RPGs! Not Sports! Speak for yourself
Miguel Diaz
migdiz@concentric.netI have noticed that alot of RPG fans are angry with Sega for deciding on focusing on sports games for 97. While I do agree that there should be more RPGs out for the Saturn, I do not like the fact that RPG fans assume that every other Saturn owner is an RPG fanatic and hates sports. The truth is that sports games do sell systems. They are more likely to apeal to the casual gamer as well as to the diehard gamer. RPG fans are a smaller (but very vocal) group that will probably not bring in as many new Saturn owners as a high quality sports game. But this is just my opinion.
Then there is the argument of why is Sega NOW trying to compete with Sony in a game category that Sony has clearly won? Well, I believe that what Sega ment when they stated that they where going to focus on sports game is that they are going to improve the cuality of future sports games to come. Obviously, Sega has realized that many of their 16bit Genesis fans have opted to go with the PSX because of poor quality SoA sports game. Saturn owners should view the statement made by Sega as a sign of pleasing current Saturn owners and trying to keep them satisfied.
I am a videogame sports fan and have gone through my highs and lows with Sega Sports. Games like World Series Baseball 2 and Worldwide Soccer 97 (both from Sega of Japan) have made me a proud Saturn owner. Then again, games like NHL All Star Hockey and NFL 97 (both from Sega of America) have made me cry. If Sega of America can improve the quality of their sports games to Sega of Japan standards, then the Saturn will be the sports gaming system of choice. I am already excited about games like Striker 2 and World Series Baseball 98 (polygon players!). Now lets see if Sega of America can make a football and basketball game worth purchasing.
Finally, I see the frustrations that RPG fans may have with such limited software to choose from. But RPG fans must also notice that current SoA sports games are just plain bad. RPG fans have Working Designs which is an excellent company. Their translations of Japaneese RPGs are virtualy flawless. They do not need improvement in the quality department as opposed to SoA's sports game. SoA just made the decision of improving their weakest department, sports. So to all RPG fans, please stop scolding Sega and insinuating that everyone else wishess to play RPGs. I hate it when I read a message or post saying "WE want RPGs not sports!" Instead it should read, "I want RPGs..." or , "Me and my friends..." . But the word WE? RPG fans do not speak for all Saturn owners.
Now where are the side scrolling shooters that WE! so much love.... I mean, "I so much love!"