Sega Launches Japanese Pay for Play

[bapenguin]

Gamasutra (http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=5685) has the scoop on a new Sega website that allows for download and play of classic Sega titles for a small fee.The 'Sega Classic' games on the Sega Link site are Windows versions of twenty different 16-bit Genesis/Mega Drive titles, including Phantasy Star III, E-SWAT, Columns and Golden Axe. The games are priced at ¥120 ($1.12) for 24 hours’ play, with the site promising that the library of titles will increase to over 100 in the near future.

In addition, the 'Link Collection' section houses more complex games that can be played online against other Sega Link users. The five games currently available are Phantasy Star Online: Blue Burst, Derby Owner’s Club Online, Virtua On, The Typing of the Dead 2004 and Virtua Fighter 2. These games cost between ¥210 ($1.96) and ¥240 ($2.23) to play, depending on the complexity of the title.

Interesting, a day of play might be just what you need to get that "classic" fix.

[Heretic Machine]

I see one problem with this plan: Roms. They've been around too long, and are far too popular. Nintendo's Revolution idea has some merit because it's both free and on a console instead of a PC, but still, I doubt it'll be a real system seller.

[TrackZero]

I see one problem with this plan: Roms. They've been around too long, and are far too popular. Nintendo's Revolution idea has some merit because it's both free and on a console instead of a PC, but still, I doubt it'll be a real system seller.

Hard to believe, but there are some mainstream people who don't want to bother getting an emulator and then hunting down ROM packages. Crazy, I know, but they're out there. (The type of people who make a confused face when you say "emulator" to them.)

This also seems like Sega is going the same route as Nintendo is with the revolution. Almost makes me wonder why Nintendo didn't approach Sega and ask to host their games on the revolution as well (at a downloadable cost of course). Then again....prehaps they will.......

[PacerDawn]

And so it begins...

This is an experiment, to see if people will pay an annual fee for non-MMOG's. If it works and makes them good money, then in the future, watch for all retail games to be "pay-to-play".

[Rommel]

Nintendo's Revolution idea has some merit because it's both free and on a console instead of a PC

Actually, the online service will be free - the games will have a cost.

[rein]

And so it begins...

This is an experiment, to see if people will pay an annual fee for non-MMOG's. If it works and makes them good money, then in the future, watch for all retail games to be "pay-to-play".

No way! I think it is more of a rental service than a way to make console games pay to play.

[if76]

I think this is a pretty great idea regardless of roms. $1 is a great price and something people will gladly pay rather than spending a few hours hunting down a rom

[netcraazzy]

I think this is a pretty great idea regardless of roms. $1 is a great price and something people will gladly pay rather than spending a few hours hunting down a rom

I would pay $1 for one of these games, but not for just 24hours. A game like Phantasy Star III takes quite a bit of time to make any progress in, would you want to pay by the day to play that? I think $3-$5 to download a classic game with no time constraints is more appealing. I wonder which direction Nintendo will go with the revolution, pay to 'rent' a game online or pay for an untimelocked version.

[Bushido]

I'd buy that for a dollar, but rent it for 24hrs? is this a Joke? wait a sec, Sega doesnt make consoles anymore...could that be cause they are fucking retarded?

[Rakael]

I would gladly pay a buck to own Shining Force, but I am damn sure not going to pay that to rent it for a day. I'll just have to sit back and wait for people to start ripping these fuckers to roms. Usually I like going the legal and legit way, but thats just retarded enough to make to turn to the dark side.

[B_Money]

Considering how many quarters i've dumped down various arcade machines in my lifetime, $1 for 24 hours sounds like a deal to me.

[Heretic Machine]

This is an experiment, to see if people will pay an annual fee for non-MMOG's. If it works and makes them good money, then in the future, watch for all retail games to be "pay-to-play".

I seriously doubt it. But if that day ever comes, there is at least one gamer in the world who'll find a new hobby or be happy with his existing collection.

[mister_slim]

Actually, the online service will be free - the games will have a cost.
Some sort of cost. Nintendo still won't talk. I think we need to send Germans to Kyoto.

[Last of the Red Hot Mamas]

I'll just have to sit back and wait for people to start ripping these fuckers to roms.

All of these games were "ripped to roms" years ago (except, of course, for the Link Collection games, which are Windows-based from the ground up).

[Ghostpilot]

Sega, Sega, Sega... :rolleyes:

Just have two words to say about this whole "experiment" of theirs:

Sega Channel.

:p

[bjornbarspingvinen]

cool idea, and perfect for a quick fix. Ah, streets of rage !