Sega may* stop GD-ROM production 02/2007

[JKKDARK]

via Dreamcast-Scene

 

It is nearly certain that Sega of Japan plans to discontinue production of GD-ROM media in February, 2007. This media is used almost exclusively by the Sega Dreamcast home console, and the NAOMI arcade system. By stopping production, future official games (licensed by Sega) on the Dreamcast or NAOMI will not be possible.

 

 

(The NAOMI is important, because games such as Ikaruga, Border Down, Puyo Puyo Fever, and nearly all official import DC games from 2004-2007 originated on NAOMI.)

 

 

If GD-ROM production is discontinued, this means:

 

 

No more NAOMI arcade games

No more NAOMI ports to Dreamcast (Recent NAOMI ports include Under Defeat and Radirgy)

Trigger Heart Exelica (February 2007) and Karous (March 2007) will unexpectedly be the final official Dreamcast games.

 

This doesn't need to happen, as developers are fond of the NAOMI for its relative low cost, ease of production and accessibility, and straightforward ports to the Dreamcast home console. Warashi returned to the scroll shooting genre with Trigger Heart Exelica on NAOMI, and Milestone would likely gladly continue to produce further games following Karous on the system as well.

 

 

Sega themselves have recently presented Dynamite Deka EX running on NAOMI. If GD-ROM production continues, there is a much greater chance that we'll see a home console port of this game on DC within a year. Please speak up now, and help us to ensure the continuation of GD-ROM production.

 

 

In order to show your opposition for the ceasing of production of GD-ROM media, please click on the image below, save and print, sign and date it, and then mail it to Sega of Japan, located at the following address:

 

 

Sega of Japan

1-2-12 Haneda

Ohta-ku, Tokyo, 144-8531

Japan

 

Because of the urgency of this matter, we, as Dreamcast-Scene, do not have time to compile collected signatures and send them in a large package as usual. These letters will need to be sent straight to the source. If you bring the sealed and addressed envelope to your local post office, they will be able to affix the exact amount of postage.

 

Click image to enlarge

 

 

Time is of the essence. Please do this as soon as you can. Thank you. - Dreamcast-Scene.com, and Dreamcast fans everywhere.

Edited January 14, 2007 by JKKDARK

[ken_cinder]

I love my Dreamcast, but I couldn't care less for any new titles. Every one in the last few years has been a shmup, and I am so sick of seeing the last clinging titles being all the same. If something other than shmups were to be released, I might give a half a $hit.

[Wizard]

^- with him.

 

With the advent of the Lindbergh and mainly 3rd parties (Not inculding the Sammy side of Sega) use of NAOMI, why keep GD Rom production? The next wave of arcade hardware has proved their worth on upgrading and much more cost efficant. (Not to mention that DVDs hold more then GD Roms)

 

In with the new and out with the old I say.

[gavin19]

Well I'm in, if only to keep the small number of shmup releases alive. I probably played Radirgy more last year than anything else. The GC/PS2 ports were unremarkable to say the least (esp PS2), while the Dreamcast version was spot on (obviously owing to the whole NAOMI/DC relationship). Not to mention Milestone would probably be dead and buried now if it wasn't for the DC, if they would have even come about at all. I guess it's worth a few clicks.

[Shibathedog]

ill send one, everyone should, do it for those who DO care, i mean its going to cost you like 35 cents, big deal, its not like your volunteering to go to court.

[Shibathedog]

BTW I thought id add to this this doesnt necessarily mean the death of NAOMI arcade boards, just the Dreamcast console, NAOMI arcade boards dont all use GD-ROMs, and can be easily modified not to. There are many NAOMI arcade games using different mediums than GD-ROMs, i beleive Wikipedia has a pretty good list under NAOMI