Sega exits sports market as Take Two signs MLB deal !

January 25th, 2005, 11:29 Posted By: DCEmu_Newsposter

Another Sega News item from GI.Biz [br][br] Take Two Interactive has taken over complete control of Sega's sports game business, with development studio Visual Concepts changing hands for $24 million as Take Two signs an "exclusive" deal with the MLB Players Association.[br][br]Formerly an internal Sega studio, Visual Concepts and its subsidiary Kush (which is also included in the deal) developed the entire ESPN range of games for Sega, which is now published by Take Two.[br][br]The sports sector has been difficult for Sega for some years, however, and after handing over publishing rights on the titles to Take Two last year, it has now bowed out of the market entirely - selling off Visual Concepts for the low $24 million price after EA threatened to extend its dominance of the market by signing exclusive deals with the NFL and ESPN.[br][br]The company's only remaining interest in the sports field is its long-term development partnership with London-based Sports Interactive, creator of the successful Football Manager and Eastside Hockey sports management titles.[br][br]The move is one of the first to be made by new Sega of America CEO Naoya Tsurumi, who said that the ESPN range "has not been a key profit driver" for Sega, and said that despite recognising the strength of the franchise, "[Sega] must remain committed to growing content that will help boost revenues across all western territories." [br][br]Read the rest at the link above.

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