What Sega Can learn from the CSK Years.

The approach to investments and marketing is a fickle thing. Investment groups depend heavily on investors to make the right moves and right calls. Sometimes putting all your eggs in one basket can either hurt you or bring down your entire company. In SEGA's case, the CSK years was a lesson in pragmatism, learning to stay gold,careful and conservative. That you must handle your core market with care and cautiousness. The one takeaway of success from that era is that SEGA learned that they had something other Arcade veteran brands didn't, the ability to successfully stay healthy as a home game console brand, and stronger gaming talent that made them the World Arcade leaders. The failure was taking that for granted and being too overambitious about their 1st party consumer brand, too one-sided on how to run its console brand and too overzealous about its core Arcade market.


People don't know this, but SEGA never really FAILED as a console maker. Although they had 7 game platforms on the market in 1996-1997, they weren't taking wholesale losses like Sony is with PS3 and VITA and Saturn's US failure didn't really do much damage as most people think, all it did was ruin Sega of America,cost them $450 million in losses(just $700 million if you adjust inflation) and take away 30% of SEGA's full revenue. SEGA's downfall wasn't just how doubled minded and divided they were as a company in the mid 1990s, it was how they invested and how mismanaged they were.


There's an Elephant in the room that everyone ignores. Dreamcast didn't last long because of PS2 and the 5th Gen console blunders, SEGA lost the financial ability to keep the console business going because they put all thier capital into the Amusement market when it was in a worldwide Recession during the 90s. The DISASTROUS investment blunder that cut off funding for Dreamcast was "Sega GameWorks".


Sega's attempt to do their own Dave & Busters WAY back in 1996 resulted in a whopping $2 billion dollar investment into setting up a billion dollar Amusement Retail Chain in America and in South America. If you adjust inflation that's $5 billion half the budget of PS3!

GameWorks was a failure, a set-up. At the time, $4 billion in budget was left for SEGA from CSK. You have to understand, in 1991 SEGA had $10 billion in cash and a $12 billion dollar market cap. $2 billion was spent on development of the Model arcade series, $1 billion was spent on development of Jupiter,Mars and Saturn combined, SEGA gave SOA $500 million for 32X,another $500 million for PICO and Nomad, each year they pumped $1 billion into the Arcade Industy and by 1994 had $6 billion left but kept spending it on Arcade silicon.


So what happened? Well by 1997, the collapse of the global Amusement market had taken its toll on Operators. Not enough people were going to Arcades, and the cost of running Arcade machines especially Model 2 and Model 3 was too much. SEGA had to invest in another $1 billion, $500 million for Dural/Black Belt/Katana which became the "Dreamcast" and $500 million into the NAOMI Arcade machine.

By 1999, SEGA was only left with $800 million. They just couldn't keep funding both markets and had to spend most of that on Dreamcast. Although NAOMI revived the Arcade market, SEGA/CSK's revenue had dissapeared, GameWorks was beginning to bleed them and in 2000, SEGA was left with loan options on how to move forward. Isao Okawa choose to sacrifice their console market to save the amusement market and so because of GameWorks without them having considered letting them go bankrupt, SEGA left the hardware business in 2001.



So now, late in 2012 SEGA has found Resurrection in their console brand. Now armed with $3.5 billion in budget cash thanks to SegaSammy's 3 strong years of revenue, and a circle of investors loaning them $10 billion and reportedly requiring to pay it all back in 15 years, with each division of ORBI being established with $1 billion each and a budget of $200-300 million to spend, SEGA can now enter new markets and learn from their mistakes of the past and are now healthy enough financially to sell and release a console. The question is simply with SEGA have shuttered half of GameWorks back in 2009, should SEGA FINALLY pull the plug on it with plenty of cheaper Amusement center options? I think so. Doing so will automatically result in $2 billion offered from filing for bankruptcy not to mention an additional $5 billion in assets for them.

SEGA Computer Pad patent. Sega POD?

http://http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8264624.pdf

Rumored specs for Sega Pod which will be based off of modified RingEdge 2 hardware:

CPU: Hitachi/Renasas ARM SH-10"Sakura" 10 Core 32-bit RISCs running 3200 MHZs of 32-bit dual-channel 1200 MHz LPDDR3/DDR3 with 28nm Wattage. Mobile variant of Intel Power i5 Clarkdale: http://ark.intel.com/products/43546

GPU/VDP "Miles Prower" 1: Nvidia GeForce GT 425m GPU 24 cores 384 bits. (support DirectX 11+, OpenGL 4.3, and PhysX) 

GPU 2/VDP "Rouge" : NEC Power VR 5 RL Running 384-bits on GDDR3,GDDR4 memory with up to 800 Million Polygons Per Second(380 Million Geo Metrics. DirectX 11.1, OpenGL 4.2,PhysX, Open ESL 2.0 at 600 Mhz. Graphically equivalent to ATI Radeon 5450.

Both Customized with "SEGADRIVE" Graphics,Lighting,Speed Bumping engine. SEGA's low cost,High performance version of UNREAL 3. Capable of creating IMAX-esce 3D Stereoscopic effect. Compatible with each other running separate data.

Memory: Up to 32MBs using 4 Cores of DDR3 PC DRAM.

Storage: Built in 16GBs.

RAM: 4GB(4 Terabytes Based on a 10 core ARM design)

Sound: Based off of iPad Sound tech.

Media: Digital Downloadable or POD ROM(Portable Orbi Disc) using 32GBs Single capacity/Layer. 64 GBs Dual Capacity/Layer uses HDDVD's formatting but capable of Triple it's Average Capacity. BC with GD-ROM and Homebrew Dreamcast software.

Built in Multi DVD Drive.

Connectivity: Wi-Fi 801.1 Channel or 4G.

Resolution: Full 1080p HD Resolution.

OS: Novell Vibe 3.1.

Features: Built in Google/Android based Apps.

8 SEGA App store webrings.

1. PLAYSEGA. (All new games. Ranging prices starting at $9.99)

2. FAMILYSEGA. (Family oriented games.)

3. SEGA MUSEUM. (Like Sega Heritage for classic SEGA titles.)

4. SEGA ARCADE.(RINGEDGE,RE2,RINGWIDE,Arcade hardware of the past games. Plus FreeToPlay content.)

5. Dreamcast Reformuled. For playing all Dreamcast games, homebrew DC material in HD.

6. SEGA TUBE. Powered by HULU.

7. NON SEGA. Downloadable non-Sega retro games. NES,Super NES,PSone,PS2,Atari,TG16.

8. SEGA OTAKU.

Will Also support Apple's iTunes.

Sold Separately with 3 Controller designs: GAMUS VISION motion sensor Controllers, PlaySega Saturn-like controllers, Dreamcast6 Blue Tooth controllers. All $49.99 each.

Will come with A/V Cord,HDMI Output.

Will use Power Cord.

Built in Lithium Battery/Rechargeable. 

Unveiling: Projected to be announced in late November/early December 2012 with the new SEGA/Orbi brand.

Bill Of Materials: Believed to be $60. Off-The Shelf componates non-PC and non OEM branded.

SRP: $199. 17,00 Yen($198). 175 Pounds. 160 Euros.

OEM: Partners. Toshiba.Hitachi.NEC.Nvidia.Novell.LG. Apple.(SEGA's decision to use a Novell OS instead of just Android got Apple behind the device.)

Release Date: Upon unveiling, will be immediately available for retail. Tablet devices can be released and manufactured to retail VERY quickly with little to no problem.

What does it look like? An iPad turned on its side facing parallel.

Should SEGA Orbi buy Chuck E. Cheese in 2 years?

Today's blog entry is about the failing long running kid's/Family Restaurant Chuck E. Cheese.

We all grew up on Chuck E. Cheese, whether your an 80s kid like me or a 90s kid, Chuck E. Cheese is a vital piece of American childhood, in Japan SEGA has always had alternatives to CEC mainly Joyopoils, Amusement Centers with built in Restaurants, e.t.c

Latest financial reports show that CEC Entertainment is struggling and seeing revenue nose dive. 2010 and 2011 saw two straight years of dipping revenue and rising operating income.

http://www.pizzamarketplace.com/article ... akes-a-hit
http://news.yahoo.com/chuck-e-cheese-tr ... nance.html

To add insult to injury, Chuck E. Cheese is receiving very negative consumer feedback. Many consumers are reporting that the Animatronics are old,unappealing and spastic. The game machines and parlor are outdated,un fun and useless to young children and the elementary school demographic that Chuck E.Cheese has become increasingly disinterested in its brand.

But the worse response, is reports that Consumers are growing TIRED of Chuck E. Cheese's original recipe. Its Pizza is reportedly losing among taste tests.


Its clear that the Chain's problem is simply this: Ever since Showbiz Pizza,Inc was purchased by CEC Entertainment in 1999, little to no changes have made, the same Arcade machines from the late 1980s continue to fill each store, the parlor machines from 1991 are still there, the Mascot has grown tired and old and the marketing has cheapened completely. But Chuck E.Cheese's BIGGEST problem is simply "Dave and Busters" D&B's commitment to making it a mostly all ages Arcade experience is stealing CEC's Elementary School Demographic.

Chuck E. Cheese needs to shape up. A new approach,new vision. Newer more up to date Arcade machines and Parlor Machines. Better prizes for kids, an older demographic. The failed Approach of "Discovery Zone" of the 1990s offering mom and pop rides sans tasty food fun and fun Arcade games helped Showbiz CRUSH its first serious competitor like a bug, but D&B is different. Way better at marketing and unlike Chuck E. Cheese, doesn't take Arcade gaming for granted.



Atari Godfather Nolan Bushnell founded Chuck E. Cheese in Silicon Valley in July of 1977, his original vision at 35 years of age was trying to pioneer the approach of merging video games with Family Entertainment. Of Course after the Crash of 1984, Showbiz ignored Bushnell's beliefs in gaming and scaled completely down on Arcade video gaming. For 15 years, Showbiz was able to downplay the importance of Arcade Gaming to family entertainment, and pretty much throughout the 2000s, but times change. And after 35 years of operations, it seems that Chuck E. Cheese is still partying like its 1984.


If Chuck E. Cheese takes 2 more years of losses, they'll be up for sale. I believe in 2014, SEGA Orbi should and will probably take a serious look into to outbidding CEC Entertainment for purchase and takeover.

It wouldn't be difficult to do at all now. CEC Entertainment estimated net worth and Assets are only $788 Million, this budget would be a bit lower than the exact amount it will cost SEGA to build a Dreamcast successor which is $800 million(I believe they already have done this) Since they obviously already put $850 Million into Sega Orbit/Pyzhercast in 2009-2010, paying $790 Million for Chuck E. Cheese would be a convienant if not important purchase for SEGA.


We also need to remember the risky and DANGEROUS Amusement investment SEGA/CSK made in September 1996, when they pumped $2 Billion into starting "SEGA Game Works" even though their revenue was sinking, the Arcade market had pretty much imploded in America and the production costs of Model 2 combined with their new Model 3 pre-Dreamcast technology ballooned SEGA's Operating Income.

Chuck E Cheese would be less expensive, but if SEGA Orbi were to wait until 2014, the purchase would be easier and swifter.

CEC needs SEGA. They need a NEW leaf and SEGA Orbi buying them would completely reinvent them in my opinion. Chuck E. Cheese needs to be tied to gaming. Its been 28 years since they have, maybe they should consider going back to Bushnell's dream.

Possible OVD clues.

The next description sounds like SEGA is already prototyping a NEW Optical format.

"For the computer readable recording-medium, an optical recording medium an optical recording media where data can be optically read, such as CD-RAM, CD-ROM, OVDRAM, DVO-ROM, OVD-R, PO disk, MD disk and MO disk), a magnetic recording medium (a recording medium where data can be magnetically read, such as a flexible disk, magnetic card and magnetic tape), or a portable recording medium, such as a memory cartridge comprising a memory element (a semiconductor memory element such as DRAM, a ferroelectric memory element such as FRAM), are preferable."


Several codenames pop up on this patent. And this just isn't a spelling error. These are actually in the patent description. Based on my observations, this is probably what they stand for: CD-RAM and CD-ROM were redbook Applications SEGA originally used for the Dreamcast and NAOMI its what the GD-ROM was formatted with. So in this patent, SEGA is making it clear, GD-ROM is BACK.



OVD-RAM. I believe SEGA Orbi has unofficially christened the new format "Orbi Video Disc" OVD. Toshiba in turn will handle its distribution. OVD-RAM is probably a letterbook built for anti piracy concerns mainly for beta storage of games and media ROMs.

DVO-ROM. "Digital Versatile  Orbi". So this means that "Sega Orbit" and RINGWAVE will use this as a media format and is INDEED proof that SEGA's new arcade board and its console will have its OWN special media.

OVD-R (Orbi Video Disc Recordable). The home recordable video version of OVD-Video(whom I suspect Toshiba is carrying its license).



PO. "Portable Orbi". It looks as if this patent is the official development kit for Sega Pod or rather "Orbi Pad"( Yes I'm now suspecting that this is the FINAL name for the KIDSPAD/Sega Pod.) Portable Orbi is made from HD-DVD ROM and the Letterbooking from GD-ROM.

MD. Multi Digital. Rather "Mini Orbi Media Disc" 

MO. Mini Orbi. Like I had mentioned before, SEGA has developed their own version of UMD. (Whearas, UMD used the Letterbooking for DVD, MOMD uses HDDVD's letterbook.)



So folks, it looks like SEGA Orbi is getting to work on all its NEW formats.

What will the final name for SegaPod/Orbi Pad's portable media be? What kind of marketing does anyone think Sega Orbi will be doing? 

Sega Orbi's possible 2nd Party Partners.

In today's blog entry I will discuss who SEGA Orbi's possible OEM partners regarding the rumored "SEGA Orbit" game console.


I think the long 3 year theory that Toshiba is likely the BIGGEST partner for SEGA's next console is pretty obvious. The patents of the defunct HD DVD can still be used by SEGA and it is believed that the mini UMD like format the "DC Pad" will use is based on HD-DVD ROM but instead will have more layers and space. Also since the Orbi mark makes it very clear that they will be branding their very own DVD format and will Toshiba's patent department extremely and heavily active, we can say, that Toshiba will distribute the new format as a partner for Sega Orbi while maintaining the rights to the concept. Also keep in mind, that Hitachi's non mobile customary CPU market has been idle for almost a decade. If the Orbit indeed uses a modified built of Nvidia's Project Denver/RM ARM El Nino( ARM's design is right up SEGA's ally of cheap,inexpensive Mirco Architecture) , Toshiba's investment arm is the best candidate to implement a special lower cost design. Hitachi Renasas would have to purchase the parts and silicon from ARM and Nvidia themselves and just divide the ARM ISA design while Toshiba can just use their own off the shelf components while splitting the build into 4 large 128-bit CPUs with 8 cores on each side. 

Toshiba we should know is pissed at Sony for losing the format war, and are no longer doing business with them.


Also regarding Apple. Speculation under the radar has suggested that Apple Computer is looking at becoming a 2nd party OEM manufacturer for future video game consumer products. There's already that meeting that took place at Valve(who in turn is interested in a 3DO-like Steam device) while it s pretty obvious that the meeting was probably VALVE's own attempt to sell Steam to iOS user, previous,recent behavior from Apple does suggest that they are definitely considering the option of providing 2nd party silicon for the next console maker, it wouldn't surprise me if Apple partners up with Sega Orbi. It is also my belief that Apple would use its brand name to help get SEGA Orbit on the map.


Also we gotta take a look at LG. Lucky Goldstar is looking to have thier brand name associated with gaming, SEGA Orbi would be a perfect candidate for LG to build their Korean brand and out do their biggest competitor Samsung.

Then you look at Pioneer,NEC and JVC. Pioneer developed a 16 layer Blu-Ray ROM 4 years ago. And its rumored that Orbi Versatile Disc uses 16 layers just like Blu-Ray 16. Pioneer hasn't partnered with SEGA in 20 years. Since scrapping plans for a Laser Disc based Mega Drive in 1990 and being allowed to use the code for Mega Drive hardware in its LaserActive in 1992. Pioneer has stayed away from the gaming hardware silicon world for years. Would they be willing to return for Sega Orbi's sake.


NEC used to be both a rival and nuisance to SEGA back in the day. But they packed their 1st party and video gaming bags up 15 years ago. They've abandoned gaming eons ago. During Dreamcast they were fairly secondary as Imagination Tech were the mainsayers of DC's capabilities, with SEGA a hardware company again, NEC would only be happy to oblige. NEC since the late 1990s has become a household name in Japan's PC market. This time around they would be an even bigger help to SEGA.

JVC, the Greatest Electronic Company in the world. A serious partner of SEGA's back in the early 1990s during SEGA CD/Mega CD's heyday and briefly during Saturn. Since the 2000s, they've become niche, unable to develop a new cutting edge media format, in 2007 they sunk their assets into developing a new optical format(There were numerous patents filed during that time regarding it) but sense then, investors are reported to have retooled it into a flash media card format codenamed "Melink Video Media". JVC Kenwood who merged in 2008, is more of a at-your-convienace OEM manufacturer. They would have to be approached by SEGA Orbi to provide Bill Of Materials.


Things are getting very interesting. SEGA Orbi's public formation can't come sooner.

Possible Middleware partnerships for Sega Orbi.

There new reports as well as fairly solid evidence that SEGA is in the process of licensing Middleware software GUI,GNU and OS patches for the first time since NAOMI/Dreamcast.

On the ORBI trademarkia link, several photos popped up that lead to Middleware companies being involved with SEGA. As you all know, Dreamcast used GLBasic for GUI and Middleware basic coding with C Language. Inside of the Orbi trademarkia (http://www.trademarkia.com/orbi-85517210.html), the links and images to these lead to these Middleware companies:


"Orbit Software" http://orbitsw.com/ 

Which is a Austin,TX based group that develops Anti-Piracy GUI's and Binary IIRC Codes.

"Gnome, Inc" http://www.gnome.org/ 

A Mexico City GNU development company.

When I looked at the Mysterious ORBIT logo, this popped up:

http://orbit-resource.sourceforge.net/

So in that thesis, I discovered that ORBIT is actually a C Language Patch for coding games and media on "Home Consumer" I said Home Consumer Only electronics! I also discovered that "Gnome's" GNU is owned by Novell Software Inc, which could explain the patent SEGA-TUDE found!

Also remember everyone, C Language is only used by SEGA for home console hardware, not arcade, Why the hell would Sega Orbi be looking to license C Language software again for the first time in 15 years?!

The indications of the console being called "SEGA Orbit" is still there. The logo can BE used, since the name is untrademarked and obscure. The name is probably both a reference to Saturn and a tip of a hat to Gnome's C Language design.

Non Sega Digital Patents from '99.

The following entry entails some patents DC-Talk user SEGA-TUDE PM'd me back in April.

These three patents were all filed WAY back in 1999 and 2000. The listed assignees are Middleware OS maker Novell,LG Electronics and a rogue Taiwanese mobile phone and digital cable company Zeemote.

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8145798.pdf

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8145798.html

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8113955.pdf

The thing about these patents is not only were they originally filed 12 years ago during the time Dreamcast was out, but that the Novell patent references SEGA's old "Sega Channel" service from 1994-95.

The interesting point about all 3 patents is not only did it take over a DECADE to get issued and developed, they all refer to some sort of digital device,via TV or mobile online streaming for games. None of these companies have gaming experience,gaming R&D or an gaming brand or game division to pull off a concept on their own.



Now, while you think about that, I want you to take a look at this. These are taken from the "Orbi" document:

Now, while you think about that, I want you to take a look at this. These are taken from the "Orbi" document:

"home video games; electronic circuits and CD-ROMs containing game programs for use with hand-held video game machines; home video game software; game software for hand-held game machines; game equipment sold as a unit for playing a parlour-type computer game primarily composed of {indicate principle components, i.e., video game software, computer hardware, computer monitors}; CD-ROM computer game discs and computer programs, namely, software linking digitized video and audio media to a global computer information network; {replaced “,” with “;”} cellular telephone accessories, namely hands-free accessories in the nature of hands free devices, cellular telephone covers; records, namely, blank record disks; electronic circuits; {changed “,” to “;”} CD-ROMs, namely, blank CD-ROMS for sound or video recording and pre-recorded CD-ROMS featuring {indicate subject mater, i.e., music and video games}; "



From 028:

; hand held electronic games, namely, {identify with specificity, i.e., handheld electronic games adapted for use with television receivers}; handheld game apparatus with liquid crystal displays; electronic hand-held game units for use with an external display screen; 


Is it possible that SEGA has chosen a specially designed Operating System that uses Novell middleware?

Also is it VERY possible that the tablet will use LG as a networking and GUI interface?

Is Zeemote's brand being contracted for overseas distribution and licensing by SEGA?

Which LLCs could spawn from SEGA Orbi?

The following blog entry is a list of brand names and LLCs that are reported to be coming from the formation of SEGA Orbi, I'll list the 14 that may come in Japan, the 8 in North America and 5 in Europe.


SEGA and Sammy Holdings,Inc to becoming SEGA Orbi Enterprises,Inc owned and operated by parent company Orbi Holdings and Investments,Inc. These are a list of 14 Limited Liability Company headquartered in Haneda Chome Toyko,Japan that shall soon be formed:

1. Main Conglomerate/Company. SEGA Orbi International,LLC. For handling all ICs in American and European Divisions and domestic HQs. Parent company is Sega Orbi Enterprises,INC.


2. SEGA Orbi Enterprises,LLC. The first party global game hardware division for Home Consumer gaming products.

3. SEGA Orbi Amusements,INC. SEGA 's 1st party Research and Development gaming division for Game Arcade hardware, home game hardware, and 1st party game software formally AM3,AM4,Away-27 and Sega Rosso and for Theater franchising.

4. SEGA Orbi Communications,INC. For mobile phone OEM manufacturing,Secondary parts and Electronic services.

5. SEGA Orbi Electronics,INC. For selling own brand of Electronic devices and hardware, parent company and license holder for Toshiba "ORBIS DVD".


6.SEGA Networks,Inc and Software Publishing,Inc. Former crippled software 3rd party division formed in 2001 after demise of CSK Enterprises. Overseas digital,social network,mobile,PC and portable only development.

7. SEGA Orbi Lodging,INC. Hotel, Restaurant franchising in Japan and parent company of Western Hotel/Resorts LLC, "Orbi Lodging LLC".

8. SEGA TOYS. Still SEGA Toys.

9. TMS Entertainment. Intact from SEGASammy.

10. Orbi Industries,INC. Contracting,manufacturing and selling parts for Appliances,Industrial parts and factory parts. Selling Vending machines,Casino Slots and Soda Machines, this time worldwide.

11. Orbi Foods,LLC. Branding of food ingredients. Domestic only.

12. SEGA Orbi Decor and Furniture,LLC. For home decor. Domestic only.

13. Orbi Clothing,INC.

14. Orbi Sundries,LLC. For selling cheap dollar store like products.



North American/Sega Orbi America:

1. Either Sega Orbi Games,LLC or Sega Corporation America,Inc. Likely Sega Orbi Games,LLC. For the first party brands only.

2. Sega Alliance,Inc (Formerly SOA's 3rd party division).

3.Orbi Communications,Inc.

4. Orbi Electronics and Parts,LLC.

5. Sega Toys and Accessesories.

6. Orbi Lodging,LLC.

7. Sega Orbi Amusements and Restaurants,Inc.

8. Orbi Industrises,LLC.


Sega of Europe.

1. Sega Online Entertainment. 3rd party division mainly digital,social networking,mobile,PC games and IPs.

2. SEGA Orbi Europe. SEGA of Europe's reformed 1st party division.

3. Orbi Euro Communications,LLC. Handles all of Sega Orbi's non gaming brands/Electronics in Europe.

4. Sega Orbi Amusements Europe. 

5. Orbi Euro Industries,LLC.

Today's blog entry takes a brief look at the speculation regarding Toshiba and Sega Orbi teaming up to develop new optical media. As you know, in the Orbi trademark there's a description for Recordable and Optical disc media:

recorded video discs and video tapes; motion picture films featuring comedy, drama, action, adventure and/or animation, and motion picture films for broadcast on television featuring comedy, drama, action, adventure and/or animation; audio tapes, audio-video tapes, audio video cassettes, audio video discs, and digital versatile discs featuring music, comedy, drama, action, adventure, and/or animation; short motion picture film cassettes featuring comedy, drama, action, adventure and/or animation to be used with hand-held viewers or projectors


optical apparatus and instruments;


Based on these descriptions, this shows that SEGA is developing their own original media format as opposed to selling other current formats, also note that Blu Ray is absent from its description yet this description is simluar to that of HD DVD:

http://www.trademarkia.com/hd-dvd-79017498.html


Toshiba's patent department has been VERY VERY busy issuing NEW patents for Optical Disc Apparatus,Recordable Media Players, LED reader didoes e.t.c Here's some examples:


http://www.freepatentsonline.com/D656110.html

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8139459.html

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8139278.html

Now I have checked Toshiba's trademarking dept. and there's nothing in them that suggest that they have or will file a Trademark for optical media.

What that being said, most of this sort of points to Toshiba and SEGA perhaps being in a partnership together, with Toshiba likely owning the concept of the new format with SEGA Orbi owning the brand name.

So if Toshiba does launch HD DVD's successor(BTW, Toshiba only owned its concept DVD Laboratories owned its brand) then its new partner is SEGA Orbi.

Looking at the DVD and BD market, you could swear that the home video market is over-saturated,declining and filled with lots of price fixing media budget busting. Sony's Blu Ray has become too niche(not the success they had hoped by shoving the format down everyone's throats) and DVD itself is just aging after 15 years on the market and 13 years of catching on.

Digital and Streaming media is outgrowing both formats. Netflix,HULU, and Steam seems to be the new standard for HD. Flash Media is also signalling that the world may be returning to proprietary media(cards,tapes) after nearly two decades of Disc media.

A new optical disc would be a breath of fresh air. One that can hold 128-256 GBs of Video capacity and a ROM format that hold 200-400(Pioneer has already succeed in developing a BD Disc capable of such a feat)

http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/02/pion ... compatibi/

The large capacity would make piracy alot more difficult and would cheapen the overpricing of printing and pressing BD masters. Toshiba and SEGA Orbi would also have to use inexpensive formatting material in which I believe they're pitching for. In marketing, both can outdo BD by claiming its holds more capacity and has much better coding software and can run HD smoother and better. This is not impossible. Toshiba didn't aggressively market HD DVD like they should have. And I don't think they'd make the same mistake with a more ambitious partner like Sega Orbi.


Japan's CTEC(Japan's version of CES)http://www.ceatec.com/2012/en/application/index.html


is a while away, are we going to see Toshiba strike back with a vengeance soon? Will Sega Orbi and Toshiba pay Sony back for monopolizing the market with Blu Ray?

Only time will tell. Soon, we shall see.

Sega Orbi Officially Amended as a Company.

On Tuesday October 1,2012, Kabushiki Kaisha Sega officially Amended the proposed trademark description put forth by the Trademark office. As of now the ORBI Mark description is as follows:


ORBI
Goods and Services IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: coin, bill and card operated photo booths which take photographs and allow the user to receive photographs principally composed of a camera, photo printer, and computer hardware; photographic machines and apparatus, namely, photographic cameras, projectors, drying racks, and flashbulbs; cinematographic machines and apparatus; optical apparatus and instruments, namely, namely, optical disc drives and players, optical sensors, optical readers; telecommunication machines and apparatus, namely, change-over switches, telecommunication towers; mobile phone straps; headphones; batteries and electrical cells; telephone sets; mobile phones; audio cassette and CD players; video cassette recorders and players, compact disc players, digital audio tape recorders and players; DVD players; radios; computers; electronic circuits, magnetic tapes and disks, optical disks, and ROM cartridges containing game programs for use with personal computers; electronic circuits, magnetic tapes and disks, optical disks, and ROM cartridges containing game programs for use with arcade game machines; computer programs; other electronic machines, apparatus and their parts, namely, electronic agendas, electronic book readers; video game software; computer game programs; computer games software; video game discs and cartridges; video game programs; game programs for mobile telephones; game software for personal computers; downloadable game programs; downloadable games files; mouse mats; home video games; electronic circuits and CD-ROMs containing game programs for use with hand-held video game machines; home video game software; game software for hand-held game machines; game equipment sold as a unit for playing a parlour-type computer game primarily composed of video game software, computer hardware, computer monitors. CD-ROM computer game discs and computer programs, namely, software linking digitized video and audio media to a global computer information network; cellular telephone accessories, namely, hands-free accessories in the nature of hands free devices, cellular telephone covers; records, namely, blank record disks; electronic circuits; CD-ROMs, namely, blank CD-ROMS for sound or video recording and pre-recorded CD-ROMS featuring entertainment, education, music, video games, animals, plants, nature, documentaries, fiction, non-fiction, science and technology, and fictional characters; downloadable music files; downloadable audio files featuring music and animals; audio discs and audio tapes featuring music and animals; exposed cinematographic films; exposed slide films slide film mounts; downloadable image files containing animals, plants, animation and video games; pre-recorded video discs and video tapes featuring entertainment, education, music, video games, animals, plants, nature, documentaries, fiction, non-fiction, science and technology, and fictional characters; motion picture films featuring comedy, drama, action, adventure and animation, and motion picture films for broadcast on television featuring comedy, drama, action, adventure and animation; audio tapes, audio-video tapes, audio video cassettes, audio video discs, and digital versatile discs featuring music, comedy, drama, action, adventure, nature, documentary and animation; short motion picture film cassettes featuring comedy, drama, action, adventure, documentary and animation to be used with hand-held viewers or projectors; downloadable video files featuring entertainment, education, music, video games, animals, plants, nature, documentaries, fiction, non-fiction, science and technology, and fictional characters. downloadable graphics and images relating to entertainment, education, music, video games, animals, plants, nature, documentaries, fiction, non-fiction, science and technology, and fictional characters, and music via a global computer network and wireless devices; downloadable electronic publications, namely, e-zines, books, manuals featuring entertainment, education, music, video games, animals, plants, nature, documentaries, fiction, non-fiction, science and technology, and fictional characters; eyeglasses, sunglasses and cases therefore; downloadable multimedia files and text files featuring entertainment, education, music, video games, animals, plants, nature, documentaries, fiction, non-fiction, science and technology, and fictional characters; protective helmets; electronic circuits, magnetic tapes and disks, optical disks, ROM cartridges and other digital recording media containing game programs for use with arcade video game machines


IC 014. US 002 027 028 050. G & S: precious metals and their alloy; goods in precious metals or coated therewith, not included in other classes, namely, sculptures of precious metal, bolo ties with precious metal tips, works of art of precious metal, watches, decorative boxes; key rings; key rings, key ring trinkets and key ring fobs of precious metals; trophies of precious metal; commemorative shields of precious metal; collectible and commemorative coins; personal ornaments of precious metal; badges of precious metal; ornamental pins; jewellery, namely, bracelets, ankle bracelets, brooches, chains, charms, cuff-links, earrings, lapel pins, necklaces, pendants, jewellery boxes and rings; precious stones; clocks and watches; horological and chronometric instruments; cuff links; buckles for watch straps; watch straps

IC 016. US 002 005 022 023 029 037 038 050. G & S: industrial packaging containers of paper; gift bags, gift boxes; paper party decorations, namely, paper napkins, paper place mats, crepe paper, printed invitations, paper table cloths, paper cake decorations; coasters of paper; banners of paper; flags of paper; hygienic paper; towels of paper; hand towels of paper; handkerchiefs of paper; paper and cardboard; goods made from paper and cardboard, namely, cardboard boxes, cardboard containers, craft paper, paper bags, paper flags; gift wrap paper; plastic materials for packaging, namely, plastic bags for packaging, plastic bubble packs for packaging; stickers; notebooks; stationery and study materials, namely, flash cards and study guides; adhesives for stationery or household purposes; artists' materials, namely, moulds for modeling clay, canvas panels for artists; paint brushes; office requisites, namely, paper trimmers, punches, rubber bands; instructional and teaching material, namely, printed teaching materials in the field of arts, crafts, games, documentaries, video games and electronics; writing paper, envelopes, note cards; writing implements; pens, pencils, cases therefore, erasers, crayons, markers, coloured pencils; painting sets for children; chalk and chalkboards; greetings cards, address books, scratch paper; ticker file, namely, file folders; personal organisers; photograph albums; paper gift tags; pencil cases; magazines featuring arts, crafts, games, documentary, video games, electronic games and movies; posters; calendars; books in the field of arts, crafts, games, documentary, video games and electronics; printed publications, namely, papers, journals, magazines and brochures in the field of arts, crafts, games, documentary, video games and electronics. catalogues in the field of arts, crafts, games, documentary, video games and electronics; programmes, namely, event programmes; comic books, children's books; colouring books; children's activity books; bookbinding material; book covers, book marks, gift wrapping paper; maps; printed tour guides; printed brochures and programs, namely, in the field of arts, crafts, games, documentary, video games and electronics; collectable cards, namely, featuring games and characters in games and movies; collectable trading cards and stickers; trading cards; diaries; photographs; photograph stands; mounted and unmounted photographs; postcards; transfers; lithographs; decals; heat transfers; printed transfers for embroidery or fabric appliqués; printed patterns for costumes, pajamas, sweatshirts and t-shirts; pictures; paper party favors

IC 018. US 001 002 003 022 041. G & S: industrial packaging containers of leather; leather and imitations of leather; goods made of leather and imitation leather, namely, bags; leather and fur, unworked or semi-worked; animal skins, hides; clothing for domestic pets; leather belts bags and the like, namely, sashes, buckles, totes, handbags, purses and luggage; leather pouches and the like, rucksacks, wallets, camera pouch, mobile phone pouches; business, name, calling and credit card cases; key cases; purses; wallets; backpacks; travel luggage; trunks and travelling bags; rucksacks; vanity cases, not fitted; umbrellas, parasols and their parts, namely, metal parts of umbrellas, frames for umbrellas, umbrella handles, circular canopies for umbrellas; walking sticks; canes; metal parts of canes and walking-sticks; walking cane handles; whips, harness fittings and saddlery; trunks; garment covers, namely, garment bags for travel

IC 020. US 002 013 022 025 032 050. G & S: goods not included in other classes of wood, cork, reed, cane, wicker, horn, bone, ivory, whalebone, shell, amber, mother-of-pearl, meerschaum and substitutes for all these materials, and of plastics, namely, clear plastic holders for badges, door stops of wood, busts of ivory, bone, plastic, and wood; cushions, including air cushions, pet cushions, neck support cushions, seat cushions; divans mats; Japanese floor cushions; pillows; support pillows for use in baby car safety seats; support pillows for use in baby seating; water pillows, other than for medical purposes; air pillows, not for medical purposes; neck pillows, other than for medical or surgical use; scented pillows; stuffed pillows, sleeping bags; inflatable pillows; inflatable publicity objects; mattresses; bedding, except linen, namely, feather beds and feather pillows; hand-held flat fans; hand-held folding fans; furniture; mirrors; office furniture; wall plaques made of plastic or wood; plastic key cards; bamboo poles, bamboo curtains and bamboo blinds; decorative bead curtains; cases storage containers, namely, display cases, wood cases, plastic cases; furniture chests; cabinets; chairs; desks and tables; dressing tables; easy chairs; beds and water beds; bed fittings not of metal; wood bedsteads; furniture screens; non-metal clothes hooks and coat hangers; coat stands; non-metal door fittings and door furniture, namely, doors for furniture and wood or plastic handles for doors; flower stands; footstools; hat stands; display boards; bottle caps not of metal; bottle casings of wood; bottle racks; magazine racks; plate racks; mirror tiles; boxes of wood and plastic; packaging containers of plastic. industrial packaging containers of wood and of plastic; high chairs for babies; playpens for babies and walkers for infants; decorative mobiles; cots; cradles and cribs; wind chimes; statuettes and figurines of wood wax, plasters and of plastic; works of art of wood, wax, plaster and of plastic. indoor window blinds; blinds, namely, venetian blinds, paper blinds, indoor blinds; picture frames; sleeping bags for children

IC 021. US 002 013 023 029 030 033 040 050. G & S: boxes for sweetmeats; bread baskets for domestic use, domestic teapots; thermally insulated containers for food; cups,not of precious metal; mess-tins; table plates; tankards; ceramics for household purposes, namely, ceramic figurines, decorative centerpieces of ceramics; glass bowls; pot lids; sake cups; saucers; basins; bottles, sold empty; boxes of glass; butter dishes; butter-dish covers; candy boxes; cheese-dish covers; coffee services; coffeepots; non-electric containers for household or kitchen use; cookie jars; covers for dishes; crockery cups; cups of paper and plastic; dishes and plates; disposable table plates; drinking glasses; earthenware, namely, bowls, mugs, basins; epergnes goblets; hot pots, not electrically heated; jugs; kitchen containers; kitchen urns; kitchen utensils, namely, tongs; splatter screens and whisks; paper plates; fitted picnic baskets, including dishes; porcelain ware, namely, cups, mugs, plates; salad bowls; services, namely, tea services and coffee services; soup bowls; tea caddies; tea services; lunch boxes; mug coasters, namely, plastic coasters; coasters, not of paper and other than table linen; utensils for household purposes, namely, spatulas, strainers, graters; glass, namely, glass mugs, glass pans; piggy banks, not of metal; cosmetic and toilet utensils, namely, cosmetic brushes, combs; toothbrushes; ornaments, statuettes and figurines of ceramics; ornaments, statuettes and figurines of glass; ornaments, statuettes and figurines of porcelain; ornaments, statuettes and figurines of earthenware; drinking straws; serving trays not of precious metal

IC 024. US 042 050. G & S: household linen; personal articles of woven textile, namely, face towels, hand towels; towels; handkerchiefs; mosquito nets; bedsheets; bedspreads; duvet covers; cushion covers; sleeping bags for children in the nature of sheeting; futon quilts and quilts; unfitted and fitted futon covers not of paper and quilts cases; futon ticks, namely, unstuffed futon covers not of paper; pillowcases; blankets, namely, blanket throws, bed blankets; covers for cushions; table napkins of textile; dish cloths; banners and flags not of paper, namely, of textile; toilet seat covers of textile; unfitted seat covers of textile; wall hangings of textile; curtains; table cloths not of paper; draperies; labels of cloth; coasters of textile; bedding, except linen, namely, bed sheets, bed throws, duvets

IC 025. US 022 039. G & S: clothing other than kimono, namely, t-shirts, shirts, sweaters, sweatshirts, jackets, pajamas, coats, swimwear, mufflers, gloves, scarves, neck ties, belts (clothing), socks, underwear, pants, jeans, shorts, skirts, underpants, robes; shoes and boots; footwear; beach shoes; galoshes; half-boots; lace boots; sandals; sneakers; sports shoes; wooden shoes; high-heel shoes; masquerade costumes; play costumes, namely, costumes for use in children?s dress up play; clothes for sports, namely, jerseys, athletic uniforms, athletic shoes; boots for sports other than horse-riding boots; headgear, namely, helmets, visors; headwear, namely, hats and caps; masquerade and Halloween masks; costumes being children?s playthings

IC 028. US 022 023 038 050. G & S: amusement game machines and apparatus for use in amusement parks other than arcade video game machines, namely, coin-operated amusement machines, amusement park rides; arcade video game machines; arcade video game machines other than those adapted for use with an external display, screen or monitor; amusement game machines; amusement apparatus for use in arcades, namely, arcade crane game machine, arcade game machines; stand alone video output game machines; pinball game machines; coin and counter operated arcade games; vehicle toys; electronic toys, namely, electronic toy vehicles, electronic action toys; hand-held games with liquid crystal displays; stuffed toys; toys, namely, bath toys, drawing toys and crib toys; dolls; developmental toys, namely, children?s educational toys for developing fine motor, cognitive, counting skills; play sets and accessories for dolls; stuffed plush dolls; collectable range of toys and dolls, namely, model toy figures, action toy figures; collectable range of stuffed plush toys; action figures and accessories; toy zip guns; toy bakeware and toy cookware; toy banks; toy snow globes; toy action figures and dolls; clothing and accessories for toy action figures and dolls; educational toys and playthings, namely, educational card games, electronic educational game machines for children; hand held electronic games, namely, handheld electronic games adapted for use with television receivers; handheld game apparatus with liquid crystal displays; electronic hand-held game units for use with an external display screen; puzzles; jigsaw and manipulative puzzles; plastic toys, namely, toy boxes, toy hoop sets; toy figurines. namely, modeled plastic toy figurines; action figures; action figure toys; toy models, namely, animals, cars, guitars, trains; bath toys; inflatable toys; Christmas crackers; Christmas ornaments, namely, Christmas tree ornaments; decorations for Christmas trees; kites; puppets; paper party hats; paper face masks; go games; Japanese playing cards; Japanese chess; dice; Japanese dice games; cups for dice; chess games; checkers; conjuring apparatus, namely, magic tricks; dominoes; playing cards; mah-jong; game equipment sold as a unit for playing a board game, a card game, a manipulative game, a parlour game, a parlour-type computer game, an action type target game; board games; trading cards game; game cards; slot machines in the nature of an amusement game machines; other game machines and apparatus, namely, ball pitching machines, ride-on game machines; billiard equipment; darts; digital darts, namely, electronic dart game; automatic slot machines; coin slot machines; slot machines in the nature of a gaming devices; gaming machines; sports equipment, namely, basketball hoops, billiard tables, bats and rackets; gymnastic and sporting articles not included in other classes, namely, gymnastic parallel bars, balance beams; skateboards; wheeled toys, namely, pull-along toys and inline skates; ice skates; water squirting toys; balls, namely, playground balls, soccer balls, baseballs, basketballs; play balloons; baseball gloves; surfboards; swimming floats for recreational use; kickboard flotation devices for recreational use; swim boards for recreational use; swim fins; knee pads, namely, knee pads for athletic use; elbow pads, namely, elbow pads for athletic use. electronic games other than those adapted for use with an external display screen or monitor; balloons; game equipment sold as a unit for playing a parlour-type computer game, namely, handheld games with liquid crystal displays for playing parlour-type games; apparatus for electronic games adapted for use with an external display screen or monitor; mobiles for cribs and children

IC 029. US 046. G & S: milk products excluding ice cream, ice milk, and frozen yogurt; butter; cheese; whipped cream; cream; milk; milk beverages, milk predominating; yogurt; frozen vegetables; frozen fruits; processed vegetables and fruits; jams; fruit jellies; potato chips; stew and soup mixes; dried flakes of laver for sprinkling on rice in hot water; hamburgers and hot dogs; box lunches, namely, prepared meals consisting primarily of meat, fish, poultry, or vegetables

IC 030. US 046. G & S: tea; coffee and cocoa; confectionery made of sugar, bread and buns, cakes; pancakes; ice cream; chocolate; cookies; popcorn; vinegar; worcester sauce; meat gravies; ketchup; sauces; tomato sauce; white sauce; mayonnaise; ice cream mixes; sherbet mixes; farinaceous foods, namely, namely, pasta, rice; breakfast cereals; spaghetti; macaroni; fruit jellies candy; Chinese stuffed dumplings; sandwiches; Chinese steamed dumplings; sushi; hamburger sandwiches; pizzas; box lunches, namely, packaged meal kits consisting primarily of pasta or rice; hot dog sandwiches; meat pies; ravioli; instant confectionery mixes, namely, cookie mixes, cake mixes; buttercream icing; curry and curry pastes; seasoned powder for sprinkling on rice

IC 032. US 045 046 048. G & S: beer; carbonated drinks, namely, carbonated waters, non-alcoholic carbonated beverages, carbonated soft drinks; fruit juices; aerated water; mineral water; soda water; whey beverages; vegetable juices

IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: sporting and cultural activities, namely, organizing community sporting and cultural events, ticket reservation and booking services for entertainment, sporting, and cultural events; providing education, namely, providing educational services, i.e. classes, workshops, seminars in the field of nature, animals, plants, video games, movies, and sports; entertainment, namely, arranging and conducting movie, music and video game events, entertainment in the nature of an amusement park attraction, namely, a themed area; cultural activities, namely, organization of cultural shows and movies, museums; production and distribution of audio, video, and still and moving images in the field of nature, animals, plants, video games, movies, and sports; presentation of audio, video, and still and moving images, namely, displaying a series of films and art exhibitions; publishing services, namely, publishing of electronic publications and publishing of manuals, journals, books; production of movies, operas, plays, television shows; presentation of live show performances, live comedy shows, and musical performances; organization of games, fashion shows for entertainment purposes, sports competitions, exhibitions for musical entertainment dancing events; providing of training in the field of computer games and imaging technology; publication of books; educational services in the nature of classes, seminars, conferences and instruction services in the field of arts, crafts, sports and general knowledge regarding nature, animals, plants, computing, mathematics and electronics; arranging, conducting and organization of seminars in the field of nature, animals, plants, electronic games and computer games; providing electronic publications, namely, publishing of electronic publications; planning and arrangement of showing movies, shows, plays or musical performances; providing information relating to planning and arrangement of showing movies, shows, plays or musical performances; movie showing, movie film production, and movie film distribution. production of video tape film in the fields of education, culture, entertainment or sports; providing amusement facilities; providing amusement arcades; providing amusement parks; providing on-line games; providing games by using telecommunication via the computer terminal or mobile phones; entertainment information; providing information about amusement facilities; entertainment services, namely, providing on-line games and on-line computer games; entertainment services, namely, conducting a game of chance simultaneously at multiple, independent gaming establishments, on-line computer games and on-line video games; providing on-line non-downloadable comics; providing information on computer game strategies and video game strategies via computer networks and global communication networks; providing information on entertainment in the field of computer games, video games, card games, animated cartoons, comics, novels and magazines; providing information on on-line games, on-line non-downloadable magazines in the field of computer games, video games, cartoons and general entertainment; information, advisory and consultancy services relating to all the aforesaid; providing facilities for movies, shows, plays, music or educational training; rental of motion pictures; rental of cinematographic machines and apparatus; rental of records or sound-recorded magnetic tapes; rental of image-recorded magnetic tapes; rental of toys; rental of amusement machines and apparatus; rental of game machines and apparatus

IC 043. US 100 101. G & S: providing temporary accommodations; providing foods and beverages for consumption on and off the premises; cafeterias; restaurants; snack-bars; providing conference rooms; providing facilities for exhibitions; rental of cooking equipment for industrial purposes; rental of food service equipment, namely, industrial dish drying machines, dishwashing machines for industrial purposes, non-electric cooking heaters, kitchen worktops, and rental of sinks

Mark Drawing Code (5) WORDS, LETTERS, AND/OR NUMBERS IN STYLIZED FORM
Serial Number 85517210
Filing Date January 16, 2012
Current Basis 1B;44D
Original Filing Basis 1B;44D
Owner (APPLICANT) Kabushiki Kaisha Sega DBA Sega Corporation CORPORATION JAPAN 1-2-12 Haneda Ohta-ku Tokyo JAPAN 1448531
Attorney of Record Michael R. Rizzo
Priority Date January 10, 2012
Description of Mark Color is not claimed as a feature of the mark. The mark consists of a graphic design composed of the letters "O"-"R"-"B"-"I" in a highly stylized font.
Type of Mark TRADEMARK. SERVICE MARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE


"Amended" means that the applicant has AGREED with the Trademark Office regarding their proposal for its description, which means that the mark will OFFICIALLY enter Registration and that will be "Published for Opposition" in the next 4 Weeks. Meaning that the mark will be an official brand within a month or so.




Note: Comments Are Disabled. Due to this being an official Document from SEGA.