History of Sega in Thailand
From Sega Retro
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| History of Sega in Thailand |
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| Official Sega distributor(s): Tavon Computer Company (198x-1985), Galaxy Group (1985-xxxx), New Era (2005-2019), Epicsoft Asia (2018-present), Sega Singapore (2022-present) |
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SC-3000 and Master System
In mid 1980s, Tavon Computer Company distributed the SC-3000 in Thailand. It's competition was Atari 2600, released here in late 70s, which was cloned from mid-80s due to stock shortages. On the portable market, there was Game and Watch for 350-550 THB and from 1989 Casio Systems, which were much more expensive. The Famicom debuted in 1988 for 2500 THB, while the Disk System was limited to imports only. When Famicom was released, first clones began to pop up on the market with the price of around 1400 THB. The most popular clone was the Family brand (FR), which was distributed from late 80s by Family TSI Ltd. and their price was around 1600 THB. The Master System was imported from 1989, but it was only a grey market and was never officially released[1].
In the 70s Thailand was one of the countries where Sega imported its game machines[2]. Since 1985 Galaxy Group began distribution of Sega arcade machines in Thailand[3].
Mega Drive and Saturn
Mega Drive, debuted in 1990 for 4500 THB and gained popularity among Thai players. Game Gear was imported from 1991 for 8000 THB and TV Tuner cost 2000 THB. The competition was the Game Boy released in 1990 for 3500 THB and the Super Famicom from 1991 for 12000 THB. Occasionally, customers could come across an import of the NEC Turbo Express or PC Engine. Later, the stationary NEC console saw the release of a few clones such as the UFO Super Game, although consumers complained that the availability of (pirated) games was limited[4].
To meet increased demand, Sega teamed up with local Thai companies in August 1992, to manufacture its hardware and software here, intended for international markets[5].
As in many other Asian countries, the Mega Drive saw many fake consoles and copies of games. A lot of stores had bootleg games and multi-carts, some of them imported consoles like Mega Drive or Game Gear even before it's release here. Also the previously mentioned Family TSI company decided to enter the 16-bit market with the FR-302, a Sega clone, and the Super Gun FR-302, a copy of the Konami's The Justifier, bundled with games. Both sets could be purchased for 5500 THB. At the same time, Family also released a Super Famicom clone called the FR-402, the Pro set of which, together with a device for saving and copying games, cost 8500 THB[6].
In mid-1990s, mentioned earlier Galaxy Group began selling Mega Drive 2 and Saturn by it's "Consumer Amusement Sales". Sega licensed UCOM for renting Sega Saturn games. In January 1996, the Sega Channel was announced to appear on the Universal Cable TV (UTV) service. In June 1997, Galaxy opened Sega World in Bangkok.
In the mid-90s, the Sega Saturn cost 14000 THB, Sony PlayStation cost 12000 THB, Panasonic 3DO for 8500 THB, the LG 3DO for 12000 THB, the Neo Geo for 12000 THB, the Neo Geo CD for 15000 THB, the Nintendo 64 was sold in very small quantities and the CDi was limited to imports only. Sega Nomad appeared only as imports. Pico was officially distributed from 1998 for 12000 THB[7].
Present days
Sega games were distributed by New Era from 2005 to 2019[8].
In 2010s, Sega created Sega Asia which handle regional releases of games,[9] but not physical distribution.
In 2018, Epicsoft Asia was appointed sole distributor of Sega games starting with Yakuza 6: The Song of Life, Shining Resonance Refrain, Valkyria Chronicles 4, Fist of the North Star and Virtual-On[10]. From 2019, they distributed Genesis Mini[11].
In October 13, 2022, Sega established Sega Singapore for marketing purpose in Southeast Asia but Epicsoft will still remain as distributor.[12][13]
References
- ↑ https://pantip.com/topic/41515998
- ↑ File:Sega_Company_Profile_1970.pdf
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20180801043112/http://galaxy.esy.es/about/
- ↑ https://pantip.com/topic/41515998
- ↑ New Sunday Times 1992-11-09 Battle for game machine market
- ↑ https://pantip.com/topic/41515998
- ↑ https://pantip.com/topic/41515998
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20050831023756/http://www.neweraonline.com:80/corp/games.htm
- ↑ https://www.siliconera.com/sega-established-singapore-branch-to-cover-southeast-asia/
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/epicsoft/posts/we-are-proud-to-announce-that-epicsoft-asia-pte-ltd-has-been-appointed-as-the-so/10156093727165775/
- ↑ https://www.gamerbraves.com/epicsoft-asia-is-bringing-the-sega-genesis-mini-to-south-east-asia/
- ↑ https://www.kakuchopurei.com/2022/10/sega-opens-new-singapore-branch/
- ↑ https://gettotext.com/sega-opens-a-subsidiary-in-singapore-to-conquer-southeast-asia/