Difference between revisions of "History of Sega in Belarus"

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| distributors=[[Buka]] (1994-1999), [[Bitman]] (1996-1997), [[R-Style]] (1997-1999), [[NVT]] (2000-2002), [[1C-SoftClub]] (2004-present),  
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| distributors=[[Nissho Iwai]] (1994-1995), [[Buka]] (1994-1999), [[Bitman]] (1996-1997), [[R-Style]] (1996-1999), [[NVT]] (2000-2001), [[1C-SoftClub]] (2005-present),  
 
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Belarus declared independence in 1991. Since that year, the country has been a member of the '''Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)'''
 
Belarus declared independence in 1991. Since that year, the country has been a member of the '''Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)'''
  
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==Video game consoles==
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==Sega video game consoles==
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Initially, Sega had no official representitives across the CIS region, and similar to Russia, very little protection was in place to stop companies from infringing on Western video game copyrights. As such, [[Steepler]], which had rose to prominance in the newly-created Russian video game market by selling unlicensed Dendy consoles (i.e. Famicom clones), expanded into CIS markets around 1993. Steepler would go on to sell its Mega Drive clone, the [[Pro 16 Bit]], as well as imported Asian model 2 [[Sega Mega Drive]]s and North American [[Sega Multi-Mega]]s also with games from this region.<ref>http://tv-games.ru/wiki/Companies/Steepler.html</ref>The company also brought pirate games from Asia.
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{{mainArticle|History of Sega in Russia}}
  
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In 1994, [[Nissho Iwai]] offered [[Buka]] (Бука) the status of authorized distributor, so the company also began selling consoles from Forrus.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xy31U1mX2mc&t=600s</ref> Buka managed to get along with [[Steepler]] and Dendy for the sale of original Mega Drive 2 but company sold them at a more expensive price than unofficials. After Forrus fail, Nissho Iwai gave Buka full distribution rights and appointed them as Sega representative in CIS. By 1994/1995 the first officially-licensed Sega products arrived in the CIS, including the Mega Drive 2 (European PAL and Asian PAL), [[Sega Saturn]] (Asian NTSC and later European PAL), [[Sega Mega-CD]] model 2 (Asian NTSC and European PAL), [[Sega Game Gear]] (European PAL), Master System 2 (European PAL) and [[Sega 32X]] (unknown specification).
+
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 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beryozka_(Russian_retail_store) 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.
  
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In 1995, Sega got along with [[Kenga]] (a company that sold Mega Drive clones in CIS) to distribute [[Sega Multi Mega]].
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The Belarusian video game market began to emerge after 1991, when the first imported Western consoles (like [[NES]] or [[Atari 2600]]) and clones (such as [http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JHABzMXCNv8/UgnucqIzXKI/AAAAAAAAAJA/sTPyhdaA_2o/s1600/IMAG0737.jpg Zhiliton 938-A] or Rambo 2600) began to reach the country. This market was and is still largely related to the Russian one, so when in 1993 [[Steepler]] started selling a Famicom clone called Dendy, this market became the third most important from former USSR countries, after Ukraine and Kazakhstan.
  
−
Despite the large piracy, Sega recognized Mega Drive as a success in the CIS. To act even more effectively against piracy, in 1996 [[Bitman]], who have been selling its own Mega Drive clones in the region at the time, became the distributor No.1 of [[Sega Europe]] in both Russia and the CIS, replacing Forrus' role in the latter.Bitman distribute the Mega Drive 2, [[Sega Saturn]] , [[Sega Mega-CD]] model 2, [[Sega Game Gear]], [[Sega 32X]] and [[Sega Pico]] in addition to the Super Bitman all in the European PAL system.{{Fileref|Migr_8_RU.pdf|page=91}}<ref>https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/233963?query=bitman</ref>
+
The original Sega consoles ([[Mega Drive]] II, [[Master System]] II, [[Game Gear]], [[Mega CD]] II and [[Mega Drive 32X]]) were released in Belarus 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]].
  
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After the success of Mega Drive, Sega had high hopes for the distribution of Sega Saturn. The Russian and CIS markets have become a priority among former Eastern Bloc countries.<ref>https://www.telecompaper.com/news/32bit-consoles-to-be-launched-in-may-1996--81064</ref> Despite the efforts of Buka and Bitman, Sega Saturn just as in other countries of the world did not sell as good as Mega Drive.
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From mid-90s, Belarus was under pressure of bootleg sellers that distributed [[Mega Drive]] clones in flea market or stores. Most of them were from Russia and one of the famous and more organized were [[Bitman]], [[Kenga]] and [[Subor]]. 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.
  
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In 1997, Bitman was acquired by [[R-Style]], which inherited the former's distribution agreement. R-Style continued selling Saturn (European PAL and NTSC-U) , Mega Drive II (European PAL) , Mega CD II (European PAL) and Pico (European PAL).
+
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.
  
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[[Sega Dreamcast]] has also reached Belarus. In 2000 [[NVT]] was appointed a distributor and started selling consoles.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20010409225930/http://sega.ru:80/news.phtml</ref> Consoles were sold along with Russian documents. The end of 2000 was marked by a boom for DC consoles in the CIS countries, which was related to the mass distribution of Russified versions of games (pirated ones) and the decrease in prices of the console and games thanks to official distribution.{{fileref|Radio 2001-12 RU Dreamcast.gif|}} Despite the failure of Dreamcast in the world, in the CIS countries the console was well received and could be bought until the end of 2003. The original games were rare and pirate games were popular, which were translated into Russian. Several companies producing unoriginal Russian translations such as [[Vector (company)|Vector]], had their representatives in the CIS.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20060901234208/http://vector.msk.ru:80/</ref>
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Between 1990s and 2000s, most known distributors of Mega Drive clones were [[Simba's Video Games]] and [[New Game]] that distributed video games with Russian covers and fully localized. As in Russia, these clones were still easy available in the 2000s. Around 2002, [[Mega Drive X]] and [[Simba's 268]] cost 45 000 BYN, [[Unlicensed_Mega_Drive_clones_(Mega_Drive_2)_in_Russia#Mega_Drive_2_.28Simba.27s.29|Mega Drive 2]] clone cost 42 000 BYN.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20020206085529/http://pristavka.shop.by/2.html</ref> with games for 9000 BYN - 13 000 BYN<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20020305040811/http://pristavka.shop.by/4.html</ref>. To comparison, original Dreamcast cost at the time around 220 000 BYN<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20020406003510/http://pristavka.shop.by/503.html</ref> and pirate games translated into Russian cost 4500 BYN - 4720 BYN (1 CD)<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20030508084622mp_/http://pristavka.shop.by/895.html</ref>, 9450 BYN (2 CD), 18 900 BYN (4 CD)<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20030821033832mp_/http://pristavka.shop.by/884.html</ref>.
 +
 
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From mid-2000s most if not all of the clones come from Russia. For example in 2005, [[Magic Drive]] Pro cost 59 400 BYN, Magic Drive Pro 132 cost 66 000 BYN, [[Cybershell]] cost 99 000 BYN<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20050414150251/http://pristavka.shop.by/2.html</ref> and [[Kibord-005]] cost 66 000 BYN<ref>https://vrgames.by/content/simbas-kibord-005-obuchayusche-igrovaya-pristavka</ref> with games for around 5000-6000 BYN<ref>https://vrgames.by/content/simbas-kibord-005-obuchayusche-igrovaya-pristavka</ref>. In 2007, [[Mega Drive Portable]] cost 60-70 USD with games for 5 USD.<ref>https://vrgames.by/content/megadrive-portable</ref>
 +
 
 +
Today all brands of clones from Russia can be easily find in Belarusian shops specialized in distribution of that kind of products.
  
 
==1C SoftClub==
 
==1C SoftClub==
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In 2004 SoftClub became a distributor of Sega, and later became a part of the company 1C.
+
From 2005, [[1C-SoftClub]] distributes games in Belarus<ref>https://vrgames.by/publ/obzor-worms-forts-v-osade</ref> with translated boxes and localized games into Russian. Sega games are also available from digital distribution and Belarus, when it comes to digital keys, belongs to the RU-CIS-UA region. Digital game distribution platforms such as Steam suggest lower prices for the region.
  
 
The only Sega game that distribution has been stopped in CIS countries was [[Company of Heroes 2]].<ref>https://www.destructoid.com/company-of-heroes-2-removed-from-sale-in-russia-259439.phtml</ref>
 
The only Sega game that distribution has been stopped in CIS countries was [[Company of Heroes 2]].<ref>https://www.destructoid.com/company-of-heroes-2-removed-from-sale-in-russia-259439.phtml</ref>
  
−
== Mega Drive clones==
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On March 2022, Sega suspended sales of products and services in Belarus.<ref>https://www.sega.co.jp/en/release/220311_1.html</ref>
−
In the CIS countries, can still be find [[Sega Mega Drive]] clones. Most of them are from Russia.
 
  
 
==Sega Amusement ==
 
==Sega Amusement ==
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==Sititek==
 
==Sititek==
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[[Sititek]] is the official distributor of Sega Toys in Russia and CIS countries.<ref>https://www.fansimag.ru/tovary-dlya-detey/domashniy-planetariy/disk-proekcionnyy-sititek-dlya-planetariev-homestar-romanticheskiy-6743/</ref>
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[[Sititek]] is the official distributor of Sega Toys in Russia and CIS countries.<ref>https://desole.ru/brands/sititek/</ref>
  
 
==References==
 
==References==

Latest revision as of 14:33, 27 August 2024

Notavailable.svg
Belarus 
History of Sega in Belarus
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),

Belarus 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 Belarusian video game market began to emerge after 1991, when the first imported Western consoles (like NES or Atari 2600) and clones (such as Zhiliton 938-A or Rambo 2600) began to reach the country. This market was and is still largely related to the Russian one, so when in 1993 Steepler started selling a Famicom clone called Dendy, this market became the third most important from former USSR countries, after Ukraine and Kazakhstan.

The original Sega consoles (Mega Drive II, Master System II, Game Gear, Mega CD II and Mega Drive 32X) were released in Belarus 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, Belarus was under pressure of bootleg sellers that distributed Mega Drive clones in flea market or stores. Most of them were from Russia and one of the famous and more organized were Bitman, Kenga and Subor. 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.

Between 1990s and 2000s, most known distributors of Mega Drive clones were Simba's Video Games and New Game that distributed video games with Russian covers and fully localized. As in Russia, these clones were still easy available in the 2000s. Around 2002, Mega Drive X and Simba's 268 cost 45 000 BYN, Mega Drive 2 clone cost 42 000 BYN.[1] with games for 9000 BYN - 13 000 BYN[2]. To comparison, original Dreamcast cost at the time around 220 000 BYN[3] and pirate games translated into Russian cost 4500 BYN - 4720 BYN (1 CD)[4], 9450 BYN (2 CD), 18 900 BYN (4 CD)[5].

From mid-2000s most if not all of the clones come from Russia. For example in 2005, Magic Drive Pro cost 59 400 BYN, Magic Drive Pro 132 cost 66 000 BYN, Cybershell cost 99 000 BYN[6] and Kibord-005 cost 66 000 BYN[7] with games for around 5000-6000 BYN[8]. In 2007, Mega Drive Portable cost 60-70 USD with games for 5 USD.[9]

Today all brands of clones from Russia can be easily find in Belarusian shops specialized in distribution of that kind of products.

1C SoftClub

From 2005, 1C-SoftClub distributes games in Belarus[10] with translated boxes and localized games into Russian. Sega games are also available from digital distribution and Belarus, when it comes to digital keys, belongs to the RU-CIS-UA region. Digital game distribution platforms such as Steam suggest lower prices for the region.

The only Sega game that distribution has been stopped in CIS countries was Company of Heroes 2.[11]

On March 2022, Sega suspended sales of products and services in Belarus.[12]

Sega Amusement

Since 2006, the distribution of arcade machines and equipment for children produce by Sega is being carried out by KidsPlay.[13]

QubicaAMF is a strategic partner in Russia and CIS countries.

Sititek

Sititek is the official distributor of Sega Toys in Russia and CIS countries.[14]

References

  1. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20020206085529/http://pristavka.shop.by/2.html
  2. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20020305040811/http://pristavka.shop.by/4.html
  3. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20020406003510/http://pristavka.shop.by/503.html
  4. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20030508084622mp_/http://pristavka.shop.by/895.html
  5. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20030821033832mp_/http://pristavka.shop.by/884.html
  6. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20050414150251/http://pristavka.shop.by/2.html
  7. ↑ https://vrgames.by/content/simbas-kibord-005-obuchayusche-igrovaya-pristavka
  8. ↑ https://vrgames.by/content/simbas-kibord-005-obuchayusche-igrovaya-pristavka
  9. ↑ https://vrgames.by/content/megadrive-portable
  10. ↑ https://vrgames.by/publ/obzor-worms-forts-v-osade
  11. ↑ https://www.destructoid.com/company-of-heroes-2-removed-from-sale-in-russia-259439.phtml
  12. ↑ https://www.sega.co.jp/en/release/220311_1.html
  13. ↑ http://brunswickbowling.kz/about/sng.php
  14. ↑ https://desole.ru/brands/sititek/
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