SEGA

Sega is a Japanese multinational video game company and entertainment conglomerate known for its arcade games, home consoles, and software. The company originated in the 1960s as a coin-operated game operator and equipment maker, formed from the merger of Service Games and a Japanese distributor; the name Sega derives from SErvice GAmes. Sega Enterprises, Ltd. became a leading force in arcade gaming and later expanded into home consoles.

In the home market, Sega released the Master System in the mid-1980s to compete with Nintendo’s NES, followed by the Genesis/Mega Drive in the late 1980s, which helped establish a major platform with franchises such as Sonic the Hedgehog. The company also produced notable arcade software and helped popularize polygonal 3D graphics through titles like Virtua Fighter. Sega’s Saturn, launched in 1994 in Japan and 1995 in the United States, faced stiff competition from Sony’s PlayStation, and the Dreamcast, released in 1998–1999, failed to achieve lasting market success. After enduring commercial difficulties, Sega exited the dedicated-console business in 2001 and shifted to software and arcade operations.

In 2004, Sega merged with Sammy Corporation to form Sega Sammy Holdings, a holding company focused on software development, arcade games, and entertainment. Sega remains active as a developer and publisher with a broad catalog and major franchises such as Sonic the Hedgehog, Phantasy Star, Yakuza (Ryu Ga Gotoku), Virtua Fighter, and Total War (Creative Assembly). It operates studios and arcade centers worldwide and releases games across consoles, PC, and mobile platforms.