History of Sega in Kazakhstan
From Sega Retro
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| History of Sega in Kazakhstan |
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| Official Sega distributor(s): Nissho Iwai (1994-1995), Buka (1994-1999), Bitman (1996-1997), R-Style (1996-1999), NVT (2000-2001), 1C-SoftClub (2005-present) |
Kazakhstan declared independence in 1991. Since that year, the country has been a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)
Sega video game consoles
- Main article: History of Sega in Russia.
Back in the days of the Soviet Union, Sega tried to enter the market with the special model of first Master System (SECAM signal, lack of card slot and Alex Kidd in Miracle World built in) through Beryozka stores selling luxury goods, but the lack of good advertising, a small distribution network and the luxurious nature of the system resulted in failure.
The regional video game market began to emerge after 1991, when the first imported Western consoles (like NES or Atari 2600) and clones (such as Rambo 2600) began to reach the country. Steepler released Famicom clone called Dendy in 1993, which became a hit console, achieving here, next to Russia and Ukraine, the highest sales results from post Soviet region. Their video games had been distributed in Kazakhstan by company called "Disney".
The original Sega consoles (Mega Drive II, Master System II, Game Gear, Mega CD II and Mega Drive 32X) were released in 1994 through the Nissho Iwai trading house and its sub-distributors, local ones and from Russia (like Buka). The Steepler company itself sold clones and original Sega consoles, but over time it began to focus on official Nintendo systems like Super Nintendo and Game Boy.
From mid-90s, marekt was under pressure of bootleg sellers that distributed Mega Drive clones in flea market or stores. The systems were imported from Asia or from Russia and more organized were Bitman, Kenga and Subor. The video gaming around this time wasn't the same everywhere. There existed a places where people had better and worse access to games, whatever it was original or pirate one. People could get information from Russian press, books or TV shows like Novaya Real'nost' supported by Steepler and broadcast from 1995-1996 on ORT channel available in all former USSR republics or region shows made in Kazakhstan like Dendy or Strana Igr.
Even when Bitman began cooperation with Sega Europe from January 1996, replacing Nissho Iwai, bringing Sega Saturn and selling Super Bitman legally, new wave of clones appeared again.
Although the Sega Dreamcast was announced for release in CIS countries in 2000 by NVT, it was canceled due to Sega's problems, which resulted in a rash of pirated games translated into Russian and imports.
Today all brands of clones from Asia or Russia and can be easily find in shops specialized in distribution of that kind of products.
1C SoftClub
In the following years, most of the games were released by the 1C SoftClub[1] with translated boxes and localized games into Russian. Sega games are also available from digital distribution, and Kazakhstan, when it comes to digital keys, belongs to the RU-CIS-UA region. Until 2018, digital game distribution platforms such as Steam suggested lower prices for the region.
The only Sega game that distribution has been stopped in CIS countries was Company of Heroes 2.[2]
Sega Mega Drive clones can still be find from Asian and Russian distribution channel.
Sega Amusement
Since 2006, the distribution of arcade machines and equipment for children produce by Sega is being carried out by KidsPlay.[3]
QubicaAMF is a strategic partner in Russia and CIS countries.
Sititek
Sititek is the official distributor of Sega Toys in Russia and CIS countries.[4]