SEGA won't abandon its physical culture, but stresses importance of digital for sales growth

SEGA is shifting to digital and stresses the importance of direct-access delivery on platforms like consoles and PC, but doesn't want to give up on physical entirely.

2

More publishers are seeking to use digital as a way to grow software sales. SEGA's president and CEO Shuji Utsumi recently spoke about the company's shift to digital, telling Famitsu that it's a vector for increased game sales.

When asked about the most critical part of the plan to boost sales, the SEGA CEO says that digital is the way forward, in part, because the PC market continues to expand. "When it comes to titles we call "full games" for consoles (home game consoles) and PCs, I believe a digital shift is crucial," Utsumi said.

He continues:

"Of course, consoles are important, but the proportion of people who play on PC"s is steadily increasing. Even in regions where consoles are not widely available, there are many people who say, 'I can play it on PC.'

"To cultivate that market, I believe it's important to strengthen our digitalization. "

"We tend to think from a physical perspective, so I think we need to become more digitally conscious and more global."

As for game discs, SEGA, like other publishers, won't have any choice but to adhere to Sony's mandate. If Sony goes through with its plan, future physical games will be some other sort of token or item, but not a game disc.

Utsumi addressed this by saying that SEGA doesn't want to give up on the culture that it's built around physical media. But it will still shift to digital, because that's where the growth is.

Frequently Asked Questions

TweakBot answers common questions about this news using TweakTown's own coverage from this page and related content from our archive. All answers are generated from TweakTown content and not outside sources. Tap a question to reveal the answer, or type your own below related to this content.

Question #1

How does SEGA define 'full games' for consoles and PC in its digital shift strategy?

SEGA uses the term "full games" to refer to titles for consoles (home game consoles) and PCs. The company says a digital shift is crucial specifically for those console and PC full-game titles.

Answered

Question #2

Why does SEGA's CEO cite PC as a key factor in the company's move toward digital?

SEGA’s CEO says PC is a key factor because the PC market is steadily expanding and more people are playing on PC, including in regions where consoles are not widely available. He argues SEGA needs to strengthen its digital strategy to cultivate that growing PC market and become more digitally conscious and global.

Answered

Question #3

What does SEGA mean by strengthening its 'digitalization' to cultivate the PC market?

SEGA means shifting more of its focus and delivery to digital channels for full games on PC and consoles, emphasizing direct-access distribution rather than relying mainly on physical media. The company wants to become more digitally conscious and global, thinking and acting on digital strategies in parallel with preserving its physical-culture heritage.

Answered

Question #4

Will SEGA stop producing physical products entirely, or maintain some physical offerings?

SEGA will not stop producing physical products entirely; it says it does not want to give up the culture built around physical media and will not completely abandon physical offerings. At the same time the company is shifting toward digital for growth and expects to act on important aspects of digital in parallel, and it notes that future physical games may change format to comply with mandates like Sony's.

Answered

Have a question about this content not listed here? Ask below and TweakBot will answer it.

Your questionAsk

Answering your question×

TweakBot is analyzing your question…

Could not get an answer

TweakBot is generating an answer

Read More

Was TweakBot helpful?Thanks for the feedback!

"We were originally a platform provider, and of course, we still value our physical culture. Rather than completely abandoning that, we are currently challenging ourselves to shift towards being able to think about and act on the important aspects of digital in parallel."