Difference between revisions of "Sega AM2"

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{{Company
 
{{Company
 
| logo=Am2 palmtree.svg
 
| logo=Am2 palmtree.svg
−
| mergedinto=  
+
| mergedinto= [[Sega AM11]], [[Digital Rex]]
 +
| mergedwith= [[Sega AM3 (2005-2008)|Sega AM3]] (2008)
 
| founded=1990
 
| founded=1990
 
| headquarters=Japan
 
| headquarters=Japan
 
}}
 
}}
−
'''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''', ('''Sega AM R&D Dept. #2''', '''Sega AM2''') is a division within [[Sega Interactive (Japan)|Sega Interactive]] (formely [[Sega Enterprises]] and [[Sega Corporation]]). It was formed in 1990 primarily to create arcade (or "amusement") games.
−
 
 
−
AM2 is arguably the most successful R&D division to have existed within Sega during the 90's, 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]].
 
  
 
Trough all Sega development divisions, Sega AM2 has remained most consistent in it's naming due to the "Number 2" attached. Thus there no multiple pages on Sega Retro unlike other Sega development teams.
 
Trough all Sega development divisions, Sega AM2 has remained most consistent in it's naming due to the "Number 2" attached. Thus there no multiple pages on Sega Retro unlike other Sega development teams.
  
 
==Current Members==
 
==Current Members==
−
 
+
{{multicol|
 +
* [[Daichi Katagiri]]
 +
* [[Hiroaki Shoji]]
 
* [[Hiroshi Kataoka]]
 
* [[Hiroshi Kataoka]]
 
* [[Makoto Osaki]]
 
* [[Makoto Osaki]]
−
* [[Daichi Katagiri]]
+
* [[Masayuki Masumi]]
 +
* [[Mie Kumagai]]
 +
* [[Noriyuki Shimoda]]
 +
*[[Nobuyuki Yamashita]]
 +
* [[Kenji Kanno]]
 +
* [[Seiji Oaki]]
 +
* [[Shinichi Yoshino]]
 +
*[[Shoichiri Kanazawa]]
 +
* [[Takehiko Mikami]]
 +
*[[Takeshi Goden]]
 +
* [[Tatsuya Sato]]
 +
* [[Takuji Masuda]]
 +
|cols}}
  
 
==Former Members==
 
==Former Members==
−
 
+
{{multicol|
−
* [[Yu Suzuki]]
+
*[[Daisuke Sato]]
−
* [[Toshihiro Nagoshi]]
+
*[[Junichi Yamada]]
 
* [[Keiji Okayasu]]
 
* [[Keiji Okayasu]]
 +
*[[Mika Kojima]]
 
* [[Satoshi Mifune]]
 
* [[Satoshi Mifune]]
 +
* [[Seiichi Ishii]]
 +
* [[Takashi Fujimura]]
 +
* [[Takeshi Isone]]
 +
*[[Tetsuya Kaku]]
 +
* [[Toru Ikebuchi]]
 +
* [[Toshihiro Nagoshi]]
 +
* [[Yu Suzuki]]
 +
*[[Yukinobu Arikawa]]
 +
|cols}}
  
−
==Corporate history==
+
==Corporate History==
−
Sega AM2 is thought to have been a continuation of an older R&D studio , 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]]''.
+
The root of Sega AM2 can be traced to [[Yu Suzuki]] entering the company as a programmer. He programmed the game ''[[Champion Boxing]]'', and his superiors were so impressed that he was promoted to project leader the same year he entered the company. With Sega's general atmosphere of high creativity as well as high end technology, Yu Suzuki was able to develop the most stand out arcade products from Sega from this time. The results were arcade games featuring sprite-scaling graphics and moving cabinets such as ''[[Hang-On]]'', ''[[Space Harrier]]'', ''[[OutRun]]'' and ''[[After Burner]]''. The ''[[R-360]]'' machine along with ''[[G-LOC: Air Battle]]'' were the culmination of these efforts. Deluxe cabinets with similar graphics inspiried rival arcade division [[Sega AM1]] to do similar games such as ''[[Galaxy Force]]'' or ''[[Enduro Racer]]''. Yu Suzuki began to manage his own division, and he was not able to direct every title, so [[Satoshi Mifune]] took care of arcade originals such as ''[[Dynamite Dux]]'', or the sequel to ''Hang-On'', ''[[Super Hang-On]]''. Yu Suzuki's division 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]].  
  
−
In 1998, AM2-developer [[Toshihiro Nagoshi]] formed his own arcade department within Sega known as [[Sega AM11]], where he worked on ''[[SpikeOut]]''.
+
During the Sega wide restructure in 1991, Yu Suzuki's studio became known as AM2, short for being the second arcade software division within the company.
 +
Yu Suzuki continued to pioneer with the early 3D polygonal graphics of ''[[Virtua Racing]]'', as well as ''[[Virtua Fighter]]'', which became 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. The AM2 palm tree would even become an unlockable character in in the AM2-developed ''[[Fighters Megamix]]''.
  
−
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.
+
Yu Suzuki continued to push graphics technology to it's limits. ''[[Virtua Fighter 2]]'' and ''[[Virtua Fighter 3]]'' featured the most advanced graphics at that time, with Suzuki negotiating custom arcade boards just to archive his vision. In turn the [[:category:Sega Model series|Sega Model series]] found themselves to be used across all arcade software divisions within Sega, producing countless of succcessful titles.
  
−
[[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]].
+
Much talent was cultivated within AM2, with directors Satoshi Mifune, [[Toshihiro Nagoshi]], [[Hiroshi Kataoka]] and [[Makoto Osaki]] making other AM2 games such as ''[[Daytona USA]]'', ''[[Fighting Vipers]]'', ''[[Fighters Megamix]]'' and ''[[Virtua Fighter Kids]]''. Toshihiro Nagoshi and Mifune Satoshi formed their own division eventually in 1998, [[Sega AM11]].
  
−
Yu Suzuki left AM2 in 2003 to found [[DigitalRex]], also owned by Sega. This would become [[AM Plus]] before any games were released.
+
AM2 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]]'', which was directed by [[Keiji Okayasu]]. Okayasu was AM2's most experienced console game developer, being the main programmer behind ''Sword of Vermillion'' and ''Rent-A-Hero''.
  
−
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". Due to the closure of [[Sega AM3 (2004-2008)|AM3]] in May 2008, some members moved to AM2. In May 2010, the arcade departments lost their "AM" name, becoming R&D2. During the March 2015 restructure, Sega' arcade division became Sega Interactive, thus becoming R&D2 of Sega Interactive rather than Sega proper.
+
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. It was during this period when Yu Suzuki's two ''[[:category:Shenmue|Shenmue]]'' games were released. Together with experienced console game developer Keijii Okayasu, Suzuki pushed video game technology once again, building Sega's biggest title yet, made as a killer app for the [[Sega Dreamcast]].
  
−
The AM2 name and logo continues to surface to this day.
+
[[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}}. CRI Middleware Co. Ltd. was then established to handle the sale of CRI's former products such as [[ADX]] and [[Sofdec]]. CRI staff however stayed at Sega AM2, with [[Noriyuki Shimoda]] and [[Seiji Oaki]] eventually becoming prominent staff. However due to too much unfamiliar staff, Yu Suzuki found himself unwilling to continue manage AM2, and instead formed [[Digital Rex]] in 2003.
  
−
==Softography as R&D8==
+
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 arcade industry became limited to Japan, and Sega's initiative for it's arcade studios to produce console titles filtered out. Therefore Sega AM2 became much more low key compared to the global impact it had in the past. Nonetheless ''[[Virtua Fighter 4]]'', ''[[MJ]]'' and ''[[Border Break]]'' had new features that contribute to Sega's arcade business. This includes nationwide internet play in arcades, and also mobile applications connecting to the arcade games.
  
 +
Ports of arcade titles developed by AM2 continue to be well received, such as ''[[Virtua Fighter 5]]'' and ''[[Cyber Troopers Virtual-On Oratorio Tangram]]'', however became less common in comparision to the past. It was once mentioned by AM2 staff there is a strange atmosphere that console staff could dissapear anytime.{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20140328153138/http://blog.sega.jp/amcvt/}}
 +
 +
In April 2009, a restructure took place within Sega's arcade software studios, with part of Sega AM3 staff ended up at AM2. Around this time, AM2 also branched out to mobile development, mainly with AM3 staff, with titles like ''[[Virtua Tennis Challenge]]'' and ''[[Derby Owners Club (2012)|Derby Owners Club]]''.
 +
 +
Overall [[Sega AM1 (2005-current)|Sega AM1]] is Sega's more prominent arcade division as of recent, with a higher amount of successfull titles.
 +
 +
==Softography (arcade)==
 
{{multicol|
 
{{multicol|
 
=== [[Sega Space Harrier]] ===
 
=== [[Sega Space Harrier]] ===
Line 61: Line 91:
 
*''[[Power Drift]]'' (1988)
 
*''[[Power Drift]]'' (1988)
 
*''[[G-LOC: Air Battle]]'' (1990)
 
*''[[G-LOC: Air Battle]]'' (1990)
−
 
−
===[[Sega Mega Drive|Mega Drive]]===
 
−
*''[[Sword of Vermillion]]'' (1989)
 
−
|cols=2}}
 
−
 
−
==Softography as AM2==
 
−
 
−
{{multicol|
 
−
=== [[Y Board]] ===
 
 
*''[[Strike Fighter]]'' (1991)
 
*''[[Strike Fighter]]'' (1991)
−
 
−
===[[Sega Mega Drive|Mega Drive]]===
 
−
*''[[Rent A Hero]]'' (1991)
 
−
*''[[Virtua Racing]]'' (1994) (with [[Sega CS]])
 
 
   
 
   
 
=== [[System 32]] ===
 
=== [[System 32]] ===
Line 119: Line 136:
 
=== [[Sega Titan Video]] ===
 
=== [[Sega Titan Video]] ===
 
*''[[Virtua Fighter Kids]]'' (1996)
 
*''[[Virtua Fighter Kids]]'' (1996)
−
 
−
===[[Sega Saturn|Saturn]]===
 
−
*''[[Daytona USA]]'' (1995)
 
−
*''[[Digital Dance Mix Vol.1 Namie Amuro]]'' (1997)
 
−
*''[[Fighters Megamix]]'' (1996)
 
−
*''[[Fighting Vipers]]'' (1996)
 
−
*''[[Virtua Cop]]'' (1995)
 
−
*''[[Virtua Cop 2]]'' (1996)
 
−
*''[[Virtua Fighter]]'' (1994)
 
−
*''[[Virtua Fighter Kids]]'' (1996)
 
−
*''[[Virtua Fighter 2]]'' (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.2 Jacky Bryant]]'' (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.5 Wolf Hawkfield]]'' (1995)
 
−
*''[[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.8 Lion Rafale]]'' (1996)
 
−
*''[[Virtua Fighter CG Portrait Series Vol.9 Kage Maru]]'' (1996)
 
−
 
−
===[[Sega Dreamcast|Dreamcast]]===
 
−
*''[[Virtua Fighter 3]]'' (with [[Genki]]) (1998)
 
−
 
−
=== Other ===
 
−
 
−
*''[[R360]]'' (1990)
 
−
*''[[Virtua Formula]]'' (1993) (with [[Sega AM5]])
 
−
|cols=2}}
 
−
 
−
==Sega Software R&D Dept. 2==
 
  
 
=== [[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)
 +
*''[[MJ]]'' (2002)
 
*''[[Outtrigger]]'' (1999)
 
*''[[Outtrigger]]'' (1999)
−
 
−
===[[Sega Dreamcast|Dreamcast]]===
 
−
*''[[Shenmue]]'' (1999)
 
−
 
−
==Softography as CRI of AM2==
 
−
 
−
=== [[NAOMI]] ===
 
−
*''[[F355 Challenge 2: International Course Edition]]'' (2001)
 
  
 
===[[Sega NAOMI 2|NAOMI 2]]===
 
===[[Sega NAOMI 2|NAOMI 2]]===
 
*''[[Beach Spikers]]'' (2001)
 
*''[[Beach Spikers]]'' (2001)
−
 
+
*''[[The King of Route 66]]'' (2002)
−
===[[PlayStation 2|PlayStation 2]]===
 
−
 
 
−
*''[[18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker]]'' (2000) (with [[CRI]])
 
−
*''[[Ferrari F355 Challenge]]'' (2000) (with [[CRI]])
 
−
 
 
−
==Softography as Sega AM2==
 
−
{{multicol|
 
−
===[[Sega NAOMI 2|NAOMI 2]]===
 
 
*''[[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)
−
*''[[The King of Route 66]]'' (2002)
 
−
*''[[MJ]]'' (2002)
 
−
 
−
===[[Sega Dreamcast|Dreamcast]]===
 
−
*''[[Fighting Vipers 2]]'' (2001)
 
−
*''[[Outtrigger]]'' (2001)
 
−
*''[[Propeller Arena]]'' (2001; unreleased)
 
−
*''[[Shenmue II]]'' (2001)
 
−
 
−
===[[PlayStation 2|PlayStation 2]]===
 
−
*''[[18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker]]'' (2001)
 
−
*''[[Ferrari F355 Challenge]]'' (2002) (with [[Tose]])
 
−
*''[[Virtua Cop: Elite Edition]]'' (2002) (with RIZ Inc.)
 
−
*''[[Virtua Fighter 4]]'' (2002)
 
−
*''[[Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution]]'' (2003)
 
−
*''[[The King of Route 66]]'' (2003) (also with [[Tose]])
 
−
*''[[Virtua Quest]]'' (2004) (with [[Tose]])
 
−
*''[[Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 16: Virtua Fighter 2]]'' (2004)
 
−
*''[[Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 19: Fighting Vipers]]'' (2005)
 
−
 
−
===[[Nintendo GameCube|GameCube]]===
 
−
*''[[18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker]]'' (2002)
 
−
*''[[Beach Spikers]]'' (2002)
 
−
*''[[Virtua Quest]]'' (2004) (with [[Tose]])
 
  
 
=== [[Chihiro]] ===
 
=== [[Chihiro]] ===
 
*''[[Ghost Squad]]'' (2004)
 
*''[[Ghost Squad]]'' (2004)
 
*''[[Quest of D]]'' (2004)  
 
*''[[Quest of D]]'' (2004)  
−
*''[[Miyazato San Kyoudai Naizou: Sega Golfclub|Sega Golf Club]]'' (2004)
+
** ''[[Quest of D: Gofu no Keisyousya]]'' (2005)
 +
** ''[[Quest of D: Oukoku no Syugosya]]'' (2006)
 +
** ''[[Quest of D: The Battle Kingdom]]'' (2007)
 +
*''[[Sega Golf Club]]'' (2004)
 +
**''[[Sega Golf Club Ver. 2006]]'' (2006)
 
*''[[MJ2]]'' (2003)  
 
*''[[MJ2]]'' (2003)  
 
**''[[MJ3]]'' (2004)  
 
**''[[MJ3]]'' (2004)  
Line 214: Line 165:
 
*''[[Virtua Cop 3]]'' (2003)
 
*''[[Virtua Cop 3]]'' (2003)
  
−
===[[Xbox|Xbox]]===
+
=== [[Sega System SP]] ===
−
*''[[Shenmue II]]'' (2003)
+
*''[[Rhythm Tengoku]]'' (2007)
−
|cols=2}}
 
−
 
 
−
==Softography as AM2==
 
−
{{multicol|
 
−
=== [[Chihiro]] ===
 
−
* Quest of D Ver.2 (2005)
 
−
** Quest of D Ver.3 (2006)
 
−
** Quest of D: The Battle Kingdom (2007)
 
−
*''[[Miyazato San Kyoudai Naizou: Sega Golfclub|Sega Golf Club Ver. 2006]]'' (2006)
 
  
 
===[[Sega Lindbergh|Lindbergh]]===
 
===[[Sega Lindbergh|Lindbergh]]===
Line 233: Line 175:
 
*''[[OutRun 2 SP SDX]]'' (2007)
 
*''[[OutRun 2 SP SDX]]'' (2007)
 
*''[[R-Tuned: Ultimate Street Racing]]'' (2008)
 
*''[[R-Tuned: Ultimate Street Racing]]'' (2008)
−
**''[[Sega Networks Casino Club Ver. 3]] (2009)
 
 
*''[[Virtua Fighter 5]]'' (2006)
 
*''[[Virtua Fighter 5]]'' (2006)
 
**''[[Virtua Fighter 5 R]]'' (2008)  
 
**''[[Virtua Fighter 5 R]]'' (2008)  
−
*''[[MJ4]]'' (2007)  
+
**''[[Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown]]'' (2010)
 +
*''[[MJ4]]'' (2008)  
  
 
=== [[RingEdge]] ===
 
=== [[RingEdge]] ===
  
 
*''[[Border Break]]'' (2009)
 
*''[[Border Break]]'' (2009)
−
*''[[Sega Card-Gen MLB 2009]]'' (2009)
+
**''[[Border Break Airburst]]'' (2010)
−
*''[[Shining Force Cross]]'' (2009)
 
−
*''[[Project DIVA Arcade]]'' (2010)
 
−
 
 
−
=== [[RingWide]] ===
 
−
*''[[Sega Racing Classic]]'' (2009)
 
−
 
 
−
===[[Wii]]===
 
−
*''[[Ghost Squad]]'' (2007)
 
−
 
 
−
===[[Xbox 360|Xbox 360]]===
 
−
*''[[Cyber Troopers Virtual-On Oratorio Tangram]]'' (2009)
 
−
*''[[Virtua Fighter 5]]'' (2007)
 
−
*''[[After Burner Climax]]'' (2010)
 
−
 
 
−
===[[PlayStation 3]]===
 
−
*''[[Miyazato San Kyoudai Naizou: Sega Golfclub]]'' (2006)
 
−
*''[[Virtua Fighter 5]]'' (2006)
 
−
*''[[After Burner Climax]]'' (2010)
 
−
|cols=2}}
 
−
==Softography as R&D2==
 
−
{{multicol|
 
−
===[[Sega Lindbergh|Lindbergh]]===
 
−
*''[[Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown]]'' (2010)
 
−
 
 
−
=== [[RingEdge]] ===
 
−
*''[[Border Break Airburst]]'' (2010)
 
 
**''[[Border Break Union]]'' (2012)
 
**''[[Border Break Union]]'' (2012)
 
**''[[Border Break Scramble]]'' (2014)
 
**''[[Border Break Scramble]]'' (2014)
 +
**''[[Border Break X]]'' (2016)
 
*''[[MJ5]]'' (2011)
 
*''[[MJ5]]'' (2011)
−
**''[[MJ5 Evolution]]'' (2011)
+
**''[[MJ5 Evolution]]'' (2013)
−
**''[[MJ5R Evolution]]'' (2013)
+
*''[[Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Arcade]]'' (2010)
−
*''[[Sega Card-Gen MLB 2010]]'' (2010)
+
*''[[Sega Card-Gen MLB 2009]]'' (2009)
 +
**''[[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 Raid]]'' (2010)
+
*''[[Shining Force Cross]]'' (2009)
 +
**''[[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]] ===
 +
 +
*''[[Sega Racing Classic]]'' (2009)
  
 
=== [[Nu]] ===
 
=== [[Nu]] ===
 +
 
*''[[Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Arcade Future Tone]]'' (2013)
 
*''[[Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Arcade Future Tone]]'' (2013)
 +
*''[[KanColle Arcade]]'' (2016)
 +
*''[[Soul Reverse]]'' (2017)
 +
 +
=== Other ===
 +
 +
*''[[R360]]'' (1990)
 +
*''[[Virtua Formula]]'' (1993) (with [[Sega AM5]])
 +
 +
|cols=3}}
 +
 +
==Softography (consumer)==
 +
 +
{{multicol|
 +
===[[Sega Mega Drive|Mega Drive]]===
 +
*''[[Sword of Vermillion]]'' (1989)
 +
*''[[Rent A Hero]]'' (1991)
 +
*''[[Virtua Racing]]'' (1994) (with [[Sega CS]])
 +
 +
===[[Sega Saturn|Saturn]]===
 +
*''[[Virtua Fighter]]'' (1994)
 +
*''[[Daytona USA]]'' (1995)
 +
*''[[Digital Dance Mix Vol.1 Namie Amuro]]'(1997)
 +
*''[[Fighters Megamix]]'' (1996)
 +
*''[[Fighting Vipers]]'' (1996)
 +
*''[[Virtua Cop]]'' (1995)
 +
*''[[Virtua Cop 2]]'' (1996)
 +
*''[[Virtua Fighter Kids]]'' (1996)
 +
*''[[Virtua Fighter 2]]'' (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.2 Jacky Bryant]]'' (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.5 Wolf Hawkfield]]'' (1995)
 +
*''[[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.8 Lion Rafale]]'' (1996)
 +
*''[[Virtua Fighter CG Portrait Series Vol.9 Kage Maru]]'' (1996)
 +
 +
===[[Sega Dreamcast|Dreamcast]]===
 +
*''[[18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker]]'' (2000) (also with [[CRI]])
 +
*''[[Ferrari F355 Challenge]]'' (2000) (also with [[CRI]])
 +
*''[[Fighting Vipers 2]]'' (2001)
 +
*''[[Outtrigger]]'' (2001)
 +
*''[[Propeller Arena]]'' (2001; unreleased)
 +
*''[[Shenmue II]]'' (2001)
 +
*''[[Shenmue]]'' (1999)
 +
*''[[Virtua Fighter 3tb]]'' (1998) (also with [[Genki]])
 +
 +
===[[PlayStation 2|PlayStation 2]]===
 +
*''[[18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker]]'' (2001)
 +
*''[[Ferrari F355 Challenge]]'' (2002) (also with [[Tose]])
 +
*''[[Virtua Cop: Elite Edition]]'' (2002) (also with RIZ Inc.)
 +
*''[[Virtua Fighter 4]]'' (2002)
 +
*''[[Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution]]'' (2003)
 +
*''[[The King of Route 66]]'' (2003) (also with [[Tose]])
 +
*''[[Virtua Quest]]'' (2004) (also with [[Tose]])
 +
*''[[Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 16: Virtua Fighter 2]]'' (2004)
 +
*''[[Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 19: Fighting Vipers]]'' (2005)
 +
 +
===[[Nintendo GameCube|GameCube]]===
 +
*''[[18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker]]'' (2002)
 +
*''[[Beach Spikers]]'' (2002)
 +
*''[[Virtua Quest]]'' (2004) (also with [[Tose]])
 +
 +
===[[Xbox|Xbox]]===
 +
*''[[Shenmue II]]'' (2003)
  
 
===[[Xbox 360|Xbox 360]]===
 
===[[Xbox 360|Xbox 360]]===
 
*''[[Cyber Troopers Virtual-On: Force]]'' (2010)
 
*''[[Cyber Troopers Virtual-On: Force]]'' (2010)
 +
*''[[Virtua Fighter 5]]'' (2007)
 +
*''[[Virtua Tennis 4]]'' (2011)
 +
 +
===[[Xbox Live Arcade]]===
 +
*''[[After Burner Climax]]'' (2010)
 
*''[[Cyber Troopers Virtual-On]]  (2013)
 
*''[[Cyber Troopers Virtual-On]]  (2013)
 +
*''[[Cyber Troopers Virtual-On Oratorio Tangram]]'' (2009)
 
*''[[Daytona USA]]'' (2011)
 
*''[[Daytona USA]]'' (2011)
 +
*''[[Fighting Vipers]]'' (2012)
 
*''[[Sonic the Fighters]]'' (2012)
 
*''[[Sonic the Fighters]]'' (2012)
 
*''[[Virtua Fighter 2]]'' (2012)
 
*''[[Virtua Fighter 2]]'' (2012)
Line 297: Line 295:
  
 
===[[Wii]]===
 
===[[Wii]]===
 +
*''[[Ghost Squad]]'' (2007)
 
*''[[Gunblade NY & LA Machineguns]]'' (2010)
 
*''[[Gunblade NY & LA Machineguns]]'' (2010)
 +
 +
===[[PlayStation 3]]===
 +
*''[[Miyazato San Kyoudai Naizou: Sega Golfclub]]'' (2006) (with [[Global Entertainment R&D Dept. 2|GE2]])
 +
*''[[Virtua Fighter 5]]'' (2006)
 
*''[[Virtua Tennis 4]]'' (2011)
 
*''[[Virtua Tennis 4]]'' (2011)
 +
*''[[Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA F]]'' (2013) (with [[Sega CS3 (2008-current)|Sega CS3]])
  
−
===[[PlayStation 3]]===
+
===[[PlayStation Network]]===
 +
 
 +
*''[[After Burner Climax]]'' (2010)
 +
*''[[Cyber Troopers Virtual-On]]  (2013)
 +
*''[[Daytona USA]]'' (2011)
 +
*''[[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)
−
*''[[Daytona USA]]'' (2011)
+
*''[[Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Arcade Future Tone]]'' (2016)
−
*''[[Cyber Troopers Virtual-On]]  (2013)
 
−
*''[[Fighting Vipers]]'' (2012)
 
 
*''[[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)
 
−
*''[[Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA F]]'' (2013) (with [[Sega CS3 (2008-current)|Sega CS3]])
 
  
 
===[[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)
  
 
===[[PlayStation Vita]]===
 
===[[PlayStation Vita]]===
 
*''[[Virtua Tennis 4]]'' (2011)
 
*''[[Virtua Tennis 4]]'' (2011)
 +
*''[[Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA F]]'' (2013) (with [[Sega CS3 (2008-current)|Sega CS3]])
  
 
===PC===
 
===PC===
Line 324: Line 331:
 
*''[[MJ]]'' (2013)
 
*''[[MJ]]'' (2013)
  
−
===iOS===
+
===iOS/Anroid===
  
−
*''[[MJ]]'' (2012)
 
 
*''[[Virtua Tennis Challenge]]'' (2012)
 
*''[[Virtua Tennis Challenge]]'' (2012)
−
 
+
*''[[MJ]]'' (2013)
−
===Android===
+
* ''[[Squads]]'' (2015)
−
 
+
* ''[[Fortisia SEGAxLINE]]'' (2016)
−
*''[[MJ]]'' (2012)
 
−
*''[[Virtua Tennis Challenge]]'' (2012)
 
−
 
 
−
|cols=2}}
 
−
==Softography as Sega Interactive R&D2==
 
−
 
 
−
=== [[RingEdge]] ===
 
−
*''[[Border Break X]]'' (2016)
 
−
*''[[MJ Arcade]]'' (2017)
 
−
 
 
−
=== [[Nu]] ===
 
−
 
 
−
*''[[KanColle Arcade]]'' (2016)
 
−
*''[[Soul Reverse]]'' (2017)
 
−
 
 
−
===[[Nintendo 3DS]]===
 
−
 
 
−
*''[[Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai DX]]'' (2015)
 
−
 
 
−
===[[PlayStation 4]]===
 
−
*''[[Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Arcade Future Tone]]'' (2016)
 
−
 
 
−
===[[iOS]]===
 
−
 
 
−
*''[[Soul Reverse Zero]]'' (2017)
 
−
 
 
−
===[[Android]]===
 
−
 
 
 
*''[[Soul Reverse Zero]]'' (2017)
 
*''[[Soul Reverse Zero]]'' (2017)
 +
|cols=3}}
  
 
==Gallery==
 
==Gallery==

Revision as of 05:42, 20 August 2017

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

Trough all Sega development divisions, Sega AM2 has remained most consistent in it's naming due to the "Number 2" attached. Thus there no multiple pages on Sega Retro unlike other Sega development teams.

Current Members

Former Members

Corporate History

The root of Sega AM2 can be traced to Yu Suzuki entering the company as a programmer. He programmed the game Champion Boxing, and his superiors were so impressed that he was promoted to project leader the same year he entered the company. With Sega's general atmosphere of high creativity as well as high end technology, Yu Suzuki was able to develop the most stand out arcade products from Sega from this time. The results were arcade games featuring sprite-scaling graphics and moving cabinets such as Hang-On, Space Harrier, OutRun and After Burner. The R-360 machine along with G-LOC: Air Battle were the culmination of these efforts. Deluxe cabinets with similar graphics inspiried rival arcade division Sega AM1 to do similar games such as Galaxy Force or Enduro Racer. Yu Suzuki began to manage his own division, and he was not able to direct every title, so Satoshi Mifune took care of arcade originals such as Dynamite Dux, or the sequel to Hang-On, Super Hang-On. Yu Suzuki's division 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.

During the Sega wide restructure in 1991, Yu Suzuki's studio became known as AM2, short for being the second arcade software division within the company. Yu Suzuki continued to pioneer with the early 3D polygonal graphics of Virtua Racing, as well as Virtua Fighter, which became 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. The AM2 palm tree would even become an unlockable character in in the AM2-developed Fighters Megamix.

Yu Suzuki continued to push graphics technology to it's limits. Virtua Fighter 2 and Virtua Fighter 3 featured the most advanced graphics at that time, with Suzuki negotiating custom arcade boards just to archive his vision. In turn the Sega Model series found themselves to be used across all arcade software divisions within Sega, producing countless of succcessful titles.

Much talent was cultivated within AM2, with directors Satoshi Mifune, Toshihiro Nagoshi, Hiroshi Kataoka and Makoto Osaki making other AM2 games such as Daytona USA, Fighting Vipers, Fighters Megamix and Virtua Fighter Kids. Toshihiro Nagoshi and Mifune Satoshi formed their own division eventually in 1998, Sega AM11.

AM2 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, which was directed by Keiji Okayasu. Okayasu was AM2's most experienced console game developer, being the main programmer behind Sword of Vermillion and Rent-A-Hero.

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. It was during this period when Yu Suzuki's two Shenmue games were released. Together with experienced console game developer Keijii Okayasu, Suzuki pushed video game technology once again, building Sega's biggest title yet, made as a killer app for the Sega Dreamcast.

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]. CRI Middleware Co. Ltd. was then established to handle the sale of CRI's former products such as ADX and Sofdec. CRI staff however stayed at Sega AM2, with Noriyuki Shimoda and Seiji Oaki eventually becoming prominent staff. However due to too much unfamiliar staff, Yu Suzuki found himself unwilling to continue manage AM2, and instead formed Digital Rex in 2003.

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 arcade industry became limited to Japan, and Sega's initiative for it's arcade studios to produce console titles filtered out. Therefore Sega AM2 became much more low key compared to the global impact it had in the past. Nonetheless Virtua Fighter 4, MJ and Border Break had new features that contribute to Sega's arcade business. This includes nationwide internet play in arcades, and also mobile applications connecting to the arcade games.

Ports of arcade titles developed by AM2 continue to be well received, such as Virtua Fighter 5 and Cyber Troopers Virtual-On Oratorio Tangram, however became less common in comparision to the past. It was once mentioned by AM2 staff there is a strange atmosphere that console staff could dissapear anytime.[3]

In April 2009, a restructure took place within Sega's arcade software studios, with part of Sega AM3 staff ended up at AM2. Around this time, AM2 also branched out to mobile development, mainly with AM3 staff, with titles like Virtua Tennis Challenge and Derby Owners Club.

Overall Sega AM1 is Sega's more prominent arcade division as of recent, with a higher amount of successfull titles.

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

Sega System SP

Lindbergh

RingEdge

RingWide

Nu

Other

Softography (consumer)

Mega Drive

Saturn

Dreamcast

PlayStation 2

GameCube

Xbox

Xbox 360

Xbox Live Arcade

Wii

PlayStation 3

PlayStation Network

Nintendo 3DS

PlayStation Vita

PC

iOS/Anroid

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
  3. ↑ http://blog.sega.jp/amcvt/ (Wayback Machine: 2014-03-28 15:31)


Timeline of Sega of Japan research and development divisions








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