Today Moody's downgraded Sega's long-term unsecured debt from a B2 grade to B3. According to Moody's, the reason for the downgrade is that Sega's results are worse than expected and there are doubts about Sega's ability to secure financing into the future. In order to cover a projected special loss of JPY80 billion in March this year, Sega announced that Isao Okawa, Sega's chairman, will inject JPY85 billion of his own capital into the company. Moody's point out that there is a limit to the amount of fresh capital that Okawa can inject into the company.
Capcom To Offer PCs to Arcades
According to the Japanese games magazine "Famitsu", Capcom will begin to offer Japanese arcades rental PC facilities. Users will be charged JPY500 to use the computer for one hour to play online and network games. They will also be able to surf the web through high-speed phone lines.
Sega 2001 Coin-Op Games
Sega has listed a total of 26 games due for release in 2001 on its website. Please find below several which we reckon will be out in coin-op format:
Crazy Taxi 2 (2001)
Dynamic Golf (Spring 2001)
House of the Dead 3
"K-Project" (gun shooting game)
Virtua Tennis 2
Banpresto Announces Internet Prize Games
Banpresto announced on January 29 that it plans to commence its new character-based amusement business "BigEntertainment" on the internet from May 2001. According to Banpresto, prize machines account for over 40% of the coin-op market at present. By making it possible for players to win prizes over the internet, the company plans to expand this market. Players accessing the site will be able to manoeuvre prize machines and win prizes. Price per play will very from JPY100 - 500. Payment will be made by "CyberCash" or credit card. Prizes will be sent to winning players by post. The machines will be made up of "arm-type" and crane-type machines which require skill to get the prizes. For kids and families, the site will also include slot-type machines with a percentage payout. In order to get a discount on the transport, players can hold the prizes won on the site for up to one month and then ship all prizes together. Banpresto said they are considering free transport for packages containing 5-6 prizes.
Salaryman As Star?
For too long, the loyal salaryman has been the unsung hero. But no longer thanks to a new coin-op from Konami called "Salaryman Champ". It is a simple game with a series of mini-themes which the player must clear within the time allowed. The situations are "On The Way To Work", "At The Office", "Private Time" and represent the life of the humble salaryman in a comical and humourous way. The price, including special control panel, is JPY198,000. Price of CD-ROM software only is JPY98,000. Release is set for early February.
Konami "Sniper" on Test
Konami had a new gun game on location test in a Kobe arcade over the weekend of January 27-28. The name on the machine was "Sniper" and is a "Silent Scope" look-a-like. Will post more news as it comes in.
Sega To Manufacture/Sell Newest "Street Fighter" Game
Sega is to manufacture and distribute Capcom's new fighting game "Street Fighter Zero Upper". The game is set for release in Japan in February. The game is the updated link version of the Dreamcast software "Street Fighter Zero Saikyo Ryudoba" which was released in July 1999.
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This report with thanks to;
John RyanManjiro Works
Tel: +81 90 2105 8084
Email:john@manjiro.com
Web: www.manjiro.com
