Saturn Died For Our Sins
Chip Sineni
sinenic@rabident.comI went to the E3 show this year, and as a Sega fan, I was at first disappointed at what I saw (or rather what I didn't see). Where was Sega's big game for the year? Last year it was Nights, and I heard rumors about a new 3-D Sonic game, and Virtua Fighter 3, but where are they? Sega's other stuff looked great (especially compared to Nintendo's dismal booth), but they were still missing their big games. Now I realize why.
It seems like everyone is complaining about Saturn's future, mostly pertaining to what was said and shown at E3. I own a PlayStation, a Nintendo64, and P166, but my favorite system is my Saturn. I own more games for my Saturn than all my other systems combined. I consider myself a pretty big Sega fan, I got my MasterSystem the first Christmas it was out, and gloated over how great the games and graphics were over my friends' NES systems. I have bought every Sega system since then (except PICO). So, as someone who has followed Sega for awhile, and loves their work, I honestly believe they are doing the right thing by letting the Saturn die.
A lot of people stressed anger over two games in particular, the fact that first true 3-D Sonic is going to be on a new Sega system, and the same may happen to Virtua Fighter 3. I hope those games never see the light of day on the Saturn. It is in every Sega fan's best interest that they don't. Before ranting off, let me explain.
For the next Sega system to get an instant foothold in market, it needs a killer game, like the one it never got for Saturn (arguably, Virtua Fighter I was it, but it was never a hit in the American arcades). Do you how potent the next Sega system would be if it had TWO exclusive hits coming out for it on day one? An arcade perfect Virtua Fighter 3 to appeal to the fighting game fans, and a mind blowing 3-D Sonic to appeal to platform fans. Add Scud Racer, and you would have three must have games for the system on opening day. Of course, why stop there, how about Phantasy Star V for RPG fans, Golden Axe 3-D for adventure fans, a new Panzer Dragoon, Nights II, etc. Sega needs to start developing for the future system yesterday (remember Mario64 took 2 and a half years), and saving a lot of their hit titles for a new fresh system is a much better strategy than burning them on a system that has a poor public opinion.
Don't get me wrong, the Saturn is a great system, and don't regret buying mine even for a minute. The enjoyment I got out of the Virtua Fighter Series, the Panzer Dragoon Series, the Working Designs games that made it out the door, Sega Rally, Virtual On, Guardian Heroes, GunGriffon, Dark Savior, Virtua Cop series, and a many more, I could not have played on any other system. I still believe the Saturn technically has what it takes stay in the market (see Sonic R if in doubt), but the majority buying public does not agree with me, and the similarly, game developers are ducking out of the platform because it is more worth it for them to rack up an exclusive deal with another system than sell a few Saturn copies. Sega is finally doing something right by realizing this before it is too late, and making games for their fresh system.
A lot of people seem to think it is too early for a new system, but I have to disagree. The technology in PCs is moving so fast, that it is getting harder and harder for consoles to keep up. A few years ago, a PC couldn't do the original Sonic without slowdown, but now they are screaming by the consoles, usually giving the best version of a game that comes out to multiple platforms (Tomb Raider). So much in terms of technology have changed since the Saturn came out (almost late '94 in Japan); Sega needs a machine that can surpass everything, not just compete. A lot of people are worried that if the new Sega system comes out too early, it won't be on par with the new PlayStation when it comes out. But I think this is a moot argument; console systems will have such staggered release dates that they are not directly competing with one competitor's system for all that long- Nintendo is probably going to hang on to the N64 for at least 3 years if they come out with the 64DD, the new Sega system is going to compete with that older technology before the other companies catch up, and then it is time for a new system a couple of years after that.
If you can think to future for a minute, imagine how great it will be to be playing the new Sonic 3-D game and Virtua Fighter 3 on a system that literally blows everything out of the water. A system that is capable of things we haven't seen before. A system that would be easier to develop for and would have no trouble getting third party support. This is the Sega system that I want. Now as long as Sega of America brings over all the great Japanese games (Grandia, Azel, LUNAR, Virus, etc) then Saturn's beautiful epitaph will bloom into a gorgeous new system....