Smilebit

From Sega Retro

Smilebit.svg

Smilebit was a research and development division within Sega. After a company shakeup in 1998, Smilebit emerged as a replacement for Sega AM6, and operated until 2004 when Smilebit itself became known as Sega's Sports Design R&D Dept. (New Entertainment R&D Dept. #3). Both Sega AM6 and Smilebit had built up a reputation for producing Sega's line of sports titles, and are now the only team at Sega catering for this genre.

Smilebit's creation brought together specialist teams within Sega AM6 such as Team Aquila (Victory Goal) and Team Andromeda (Panzer Dragoon), though several of these members have since moved over to United Game Artists and Amusement Vision. It was headed by Shun Arai until 2004, and is now run by Takayuki Kawagoe.

Before specializing solely in sports games Smilebit was also responsible for cult classics such as Jet Set Radio and The Typing of the Dead.

Softography


Timeline of Sega of Japan research and development divisions








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