
+
====[[Nintendo 3DS]]====
 +
{{CompanyHistory|Sega AM2|format=Nintendo 3DS}}
 +
 
 
*''[[Hatsune Miku and Future Stars Project mirai]]'' (2012)
 
*''[[Hatsune Miku and Future Stars Project mirai]]'' (2012)
 
*''[[Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai 2]]'' (2013)
 
*''[[Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai 2]]'' (2013)
 
*''[[Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai DX]]'' (2015)
 
*''[[Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai DX]]'' (2015)
  
−
===[[PlayStation Vita]]===
+
====[[PlayStation Vita]]====
 +
{{CompanyHistory|Sega AM2|format=PlayStation Vita}}
 +
 
 
*''[[Virtua Tennis 4]]'' (2011)
 
*''[[Virtua Tennis 4]]'' (2011)
 
*''[[Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA F]]'' (2013) (with [[Sega CS3 (2008-current)|Sega CS3]])
 
*''[[Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA F]]'' (2013) (with [[Sega CS3 (2008-current)|Sega CS3]])
  
−
===PC===
+
====PC====
 +
{{CompanyHistory|Sega AM2|format=PC}}
  
 
*''[[MJ]]'' (2013)
 
*''[[MJ]]'' (2013)
  
−
===iOS/Android===
+
====iOS====
 +
{{CompanyHistory|Sega AM2|format=iOS}}
 +
 
 +
 
 +
====Android====
 +
{{CompanyHistory|Sega AM2|format=Android}}
  
 
*''[[Virtua Tennis Challenge]]'' (2012)
 
*''[[Virtua Tennis Challenge]]'' (2012)

Revision as of 13:29, 3 January 2020

https://segaretro.org/images/f/ff/Am2_palmtree.svg

Am2 palmtree.svg
Sega AM2
Founded: 1990
Merged with: Sega AM3 (2008)
Merged into: Sega AM11, Digital Rex
Headquarters:
Japan

Sega Amusement Machine Research and Development Department #2, (Sega AM R&D Dept. #2, Sega AM2 (セガエイエムツー), Sega AM2-ken (セガAM2研)) is a division within Sega Interactive (formely Sega Enterprises and Sega Corporation). It was formed in 1990 primarily to create arcade (or "amusement") games.

Trough all Sega development divisions, Sega AM2 has remained most consistent in it's naming due to the "Number 2" attached. Thus there no multiple pages on Sega Retro unlike other Sega development teams.

Current Members

Former Members

History

Sega's second office, where AM2 lived during the 1990s[1].

The root of Sega AM2 can be traced to Yu Suzuki entering the company as a programmer. He programmed the game Champion Boxing, and his superiors were so impressed that he was promoted to project leader the same year he entered the company. With Sega's general atmosphere of high creativity as well as high end technology, Yu Suzuki was able to develop the most stand out arcade products from Sega from this time. The results were arcade games featuring sprite-scaling graphics and moving cabinets such as Hang-On, Space Harrier, OutRun and After Burner. The R-360 machine along with G-LOC: Air Battle were the culmination of these efforts. Deluxe cabinets with similar graphics inspiried rival arcade division Sega AM1 to do similar games such as Galaxy Force or Enduro Racer. Yu Suzuki began to manage his own division, and he was not able to direct every title, so Satoshi Mifune took care of arcade originals such as Dynamite Dux, or the sequel to Hang-On, Super Hang-On. Yu Suzuki's division was also the first arcade division to involve itself with the home console market, producing titles such as Sword of Vermillion and Rent-A-Hero for the Sega Mega Drive.

Virtua Racing was the first game to be produced by AM2[2], after which two teams were formed, one that would work on Virtua Fighter, and another on Daytona USA[2].

During the Sega wide restructure in 1991, Yu Suzuki's studio became known as AM2, short for being the second arcade software division within the company. Yu Suzuki continued to pioneer with the early 3D polygonal graphics of Virtua Racing, as well as Virtua Fighter, which became one of Japan's most popular arcade series ever made. Virtua Fighter was, incidentally, the first time AM2's name (and signature palm tree logo) became publically visible - a trend that would continue in the majority of its releases going forward. The AM2 palm tree would even become an unlockable character in in the AM2-developed Fighters Megamix.

Yu Suzuki continued to push graphics technology to it's limits. Virtua Fighter 2 and Virtua Fighter 3 featured the most advanced graphics at that time, with Suzuki negotiating custom arcade boards just to archive his vision. In turn the Sega Model series found themselves to be used across all arcade software divisions within Sega, producing countless of succcessful titles.

Much talent was cultivated within AM2, with directors Satoshi Mifune, Toshihiro Nagoshi, Hiroshi Kataoka and Makoto Osaki making other AM2 games such as Daytona USA, Fighting Vipers, Fighters Megamix and Virtua Fighter Kids. Toshihiro Nagoshi and Mifune Satoshi formed their own division eventually in 1998, Sega AM11.

AM2 found itself at the forefront of Sega Saturn technology, producing the Sega Graphics Library in 1995 in conjunction with its Saturn conversion of Virtua Fighter 2, which was directed by Keiji Okayasu. Okayasu was AM2's most experienced console game developer, being the main programmer behind Sword of Vermillion and Rent-A-Hero.

As with other R&D divisions within Sega, Sega AM2 was briefly renamed Sega Software R&D Dept. #2 in May 1999. Unlike its sister divisions, however, the department continued to trade as AM2 and was largely unaffected by the internal restructure.

AM2 of CRI

CSK had been the parent company of Sega since 1984, running its own software development division, CSK Research Institute during the 1990s. Isao Okawa personally bought the division from CSK on 1st October, 1999[3], and in February 2000, it was merged with Sega AM2, creating the short-lived title, AM2 of CRI. CRI Middleware was then established to handle the sale of CRI's former products such as ADX and Sofdec.

AM2 of CRI existed for much of 2000 and part of 2001, continuing to operate as it had before, but downplaying the use of "Sega" and the iconic palmtree logo over this period.

As a stand-alone company

While a few games were released by AM2 of CRI, the CRI name would be dropped later in August 2001, when, as with other development groups within Sega, AM2 was spun-off into an entirely separate (but wholly owned) subsidiary of Sega known as Sega-AM2 Co., Ltd.[4][5].


CRI staff however stayed at Sega AM2, with Noriyuki Shimoda and Seiji Oaki eventually becoming prominent staff. However due to too much unfamiliar staff, Yu Suzuki found himself unwilling to continue manage AM2, and instead formed Digital Rex in 2003.

Sega's separate development companies were merged back into the main business in 2004, and this included AM2, trading once again as "AM R&D Dept. 2". The arcade industry became limited to Japan, and Sega's initiative for it's arcade studios to produce console titles filtered out. Therefore Sega AM2 became much more low key compared to the global impact it had in the past. Nonetheless Virtua Fighter 4, MJ and Border Break had new features that contribute to Sega's arcade business. This includes nationwide internet play in arcades, and also mobile applications connecting to the arcade games.

Ports of arcade titles developed by AM2 continue to be well received, such as Virtua Fighter 5 and Cyber Troopers Virtual-On Oratorio Tangram, however became less common in comparision to the past. It was once mentioned by AM2 staff there is a strange atmosphere that console staff could dissapear anytime.[6]

In April 2009, a restructure took place within Sega's arcade software studios, with part of Sega AM3 staff ended up at AM2. Around this time, AM2 also branched out to mobile development, mainly with AM3 staff, with titles like Virtua Tennis Challenge and Derby Owners Club.

Overall Sega AM1 is Sega's more prominent arcade division as of recent, with a higher amount of successfull titles.

Softography



Arcade

Hang-On hardware

OutRun hardware

X Board

Y Board

System 32

Sega Model 1

Sega Model 2

Sega Model 3

Sega Titan Video

NAOMI

NAOMI 2

Chihiro

Sega System SP

Lindbergh

RingEdge

RingWide

Nu

Other

Consumer

Mega Drive

Saturn

Dreamcast

PlayStation 2

GameCube

Xbox

Xbox 360

Wii

PlayStation 3

PlayStation 4

Nintendo 3DS

PlayStation Vita

PC

iOS


Android

Gallery

  • Logo, sans palm tree

  • Logo (1993)

  • Logo (2000)

  • Logo (2001)

  • Logo (2015)

External links

References

  1. ↑ Edge, "June 1994" (UK; 1994-04-28), page 45
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Edge, "June 1994" (UK; 1994-04-28), page 47
  3. ↑ File:CSK AnnualReport 2000.pdf, page 32
  4. ↑ http://dengekionline.com/data/news/2001/8/1/70e819844b813fbf73f290e563297591.html
  5. ↑ Dorimaga, "2001-07 (2001-08-24)" (JP; 2001-08-10), page 11
  6. ↑ http://blog.sega.jp/amcvt/ (Wayback Machine: 2014-03-28 15:31)


Timeline of Sega of Japan research and development divisions








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