On January 31, Sega announced that they would halt production on the Dreamcast in March. They will soon begin producing software for their former rivals, Playstation 2 and Nintendo's Game Boy Color. This is the second time the company has given us hope, only to pull the rug out from under us.

     Many moons ago, the Sega Genesis was the only 16-bit system out there, and then Super Nintendo came out, leading Sega to launch the 32-bit Sega Saturn. People who bought the system were shocked to soon find out that the company barely put any support behind it, released far too few good games for the system and eventually stopped production on the system, all together. Consumers were understandably upset, but when Dreamcast jumped to the 128-bit system, many people were willing to give the company another chance. No other company had a system out with the capabilities that Sega provided. Brilliant graphics, and the opportunity to play on the Internet, led many people to purchase the system. Playstation 2 was a year off from brining out their system, so Sega had plenty of time to grab a lead in the video game industry. Unfortunately, things did not go their way.

     Many people were still wary of Sega's commitment to the system. Many people were also looking forward to Sony's new system, considering the success they had and are still having with their first system. Software companies were also wary and put their support behind Playstation 2. Even the delay of the new Sony system, couldn't help the struggling company as they lost money for the fourth year in a row. There was little else to do, but give up the fight.

     If you can't beat them, join them. Great games like Shenmue, Space Channel 5, NBA 2K1, Crazy Taxi and Ultimate Fighting Championship really made the system worth getting. So, parlaying their success with software into a wider field, Sega will now be putting out games for their rivals. Soon, Virtua Fighter 4, New Space Channel 5, Sakura Wars, and Sonic the Hedgehog will see the light of day for the PS2. Sonic will also see action for the handheld system, Game Boy Advance. So, while Sega the system is soon to be dead and buried, Sega the software giant will still be alive and kicking. But what about those who bought the system, believing they were going to be in it for the long haul? What about those who wasted their money purchasing the pricey system when it first came out, only to learn that it would no longer be?

     Now, normally, you would hear Badseed shout his mouth off and say, Sega owes us all an apology. How dare they do such a thing to us? Well, I actually don't feel that way. Sega put themselves out there and people just didn't buy the system. Those are the breaks and businesses fail. People need to be wary of this and there were many critics out there warning people that Sega wouldn't make it, so no one really has a right to complain. Besides, the Dreamcast has been out for two years or so, and that is good enough time to stock up on games and still enjoy the system. Games will still be sold, so Sega Dreamcast fans still have plenty to get their hands on. In addition, many other games will still be coming out for the Dreamcast system. Shenmue 2 may still be coming, although for all we know, it could switch over to PS2. Sega Smash Pack will also be hitting shelves, allowing people to play games from the old systems that Sega suckered us into getting. Just a joke. There is no need to be angry. Enjoy what you have.

     Now, here is a little warning to Sega. People are still going to be angry, and maybe you should do something cool for those people who did buy the system. Since, the system failed, how about lowering the price on many of the games, so that more and more people will buy them, and may even pick up a Dreamcast to stock up on some cheap, but really cool games. Twenty dollars sounds like a good price to me. Also, I think it would be great, and I am sure Sega will do this, if they would continue the Sega Internet channel, so people could play the games they own over the Internet. In time, people may grow tired of playing those games, but I think people will enjoy their Dreamcast games for some time, and would love to use the Internet to play them. It was one of the reasons they bought the system.

     In closing, I must say that I feel bad for Sega's failure, but Sega's failure is everyone else's gain. Those who own the PS2 will get to play Sonic, and now that Sega is no longer a rival, we could see crossover team-ups. Can you say Mario vs. Sonic? I sure hope so. Dreamcast gamers; enjoy the games you have, and stock up on more to, in order to make the system useful. Those who believed Sega would come back, well, just don't buy another system, should they try to come out with one. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me, fool me three times, you are just a complete jackass. Now enjoy Sega, the software company.

     Send your comments and questions about this article to Badseed@ybfree.com.