After 50 years later fun and rage, SEGA is quitting the arcade industry in Japan.
According to European Gamer, SEGA announced in 2020 that it would sell all the arcade it owns to Genda Inc., a brand of its games under the GiGo. In 2020, it was reported that SEGA sold 85% of its shares to Genda. However, SEGA has now shifted the remaining 15 percent in its shareholding.
全国のSEGAのお店の屋号をGiGOに切り替えていきます。SEGAの56年の歴史への感謝と、リアルなエンタメで人々の渇望を癒すオアシスになるという思いを込めました。ゲームのオアシスに飛び込め！Get into the Gaming Oasis の頭文字をとってGiGOです。
— 片岡 尚 / GENDA会長 (@GENDA_Kataoka) January 28, 2022
まずは池袋、秋葉原、新宿から。そして全国へ。 pic.twitter.com/bAMbdIXEkk
As a child in the 1980s and the 90s, the arcade scene was pretty lively. Most cities had arcades of at least one form. Unfortunately, as time passed, there was a decline in arcades worldwide. Seaside arcades appear to be filled with slots and Graber machines.
In Japan, the arcade culture has continued to thrive; However, the announcement that SEGA is selling all its shares in the arcade division signifies the end of a period. In SEGA’s view, at least. We hope that Genda Inc will keep the dream alive in Japan.
For those of us who struggle to locate arcades with a retro feel in the vicinity, At the very least, something like that, the ones in SEGA’s Yakuza series can be a great way to experience virtual arcades packed with nostalgic fun. However, it’s unfortunate that many of us aren’t enjoying the thrill of going to actual arcades in the flesh.
Source: Gamebyte.com
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