Difference between revisions of "Sega Multimedia Studio"

From Sega Retro
m
 
(13 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 2: Line 2:
 
| logo=SegaMultiMediaStudio MCD Title.png
 
| logo=SegaMultiMediaStudio MCD Title.png
 
| division=[[Sega of America]]
 
| division=[[Sega of America]]
−
| founded=1991
+
| founded=1991<ref>K Horowitz (2016). ''Playing at the Next Level: A History of American Sega Games''</ref>
−
| defunct=1997
+
| defunct=1994{{intref|Interview: David Javelosa (2023-12-09) by Alexander Rojas}}
 
| mergedwith=
 
| mergedwith=
 
| mergedinto=
 
| mergedinto=
 
| headquarters=[[wikipedia:Redwood City, California|Redwood City, California, United States]]
 
| headquarters=[[wikipedia:Redwood City, California|Redwood City, California, United States]]
 +
| prevdate=1992
 +
| prev=[[Product Development Team]]
 +
| nextdate=1994
 +
| next=[[Creative Support]]
 +
| next2=[[Developer Technical Support]]
 +
| next3=[[Sega Music Group]]
 
}}
 
}}
−
{{stub}}'''{{PAGENAME}}''' was a development division created by [[Sega of America]] in response to the multimedia revolution of the early 90’s, featuring advanced audio video creation facilities and a state-of-the-art recording studio. Directly assisting various Sega of America branches, the studio ended up working on nearly two-dozen titles, while also producing two games of their own.
+
{{stub}}'''{{PAGENAME}}''' was a development division created by [[Sega of America]] in response to the multimedia revolution of the early 90’s, featuring advanced audio video creation facilities and a state-of-the-art recording studio. Established in 1992 as a continuation of the audio management capabilities of the [[Product Development Team]], it worked on nearly two-dozen titles and produced two of their own before being broken up around 1994.{{intref|Interview: David Javelosa (2023-12-09) by Alexander Rojas}}
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
 
[[File:SegaMultimediaStudio 1.png|thumb|280px|A 1992 promotional photograph of the studio's dedicated recording facilities.]]
 
[[File:SegaMultimediaStudio 1.png|thumb|280px|A 1992 promotional photograph of the studio's dedicated recording facilities.]]
−
Sega Multimedia Studio was founded in late 1991 by [[Ken Balthaser]] to assist Sega of America in audio video development, especially in the area of "multimedia"; that is, the combination of different types of high-quality media that the new storage format of compact discs offered. Now seen as a speculation-fueled bubble that grossly overestimated consumer interest, [[Sega of America]] was allowed to join in as well, thanks to it's overwhelming success with the [[Sega Genesis]]. The studio would assist in the development of media-based games for the new Sega CD, such as the platform's FMV titles. Additionally, it's support bolstered the cutting-edge, "better than Nintendo" corporate image Sega of America had created for the United States market at the time.
+
In late 1991<ref>K Horowitz (2016). ''Playing at the Next Level: A History of American Sega Games''</ref>, [[Ken Balthaser]] established {{PAGENAME}} in an attempt by management to refocus the company's internal development capabilities around the [[CD-ROM]] and the upcoming [[Sega CD]]. Soon after in early 1992{{intref|Interview: David Javelosa (2023-12-09) by Alexander Rojas}}, the [[Product Development Team]] had its audio department officially migrated to Sega Multimedia Studio.
  
−
In mid 1995, the audio department was spun-off into [[Sega Music Group]], and nearly two years later the Multimedia Studio was closed,{{intref|Interview: Doug Lanford (2011-03-01) by Sega-16}} with many staff moving to [[Gametek]].
+
Largely managed by Ken Balthaser, [[David Javelosa]], and others, the group specialized in the field of "multimedia"; that is, the combination of different types of interactive media that the new storage format of compact discs offered. Now seen as a speculation-fueled bubble that grossly overestimated consumer interest, Sega of America was allowed to join in as well, thanks to its overwhelming success with the [[Genesis]]. The studio would assist in the development of media-based games for the Sega CD, such as the platform's [[FMV]] titles. Additionally, it's support bolstered the cutting-edge, "better than Nintendo" corporate image Sega of America had created for the United States market at the time. [[Al Nilsen]] recalls that even famed [[Sega]] collaborator [[Michael Jackson]] visited the studio on a number of occasions.
 +
 
 +
According to Javelosa, the studio worked on a number of titles which were left unreleased. Most notable among these was a [[wikipedia:SETI Institute|SETI]]-themed game featuring the endorsement of celebrity astronomer [[wikipedia:Fiorella Terenzi|Fiorella Terenzi]].{{intref|Interview: David Javelosa (2023-12-09) by Alexander Rojas}}
 +
 
 +
Around 1994{{intref|Interview: David Javelosa (2023-12-09) by Alexander Rojas}}, the audio department was spun-off into [[Sega Music Group]]{{intref|Interview: David Javelosa (2008-07-02) by Sega-16}}, [[Creative Support]]{{intref|Interview: David Javelosa (2008-07-02) by Sega-16}}, and [[Developer Technical Support]]{{intref|Interview: David Javelosa (2023-12-09) by Alexander Rojas}}, with many staff moving to [[Gametek]] as a result.{{intref|Interview: Doug Lanford (2011-03-01) by Sega-16}} Some staff appeared to have remained at Multimedia Studio after the split, with this team dedicated to supporting first-party developers (where Creative Support worked with third-party developers instead).{{intref|Interview: David Javelosa (2023-12-09) by Alexander Rojas}} It is unknown how long this team remained before the studio's total closure around or following 1994.
  
 
==Softography==
 
==Softography==
 
{{CompanyHistoryAll|Sega Multimedia Studio}}
 
{{CompanyHistoryAll|Sega Multimedia Studio}}
 +
 +
==List of staff==
 +
{{StaffList|Sega Multimedia Studio}}
  
 
==Photographs==
 
==Photographs==
Line 25: Line 38:
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
  
−
{{SegaOverseas}}
+
{{SoAR&D}}

Latest revision as of 22:31, 16 December 2023

This short article is in need of work. You can help Sega Retro by adding to it.

Sega Multimedia Studio was a development division created by Sega of America in response to the multimedia revolution of the early 90’s, featuring advanced audio video creation facilities and a state-of-the-art recording studio. Established in 1992 as a continuation of the audio management capabilities of the Product Development Team, it worked on nearly two-dozen titles and produced two of their own before being broken up around 1994.[2]

History

A 1992 promotional photograph of the studio's dedicated recording facilities.

In late 1991[3], Ken Balthaser established Sega Multimedia Studio in an attempt by management to refocus the company's internal development capabilities around the CD-ROM and the upcoming Sega CD. Soon after in early 1992[2], the Product Development Team had its audio department officially migrated to Sega Multimedia Studio.

Largely managed by Ken Balthaser, David Javelosa, and others, the group specialized in the field of "multimedia"; that is, the combination of different types of interactive media that the new storage format of compact discs offered. Now seen as a speculation-fueled bubble that grossly overestimated consumer interest, Sega of America was allowed to join in as well, thanks to its overwhelming success with the Genesis. The studio would assist in the development of media-based games for the Sega CD, such as the platform's FMV titles. Additionally, it's support bolstered the cutting-edge, "better than Nintendo" corporate image Sega of America had created for the United States market at the time. Al Nilsen recalls that even famed Sega collaborator Michael Jackson visited the studio on a number of occasions.

According to Javelosa, the studio worked on a number of titles which were left unreleased. Most notable among these was a SETI-themed game featuring the endorsement of celebrity astronomer Fiorella Terenzi.[2]

Around 1994[2], the audio department was spun-off into Sega Music Group[4], Creative Support[4], and Developer Technical Support[2], with many staff moving to Gametek as a result.[5] Some staff appeared to have remained at Multimedia Studio after the split, with this team dedicated to supporting first-party developers (where Creative Support worked with third-party developers instead).[2] It is unknown how long this team remained before the studio's total closure around or following 1994.

Softography

Mega Drive

  • (1993) (audio)

Mega-CD

  • (1992)
  • (1993)
  • (1995)

Saturn

  • (unreleased)

Nintendo Switch Online

  • (2022) (audio)

Steam

  • (2010) (audio)

iOS

  • (2010) (audio)

List of staff

Photographs

Main article: Photos of Sega Multimedia Studio

References

  1. ↑ K Horowitz (2016). Playing at the Next Level: A History of American Sega Games
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Interview: David Javelosa (2023-12-09) by Alexander Rojas
  3. ↑ K Horowitz (2016). Playing at the Next Level: A History of American Sega Games
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Interview: David Javelosa (2008-07-02) by Sega-16
  5. ↑ Interview: Doug Lanford (2011-03-01) by Sega-16


Timeline of Sega of America research and development divisions









Retrieved from "https://segaretro.org/index.php?title=Sega_Multimedia_Studio&oldid=943878"