Difference between revisions of "Sega AM2"

From Sega Retro
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{{Company
 
{{Company
 
| logo=Am2 palmtree.svg
 
| logo=Am2 palmtree.svg
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| width=300
 
 
| mergedinto=  
 
| mergedinto=  
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| founded=1983
+
| founded=1990
 
| headquarters=Japan
 
| headquarters=Japan
 
}}
 
}}
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[[File:Am2.svg|thumb|right|300px|Sega AM2 logo, sans palm tree.]]
+
'''Sega Amusement Machine Research and Development Department #2''', ('''Sega AM R&D Dept. #2''', '''Sega AM2''') is a division within [[Sega of Japan]]. It was formed in 1990 primarily to create arcade (or "amusement") games.
  
−
'''Sega Amusement Machine Research and Development Department 2''' or '''Sega AM2''' is the second arcade division at Sega. It introduced a variety of innovative concepts for Sega's arcade business. In the 80's it introduced sprite-scaling graphics and moving cabinets with games such as ''[[Hang-On]]'', ''[[Space Harrier]]'' and ''[[After Burner]]''. In the 90's it popularized polygonal 3D graphics with ''[[Virtua Racing]]'', ''[[Virtua Fighter]]'' and ''[[Virtua Cop]]''. In the 2000's, the international arcade market has contracted, but Sega still gained momentum in the Japanese market. This is party due to Virtua Fighter 4 internet and magnetic card features in Japanese arcades. Sega enjoyed large revenue based on these concepts for over a decade, and still does today.
+
AM2 is arguably the most successful R&D division to have ever existed within Sega, to the point where its internal division name became a marketable brand in its own right. As such, while significant changes have occurred within its lifespan from a business perspective, this division of Sega has always referred to itself as "AM2", even if it has not been exclusively an amusement-only department since 1991. During the 1990s and early 2000s, the chief operating officer of AM2 was industry stalwart [[Yu Suzuki]].
  
−
In the home console business, it produced the obscure ''[[Sword of Vermillion]]'' and ''[[Rent-A-Hero]]'' for Mega Drive/Genesis, and ''[[Digital Dance Mix Vol.1 Namie Amuro]]'' for the Sega Saturn. Critically and commerically, the Virtua Fighter series proved to be most successful home console projects for AM2, especially [[Virtua Fighter 2]] for the Saturn and [[Virtua Fighter 4]] for PlayStation 2. The most monumental AM2 home console games, were the Shenmue games, built as a killer app for the Sega Dreamcast. Outside of the arcade enviorment, AM2 is currently most prolific with the ''[[Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA]]'' games where AM2 produced the arcade and 3DS versions, and also the look and imagery for her holographic concerts. The arcade versions provided a base for the following home console releases of the series.
+
As with [[Sonic Team]], Sega Retro makes a special exception for Sega AM2, as while the division has existed in several guises over the years, it has broadly maintained the same core staff and ideals, not to mention similar naming and branding.
  
−
In 1998, [[Toshihiro Nagoshi]] formed his own arcade department within AM2, '''[[Sega AM11]]''', where he worked on ''[[SpikeOut]]''. In 2000, that department was spun off as [[Amusement Vision]].
+
==Corporate history==
 +
Sega AM2 is thought to have been a continuation of an older R&D studio (R&D 8?), famed for arcade games featuring sprite-scaling graphics and moving cabinets with games such as ''[[Hang-On]]'', ''[[Space Harrier]]'', ''[[OutRun]]'' and ''[[After Burner]]''. It became a pioneer of early 3D polygonal 3D graphics with the 1992 release of ''[[Virtua Racing]]'', before creating ''[[Virtua Fighter]]'', beginning one of Japan's most popular arcade series ever made. ''Virtua Fighter'' was, incidentally, the first time AM2's name (and signature palm tree logo) became publically visible - a trend that would continue in the majority of its releases going forward.
  
−
In 1999, the division renamed '''Sega Software R&D Dept. #2'''. Sega AM2 was at times called '''AM2 of CRI''' during its short 2000-2001 merger with [[CRI]]—even concurrently referred to as CRI, although they were technically two different companies. In August 2001, CRI changed company name to '''Sega-AM2'''.{{ref|http://dengekionline.com/data/news/2001/8/1/70e819844b813fbf73f290e563297591.html}}{{fileref|Dorimaga_JP_20010824_2001-07.pdf|page=11}}
+
AM2 was also the first arcade division to involve itself with the home console market, producing titles such as ''[[Sword of Vermillion]]'' and ''[[Rent-A-Hero]]'' for the [[Sega Mega Drive]]. It soon found itself at the forefront of [[Sega Saturn]] technology, producing the [[Sega Graphics Library]] in 1995 in conjunction with its Saturn conversion of ''[[Virtua Fighter 2]]''. The AM2 palm tree would even become an unlockable character in in the AM2-developed ''[[Fighters Megamix]]''.
  
−
In 2003, '''[Digital Rex]''' was formed, a seperate division by AM2 chief [[Yu Suzuki]]. He worked on several projects, however only ''[[Sega Race TV]]'' was able to be released.
+
In 1998, AM2-developer [[Toshihiro Nagoshi]] formed his own arcade department within Sega known as [[Sega AM11]], where he worked on ''[[SpikeOut]]''.
  
−
During a 2008 restructure, the third arcade studio, [[AM3|AM3 (2005-2008)]] was dissolved and some of it's franchises became part of AM2.
+
As with other R&D divisions within Sega, Sega AM2 was briefly renamed '''Sega Software R&D Dept. #2''' in May 1999. Unlike its sister divisions, however, the department continued to trade as AM2 and was largely unaffected by the internal restructure. In 2000 the division went one step further, becoming an entirely separate (but wholly owned) subsidiary of Sega officially known as '''Sega-AM2 Co., Ltd'''. AM2 was at this point the only R&D division to still rely on the "AM" name.
  
−
==Arcade==
+
[[Isao Okawa]]'s [[CSK]] was the parent company of Sega at the time, with its own software development division, [[CRI]]. CRI absorbed Sega AM2 in February 2000 (occasionally leading to credits to '''AM2 of CRI''') and renamed itself Sega-AM2 Co., Ltd. in August 2001{{ref|http://dengekionline.com/data/news/2001/8/1/70e819844b813fbf73f290e563297591.html}}{{fileref|Dorimaga_JP_20010824_2001-07.pdf|page=11}}. Confusingly, CRI Middleware Co. Ltd. was then established to handle the sale of CRI's former products such as [[ADX]] and [[Sofdec]].
  
 +
Yu Suzuki left AM2 in 2003 to found [[DigitalRex]], also owned by Sega. This would become [[AM Plus]] before any games were released.
 +
 +
Sega's separate development companies were merged back into the main business in 2004, and this included AM2, trading once again as "AM R&D Dept. 2". The AM2 name and logo continues to surface to this day.
 +
 +
==Softography (arcade)==
 
{{multicol|
 
{{multicol|
 
=== [[Sega Space Harrier]] ===
 
=== [[Sega Space Harrier]] ===
−
* [[Space Harrier]] (1985)
+
*''[[Space Harrier]]'' (1985)
−
* [[Hang-On]] (1985)
+
*''[[Hang-On]]'' (1985)
−
* [[Super Hang-On]] (1987)
+
*''[[Super Hang-On]]'' (1987)
  
 
=== [[Sega OutRun]] ===
 
=== [[Sega OutRun]] ===
−
* [[OutRun]] (1986)
+
*''[[OutRun]]'' (1986)
−
* [[Turbo OutRun]] (1989)
+
*''[[Turbo OutRun]]'' (1989)
  
 
=== [[X Board]] ===
 
=== [[X Board]] ===
−
* [[After Burner]] (1987)  
+
*''[[After Burner]]'' (1987)  
−
** [[After Burner II]] (1987)
+
**''[[After Burner II]]'' (1987)
−
* [[GP Rider]] (1990)
+
*''[[GP Rider]]'' (1990)
  
 
=== [[Y Board]] ===
 
=== [[Y Board]] ===
−
* [[Power Drift]] (1988)
+
*''[[Power Drift]]'' (1988)
−
* [[G-LOC: Air Battle]] (1990)
+
*''[[G-LOC: Air Battle]]'' (1990)
−
* [[Strike Fighter]] (1991)
+
*''[[Strike Fighter]]'' (1991)
 
   
 
   
 
=== [[System 32]] ===
 
=== [[System 32]] ===
−
* [[Arabian Fight]] (1993)
+
*''[[Arabian Fight]]'' (1993)
−
* [[F1 Exhaust Note]] (1991)  
+
*''[[F1 Exhaust Note]]'' (1991)  
−
** [[F1 Super Lap]] (1993)
+
**''[[F1 Super Lap]]'' (1993)
−
* [[Soreike Kokology]] (1991)  
+
*''[[Soreike Kokology]]'' (1991)  
−
** [[Soreike Kokology 2]] (1993)
+
**''[[Soreike Kokology 2]]'' (1993)
  
 
=== [[Sega Model 1]] ===
 
=== [[Sega Model 1]] ===
−
* [[Virtua Fighter]] (1993)
+
*''[[Virtua Fighter]]'' (1993)
−
* [[Virtua Racing]] (1992)
+
*''[[Virtua Racing]]'' (1992)
  
 
=== [[Sega Model 2]] ===
 
=== [[Sega Model 2]] ===
−
* [[Daytona USA]] (1993)  
+
*''[[Daytona USA]]'' (1993)  
−
* [[Desert Tank]] (1994)
+
*''[[Desert Tank]]'' (1994)
−
* [[Virtua Cop]] (1994)
+
*''[[Virtua Cop]]'' (1994)
−
* [[Sonic the Fighters]] (1996)
+
*''[[Sonic the Fighters]]'' (1996)
  
 
=== [[Sega Model 2A CRX]] ===
 
=== [[Sega Model 2A CRX]] ===
−
* [[Virtua Fighter 2]] (1994)  
+
*''[[Virtua Fighter 2]]'' (1994)  
−
* [[Virtua Cop 2]] (1995)
+
*''[[Virtua Cop 2]]'' (1995)
  
 
=== [[Sega Model 2B CRX]] ===
 
=== [[Sega Model 2B CRX]] ===
−
* [[Virtua Striker]] (1995)
+
*''[[Virtua Striker]]'' (1995)
−
* [[Fighting Vipers]] (1995)
+
*''[[Fighting Vipers]]'' (1995)
  
 
=== [[Sega Model 3 Step 1.0]] ===
 
=== [[Sega Model 3 Step 1.0]] ===
−
* [[Fighting Vipers 2]] (1998)
+
*''[[Fighting Vipers 2]]'' (1998)
−
* [[Virtua Fighter 3]] (1996)  
+
*''[[Virtua Fighter 3]]'' (1996)  
−
** [[Virtua Fighter 3tb]] (1997)
+
**''[[Virtua Fighter 3tb]]'' (1997)
  
 
=== [[Sega Model 3 Step 1.5]] ===
 
=== [[Sega Model 3 Step 1.5]] ===
−
* [[Scud Race]] (1996)  
+
*''[[Scud Race]]'' (1996)  
−
** [[Scud Race Plus]] (1997)
+
**''[[Scud Race Plus]]'' (1997)
−
* [[Virtua Striker 2]] (1997)
+
*''[[Virtua Striker 2]]'' (1997)
−
** [[Virtua Striker 2 Version '98]] (1998)
+
**''[[Virtua Striker 2 Version '98]]'' (1998)
−
** [[Virtua Striker 2 Version '99]] (1999)
+
**''[[Virtua Striker 2 Version '99]]'' (1999)
  
 
=== [[Sega Model 3 Step 2.1]] ===
 
=== [[Sega Model 3 Step 2.1]] ===
−
* [[Daytona USA 2: Battle on the Edge]] (1998)
+
*''[[Daytona USA 2: Battle on the Edge]]'' (1998)
−
** [[Daytona USA 2: Power Edition]] (1998)
+
**''[[Daytona USA 2: Power Edition]]'' (1998)
  
 
=== [[Sega Titan Video]] ===
 
=== [[Sega Titan Video]] ===
−
* [[Virtua Fighter Kids]] (1996)
+
*''[[Virtua Fighter Kids]]'' (1996)
  
 
=== [[NAOMI]] ===
 
=== [[NAOMI]] ===
−
* [[18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker]] (1999)
+
*''[[18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker]]'' (1999)
−
* [[F355 Challenge]] (1999)  
+
*''[[F355 Challenge]]'' (1999)  
−
** [[F355 Challenge 2: International Course Edition]] (2001)  
+
**''[[F355 Challenge 2: International Course Edition]]'' (2001)  
−
* [[MJ]] (2002)  
+
*''[[MJ]]'' (2002)  
−
* [[Outtrigger]] (1999)
+
*''[[Outtrigger]]'' (1999)
  
 
===[[Sega NAOMI 2|NAOMI 2]]===
 
===[[Sega NAOMI 2|NAOMI 2]]===
−
* [[Beach Spikers]] (2001)
+
*''[[Beach Spikers]]'' (2001)
−
* [[The King of Route 66]] (2002)
+
*''[[The King of Route 66]]'' (2002)
−
* [[Virtua Fighter 4]] (2001)
+
*''[[Virtua Fighter 4]]'' (2001)
−
** [[Virtua Fighter 4 Evolution]] (2002)
+
**''[[Virtua Fighter 4 Evolution]]'' (2002)
−
** [[Virtua Fighter 4 Final Tuned]] (2004)
+
**''[[Virtua Fighter 4 Final Tuned]]'' (2004)
  
 
=== [[Chihiro]] ===
 
=== [[Chihiro]] ===
  
−
* [[Ghost Squad]] (2004)
+
*''[[Ghost Squad]]'' (2004)
−
* [[Quest of D]] (2004)  
+
*''[[Quest of D]]'' (2004)  
 
** Quest of D Ver.2 (2004)  
 
** Quest of D Ver.2 (2004)  
 
** Quest of D Ver.3 (2004)  
 
** Quest of D Ver.3 (2004)  
 
** Quest of D: The Battle Kingdom (2004)
 
** Quest of D: The Battle Kingdom (2004)
−
* [[Miyazato San Kyoudai Naizou: Sega Golfclub|Sega Golf Club]] (2004)
+
*''[[Miyazato San Kyoudai Naizou: Sega Golfclub|Sega Golf Club]]'' (2004)
−
** [[Miyazato San Kyoudai Naizou: Sega Golfclub|Sega Golf Club Ver. 2006]] (2006)
+
**''[[Miyazato San Kyoudai Naizou: Sega Golfclub|Sega Golf Club Ver. 2006]]'' (2006)
−
* [[MJ2]] (2003)  
+
*''[[MJ2]]'' (2003)  
−
** [[MJ3]] (2004)  
+
**''[[MJ3]]'' (2004)  
−
* [[OutRun 2]] (2003)  
+
*''[[OutRun 2]]'' (2003)  
−
** [[OutRun 2 SP]] (2004)  
+
**''[[OutRun 2 SP]]'' (2004)  
−
* [[Virtua Cop 3]] (2003)
+
*''[[Virtua Cop 3]]'' (2003)
  
 
===[[Sega Lindbergh|Lindbergh]]===
 
===[[Sega Lindbergh|Lindbergh]]===
  
−
* [[After Burner Climax]] (2006)
+
*''[[After Burner Climax]]'' (2006)
−
* [[Derby Owners Club 2009: Ride for the Live]] (2008)
+
*''[[Derby Owners Club 2009: Ride for the Live]]'' (2008)
−
* [[Ghost Squad Evolution]] (2007)
+
*''[[Ghost Squad Evolution]]'' (2007)
−
* [[OutRun 2 SP SDX]] (2007)
+
*''[[OutRun 2 SP SDX]]'' (2007)
−
* [[R-Tuned: Ultimate Street Racing]] (2008)
+
*''[[R-Tuned: Ultimate Street Racing]]'' (2008)
−
* [[Virtua Fighter 5]] (2006)
+
*''[[Virtua Fighter 5]]'' (2006)
−
** [[Virtua Fighter 5 R]] (2008)  
+
**''[[Virtua Fighter 5 R]]'' (2008)  
−
** [[Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown]] (2010)  
+
**''[[Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown]]'' (2010)  
−
* [[MJ4]] (2008)  
+
*''[[MJ4]]'' (2008)  
  
 
=== [[RingEdge]] ===
 
=== [[RingEdge]] ===
  
−
* [[Border Break]] (2009)
+
*''[[Border Break]]'' (2009)
−
** [[Border Break Airburst]] (2010)
+
**''[[Border Break Airburst]]'' (2010)
−
** [[Border Break Union]] (2012)
+
**''[[Border Break Union]]'' (2012)
−
** [[Border Break Scramble]] (2014)
+
**''[[Border Break Scramble]]'' (2014)
−
** [[Border Break X]] (2016)
+
**''[[Border Break X]]'' (2016)
−
* [[MJ5]] (2011)
+
*''[[MJ5]]'' (2011)
−
** [[MJ5 Evolution]] (2011)
+
**''[[MJ5 Evolution]]'' (2011)
−
** [[MJ5R Evolution]] (2013)
+
**''[[MJ5R Evolution]]'' (2013)
−
** [[MJ Arcade]] (2017)
+
**''[[MJ Arcade]]'' (2017)
−
* [[Project DIVA Arcade]] (2010)  
+
*''[[Project DIVA Arcade]]'' (2010)  
−
* [[Sega Card-Gen MLB 2009]] (2009)
+
*''[[Sega Card-Gen MLB 2009]]'' (2009)
−
** [[Sega Card-Gen MLB 2010]] (2010)
+
**''[[Sega Card-Gen MLB 2010]]'' (2010)
−
** [[Sega Card-Gen MLB 2011]] (2011)
+
**''[[Sega Card-Gen MLB 2011]]'' (2011)
−
** [[Sega Card-Gen MLB 2012]] (2012)
+
**''[[Sega Card-Gen MLB 2012]]'' (2012)
−
** [[Sega Card-Gen MLB 2013]] (2013)
+
**''[[Sega Card-Gen MLB 2013]]'' (2013)
−
*[[Shining Force Cross]] (2009)
+
*[[Shining Force Cross]]'' (2009)
−
**[[Shining Force Cross Raid]] (2010)
+
**[[Shining Force Cross Raid]]'' (2010)
−
**[[Shining Force Cross Elysion]] (2012)
+
**[[Shining Force Cross Elysion]]'' (2012)
−
**[[Shining Force Cross Exlesia]] (2013)
+
**[[Shining Force Cross Exlesia]]'' (2013)
−
**[[Shining Force Cross Exlesia Zenith]] (2014
+
**[[Shining Force Cross Exlesia Zenith]]'' (2014
−
* [[Virtua Tennis 4]] (2012)
+
*''[[Virtua Tennis 4]]'' (2012)
  
 
=== [[RingWide]] ===
 
=== [[RingWide]] ===
  
−
* [[Sega Racing Classic]] (2009)
+
*''[[Sega Racing Classic]]'' (2009)
  
 
=== [[Nu]] ===
 
=== [[Nu]] ===
  
−
* [[Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Arcade Future Tone]] (2013)
+
*''[[Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Arcade Future Tone]]'' (2013)
−
* [[Kantai Collection Arcade]] (2016)
+
*''[[Kantai Collection Arcade]]'' (2016)
−
* [[Soul Reverse]] (2017)
+
*''[[Soul Reverse]]'' (2017)
 
|cols=2}}
 
|cols=2}}
  
−
==Consumer==
+
==Softography (consumer)==
  
 
{{multicol|
 
{{multicol|
  
 
===[[Sega Mega Drive|Mega Drive]]===
 
===[[Sega Mega Drive|Mega Drive]]===
−
* [[Rent A Hero]] (1991)
+
*''[[Rent A Hero]]'' (1991)
−
* [[Virtua Racing]] (1994)
+
*''[[Virtua Racing]]'' (1994)
  
 
===[[Sega Saturn|Saturn]]===
 
===[[Sega Saturn|Saturn]]===
−
* [[Digital Dance Mix Vol.1 Namie Amuro]]'(1997)
+
*''[[Digital Dance Mix Vol.1 Namie Amuro]]'(1997)
−
* [[Fighters Megamix]] (1996)
+
*''[[Fighters Megamix]]'' (1996)
−
* [[Fighting Vipers]] (1996)
+
*''[[Fighting Vipers]]'' (1996)
−
* [[Virtua Cop]] (1995)
+
*''[[Virtua Cop]]'' (1995)
−
* [[Virtua Cop 2]] (1996)
+
*''[[Virtua Cop 2]]'' (1996)
−
* [[Virtua Fighter Kids]] (1996)
+
*''[[Virtua Fighter Kids]]'' (1996)
−
* [[Virtua Fighter 2]] (1995)
+
*''[[Virtua Fighter 2]]'' (1995)
−
* [[Virtua Fighter CG Portrait Series Vol.1 Sarah Bryant]] (1995)
+
*''[[Virtua Fighter CG Portrait Series Vol.1 Sarah Bryant]]'' (1995)
−
* [[Virtua Fighter CG Portrait Series Vol.10 Jeffry McWild]] (1996)
+
*''[[Virtua Fighter CG Portrait Series Vol.10 Jeffry McWild]]'' (1996)
−
* [[Virtua Fighter CG Portrait Series Vol.2 Jacky Bryant]] (1995)
+
*''[[Virtua Fighter CG Portrait Series Vol.2 Jacky Bryant]]'' (1995)
−
* [[Virtua Fighter CG Portrait Series Vol.3 Akira Yuki]] (1995)
+
*''[[Virtua Fighter CG Portrait Series Vol.3 Akira Yuki]]'' (1995)
−
* [[Virtua Fighter CG Portrait Series Vol.4 Pai Chan]] (1995)
+
*''[[Virtua Fighter CG Portrait Series Vol.4 Pai Chan]]'' (1995)
−
* [[Virtua Fighter CG Portrait Series Vol.5 Wolf Hawkfield]] (1995)
+
*''[[Virtua Fighter CG Portrait Series Vol.5 Wolf Hawkfield]]'' (1995)
−
* [[Virtua Fighter CG Portrait Series Vol.6 Lau Chan]] (1996)
+
*''[[Virtua Fighter CG Portrait Series Vol.6 Lau Chan]]'' (1996)
−
* [[Virtua Fighter CG Portrait Series Vol.7 Shun Di]] (1996)
+
*''[[Virtua Fighter CG Portrait Series Vol.7 Shun Di]]'' (1996)
−
* [[Virtua Fighter CG Portrait Series Vol.8 Lion Rafale]] (1996)
+
*''[[Virtua Fighter CG Portrait Series Vol.8 Lion Rafale]]'' (1996)
−
* [[Virtua Fighter CG Portrait Series Vol.9 Kage Maru]] (1996)
+
*''[[Virtua Fighter CG Portrait Series Vol.9 Kage Maru]]'' (1996)
  
 
===[[Sega Dreamcast|Dreamcast]]===
 
===[[Sega Dreamcast|Dreamcast]]===
−
* [[18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker]] (2000) (also with [[CRI]])
+
*''[[18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker]]'' (2000) (also with [[CRI]])
−
* [[Ferrari F355 Challenge]] (2000) (also with [[CRI]])
+
*''[[Ferrari F355 Challenge]]'' (2000) (also with [[CRI]])
−
* [[Fighting Vipers 2]] (2001)
+
*''[[Fighting Vipers 2]]'' (2001)
−
* [[Outtrigger]] (2001)
+
*''[[Outtrigger]]'' (2001)
−
* [[Propeller Arena]] (2001; unreleased)
+
*''[[Propeller Arena]]'' (2001; unreleased)
−
* [[Shenmue II]] (2001)
+
*''[[Shenmue II]]'' (2001)
−
* [[Shenmue]]'' (1999)
+
*''[[Shenmue]]'' (1999)
−
* [[Virtua Fighter 3tb]] (1998) (also with [[Genki]])
+
*''[[Virtua Fighter 3tb]]'' (1998) (also with [[Genki]])
  
 
===[[PlayStation 2|PlayStation 2]]===
 
===[[PlayStation 2|PlayStation 2]]===
−
* [[18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker]] (2001)
+
*''[[18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker]]'' (2001)
−
* [[Ferrari F355 Challenge]] (2002) (also with [[Tose]])
+
*''[[Ferrari F355 Challenge]]'' (2002) (also with [[Tose]])
−
* [[Virtua Cop: Elite Edition]] (2002) (also with RIZ Inc.)
+
*''[[Virtua Cop: Elite Edition]]'' (2002) (also with RIZ Inc.)
−
* [[Virtua Fighter 4]] (2002)
+
*''[[Virtua Fighter 4]]'' (2002)
−
* [[Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution]] (2003)
+
*''[[Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution]]'' (2003)
−
* [[The King of Route 66]] (2003) (also with [[Tose]])
+
*''[[The King of Route 66]]'' (2003) (also with [[Tose]])
−
* [[Virtua Quest]] (2004) (also with [[Tose]])
+
*''[[Virtua Quest]]'' (2004) (also with [[Tose]])
  
 
===[[Nintendo GameCube|GameCube]]===
 
===[[Nintendo GameCube|GameCube]]===
−
* [[18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker]] (2002)
+
*''[[18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker]]'' (2002)
−
* [[Beach Spikers]] (2002)
+
*''[[Beach Spikers]]'' (2002)
−
* [[Virtua Quest]] (2004) (also with [[Tose]])
+
*''[[Virtua Quest]]'' (2004) (also with [[Tose]])
  
 
===[[Xbox|Xbox]]===
 
===[[Xbox|Xbox]]===
−
* [[Shenmue II]] (2003)
+
*''[[Shenmue II]]'' (2003)
  
 
===[[Xbox 360|Xbox 360]]===
 
===[[Xbox 360|Xbox 360]]===
−
* [[After Burner Climax]] (2010)
+
*''[[After Burner Climax]]'' (2010)
−
* [[Cyber Troopers Virtual-On: Force]] (2010)
+
*''[[Cyber Troopers Virtual-On: Force]]'' (2010)
−
* [[Cyber Troopers Virtual-On]]  (2013)
+
*''[[Cyber Troopers Virtual-On]]  (2013)
−
* [[Cyber Troopers Virtual-On Oratorio Tangram]] (2009)
+
*''[[Cyber Troopers Virtual-On Oratorio Tangram]]'' (2009)
−
* [[Daytona USA]] (2011)
+
*''[[Daytona USA]]'' (2011)
−
* [[Fighting Vipers]] (2012)
+
*''[[Fighting Vipers]]'' (2012)
−
* [[Miyazato San Kyoudai Naizou: Sega Golfclub]] (2006)
+
*''[[Miyazato San Kyoudai Naizou: Sega Golfclub]]'' (2006)
−
* [[Sonic the Fighters]] (2012)
+
*''[[Sonic the Fighters]]'' (2012)
−
* [[Virtua Fighter 2]] (2012)
+
*''[[Virtua Fighter 2]]'' (2012)
−
* [[Virtua Fighter 5]] (2007)
+
*''[[Virtua Fighter 5]]'' (2007)
−
* [[Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown]] (2012)
+
*''[[Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown]]'' (2012)
−
* [[Virtua Tennis 4]] (2011)
+
*''[[Virtua Tennis 4]]'' (2011)
−
* [[Virtua Striker]] (2013)
+
*''[[Virtua Striker]]'' (2013)
  
 
===[[Wii]]===
 
===[[Wii]]===
−
* [[Ghost Squad]] (2007)
+
*''[[Ghost Squad]]'' (2007)
−
* [[Gunblade NY & LA Machineguns]] (2010)
+
*''[[Gunblade NY & LA Machineguns]]'' (2010)
  
 
===[[PlayStation 3]]===
 
===[[PlayStation 3]]===
  
−
* [[After Burner Climax]] (2010)
+
*''[[After Burner Climax]]'' (2010)
−
* [[Cyber Troopers Virtual-On]]  (2013)
+
*''[[Cyber Troopers Virtual-On]]  (2013)
−
* [[Daytona USA]] (2011)
+
*''[[Daytona USA]]'' (2011)
−
* [[Fighting Vipers]] (2012)
+
*''[[Fighting Vipers]]'' (2012)
−
* [[Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Dreamy Theater]] (2010)
+
*''[[Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Dreamy Theater]]'' (2010)
−
* [[Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Dreamy Theater 2nd]] (2011)
+
*''[[Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Dreamy Theater 2nd]]'' (2011)
−
* [[Sonic the Fighters]] (2012)
+
*''[[Sonic the Fighters]]'' (2012)
−
* [[Virtua Fighter 2]] (2012)
+
*''[[Virtua Fighter 2]]'' (2012)
−
* [[Virtua Fighter 5]] (2006)
+
*''[[Virtua Fighter 5]]'' (2006)
−
* [[Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown]] (2012)
+
*''[[Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown]]'' (2012)
−
* [[Virtua Tennis 4]] (2011)
+
*''[[Virtua Tennis 4]]'' (2011)
  
 
===[[Nintendo 3DS]]===
 
===[[Nintendo 3DS]]===
−
* [[Hatsune Miku and Future Stars Project mirai]] (2012)
+
*''[[Hatsune Miku and Future Stars Project mirai]]'' (2012)
−
* [[Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai 2]] (2013)
+
*''[[Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai 2]]'' (2013)
−
* [[Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai DX]] (2015)
+
*''[[Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai DX]]'' (2015)
  
 
===[[PlayStation 4]]===
 
===[[PlayStation 4]]===
−
* [[Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Arcade Future Tone]] (2016)
+
*''[[Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Arcade Future Tone]]'' (2016)
  
 
===PC===
 
===PC===
  
−
* [[MJ]] (2013)
+
*''[[MJ]]'' (2013)
  
 
===iOS===
 
===iOS===
  
−
* [[MJ]] (2012)
+
*''[[MJ]]'' (2012)
−
* [[Soul Reverse Zero]] (2017)
+
*''[[Soul Reverse Zero]]'' (2017)
  
 
===Android===
 
===Android===
  
−
* [[MJ]] (2012)
+
*''[[MJ]]'' (2012)
−
* [[Soul Reverse Zero]] (2017)
+
*''[[Soul Reverse Zero]]'' (2017)
 
|cols=3}}
 
|cols=3}}
 +
 +
==Gallery==
 +
<gallery>
 +
Am2.svg|Logo, sans palm tree
 +
</gallery>
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
Line 282: Line 292:
  
 
{{clear}}
 
{{clear}}
−
{{SegaDevs}}
+
{{SoJ}}

Revision as of 16:27, 4 March 2017

Sega Amusement Machine Research and Development Department #2, (Sega AM R&D Dept. #2, Sega AM2) is a division within Sega of Japan. It was formed in 1990 primarily to create arcade (or "amusement") games.

AM2 is arguably the most successful R&D division to have ever existed within Sega, to the point where its internal division name became a marketable brand in its own right. As such, while significant changes have occurred within its lifespan from a business perspective, this division of Sega has always referred to itself as "AM2", even if it has not been exclusively an amusement-only department since 1991. During the 1990s and early 2000s, the chief operating officer of AM2 was industry stalwart Yu Suzuki.

As with Sonic Team, Sega Retro makes a special exception for Sega AM2, as while the division has existed in several guises over the years, it has broadly maintained the same core staff and ideals, not to mention similar naming and branding.

Corporate history

Sega AM2 is thought to have been a continuation of an older R&D studio (R&D 8?), famed for arcade games featuring sprite-scaling graphics and moving cabinets with games such as Hang-On, Space Harrier, OutRun and After Burner. It became a pioneer of early 3D polygonal 3D graphics with the 1992 release of Virtua Racing, before creating Virtua Fighter, beginning one of Japan's most popular arcade series ever made. Virtua Fighter was, incidentally, the first time AM2's name (and signature palm tree logo) became publically visible - a trend that would continue in the majority of its releases going forward.

AM2 was also the first arcade division to involve itself with the home console market, producing titles such as Sword of Vermillion and Rent-A-Hero for the Sega Mega Drive. It soon found itself at the forefront of Sega Saturn technology, producing the Sega Graphics Library in 1995 in conjunction with its Saturn conversion of Virtua Fighter 2. The AM2 palm tree would even become an unlockable character in in the AM2-developed Fighters Megamix.

In 1998, AM2-developer Toshihiro Nagoshi formed his own arcade department within Sega known as Sega AM11, where he worked on SpikeOut.

As with other R&D divisions within Sega, Sega AM2 was briefly renamed Sega Software R&D Dept. #2 in May 1999. Unlike its sister divisions, however, the department continued to trade as AM2 and was largely unaffected by the internal restructure. In 2000 the division went one step further, becoming an entirely separate (but wholly owned) subsidiary of Sega officially known as Sega-AM2 Co., Ltd. AM2 was at this point the only R&D division to still rely on the "AM" name.

Isao Okawa's CSK was the parent company of Sega at the time, with its own software development division, CRI. CRI absorbed Sega AM2 in February 2000 (occasionally leading to credits to AM2 of CRI) and renamed itself Sega-AM2 Co., Ltd. in August 2001[1][2]. Confusingly, CRI Middleware Co. Ltd. was then established to handle the sale of CRI's former products such as ADX and Sofdec.

Yu Suzuki left AM2 in 2003 to found DigitalRex, also owned by Sega. This would become AM Plus before any games were released.

Sega's separate development companies were merged back into the main business in 2004, and this included AM2, trading once again as "AM R&D Dept. 2". The AM2 name and logo continues to surface to this day.

Softography (arcade)

Sega Space Harrier

Sega OutRun

X Board

Y Board

System 32

Sega Model 1

Sega Model 2

Sega Model 2A CRX

Sega Model 2B CRX

Sega Model 3 Step 1.0

Sega Model 3 Step 1.5

Sega Model 3 Step 2.1

Sega Titan Video

NAOMI

NAOMI 2

Chihiro

Lindbergh

RingEdge

RingWide

Nu

Softography (consumer)

Mega Drive

Saturn

Dreamcast

PlayStation 2

GameCube

Xbox

Xbox 360

Wii

PlayStation 3

Nintendo 3DS

PlayStation 4

PC

iOS

Android

Gallery

  • Logo, sans palm tree

External links

References

  1. ↑ http://dengekionline.com/data/news/2001/8/1/70e819844b813fbf73f290e563297591.html
  2. ↑ File:Dorimaga_JP_20010824_2001-07.pdf, page 11


Timeline of Sega of Japan research and development divisions








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