History of Sega/Misconceptions

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As a large company with an often controversial early history, Sega has been known to perpetuate incorrect facts about its business.

Business age

1951

Sega claims 1951 to be the date of its "establishment". This likely refers to the creation of Service Games, Japan in April 1951, the point in which the "Service Games" brand was first seen in the country.

Cruicially, this is not the first (or last) branch of Service Games, with the "original", Service Games, Hawaii being founded in 1945. It is also worth noting that Service Games, Japan, as an entity, ceased to exist in 1960, being split into Nihon Goraku Bussan and Nihon Kikai Seizou.

1960

Sega claims 1960 is the date it was "incorporated". While this may be correct in that it was the date Sega (or at least, Nihon Kikai Seizou which traded as "Sega") became a corporation in the eyes of the law, Sega has been known to celebrate this date as a birthdate, such as in its Go Sega campaign. As explained above, Sega as an entity (albeit possibly not as a "registered" one), pre-dates this date.

First use of the "Sega" name

1962

Sega has incorrectly stated the first product to bear the "Sega" name was the Sega 1000 jukebox, released in 1962. Though it is believed that the jukebox was the first wholly original product under the brand, this official claim is incorrect for two reasons; firstly the Sega 1000 debuted in 1960, but more importantly, Sega branding was used for Sega Bell slot machines, believed to have been manufactured from 1956 (or at least during the existence of Service Games, Japan (i.e. before June 1960)).