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]] (20xx-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)'''
  
==From Mega Drive to Dreamcast==
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==Sega video game consoles==
Most of Sega's history in this region from this period is related to [[History of Sega in Russia]], so the events are briefly summarized.
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{{mainArticle|History of Sega in Russia}}
<br>1. [[Steepler]] releases Dendy in 1993 and starts selling [[Sega]] clones ([[Pro 16 Bit]] and [[High Quality]]) and the original Mega Drive 2 from Asia, [[Multi-Mega|Genesis CDX]]<ref>http://tv-games.ru/wiki/Companies/Steepler.html</ref> from USA with US/EU/Asian/Bootleg games.
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<br>2. [[Nissho Iwai]] gets licenses to distribute games in CIS countries and in 1994 selects several authorized distributors such as [[Buka]] who supply [[Mega Drive]] 2<ref> Бука - Магазин Игрушек 1/95 page 57</ref> (EU/AS PAL), [[Mega-CD]] 2<ref> Бука - Магазин Игрушек 1/95 page 57</ref> (EU PAL/AS NTSC), [[Master System]] 2 (EU PAL), [[Game Gear]] (EU PAL), [[Sega Saturn]]<ref> Бука - Магазин Игрушек 1/95 page 57</ref> (AS NTSC/EU PAL), [[Mega Drive 32X]]<ref> Бука - Магазин Игрушек 1/95 page 57</ref>. Steepler starts selling Mega Drive 2 from Nissho Iwai channels.<ref>https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/94004?query=steepler</ref>
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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.
<br>3. The wave of Sega and Dendy clones begins to flood the CIS countries on flea markets, small stores and from specialized sellers (like [[Bitman]], [[Kenga]] and [[Subor]]), which means that the original systems reach a smaller number of people.
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<br>4. Despite problems with clones, Sega says Mega Drive had good sales in Russia and CIS<ref>https://www.telecompaper.com/news/32-bit-consoles-to-be-launched-in-may-1996--81064</ref> and decides to push Sega Saturn. They signs a deal with Bitman{{Fileref|Migr_8_RU.pdf|page=91}}, making [[Super Bitman]] legal<ref>https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/233963</ref> and Bitman starts selling all Sega consoles in its stores in the PAL system.{{Fileref|Migr_8_RU.pdf|page=91}}
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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.
<br>5. Sega Saturn turns out to be a failure and Bitman is bought by [[R-Style]] in 1997<ref>https://www.itweek.ru/themes/detail.php?ID=44981</ref>, which sells the other Sega consoles for a short time.  
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<br>6. The region is flooded in the late 1990s and early 2000s with Sega and Dendy clones from two channels: Asian by small sellers and flee markets and Russian by specialized sellers (like [[Simba's Video Games]] and [[New Game]]) with translated into Russian console and game boxes and later localized games. Around 2002, [[Mega Drive X]] and [[Simba's 268]] cost around 45000 BYN and [[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 around 13 000 BYN<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20020305040811/http://pristavka.shop.by/4.html</ref>. In 2005, [[Magic Drive]] Pro cost 59 400 BYN, Magic Drive Pro 132 around 66 000 BYN, [[Cybershell]] around 99 000 BYN<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20050414150251/http://pristavka.shop.by/2.html</ref> and [[Kibord-005]] around 66 000 BYN<ref>https://vrgames.by/content/simbas-kibord-005-obuchayusche-igrovaya-pristavka</ref> with games for around 5-6 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>
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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]].
<br>7. Sega returns with [[Dreamcast]], released by [[NVT]] in 2000.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20010409225930/http://sega.ru:80/news.phtml</ref> In the end of 2000, due to pirated translations of games into Russian and their distribution through its own sales channel in CIS countries,<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20060901234208/http://vector.msk.ru:80/</ref> the console became popular. After [[Big Ben Interactive]] became a distributor in Western Europe, local Russian distributors bought out the consoles and distributed them to the CIS countries, so that the console was sold long after its withdrawal in other parts of the world. Around 2002, Dreamcast from Simba's cost around 220 000 BYN<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20020406003510/http://pristavka.shop.by/503.html</ref>.
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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.
 +
 
 +
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, [[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>
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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==
In the following years, some games were released by the 1C company. The company's branch - [[1C SoftClub]] has dealers in this region. 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.
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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>
  
[[Sega Mega Drive]] clones can still be find from Russian distribution channel.
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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>
  
 
==Sega Amusement ==
 
==Sega Amusement ==
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==Sititek==
 
==Sititek==
[[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

History of Sega by Country
Asia
Afghanistan | Armenia | Azerbaijan | Bahrain | Bangladesh | Bhutan | Brunei | Cambodia | China | Georgia | Hong Kong | India | Indonesia | Iran | Iraq | Israel | Japan | Jordan | Kazakhstan | Kuwait | Kyrgyzstan | Laos | Lebanon | Malaysia | Maldives | Mongolia | Myanmar | Nepal | North Korea | Oman | Pakistan | Philippines | Qatar | Russia | Saudi Arabia | Singapore | South Korea | Sri Lanka | Syria | Taiwan | Tajikistan | Thailand | East Timor | Turkey | Turkmenistan | United Arab Emirates | Uzbekistan | Vietnam | Yemen
North America
Antigua and Barbuda | Bahamas | Barbados | Belize | Canada | Costa Rica | Cuba | Dominica | Dominican Republic | El Salvador | Grenada | Guatemala | Haiti | Honduras | Jamaica | Mexico | Nicaragua | Panama | Puerto Rico | Saint Kitts and Nevis | Saint Lucia | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Trinidad and Tobago | USA
South America
Argentina | Bolivia | Brazil | Chile | Colombia | Ecuador | Guyana | Paraguay | Peru | Suriname | Uruguay | Venezuela
Europe
Albania | Andorra | Austria | Belarus | Belgium | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Bulgaria | Croatia | Cyprus | Czechia | Denmark | Estonia | Finland | France | Germany | Gibraltar | Greece | Greenland | Hungary | Iceland | Ireland | Italy | Latvia | Liechtenstein | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Malta | Moldova | Monaco | Montenegro | Netherlands | North Macedonia | Norway | Poland | Portugal | Romania | San Marino | Serbia | Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain | Sweden | Switzerland | Ukraine | United Kingdom
Australasia
Australia | Fiji | Guam | Micronesia | New Zealand | Papua New Guinea
Africa
Algeria | Botswana | Djibouti | Egypt | Eswatini | Ghana | Kenya | Lesotho | Libya | Mauritania | Morocco | Mozambique | Namibia | Nigeria | Sierra Leone | Somalia | Sub-Saharan Africa | South Africa | Tunisia | Uganda | Zambia | Zimbabwe