History of Sega in Central Asia
From Sega Retro
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| History of Sega in Central Asia |
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| Official Sega distributor(s): Nissho Iwai (1994-1995), Buka (1994-1999), Bitman (1996-1997), R-Style (1996-1999), NVT (2000-2001), 1C Company (2005-present) |
Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan declared independence in 1991. In the next years they all became members of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
Contents
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 regional video game market began to emerge after 1991, when the first imported Western consoles (like NES or Atari 2600) and clones (such as Rambo 2600) began to reach the country. In 1993, Steepler revolutionized the market and started selling a Famicom clone called Dendy, which clones became very popular in the region. The video gaming around that time wasn’t widespread in Central Asia. Most of the people that played games around that time were from large cites or capital city. This was due to economical situation and in some of the countries, also political one like Tajikistani Civil War.
The original Sega consoles (Mega Drive II, Master System II, Game Gear, Mega CD II and Mega Drive 32X) were released 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, marekt was under pressure of bootleg sellers that distributed Mega Drive clones in flea market or stores. The systems were imported from Asia or from Russia 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.
Today all brands of clones from Asia or Russia and can be easily find in shops specialized in distribution of that kind of products.
1C Company
In the following years, some games were released in CIS by the 1C Company[1] with translated boxes and localized games into Russian. Sega games are also available through digital distribution and the region is part of RU-CIS-UA when it comes to digital keys. Digital game distribution platforms such as Steam suggest lower prices for the region.
Mega Drive clones from mid-2000s
In the Central Asia countries, clones of Sega Mega Drive can still be find from Asian and Russian distribution channels.
Sega Amusement
Since 2006, the distribution of arcade machines and equipment for children produce by Sega is being carried out by KidsPlay.[2]
QubicaAMF is a strategic partner in Russia and CIS countries.
Sititek
Sititek is the official distributor of Sega Toys in Russia and CIS countries.[3]