September 1989. Sega's momentum with the Sega Genesis continues. After hitting one million units on its first month, Sega now knows they need to keep it up. To this end, they've received the capital to publish several games -as well as lure third parties away from Nintendo with more lucrative contracts. However, for as strong of a position as they are in, legally they can't really do much about Nintendo's third-party deals until 1990. So, they contracted a few developers to run the loophole that every multiplatform game released on NES and Master System must be distinct. This is how they were able to get Technos to release Double Dragon on both consoles, after all.
One developer, SystemSoft, was planning to release their strategy game Super Daisenryaku; however the plans for tthe game fell through. It must not be time yet for a full tactical military war game on consoles.
However, one of Sega's most ambitious plans was to translate one of the most famous anime of the time, Fist of the North Star, and localize it without issue. However, there will need to be something to make people know that this game is not meant for the kids.
In the meantime, the following titles are slated for release in September from Sega:
World Championship Soccer - a 2D soccer title meant to mimic the likes of Sensible Soccer. In Europe, this game will be called World Cup Italia '90, and officially licensed by the FIFA World Cup.
Arnold Palmer's Championship Golf - a golf title initially labeled with the Japanese golfer Naomichi Ozaki
Fist of the North Star - a 2D Belt scroller based on the popular anime title currently airing overseas; without compromise on its anime license.
Hey Dude - Development of this game took a few forms, but Sega came up with an interesting one: a ranch management simulator. Viacom, though, demanded a 2D Platformer. You could roll a Check to develop the game as a ranch management sim, but delay it for just a little longer. Class C. DC: 10
The Third Eye: An adventure game based on the original anthology horror series about psychics. Sega had contracted the developer Kemco to develop it in the style of one of their famous Macventure games. This time, Viacom didn't have much to argue about.
In addition, the following games are coming from Sega's new third party partners.
Roadblasters: A combat driving game where the goal is to survive each race with fuel remaining. Developed for the arcade by Atari Games, Tengen has developed a pretty solid conversion.
Skate or Die! Challenge: A skateboarding competition game developed as EA's first game on the Sega Genesis and a port of one of their earliest hits. Since Ultra Games has the rights to publishing, and the game was already released on NES, the game was retooled with four new events.
Gradius II: The Revenge of Gofer: a 2D space shooter from Konami and a port of Gradius II: Gofer no Yabou. This is based on the already existing Gradius II: Gofer no Yabou for PC-Engine. This one is published by Konami themselves, using similar box design to their NES games, but with a midnight blue border rather than the silver border.
Salamander: another 2D space shooter from Konami, but based on the original arcade version of Life Force; meaning it plays by the arcade rules rather than Gradius rules. This one is published under the Ultra Games label.
R-Type: yet another 2D space shooter, this one from Irem, based on the arcade game of the same name. This one is as accurate to the original 1987 arcade game as possible. With its biomechanical horror themings based on the works of H.R. Giger, the game's design is striking compared to the more animated Gradius and Salamander.
In addition, you've managed to secure the rights to...
Legend of the Black Onyx: A fully localized dungeon crawler originally designed by Henk Rogers. While Henk's connections to Nintendo of America are well known, Sega sprung for the license to publish the game in western regions. This is an improved version based on Super Black Onyx for Famicom.
It will take two months to translate and localize for release in North America. You may cancel at any time before then to recoup your investment.
Arnold Palmer License: 2.5m
Fist of the North Star license: 5m
Black Onyx translation: .5m
Cost: $10m
Now, you must decide on your plans going forward.
Awareness
[X] Sega's plan is to license popular personalities and celebrities; and who is the most popular personality of all time than a certain rat? Sega begins talks with Disney to develop games based on Mickey Mouse. Costs $5m, but unlocks "Castle of Illusion" in 1990 (With Viacom's help, the price is reduced to $3m, but due to Disney and Viacom being competing distributors, this price is only available this month)
[X] Sega has their eye on popular music, and there's a certain King of Pop that requires their attention. Fortunately, Michael Jackson is already a fan. Sega spends $2mil to license Michael Jackson's likeness and music for the upcoming game Moonwalker. (with Viacom's help, this is free)
[X] Sega is still looking into helping getting their names out there, and while the best play Sega, there is no shame in admitting that other consoles can give you vastly different experiences to what you had expected. Due to their success, it would be prudent to make sure people get more pieces of the pie. Sega begins releasing games for competing consoles. it costs 2,000,000 per game, and brings in 1,500,000 in revenue each month the game is on shelves.
Support
[X] Nintendo currently has Capcom locked down... or do they? Sega is hoping to license some Capcom games to develop for the Sega Genesis on their own. Costs 2,000,000 per game, but guarantees an additional 1,000,000 for each game, and adds Sega-Developed Capcom games to the list until 1990.
[X] With Namco having been scorned by Nintendo in the past, their relationship soured pretty bad. Guess who came knocking? Costs $1mil, and adds two free Namco games on the list every year until 1992, and at least ten free Namco games throughout each year thereafter until 1994.
[X] Acclaim, one of the very first American third party developers for NES, has a few ideas for the Sega console; and Sega might have a few spots in their release lineup for them. Costs $2mil and adds an Acclaim, LJN, or Flying Edge game on the list until 1992.
[X] Accolade is a relatively popular PC developer made up of former Activision developers... but they've recently begun working on ways around Sega's copy protection. Sega, impressed with their ingenuity but wanting to make sure they know the score, gives them a choice: License, and get at least Accolade games every year until 1992 where they'll renegotiate, or wait 'til the next Sega console. Costs $.5mil
[X] Codemasters' Camerica division recently put out a game called Micro Machines that came with a unique J-Cart design; coming out of the box with two additional control ports. So... six player racing game? Sega might be interested. Costs $2mil, adds one Codemasters J-Cart every year until 1993, and unlocks "Nonstandard Cartridges" Research.
[X] Atari Games recently put out an update to one of their classic games, Super Sprint; as well as a post-apocalyptic conversion called Badlands. Since the 4-Player converter is out, these games would be pretty nice to have... among others. Sega's been looking into western arcade games anyway. Unlocks "Super Sprint", "Championship Sprint", "Cyberball", and "Badlands" for voting.
[X] Konami recently put out this four player beat-em-up based on a cartoon series, something to do with half-shelled shinobi, and it's been making a tear through the arcade scene. There are, of course, other cartoon series too. They wonder... Unlocks "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Arcade Game" "Bucky O'Hare", "Aliens", "The Lone Rangers", "The Simpsons", "Wild West C.O.WBoys of Moo Mesa" and Capcom's "Cadillacs and Dinosaurs" for voting.
[X] That Final Fantasy thing sure sounds like a hoot, why don't we give them kits for our shiny new toy. That'll ruffle that plumber's feathers! Costs $10mil, adds at least three Square titles on the list every year until End of Cycle, and unlocks "Final Fantasy I & II" and "Final Fantasy III" for voting. Also unlocks Enix in future Support paths.
Research
[X] With Sega finding out about Accolade fucking around, they want to make sure that bootlegs aren't allowed in their ecosystem. To rectify this, they are going to develop a special program that detects bootleg carts. Implements "SEGA Key" copy-protection in all future Revisions. This will cost $1mil.
[X] Sega's planned release of Fist of the North Star is highly anticipated, but there is something that needs to be done to make sure kids know this one is for the adults in the room. Thus, to avoid government pushback, Sega decides to develop the "Video Ratings Council" as a check against parents who buy their kids adult games. This would enable more mature games and themes much earlier as well, thus opening the audience and really drive home that Sega Does What Nintendon't. Reveals VRC ratings for each released game, and adds another die to games rated MA-13+ or higher.
[X] Sega's hardware revision is coming along smoothly, but president Hayao Nakayama has an idea: why not combine both revisions of the Genesis, the 4-Player Adapter and the Power Base, into one single revision? Unlocks "Sega Genesis Megabase" Upgrade Path, combines 4-Player Adapter and Power Base paths, and adds two additional dice. Costs $5mil.
[X] Super Scaler games are all the rage recently, and Sega has... themselves to thank, actually. In order to future-proof their shiny new 16-bit console, Sega is developing a special upgrade to the Genesis: the Super Scaler Converter. It will cost 7,500,000 and won't launch until 1991, but it will unlock Super Scaler home ports for the rest of the Genesis' lifecycle. It will also unlock a possible "Sega X-Genesis" Upgrade Path later on.
[X] What is this CD-ROM technology NEC is looking into? It seems amazing... and there are a few games Sega has in mind to release alongside it. This is a special upgrade for the Genesis that will cost 7,500,000 to design and won't launch until 1992, but it will unlock CD-ROM games on the list for the rest of the Genesis' lifecycle. It will also unlock a possible "Sega CDX" Upgrade Path later on.
Development
Your efforts have allowed you to unlock a Development Path, which will unlock a permanent perk for the rest of the campaign. Please pick ONE Development Path.
Sega has plans to upgrade their existing Mega Tech arcade boards to accept Sega Genesis-style carts in a method similar to the Nintendo Playchoice-10. These boards will become known as "Mega Tech Mark II", and be distributed in arcades. Every three months you will be able to cycle available games in the Mega Tech Mark II arcade lineup, and each one will add a single die to each game in the lineup. Do you pursue this path?
[X] Yes (please choose eight games. Each game will have a single die added to their value)
[X] No (wait for a better opportunity)
Sega has plans to bundle several games into one cartridge, after being inspired by other developers attempting to do the same. They wonder if they can get third parties on board to release "Multipacks" of Genesis games. Do you pursue this path?
[X] Yes (please choose three games for the first Genesis Multipack. Three games will be combined into one cart with eighteen dice, but the value will be reduced by $.5mil)
[X] Yes (Sega will reissue games in Multipacks in the future. Their value will be tripled, but they will start with three dice)
[X] No (wait for a better opportunity)
Plan
[X] Write In. GM has the right to veto.
