:Sega AM1

{{See also|Sega development studios}}

Rikiya Nakagawa joined Sega as a programmer in 1983.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/sega-arcade-development-chief-resigns|title=Sega arcade development chief resigns|last=Fahey|first=Rob|date=December 18, 2003|website=Gamesindustry.biz|publisher=Gamer Network|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407153351/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/sega-arcade-development-chief-resigns|archive-date=April 7, 2020|access-date=April 7, 2020}} Working for Sega's development division, he programmed arcade games including Ninja Princess, Alien Syndrome and Choplifter.{{Cite magazine|date=August 2000|title=Sega New President's Story: Rikiya Nakagawa|url=https://www.sega-16.com/2019/03/classic-interview-rikiya-nakagawa/|magazine=Dreamcast Magazine|publisher=SoftBank Publishing|pages=93–96|access-date=April 7, 2020|via=Sega-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190929123000/http://www.sega-16.com/2019/03/classic-interview-rikiya-nakagawa/|archive-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live}} Although the exact date of the transition is not known, some time after the release of Power Drift, Sega began to separate the amusement division into the Amusement Machine Research and Development teams, or AM teams. AM1 was formed not long after the decision was made to separate the teams.{{Cite book|last=Horowitz|first=Ken|title=The Sega Arcade Revolution: A History in 62 Games|publisher=McFarland & Company|year=2018|isbn=9781476631967|pages=153–157}} Hisao Oguchi worked with AM1 before later going to AM3.{{Cite magazine|date=August 1997|title=NG Alphas: An Interview With Hisao Oguchi|url=https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_32/page/n55/mode/2up|magazine=Next Generation|issue=32|pages=54–55|access-date=April 1, 2020}}

Nakagawa was made manager of AM1 in September 1991.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/12/17/nakagawa-leaves-sega-wow|title=Nakagawa leaves Sega Wow|date=December 17, 2003|website=IGN|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407153354/https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/12/17/nakagawa-leaves-sega-wow|archive-date=April 7, 2020|access-date=April 7, 2020}} According to Nakagawa, he was working with AM2 with Yu Suzuki before being made head of AM1. He has also stated that his job focus had to change upon taking the new title, with less coding and more production and schedule management. Joining him at AM1 were members of Team Shinobi, who had developed Alien Syndrome and the arcade version of Golden Axe. AM1 also included Makoto Uchida, the lead developer for Golden Axe, who had also developed Altered Beast, as well as several other Sega arcade titles.{{Cite web|last=Buchanan|first=Levi|date=September 25, 2008|title=Golden Axe Retrospective|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/09/25/golden-axe-retrospective|website=IGN}}{{Cite web|title=The History of Sega Japan R&D, Part 1: The Origins and the 80s|url=http://segabits.com/blog/2015/09/23/history-sega-japan-rd-part-1-origins-80s/|access-date=2021-08-19|website=Segabits|date=23 September 2015 |language=en-US}}

File:NAOMI PowerVR2.jpg arcade system board (PowerVR2 chip on the NAOMI board pictured).]]

During the next few years, AM1 made several technological advances in their game development. The team used 3D computer graphics for the first time in 1994's Wing War, a game that would also be released for Sega's R360 arcade cabinet.{{Sfn|Horowitz|2018|p=177-184}} AM1 would also develop Indy 500, which Nakagawa called his most memorable AM1 project and he credits it for AM1's ability to develop proper 3D games. From there, AM1 developed WaveRunner and The House of the Dead. AM1 also collaborated with Sega Technical Institute to develop and release Die Hard Arcade in 1996.{{cite magazine|last=Day|first=Ashley|year=2007|title=Company Profile: Sega Technical Institute|magazine=Retro Gamer|publisher=Imagine Publishing|issue=36|pages=28–33}} According to developer Koichi Izumi, who had worked with AM1 before moving to AM3, AM1 had developed so many games that he lost count of them.{{Cite web|url=http://www.hitmaker.co.jp/top/lounge/corumun/site/corumun_txt22.html|title=Hitmaker Lounge|website=hitmaker.co.jp|publisher=Sega AM3|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030422213943/http://www.hitmaker.co.jp/top/lounge/corumun/site/corumun_txt22.html|archive-date=April 22, 2003|access-date=April 7, 2020}} Nakagawa has stated that he considered it good that AM1 did not have a specialty area and could develop almost any game as long as it was fun, and highlighted Wakuwaku Anpanman, a kiddie ride, as an example. AM1 also took charge of technical aspects of the NAOMI arcade system board.{{Cite magazine|date=October 2000|title=Sega's new beginning|magazine=Edge|publisher=Future plc|issue=89|pages=68–78}} Some of AM1's other titles developed were Sega Bass Fishing, Sega Strike Fighter and Wild Riders.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/wow-entertainment-interview/1100-2806928/|title=Wow Entertainment interview|last=Torres|first=Ricardo|date=May 17, 2006|website=GameSpot|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407165156/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/wow-entertainment-interview/1100-2806928/|archive-date=April 7, 2020|access-date=April 7, 2020}}

In April 2000,{{Cite web|url=http://www.segawow.com/company.html|title=Sega Wow - Company information|website=segawow.com|publisher=Sega Wow|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040603053225/http://www.segawow.com/company.html|archive-date=June 3, 2004|access-date=April 7, 2020}} Sega restructured its arcade and console development teams into nine semi-autonomous studios headed by the company's top designers.{{cite web|url=https://ign.com/articles/2009/04/21/ign-presents-the-history-of-sega?page=1|title=IGN Presents the History of Sega|author=Fahs, Travis|date=April 21, 2009|website=IGN|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031060740/http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/04/21/ign-presents-the-history-of-sega?page=1|archive-date=October 31, 2014|access-date=October 31, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/features/9999-dreamcast-memorial|title=9.9.99, A Dreamcast Memorial|last=Parish|first=Jeremy|date=September 3, 2009|website=1UP.com|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140201012313/http://www.1up.com/features/9999-dreamcast-memorial|archive-date=February 1, 2014|access-date=December 10, 2016|df=mdy}} Sega's design houses were encouraged to experiment and benefited from a relatively lax approval process.{{cite journal|last1=Montfort|first1=Nick|last2=Consalvo|first2=Mia|title=The Dreamcast, Console of the Avant-Garde|journal=Loading... The Journal of the Canadian Game Studies Association|volume=6|pages=82–99|number=9}} Nakagawa chose the name Wow Entertainment for his new company, because it was an easy name to say in Japanese and also would work worldwide as a word in the English dictionary. At the time, Wow Entertainment had a staff of 120 and had 12 to 13 production lines, one of which was based in the United States. Though AM1 had previously focused on arcade games, Wow would split its time with console games as well. Wow also announced a collaboration with Nihon Television and Kodansha for the development of additional games.

Wow's offices were based in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan. In addition to Dreamcast games, such as Sega Bass Fishing 2, Wow developed for other consoles. The Game Boy Advance received Columns Crown, and games were developed for the GameCube, as well as the Xbox and PlayStation 2. Arcade games, such as The House of the Dead III, were also released.

File:Initial D Arcade Stage 8 Infinity Single Arcade seat.jpg, developed by AM1]]

In 2003, Hisao Oguchi was named president of Sega. He announced his intention to consolidate Sega's studios into "four or five core operations".{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/sega-reports-a-profit-but-top-execs-step-down|title=Sega reports a profit, but top execs step down|last=Fahey|first=Rob|date=May 20, 2003|website=Gamesindustry.biz|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711093416/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/sega-reports-a-profit-but-top-execs-step-down|archive-date=July 11, 2018|access-date=April 1, 2020}} As part of the mergers, Wow Entertainment merged with Overworks,{{Cite web|url=http://archive.videogamesdaily.com/news/200307/037.asp|title=Sega Studio Mergers: Full Details|last=Doree|first=Adam|date=July 25, 2013|website=Kikizo|publisher=Superglobal Ltd.|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150608223108/http://archive.videogamesdaily.com/news/200307/037.asp|archive-date=June 8, 2015|access-date=March 31, 2020}} formerly Sega's AM7 department and headed by Noriyoshi Ohba. With this merger, completed in October 2003, Wow Entertainment changed its name to Sega Wow. Also in 2003, Sammy Corporation purchased a large share of Sega and announced its desire to have Sega focus on arcade game development, preferably with Sammy's Atomiswave arcade system board, which was less expensive and less advanced than Sega's Chihiro and Triforce boards. Nakagawa resigned weeks after the acquisition. While no official reason for his departure was given, it has been suggested that Nakagawa's resignation could have been due to a desire not to comply with Sammy's demands. Nakagawa joined Sammy itself as a general manager at the start of 2004,{{Cite magazine |date=December 25, 2003 |title=元セガワウの中川力也氏がサミーの開発本部長に就任 |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230225095614/https://www.famitsu.com/game/news/1144960_1124.html |magazine=Famitsu |language=Japanese}} and as of 2008, was then president of the company Paon DP.{{Cite web |last=Sugawara |first=Tetsuji |date=September 19, 2008 |title=第46回アミューズメントマシンショー タイトーブースレポート |url=https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/20080919/taito.htm |access-date=July 4, 2021 |website=GAME Watch |language=Japanese}} Kazunori Tsukamoto, who had worked on The House of the Dead and Super GT, replaced Nakagawa as president of Sega Wow.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=December 17, 2003 |title=Nakagawa Leaves Sega Wow |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/12/17/nakagawa-leaves-sega-wow |access-date=September 11, 2022 |website=IGN |language=}} As Sega Wow, they developed Finny the Fish & the Seven Waters with Sony Computer Entertainment, Blood Will Tell and the 2005 Altered Beast game.{{Cite web|url=http://archive.videogamesdaily.com/features/sega_wow_interview_sep04.asp|title=Sega Wow: The Kikizo Interview 2004|last=Doree|first=Adam|date=September 7, 2004|website=Kikizo|publisher=Superglobal Ltd.|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909035759/http://archive.videogamesdaily.com/features/sega_wow_interview_sep04.asp|archive-date=September 9, 2018|access-date=April 10, 2020}}{{Cite web |last=Hitmitsu |first=Supai |date=2004-02-04 |title=SCE and Sega Go Fish |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/02/04/sce-and-sega-go-fish |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=IGN |language=en}} During the existence of Sega Wow, producer Yosuke Okunari pitched remakes of Streets of Rage and Dragon Force made by Sega Wow for the Sega Ages 2500 series. Ultimately, only Dragon Force eventually became an outsourced project, with Okunari helming the project and the Sega Ages 2500 series as a whole.{{Cite web |last=実存 |date=2019-09-09 |title="セガが好きすぎるセガ社員"奥成さんってどんな人？ セガのやり過ぎ（!?）企画の裏につねにこの人あり！ |url=https://news.denfaminicogamer.jp/interview/190909a |access-date=2022-09-02 |website=電ファミニコゲーマー – ゲームの面白い記事読んでみない？ |language=ja}}

During mid-2004, Sammy bought a controlling share in Sega at a cost of $1.1 billion, creating the new company Sega Sammy Holdings, an entertainment conglomerate.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/sammy-reveals-new-logo-changes-at-sega/1100-6099624/|title=Sammy reveals new logo, changes at Sega|author=Hirohiko Niizumi|date=June 1, 2004|website=GameSpot|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828001811/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sammy-reveals-new-logo-changes-at-sega/1100-6099624/|archive-date=August 28, 2018|access-date=November 16, 2016}} Prior to the acquisition by Sammy, Sega began the process of re-integrating its subsidiaries into the main company,{{Cite news|last=Fahey|first=Rob|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/sega-development-studios-return-to-the-fold|title=Sega development studios return to the fold|date=June 29, 2004|work=GamesIndustry.biz|access-date=July 11, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711093418/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/sega-development-studios-return-to-the-fold|archive-date=July 11, 2018|publisher=Gamer Network|language=en}} which was completed by October 2004.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/sega-and-sammy-complete-merger-new-holding-company-launched|title=Sega and Sammy complete merger, new holding company launched|last=Fahey|first=Rob|date=October 4, 2004|website=Gamesindustry.biz|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612165251/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/sega-and-sammy-complete-merger-new-holding-company-launched|archive-date=June 12, 2018|access-date=March 31, 2020}} Sega Wow's 215 employees were split across consumer and arcade development after the integration back into Sega.{{Cite web|url=https://www.segasammy.co.jp/english/ir/release/pdf/past/sega/2005/20040519_4.pdf|title=Notice on Reorganization of the Company's R&D Subsidiaries|website=www.segasammy.co.jp|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130630061604/http://www.segasammy.co.jp/english/ir/release/pdf/past/sega/2005/20040519_4.pdf|archive-date=June 30, 2013|access-date=2015-06-28}}

The AM1 division has continued within Sega since the re-integration of Sega Wow. Further development since 2004 has included smartphone games, such as Chain Chronicle.{{Cite web|url=http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/606385.html|title=Sega Networks, iOS / Android "Chain Chronicle" the official announcement|last=株式会社インプレス|date=2013-07-04|website=GAME Watch|language=ja|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327194902/https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/606385.html|archive-date=2020-03-27|access-date=2020-03-27}} Some of AM1's arcade developments since 2004 include video games Maimai, Initial D Arcade Stage 8 Infinity and Puyopuyo!! Quest Arcade, medal games Fist of the North Star: Battle Medal, and Starhorse III,{{Cite web|url=http://buzz.sega.jp/title_list|title=R&D1 Title List|website=buzz.sega.jp|publisher=Sega Interactive Co., Ltd.|language=ja|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023214052/http://buzz.sega.jp/title_list/|archive-date=October 23, 2017|access-date=April 8, 2020}} as well as Sangokushi Taisen, a digital collectible card and trading card game.{{Cite web|url=http://sega.jp/segavoice/vol01/|title=『三国志大戦』見参！（前編）|date=April 21, 2005|website=Sega.jp|publisher=Sega|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525102644/http://sega.jp/segavoice/vol01/|archive-date=May 25, 2015|access-date=April 10, 2020}} In 2013, it was said to be the broadest division of Sega covering arcade video games, smartphone apps, games for kids, medal games, and simulators, or unique products such as the Sega Toylet.{{Cite web|url=http://careerlaboratory.jp/archives/444|title=注目の企業 ～ セガ第一研究開発本部|date=October 30, 2013|website=careerlabotary.jp|language=ja|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181229005415/http://careerlaboratory.jp/archives/444|archive-date=December 29, 2018|access-date=April 10, 2020}} During the late 2000s and mid to late 2010s, Yasuhiro Nishiyama was the head of AM1, producing aforementioned games. He joined the company in 1997 and was involved with the hardware of the Dreamcast, and after almost three decades left Sega in 2024 to establish the company Sugorocks to pursue Web3, AI and Blockchain endeavours.{{Cite web |date=2016-05-20 |title=西山泰弘 [前篇] 1/3{{!}}株式会社セガ・インタラクティブ |url=https://sega-interactive.co.jp/special/interview/vol2-1/ |access-date=2025-01-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160520155628/https://sega-interactive.co.jp/special/interview/vol2-1/ |archive-date=20 May 2016 }}{{Cite web |last=Inc |first=Aetas |title=［インタビュー］「三国志大戦」の西山泰弘氏が，セガを辞めて新天地で目指すものは何か―――ゲームのプロデュース集団として，業界に広く深く貢献したい |url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/999/G999905/20240701020/ |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=4Gamer.net |language=ja}}

File:Overworks-logo.png

Overworks was a development division of Sega, originally founded as CS Research and Development #2. It was led by Noriyoshi Ohba,{{Cite magazine|date=June 14, 1996|title=CS2 R&D|magazine=Sega Saturn Magazine|language=ja|publisher=SoftBank Publishing|page=136}} who was initially hired to Sega's CS2 department as a planner and worked on titles such as Wonder Boy in Monster Land and Clockwork Knight.{{Cite web|title=名作アルバム -『ザ・スーパー忍』-|url=http://sega.jp/fb/album/09_shi/interview1.html|website=sega.jp|publisher=Sega|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618151827/http://sega.jp/fb/album/09_shi/interview1.html|archive-date=June 18, 2015|access-date=June 14, 2015}} Rieko Kodama was a developer on the team, which was formed of developers who had previously worked on series such as Shinobi, Streets of Rage, Phantasy Star and Alex Kidd.{{cite web|url=https://ign.com/articles/2010/09/10/ign-presents-the-history-of-dreamcast|title=IGN Presents the History of Dreamcast|last=Fahs|first=Travis|date=September 9, 2010|website=IGN|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140928201508/http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/09/10/ign-presents-the-history-of-dreamcast|archive-date=September 28, 2014|access-date=October 31, 2014}} CS2 R&D had a hand in the development of Sega Saturn games, including Sakura Wars, Deep Fear and J-League Pro Soccer. The team would later be known as R&D #7 or AM7.{{Cite magazine|last=EGM Staff|date=October 2000|title=Sega's R&D Hierarchy|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|publisher=Sendai Publishing|issue=135|page=40|issn=1058-918X}} Upon the transition of the studios that led to the formation of Overworks from AM7, Ohba chose the name "Overworks" as a simplification of "Over Quality Works". Games released for the Dreamcast as Overworks include Skies of Arcadia, Sakura Wars 3: Is Paris Burning?, and GuruGuru Onsen. They also released a game for arcades called Dragon Treasure.{{Cite web|url=http://sega.jp/fb/creators/vol_19/1.html|title=Creator's Voice|website=Sega.jp|publisher=Sega|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509082111/http://sega.jp/fb/creators/vol_19/1.html|archive-date=May 9, 2015|access-date=April 10, 2020}} After the discontinuation of the Dreamcast, Overworks continued to work on Sakura Wars 4: Fall in Love, Maidens and a sequel to Shinobi, before being consolidated into Wow Entertainment. After serving as vice president of Sega Wow, Ohba departed Sega in 2004 to join Interchannel.{{Cite web|title=Premium Agency Appoints Noriyoshi Ohba as Vice President and Chief Creative Officer of Production|url=http://www.premiumagency.com/news_release/files/PressRelease_Premiumagency_20100303_Press_Ohba_EN.pdf|date=March 3, 2010|publisher=Premium Agency, Inc.|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924081222/http://www.premiumagency.com/news_release/files/PressRelease_Premiumagency_20100303_Press_Ohba_EN.pdf|archive-date=September 24, 2015|access-date=June 14, 2015}} The CS2 designation would later be given to Sonic Team by 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.4gamer.net/games/131/G013139/20111227008/|title=Producer Takashi Iizuka speaks, "Sonic Generations White Space-Time Space / Blue Adventure" Production Secret Story and Sonic Series 20 Years of Progress|last=Inemoto|first=Tetsuya|date=28 December 2011|website=www.4gamer.net|publisher=Aetas, Inc.|language=ja|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821045318/http://www.4gamer.net/games/131/G013139/20111227008/|archive-date=21 August 2017|access-date=11 July 2018}} The developers of the games Guru Guru Onsen and Dragon Treasure, went on to develop Sangokushi Taisen at AM1.{{Cite web |date=2015-05-30 |title=開発者インタビュー「Creators Note」 ＃０７ 大原 徹 |url=https://www.sega.jp/fb/creators/vol_7/1.html |access-date=2025-01-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530132721/https://www.sega.jp/fb/creators/vol_7/1.html |archive-date=30 May 2015 }}{{Cite web |date=2015-05-25 |title=『三国志大戦』見参！（前編） | セガボイス | セガ 製品情報 |url=http://sega.jp/segavoice/vol01/ |access-date=2025-01-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525102644/http://sega.jp/segavoice/vol01/ |archive-date=25 May 2015 }} Meanwhile, members of the Skies of Arcadia team went on to be involved in Valkyria Chronicles and 7th Dragon.{{Cite web |title=Emotions And War: The Valkyria Chronicles Interview |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/emotions-and-war-the-valkyria-chronicles-interview |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=www.gamedeveloper.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=7th Dragon 2020 due for Japan this fall |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/7th-dragon-2020-due-for-japan-this-fall/1100-6313394/ |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}

{{Portal|Video games

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• Sega development studios
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{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20030625045159/http://www.wow-ent.co.jp/jpn/products/history.html Sega Wow's list of games, 1992-1998]

{{Sega}}

{{Sega Sammy Holdings}}

{{Authority control}}

Wow

Category:Video game development companies

Category:Japanese companies established in 2000

Category:Video game companies established in 2000

Category:Video game companies disestablished in 2004

Category:Defunct video game companies of Japan

Category:Japanese companies disestablished in 2004