Difference between revisions of "Sega AM2"

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{{Company
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{{cleanup}}
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| logo=Am2 palmtree.svg
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{{CompanyBob
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| width=300
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| logo=AM2 logo 1993.png
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| mergedinto=
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| founded=1990
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| founded=1983
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| defunct=1999-05-11
 
| headquarters=Japan
 
| headquarters=Japan
 +
| prevdate=1990
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| prev=[[Sega R&D 8]]
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| nextdate=1999-05-11
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| next=[[Sega Software R&D Dept. 2]]
 
}}
 
}}
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[[File:Am2.svg|thumb|right|300px|Sega AM2 logo, sans palm tree.]]
+
'''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)) was a division within [[Sega of Japan]]. It was a continuation of [[Sega R&D 8]], formed in 1990 primarily to create arcade (or "amusement") games.
  
−
'''Sega Amusement Machine Research and Development Department 2''' or '''Sega AM2''' is the second arcade division at Sega. It introduced a variety of innovative concepts for Sega's arcade business. In the 80's it introduced sprite-scaling graphics and moving cabinets with games such as ''[[Hang-On]]'', ''[[Space Harrier]]'' and ''[[After Burner]]''. In the 90's it popularized polygonal 3D graphics with ''[[Virtua Racing]]'', ''[[Virtua Fighter]]'' and ''[[Virtua Cop]]''. In the 2000's, the international arcade market has contracted, but Sega still gained momentum in the Japanese market. This is party due to Virtua Fighter 4 internet and magnetic card features in Japanese arcades. Sega enjoyed large revenue based on these concepts for over a decade, and still does today.
+
This initial iteration of Sega AM2, spearheaded by [[Yu Suzuki]], is credited with some of Sega's most notable products, including ''[[Virtua Racing]]'', ''[[Virtua Fighter]]'' and ''[[Daytona USA]]''.
  
−
In the home console business, it produced the obscure ''[[Sword of Vermillion]]'' and ''[[Rent-A-Hero]]'' for Mega Drive/Genesis, and ''[[Digital Dance Mix Vol.1 Namie Amuro]]'' for the Sega Saturn. Critically and commerically, the Virtua Fighter series proved to be most successful home console projects for AM2, especially [[Virtua Fighter 2]] for the Saturn and [[Virtua Fighter 4]] for PlayStation 2. The most monumental AM2 home console games, were the Shenmue games, built as a killer app for the Sega Dreamcast. Outside of the arcade enviorment, AM2 is currently most prolific with the ''[[Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA]]'' games where AM2 produced the arcade and 3DS versions, and also the look and imagery for her holographic concerts. The arcade versions provided a base for the following home console releases of the series.
+
==History==
 +
[[File:Sega Office Tokyo 2 2009.jpg|thumb|right|Sega's second office, where AM2 lived during the 1990s{{magref|edge|9|45}}.]]
 +
Sega restructured its internal R&D divisions around 1990/1991, and Sega AM2, the second "amusement machine" division emerged from [[Sega R&D 8]]. Clearly dividing the arcade and consumer (CS) teams meant that AM2 would be focused entirely on arcade games (R&D 8 having also produced two [[Sega Mega Drive]] titles; ''[[Sword of Vermilion]]'' and ''[[Rent A Hero]]''). The divide would not stick - by 1994 AM2 were involved with Mega Drive and [[Sega Saturn]] conversions of their popular titles, but the group was first and foremost an arcade division, and the teams behind these conversions typically consisted of newcomers or former console developers.
  
−
In 1998, [[Toshihiro Nagoshi]] formed his own arcade department within AM2, '''[[Sega AM11]]''', where he worked on ''[[SpikeOut]]''. In 2000, that department was spun off as [[Amusement Vision]].
+
The change to AM2 coincided with a change in the industry. [[Atari Games]] and [[Namco]] were edging ahead of Sega by producing 3D video games comprised of polygons, so Sega, with heavy influence from AM2, began work on the [[Model 1]] board - a "CG" arcade system capable of rendering thousands of polygons at high frame rates. It was during this period where AM2 abandoned the [[taikan game]] formula which had seen success for its predecessors during the 1980s, to focus on supporting this new, true 3D system.
  
−
In 1999, the division renamed '''Sega Software R&D Dept. #2'''. Sega AM2 was at times called '''AM2 of CRI''' during its short 2000-2001 merger with [[CRI]]—even concurrently referred to as CRI, although they were technically two different companies. In August 2001, CRI changed company name to '''Sega-AM2'''.{{ref|http://dengekionline.com/data/news/2001/8/1/70e819844b813fbf73f290e563297591.html}}{{fileref|Dorimaga_JP_20010824_2001-07.pdf|page=11}}
+
1992's ''[[Virtua Racing]]'', demonstrating the Model 1 board, was the first game to be produced by AM2{{magref|edge|9|47}}. Following this, two teams were formed, one that would work on ''[[Virtua Fighter]]'', and another on ''[[Daytona USA]]''{{magref|edge|9|47}}, the latter for the improved [[Sega Model 2]] hardware. These three games, the latter two proudly showing AM2's new "palm tree" logo, elevated the company to new heights and made their producer, [[Yu Suzuki]] a video game celebrity.
  
−
In 2003, '''[Digital Rex]''' was formed, a seperate division by AM2 chief [[Yu Suzuki]]. He worked on several projects, however only ''[[Sega Race TV]]'' was able to be released.
+
Success for AM2 continued with ''[[Virtua Cop]]'', ''[[Virtua Fighter 2]]'', ''[[Virtua Striker]]'' (led by [[Satoshi Mifune]]) and ''[[Fighting Vipers]]'', with the [[Model 3]] games ''[[Scud Race]]'' (led by [[Toshihiro Nagoshi]]) and ''[[Virtua Fighter 3]]'' making Sega leaders in the arcade throughout the 1990s. AM2 also had an important role with the [[Sega Saturn]], producing the [[Sega Graphics Library]] in 1995 in conjunction with its Saturn conversion of ''Virtua Fighter 2''.
  
−
During a 2008 restructure, the third arcade studio, [[AM3]] was dissolved and the ''[[Virtua Tennis]]'' and ''[[Virtual On]]'' franchises became part of AM2.
+
Among its home conversions, ''[[Fighters Megamix]]'', perhaps a celebration of the company's efforts to that point, was released for the console, combining the rosters of ''Virtua Fighter'' and ''Fighting Vipers'' (alongside a plethora of others, including a playable AM2 palm tree). It was towards the end of the decade, however, when Yu Suzuki AM2 embarked on its most ambitious project to date - the [[Dreamcast]] epic, ''[[Shenmue]]''.
  
−
==Arcade==
+
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.
  
−
{{multicol|
+
====AM2 of CRI====
−
=== [[Sega Space Harrier]] ===
+
{{MainArticle|AM2 of CRI}}
−
* [[Space Harrier]] (1985)
+
[[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]].
−
* [[Hang-On]] (1985)
 
−
* [[Super Hang-On]] (1987)
 
  
−
=== [[Sega OutRun]] ===
+
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.
−
* [[OutRun]] (1986)
 
−
* [[Turbo OutRun]] (1989)
 
  
−
=== [[X Board]] ===
+
====As a stand-alone company====
−
* [[After Burner]] (1987)
+
{{MainArticle|Sega-AM2 (company)}}
−
** [[After Burner II]] (1987)
+
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}}. This is the only official iteration of the company to have a hypen between "Sega" and "AM2".
−
* [[GP Rider]] (1990)
 
  
−
=== [[Y Board]] ===
 
−
* [[Power Drift]] (1988)
 
−
* [[G-LOC: Air Battle]] (1990)
 
−
* [[Strike Fighter]] (1991)
 
−
 
−
=== [[System 32]] ===
 
−
* [[Arabian Fight]] (1993)
 
−
* [[F1 Exhaust Note]] (1991)
 
−
** [[F1 Super Lap]] (1993)
 
−
* [[Rad Mobile]] (1991)
 
−
* [[Soreike Kokology]] (1991)
 
−
** [[Soreike Kokology 2]] (1993)
 
  
−
=== [[Sega Model 1]] ===
+
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.
−
* [[Virtua Fighter]] (1993)
 
−
* [[Virtua Racing]] (1992)
 
  
−
=== [[Sega Model 2]] ===
+
{{MainArticle|Sega AM2 (2004-2011)}}
−
* [[Daytona USA]] (1993)  
+
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.
−
* [[Desert Tank]] (1994)
 
−
* [[Virtua Cop]] (1994)
 
−
* [[Sonic the Fighters]] (1996)
 
  
−
=== [[Sega Model 2A CRX]] ===
+
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.{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20140328153138/http://blog.sega.jp/amcvt/}}
−
* [[Virtua Fighter 2]] (1994)
 
−
* [[Virtua Cop 2]] (1995)
 
  
−
=== [[Sega Model 2B CRX]] ===
+
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 (2012)|Derby Owners Club]]''.
−
* [[Virtua Striker]] (1995)
 
−
* [[Fighting Vipers]] (1995)
 
  
−
=== [[Sega Model 3 Step 1.0]] ===
+
{{MainArticle|Sega R&D2 (2011-2015)}}
−
* [[Fighting Vipers 2]] (1998)
+
{{MainArticle|Sega Interactive R&D2}}
−
* [[Virtua Fighter 3]] (1996)
 
−
** [[Virtua Fighter 3tb]] (1997)
 
  
−
=== [[Sega Model 3 Step 1.5]] ===
+
==Softography==
−
* [[Scud Race]] (1996)
+
{{CompanyHistoryAll|Sega AM2}}
−
** [[Scud Race Plus]] (1997)
 
−
* [[Virtua Striker 2]] (1997)
 
−
** [[Virtua Striker 2 Version '98]] (1998)
 
−
** [[Virtua Striker 2 Version '99]] (1999)
 
  
−
=== [[Sega Model 3 Step 2.1]] ===
 
−
* [[Daytona USA 2: Battle on the Edge]] (1998)
 
−
** [[Daytona USA 2: Power Edition]] (1998)
 
−
* [[Spikeout: Digital Battle Online]] (1998)
 
−
** [[Spikeout: Final Edition]] (1998)
 
  
−
=== [[Sega Titan Video]] ===
+
===(old)===
−
* [[All Japan Pro Wrestling Featuring Virtua]] (1997)
+
{{multicol|
−
* [[Virtua Fighter Kids]] (1996)
+
==== [[System 32]] ====
 +
*''[[Soreike Kokology 2]]'' (1993)
  
−
=== [[NAOMI]] ===
+
==== [[Sega Model 2]] ====
−
* [[18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker]] (1999)
+
*''[[Virtua Striker]]'' (1995)
−
* [[F355 Challenge]] (1999)
 
−
** [[F355 Challenge 2: International Course Edition]] (2001)
 
−
* [[MJ]] (2002)
 
−
* [[Outtrigger]] (1999)
 
−
* [[Virtua NBA]] (1999)
 
  
−
===[[Sega NAOMI 2|NAOMI 2]]===
+
==== [[Sega Model 3]] ====
−
* [[Beach Spikers]] (2001)
+
*''[[Virtua Fighter 3]]'' (1996)
−
* [[The King of Route 66]] (2002)
+
*''[[Scud Race]]'' (1996)  
−
* [[Virtua Fighter 4]] (2001)
+
*''[[Daytona USA 2: Battle on the Edge]]'' (1998)
−
** [[Virtua Fighter 4 Evolution]] (2002)
+
*''[[Daytona USA 2: Power Edition]]'' (1998)
−
** [[Virtua Fighter 4 Final Tuned]] (2004)
 
  
−
=== [[Sega Aurora]] ===
+
==== [[NAOMI]] ====
−
* Rhythm Tengoku (2007)
+
*''[[MJ]]'' (2002)  
  
−
=== [[Chihiro]] ===
+
==== [[Chihiro]] ====
 +
*''[[MJ2]]'' (2003)
  
−
* [[Ghost Squad]] (2004)
+
==== [[Sega System SP]] ====
−
* [[Quest of D]] (2004)
+
*''[[Rhythm Tengoku]]'' (2007)
−
** Quest of D Ver.2 (2004)
 
−
** Quest of D Ver.3 (2004)
 
−
** Quest of D: The Battle Kingdom (2004)
 
−
* [[Miyazato San Kyoudai Naizou: Sega Golfclub|Sega Golf Club]] (2004)
 
−
** [[Miyazato San Kyoudai Naizou: Sega Golfclub|Sega Golf Club Ver. 2006]] (2006)
 
−
* [[MJ2]] (2003)
 
−
** [[MJ3]] (2004)
 
−
* [[OutRun 2]] (2003)
 
−
** [[OutRun 2 SP]] (2004)
 
−
* [[Virtua Cop 3]] (2003)
 
  
−
===[[Sega Lindbergh|Lindbergh]]===
+
==== [[RingEdge]] ====
 +
*''[[Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Arcade]]'' (2010)
 +
*''[[Sega Card-Gen MLB 2013]]'' (2013)
  
−
* [[After Burner Climax]] (2006)
+
====[[PlayStation 2]]====
−
* [[Ghost Squad Evolution]] (2007)
+
*''[[Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 16: Virtua Fighter 2]]'' (2004)
−
* [[Sega Race TV]] (2008)
 
−
* [[OutRun 2 SP SDX]] (2007)
 
−
* [[Psy Phi]] (2006) (cancelled)
 
−
* [[R-Tuned: Ultimate Street Racing]] (2008)
 
−
* [[Virtua Fighter 5]] (2006)
 
−
** [[Virtua Fighter 5 R]] (2008)
 
−
** [[Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown]] (2010)
 
−
* [[MJ4]] (2008)  
 
  
−
=== [[RingEdge]] ===
+
====[[Xbox 360]]====
 +
*''[[Cyber Troopers Virtual-On]]  (2013)
 +
*''[[Cyber Troopers Virtual-On Oratorio Tangram]]'' (2009)
  
−
* [[Border Break]] (2009)
+
====[[PlayStation 3]]====
−
** [[Border Break Airburst]] (2010)
+
*''[[Miyazato San Kyoudai Naizou: Sega Golfclub]]'' (2006) (with [[Global Entertainment R&D Dept. 2|GE2]])
−
** [[Border Break Union]] (2012)
+
*''[[Cyber Troopers Virtual-On]] (2013)
−
** [[Border Break Scramble]] (2014)
 
−
* MJ5 (2011)
 
−
** MJ5 Evolution (2011)
 
−
** MJ5R Evolution (2013)
 
−
* [[Project DIVA Arcade]] (2010)
 
−
* [[Sega Card-Gen MLB 2009]] (2009)
 
−
** [[Sega Card-Gen MLB 2010]] (2010)
 
−
** [[Sega Card-Gen MLB 2011]] (2011)
 
−
** [[Sega Card-Gen MLB 2012]] (2012)
 
−
** [[Sega Card-Gen MLB 2013]] (2013)
 
−
*[[Shining Force Cross]] (2009)
 
−
**[[Shining Force Cross Raid]] (2010)
 
−
**[[Shining Force Cross Elysion]] (2012)
 
−
**[[Shining Force Cross Exlesia]] (2013)
 
−
**[[Shining Force Cross Exlesia Zenith]] (2014
 
−
* [[Virtua Tennis 4]] (2012)
 
  
−
=== [[RingWide]] ===
+
====[[Nintendo 3DS]]====
 +
*''[[Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai DX]]'' (2015)
  
−
* [[Sega Racing Classic]] (2009)
+
====[[PlayStation Vita]]====
−
* [[Operation G.H.O.S.T.]] (2011)
+
*''[[Virtua Tennis 4]]'' (2011)
 +
*''[[Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA F]]'' (2013) (with [[Sega CS3 (2008-current)|Sega CS3]])
  
−
=== [[Nu]] ===
+
====PC====
 +
*''[[MJ]]'' (2013)
  
−
* [[Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Arcade Future Tone]] (2013)
+
* ''[[Fortisia SEGAxLINE]]'' (2016)
−
* [[Kantai Collection Arcade]] (2016)
 
 
|cols=3}}
 
|cols=3}}
  
−
=== [[Unknown]] ===
+
==List of staff==
−
 
+
{{StaffList|Sega AM2}}
−
* [[Soul Reverse]] (2017)
 
  
−
==Consumer==
+
==Magazine articles==
 +
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Magazine articles}}
  
−
{{multicol|
+
==Artwork==
−
===[[Sega Master System]]===
+
<gallery>
−
* [[After Burner]] (1990)
+
Am2.svg|Logo, sans palm tree
−
* [[G-LOC: Air Battle]] (1990)
+
AM2 logo 1993.png|Logo (1993)
−
* [[GP Rider]] (1993)
+
</gallery>
−
* [[Hang-On]] (1985)
 
−
* [[Space Harrier]] (1985)
 
−
* [[Space Harrier 3D]] (1985)
 
−
* [[OutRun]] (1987)
 
−
* [[OutRun 3D]] (1987)
 
−
 
 
−
===[[Sega Mega Drive|Mega Drive]]===
 
−
* [[After Burner II]] (1990)
 
−
* [[Rent A Hero]] (1991)
 
−
* [[Space Harrier II]] (1988)
 
−
* [[Sword of Vermilion]] (1989)
 
−
* [[OutRun]] (1991)
 
−
* [[Virtua Racing]] (1994)
 
−
 
 
−
===[[Sega Game Gear|Game Gear]]===
 
−
* [[G-LOC: Air Battle]] (1990)
 
−
* [[GP Rider]] (1993)
 
−
 
 
−
===[[Sega CD]]===
 
−
* [[After Burner III]] (1992) (with [[CSK Research Institute]])
 
−
 
 
−
===[[Sega 32X]]===
 
−
* [[After Burner]] (1995)
 
−
* [[Space Harrier]] (1994)
 
−
* [[Virtua Fighter]] (1995)
 
−
* [[Virtua Racing Deluxe]] (1994)
 
−
 
 
−
===[[Sega Saturn|Saturn]]===
 
−
* [[Daytona USA]] (1995)
 
−
* [[Daytona USA: Championship Circuit Edition]] (1996)
 
−
* [[Digital Dance Mix Vol.1 Namie Amuro]]'(1997)
 
−
* [[Fighters Megamix]] (1996)
 
−
* [[Fighting Vipers]] (1996)
 
−
* [[Rad Mobile]] (1994)
 
−
* [[Virtua Cop]] (1995)
 
−
* [[Virtua Cop 2]] (1996)
 
−
* [[Virtua Fighter Kids]] (1996)
 
−
* [[Virtua Fighter Remix]] (1995)
 
−
* [[Virtua Fighter]] (1994)
 
−
* [[Virtua Fighter 2]] (1995)
 
−
* [[Virtua Fighter CG Portrait Series Vol.1 Sarah Bryant]] (1995)
 
−
* [[Virtua Fighter CG Portrait Series Vol.10 Jeffry McWild]] (1996)
 
−
* [[Virtua Fighter CG Portrait Series Vol.2 Jacky Bryant]] (1995)
 
−
* [[Virtua Fighter CG Portrait Series Vol.3 Akira Yuki]] (1995)
 
−
* [[Virtua Fighter CG Portrait Series Vol.4 Pai Chan]] (1995)
 
−
* [[Virtua Fighter CG Portrait Series Vol.5 Wolf Hawkfield]] (1995)
 
−
* [[Virtua Fighter CG Portrait Series Vol.6 Lau Chan]] (1996)
 
−
* [[Virtua Fighter CG Portrait Series Vol.7 Shun Di]] (1996)
 
−
* [[Virtua Fighter CG Portrait Series Vol.8 Lion Rafale]] (1996)
 
−
* [[Virtua Fighter CG Portrait Series Vol.9 Kage Maru]] (1996)
 
−
 
 
−
===[[Sega Dreamcast|Dreamcast]]===
 
−
* [[18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker]] (2000) (also with [[CRI]])
 
−
* [[Ferrari F355 Challenge]] (2000) (also with [[CRI]])
 
−
* [[Fighting Vipers 2]] (2001)
 
−
* [[Outtrigger]] (2001)
 
−
* [[Propeller Arena]] (2001; unreleased)
 
−
* [[Shenmue II]] (2001)
 
−
* [[Shenmue]]'' (1999)
 
−
* [[Virtua Fighter 3tb]] (1998) (also with [[Genki]])
 
−
* [[What's Shenmue]] (1999)
 
−
* [[Yu Suzuki Game Works Vol.1]] (2001) (also with [[Aspect]])
 
−
 
 
−
===[[PlayStation 2|PlayStation 2]]===
 
−
* [[18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker]] (2001)
 
−
* [[Ferrari F355 Challenge]] (2002) (also with [[Tose]])
 
−
* [[Virtua Cop: Elite Edition]] (2002) (also with RIZ Inc.)
 
−
* [[Virtua Fighter 4]] (2002)
 
−
* [[Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution]] (2003)
 
−
* [[The King of Route 66]] (2003) (also with [[Tose]])
 
−
* [[Virtua Quest]] (2004) (also with [[Tose]])
 
−
 
 
−
===[[Nintendo GameCube|GameCube]]===
 
−
* [[18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker]] (2002)
 
−
* [[Beach Spikers]] (2002)
 
−
* [[Virtua Quest]] (2004) (also with [[Tose]])
 
−
 
 
−
===[[Xbox|Xbox]]===
 
−
* [[Shenmue II]] (2003)
 
−
 
 
−
===[[Xbox 360|Xbox 360]]===
 
−
* [[After Burner Climax]] (2010)
 
−
* [[Cyber Troopers Virtual-On: Force]] (2010)
 
−
* [[Cyber Troopers Virtual-On]]  (2013)
 
−
* [[Cyber Troopers Virtual-On Oratorio Tangram]] (2009)
 
−
* [[Daytona USA]] (2011)
 
−
* [[Fighting Vipers]] (2012)
 
−
* [[Miyazato San Kyoudai Naizou: Sega Golfclub]] (2006)
 
−
* [[Sonic the Fighters]] (2012)
 
−
* [[Virtua Fighter 2]] (2012)
 
−
* [[Virtua Fighter 5]] (2007)
 
−
* [[Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown]] (2012)
 
−
* [[Virtua Tennis 4]] (2011)
 
−
* [[Virtua Striker]] (2013)
 
−
 
 
−
===[[Wii]]===
 
−
* [[Ghost Squad]] (2007)
 
−
* [[Gunblade NY & LA Machineguns]] (2010)
 
−
 
 
−
===[[PlayStation 3]]===
 
−
 
 
−
* [[After Burner Climax]] (2010)
 
−
* [[Cyber Troopers Virtual-On]]  (2013)
 
−
* [[Daytona USA]] (2011)
 
−
* [[Fighting Vipers]] (2012)
 
−
* [[Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Dreamy Theater]] (2010)
 
−
* [[Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Dreamy Theater 2nd]] (2011)
 
−
* [[Sonic the Fighters]] (2012)
 
−
* [[Virtua Fighter 2]] (2012)
 
−
* [[Virtua Fighter 5]] (2006)
 
−
* [[Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown]] (2012)
 
−
* [[Virtua Tennis 4]] (2011)
 
−
 
 
−
===[[Nintendo 3DS]]===
 
−
* [[Hatsune Miku and Future Stars Project mirai]] (2012)
 
−
* [[Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai 2]] (2013)
 
−
* [[Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai DX]] (2015)
 
−
 
 
−
===PC===
 
−
 
 
−
* [[Daytona USA Evolution]] (1997)
 
−
* [[MJ]] (2013)
 
−
* [[Shenmue Online]] (1996) (cancelled)
 
−
* [[Virtua Cop]] (1996)
 
−
* [[Virtua Cop 2]] (1997)
 
−
* [[Virtua Fighter 2]] (1997)
 
−
* [[Virtua Fighter PC]] (1996)
 
−
 
 
−
===iOS===
 
−
 
 
−
* [[MJ]] (2012)
 
−
* [[Soul Reverse Zero]] (2017)
 
−
 
 
−
===Android===
 
−
 
 
−
* [[MJ]] (2012)
 
−
* [[Soul Reverse Zero]] (2017)
 
−
|cols=3}}
 
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
Line 329: Line 128:
  
 
{{clear}}
 
{{clear}}
−
{{SegaDevs}}
+
{{SoJ}}

Latest revision as of 15:04, 15 February 2024

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https://segaretro.org/images/0/05/AM2_logo_1993.png

AM2 logo 1993.png
Sega AM2
Founded: 1990
Defunct: 1999-05-11
Headquarters:
Japan
1990
1999-05-11

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)) was a division within Sega of Japan. It was a continuation of Sega R&D 8, formed in 1990 primarily to create arcade (or "amusement") games.

This initial iteration of Sega AM2, spearheaded by Yu Suzuki, is credited with some of Sega's most notable products, including Virtua Racing, Virtua Fighter and Daytona USA.

History

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

Sega restructured its internal R&D divisions around 1990/1991, and Sega AM2, the second "amusement machine" division emerged from Sega R&D 8. Clearly dividing the arcade and consumer (CS) teams meant that AM2 would be focused entirely on arcade games (R&D 8 having also produced two Sega Mega Drive titles; Sword of Vermilion and Rent A Hero). The divide would not stick - by 1994 AM2 were involved with Mega Drive and Sega Saturn conversions of their popular titles, but the group was first and foremost an arcade division, and the teams behind these conversions typically consisted of newcomers or former console developers.

The change to AM2 coincided with a change in the industry. Atari Games and Namco were edging ahead of Sega by producing 3D video games comprised of polygons, so Sega, with heavy influence from AM2, began work on the Model 1 board - a "CG" arcade system capable of rendering thousands of polygons at high frame rates. It was during this period where AM2 abandoned the taikan game formula which had seen success for its predecessors during the 1980s, to focus on supporting this new, true 3D system.

1992's Virtua Racing, demonstrating the Model 1 board, was the first game to be produced by AM2[2]. Following this, two teams were formed, one that would work on Virtua Fighter, and another on Daytona USA[2], the latter for the improved Sega Model 2 hardware. These three games, the latter two proudly showing AM2's new "palm tree" logo, elevated the company to new heights and made their producer, Yu Suzuki a video game celebrity.

Success for AM2 continued with Virtua Cop, Virtua Fighter 2, Virtua Striker (led by Satoshi Mifune) and Fighting Vipers, with the Model 3 games Scud Race (led by Toshihiro Nagoshi) and Virtua Fighter 3 making Sega leaders in the arcade throughout the 1990s. AM2 also had an important role with the Sega Saturn, producing the Sega Graphics Library in 1995 in conjunction with its Saturn conversion of Virtua Fighter 2.

Among its home conversions, Fighters Megamix, perhaps a celebration of the company's efforts to that point, was released for the console, combining the rosters of Virtua Fighter and Fighting Vipers (alongside a plethora of others, including a playable AM2 palm tree). It was towards the end of the decade, however, when Yu Suzuki AM2 embarked on its most ambitious project to date - the Dreamcast epic, Shenmue.

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

Main article: 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

Main article: Sega-AM2 (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]. This is the only official iteration of the company to have a hypen between "Sega" and "AM2".


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.

Main article: Sega AM2 (2004-2011).

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.

Main article: Sega R&D2 (2011-2015).
Main article: Sega Interactive R&D2.

Softography

System 32

  • (1991)
  • (1991)
  • (1992)
  • (1993)
  • (1993)

Model 1

  • (1992)
  • (1993)
  • (1993)

Model 2

  • (1994)
  • (1994)
  • (1994)
  • (1994)
  • (1995)
  • (1995)
  • (1995)
  • (1996)

Sega Titan Video

  • (1995)
  • (1996)

Model 3

  • (1997)
  • (1997)
  • (1997)
  • (1998)
  • (1998)

Mega Drive

  • (1994)

Saturn

  • (1994)
  • (1994)
  • (1995)
  • (1995)
  • (1995)
  • (1995)
  • (1995)
  • (1995)
  • (1995)
  • (1995)
  • (1996)
  • (1996)
  • (1996)
  • (1996)
  • (1996)
  • (1996)
  • (1996)
  • (1996)
  • (1996)
  • (1996)
  • (1997)
  • (1998)

Windows PC

  • (1998)


(old)

System 32

Sega Model 2

Sega Model 3

NAOMI

Chihiro

Sega System SP

RingEdge

PlayStation 2

Xbox 360

PlayStation 3

Nintendo 3DS

PlayStation Vita

PC

List of staff

Magazine articles

Main article: Sega AM2/Magazine articles.

Artwork

  • Logo, sans palm tree

  • Logo (1993)

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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