Difference between revisions of "History of Sega in Israel"

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| distributors=[[Bug Multisystem]] (1987-1993), [[Suny Electronics]] (1993-1998), [[Hed Arzi]] (200x-present)
 
| distributors=[[Bug Multisystem]] (1987-1993), [[Suny Electronics]] (1993-1998), [[Hed Arzi]] (200x-present)
 
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During his stay in New York, Moshe Raviv stumbled upon the [[Sega]] exhibition where he saw their games. Later, at a gaming show in the US, he met with Sega's Japan executives and told them that he is interested in distributing the Master System in Israel. It took him a long time to convince the Japanese to grant him a license to import consoles into the country. In 1987, [[Bug Multisystem]] began distributing the [[Sega Master System]] in Israel. Moshe Raviv amazed [[Sega of Japan]] and himself when he quickly sold 5,000 units of Master System in Israel.<ref>https://www.nli.org.il/he/newspapers/hadashot/1988/02/23/01/article/180/?e=-------he-20--1--img-txIN%7ctxTI--------------1</ref> Bug promoted the products with the slogan [[הערוץ הרביעי בטלויזיה שלך]]<ref>https://www.nli.org.il/he/newspapers/mar/1987/11/30/01/article/264/?srpos=230&e=------198-he-20--221-byDA-img-txIN%7ctxTI-%d7%a1%d7%92%d7%94+-------------1</ref> and organized game tournaments. Additionally, at the end of the 1980s, a gaming magazine called [[Sega-Tron]] began to be published. The Master System has been well received in Israel. It was so good that the newer Sega consoles were released in 1992, when [[Mega Drive]], [[Game Gear]] and Master System II appeared on the Israeli market. All systems were in the European PAL system. The cooperation lasted until 1993, when Bug decided to focus on the promotion and distribution of [[Nintendo]] consoles.
 
  
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During this time, Sega became the object of interest to businessman Ilan Ben-Dov, who imported Sega consoles since about 1987. In 1991, he founded [[Suny Electronics]], and from May 1991 he was a franchisee of Sega products and also Nintendo (mostly famiclones) products. From 1993, his company began to be known as '''STV-Sega Israel'''. From then on, consoles began appearing in Israel very close to the European premiere. Every system released by Suny was the same as in Europe, and this year, active promotion of Sega products began, including the newly released Mega Drive II and [[Mega CD]] II. The new distributor had to deal with a wave of US imports and Mega Drive clones resembling the first model in a white box. The advertisements informed about the differences between the originals and to watch out for pirated copies of the games. A black seal with a yellow Sega logo and yellow Hebrew inscriptions was placed on each original console. The game boxes, on the other hand, had a white sticker with Hebrew inscriptions. In the following years, the [[Mega Drive 32X]] and [[Sega Saturn]] appeared. Mega Drive, like the Master System, was well received in Israel and was a popular console in that country.
+
==Bug Multisystem==
 +
During his stay in New York, Moshe Raviv stumbled upon the [[Sega]] exhibition where he saw their games. Later, at a gaming show in the US, he met with Sega's Japan executives and told them that he is interested in distributing the Master System in Israel. It took him a long time to convince the Japanese to grant him a license to import consoles into the country. In 1987, [[Bug Multisystem]] began distributing the [[Sega Master System]] in Israel. Moshe Raviv amazed [[Sega of Japan]] and himself when he quickly sold 5,000 units of Master System in Israel. Every customer bought a few games (mostly five) immediately with console. Until February 1988, Bug already had 9 branches in the country where they sold consoles and had its own fan club. On Purim, it was planned to organize a national competition, the winner of which was a representative in world competition organized by Sega in Europe.<ref>https://www.nli.org.il/he/newspapers/hadashot/1988/02/23/01/article/180/?e=-------he-20--1--img-txIN%7ctxTI--------------1</ref>
  
−
In 1996, [[Sega Enterprises Israel]] was created .The company was involved in importing arcades to Israel.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20070329172741/http://www.sega.co.il/</ref> From 2007, the name was changed to Astela Asets & Investments Ltd<ref>https://www.dunsguide.co.il/en/Cc6e3d498680c67aaf2c18a4c97f13a6a_game_machines/sega_enterprises_israel_1996/</ref>.
+
Bug promoted the products with the slogan [[הערוץ הרביעי בטלויזיה שלך]]<ref>https://www.nli.org.il/he/newspapers/mar/1987/11/30/01/article/264/?srpos=230&e=------198-he-20--221-byDA-img-txIN%7ctxTI-%d7%a1%d7%92%d7%94+-------------1</ref>. Additionally, in late 1980s, a gaming magazine called [[Sega-Tron]] began to be published. Master System competed with [[Nintendo Entertainment System]], distributed from late 1980s by 2 authorized distributors. The 8-bit Sega system has been well received in country and was so good that the next Sega consoles weren't released until 1992, when [[Mega Drive]], [[Game Gear]] and Master System II, finally went to sell in Israel. All systems were in the European PAL system. On June 8, 1992, two companies established [[Sega - Bug (Israel) Ltd.]]<ref>https://serviced.co.il/company-details/511691396/</ref> in order to better coordinate activities in the country. However, further cooperation did not last long, because right in 1993 Bug decided to focus on the promotion and distribution of Sega competitors - [[Super Nintendo]] and [[Game Boy]], eventually focusing on PC market.  
  
−
In 1996, TCI's technology group got the rights to distribute [[Sega Channel]] in Israel , but it is not known that the service was launched there.
+
<gallery>
 +
MS IL cart warning.jpg|Master System warning sticker
 +
MS IL cart warning alt.jpg|Other version of above seal
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
==Suny Electronics - STV Sega Israel==
 +
[[File:MDClone1 Box Front.jpg|thumb|Typical clone that compete with Sega Israel products (no 'Sega' name on the control pad)|250px]]
 +
During this time, Sega became the object of interest to businessman Ilan Ben-Dov, who imported Sega consoles since about 1987. In 1991, he founded [[Suny Electronics]], and from May 1991 he was a franchisee of Sega, Nintendo and Famiclones. From 1993, he re-established Sega - Bug (Israel) Ltd. with a new company called '''STV Sega Israel''' and from now on, consoles and games were released very closely to the European premiere with every system being same as in Europe. The same year, Suny started active promotion of Sega products, including the newly released Mega Drive II and [[Mega CD]] II. Advertisements for the Palestine region were translated into Arabic.
 +
 
 +
The new distributor had to deal with a wave of Sega Genesis imports and Mega Drive clones resembling the first Japanese model. The advertisements informed about the differences between the originals and to watch out for bootleg copies of the games. A black seal with a yellow Sega logo and yellow Hebrew inscriptions was placed on each original console. The game boxes, on the other hand, had a white sticker with Hebrew inscriptions. In the following years, the [[Sega Multi-Mega]], [[Mega Drive 32X]] and [[Sega Saturn]] were released. Mega Drive, like the Master System, was well received in Israel and was a popular console in that country. Besides Famicom and Mega Drive clones, Sega had competition mostly in form of official Nintendo consoles (distributed by Bug), but in some larger retailers [[3DO]], [[Amiga CD32]], [[Atari Jaguar]] and [[Neo Geo]] could be found. From March 1997, [[PlayStation]] (distributed by Isfar<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/19980703064424/http://www.playstation-europe.com/playstation/pr/launch.htm</ref>) became the biggest competitor for Saturn.
 +
 
 +
In 1996, [[Sega Enterprises Israel]] was created. The company was involved in importing arcades to Israel.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20070329172741/http://www.sega.co.il/</ref> From 2007, the name was changed to Astela Asets & Investments Ltd<ref>https://www.dunsguide.co.il/en/Cc6e3d498680c67aaf2c18a4c97f13a6a_game_machines/sega_enterprises_israel_1996/</ref>.
 +
 
 +
In January 1996, TCI's technology group got the rights to distribute [[Sega Channel]] in Israel, but it isn't known that the service was launched there.<ref>https://forums.sonicretro.org/index.php?threads/more-sega-channel-prototypes-dumped.25935/page-11#post-833889</ref>
  
 
In February 1998, Suny withdrew from selling video games and began distributing Samsung cell phones. In the same year, importers began to sell [[Sega Nomad]].
 
In February 1998, Suny withdrew from selling video games and began distributing Samsung cell phones. In the same year, importers began to sell [[Sega Nomad]].
  
−
[[Sega Dreamcast]] was also released in Israel but it went without much interest.
+
{{gitem|MDclone PS advert 1992.png|Palestinian advert from 1992, promoting Mega Drive clone and bootleg games}}
 +
{{gitem|Suny IL console Seal.jpg|Black seal proving that console is original}}
  
−
Nowadays, the representative of Sega is [[Hed Arzi]].<ref>http://www.sega.com/support</ref>Red Vault from [[Red Entertainment Distribution]] (Sega distributor in the MENA region) was also available in this country.
+
==Dreamcast and Hed Arzi==
 +
[[Sega Dreamcast]] was also released in Israel and was seen in bigger video games retailers outlets.
  
−
<gallery>
+
Sega games from Xplosiv series were releasd in early 2000s as Xtreme series by [[Hed Arzi]], <ref>https://oldschool.org.il/videos/%D7%94%D7%9E%D7%A7%D7%A8%D7%94-%D7%94%D7%9E%D7%95%D7%96%D7%A8-%D7%A9%D7%9C-%D7%9E%D7%A9%D7%97%D7%A7%D7%99-%D7%90%D7%A7%D7%A1%D7%98%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9D/</ref>which from similar period began to work with Sega and became representative for Israel and continue it until this day<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20091224011006/http://www.sega.com/support/</ref>. Red Vault from [[Red Entertainment Distribution]] (Sega distributor in the MENA) was available in Palestine region<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20180522062924/http://redvault.co/ar/</ref>.
−
MS IL cart warning.jpg|Master System warning sticker
 
−
MS IL cart warning alt.jpg|Other version
 
−
STV Sega Israel logo.png
 
−
STV Sega Israel logo 2.png
 
−
</gallery>
 
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==

Latest revision as of 17:40, 31 July 2024

Notavailable.svg
Israel 
History of Sega in Israel
Official Sega distributor(s): Bug Multisystem (1987-1993), Suny Electronics (1993-1998), Hed Arzi (200x-present)

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


Bug Multisystem

During his stay in New York, Moshe Raviv stumbled upon the Sega exhibition where he saw their games. Later, at a gaming show in the US, he met with Sega's Japan executives and told them that he is interested in distributing the Master System in Israel. It took him a long time to convince the Japanese to grant him a license to import consoles into the country. In 1987, Bug Multisystem began distributing the Sega Master System in Israel. Moshe Raviv amazed Sega of Japan and himself when he quickly sold 5,000 units of Master System in Israel. Every customer bought a few games (mostly five) immediately with console. Until February 1988, Bug already had 9 branches in the country where they sold consoles and had its own fan club. On Purim, it was planned to organize a national competition, the winner of which was a representative in world competition organized by Sega in Europe.[1]

Bug promoted the products with the slogan הערוץ הרביעי בטלויזיה שלך[2]. Additionally, in late 1980s, a gaming magazine called Sega-Tron began to be published. Master System competed with Nintendo Entertainment System, distributed from late 1980s by 2 authorized distributors. The 8-bit Sega system has been well received in country and was so good that the next Sega consoles weren't released until 1992, when Mega Drive, Game Gear and Master System II, finally went to sell in Israel. All systems were in the European PAL system. On June 8, 1992, two companies established Sega - Bug (Israel) Ltd.[3] in order to better coordinate activities in the country. However, further cooperation did not last long, because right in 1993 Bug decided to focus on the promotion and distribution of Sega competitors - Super Nintendo and Game Boy, eventually focusing on PC market.

  • Master System warning sticker

  • Other version of above seal

Suny Electronics - STV Sega Israel

Typical clone that compete with Sega Israel products (no 'Sega' name on the control pad)

During this time, Sega became the object of interest to businessman Ilan Ben-Dov, who imported Sega consoles since about 1987. In 1991, he founded Suny Electronics, and from May 1991 he was a franchisee of Sega, Nintendo and Famiclones. From 1993, he re-established Sega - Bug (Israel) Ltd. with a new company called STV Sega Israel and from now on, consoles and games were released very closely to the European premiere with every system being same as in Europe. The same year, Suny started active promotion of Sega products, including the newly released Mega Drive II and Mega CD II. Advertisements for the Palestine region were translated into Arabic.

The new distributor had to deal with a wave of Sega Genesis imports and Mega Drive clones resembling the first Japanese model. The advertisements informed about the differences between the originals and to watch out for bootleg copies of the games. A black seal with a yellow Sega logo and yellow Hebrew inscriptions was placed on each original console. The game boxes, on the other hand, had a white sticker with Hebrew inscriptions. In the following years, the Sega Multi-Mega, Mega Drive 32X and Sega Saturn were released. Mega Drive, like the Master System, was well received in Israel and was a popular console in that country. Besides Famicom and Mega Drive clones, Sega had competition mostly in form of official Nintendo consoles (distributed by Bug), but in some larger retailers 3DO, Amiga CD32, Atari Jaguar and Neo Geo could be found. From March 1997, PlayStation (distributed by Isfar[4]) became the biggest competitor for Saturn.

In 1996, Sega Enterprises Israel was created. The company was involved in importing arcades to Israel.[5] From 2007, the name was changed to Astela Asets & Investments Ltd[6].

In January 1996, TCI's technology group got the rights to distribute Sega Channel in Israel, but it isn't known that the service was launched there.[7]

In February 1998, Suny withdrew from selling video games and began distributing Samsung cell phones. In the same year, importers began to sell Sega Nomad.

MDclone PS advert 1992.png
Palestinian advert from 1992, promoting Mega Drive clone and bootleg games
MDclone PS advert 1992.png
Suny IL console Seal.jpg
Black seal proving that console is original
Suny IL console Seal.jpg

Dreamcast and Hed Arzi

Sega Dreamcast was also released in Israel and was seen in bigger video games retailers outlets.

Sega games from Xplosiv series were releasd in early 2000s as Xtreme series by Hed Arzi, [8]which from similar period began to work with Sega and became representative for Israel and continue it until this day[9]. Red Vault from Red Entertainment Distribution (Sega distributor in the MENA) was available in Palestine region[10].

External links

References

  1. ↑ https://www.nli.org.il/he/newspapers/hadashot/1988/02/23/01/article/180/?e=-------he-20--1--img-txIN%7ctxTI--------------1
  2. ↑ https://www.nli.org.il/he/newspapers/mar/1987/11/30/01/article/264/?srpos=230&e=------198-he-20--221-byDA-img-txIN%7ctxTI-%d7%a1%d7%92%d7%94+-------------1
  3. ↑ https://serviced.co.il/company-details/511691396/
  4. ↑ http://web.archive.org/web/19980703064424/http://www.playstation-europe.com/playstation/pr/launch.htm
  5. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20070329172741/http://www.sega.co.il/
  6. ↑ https://www.dunsguide.co.il/en/Cc6e3d498680c67aaf2c18a4c97f13a6a_game_machines/sega_enterprises_israel_1996/
  7. ↑ https://forums.sonicretro.org/index.php?threads/more-sega-channel-prototypes-dumped.25935/page-11#post-833889
  8. ↑ https://oldschool.org.il/videos/%D7%94%D7%9E%D7%A7%D7%A8%D7%94-%D7%94%D7%9E%D7%95%D7%96%D7%A8-%D7%A9%D7%9C-%D7%9E%D7%A9%D7%97%D7%A7%D7%99-%D7%90%D7%A7%D7%A1%D7%98%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9D/
  9. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20091224011006/http://www.sega.com/support/
  10. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20180522062924/http://redvault.co/ar/
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