Sale of the Dreamcast Name, Patents, Copyrights, Etc

To all my Assembler Brethren, especially the Dreamcast ones!

I have sent several emails and made several calls to Sega asking them if they would sell all their Dreamcast related Assets, copyrights, patents, etc. This would basically be everything they ever made for Dreamcast, any future ideas, etc. All of my emails thus far have been sent to the "appropriate" individuals, but I have not received anything back yet. This has taken place the last 2 weeks, so I think it's safe to assume it is traveling up the chain.

Why do I want to buy it??? I believe that there is enough I guess you would call it "aftermarket" support to continue to support the Dreamcast for the time being. For one I think it's crazy that there isn't an official Sega support website that tells you how to setup the console and just general troubleshooting instructions(ex Dreamcast doesn't power on when I press Power button; Make sure the power cord is plugged into the back of the console.) Some of you might laugh or think it's ridiculous or crazy, but I don't. If we wait longer then we already have then we are gonna have what I call a "Future Atari" on our hands. This is something that i've been wanting to do for a really long time, but am finally at a place in my life where I can even remotely think about it. There is tons more I can talk about like the BBA, replacement GD-ROM etc. All documents, etc would be released for the Dreamcast community to enjoy while still running an official Dreamcast website to support future updates, Device support etc.

Financial situation is what I'm guessing most of you guys are thinking. I personally don't know anybody who has money on hand that it would potentially take to buy these assets, so before I count my chickens, I am waiting on if Sega would even sell it. At that time I will run a Kickstarter fund and get as close as possible. Obviously if it's some insane number I'm not even going to attempt it, but I have a number in my head which I think is sort of the limit or high point where I just walk away.

What does this mean? This means that support is continued for the Dreamcast, all of the Homebrew creators would have an opportunity to get together and work TOGETHER for future developments. More games that will be developed without fear of repercussions from Sega due to using an SDK without a license. More games that support Online Gaming. Official Ports of games from other systems of the ERA. Last and not least.....This would absolutely open up the discussion for a newer Console. To be in competition for the other game systems would take MUCH more money then I could even think about, but it wouldn't have to compete. Certain things could be patented, while others would remain open source for other people to develop.

Anyways, just thought I'd share my piece with you guys. I don't want this to turn into a flamefest where people decide that Dreamcast 2 should never happen or any of that. Only positive, helpful thoughts ONLY, If you can't provide those I would ask those to not even post please. Also I will keep emailing and calling until I get a solid answer of Yes or No from Sega. I can't imagine them saying No though, due to their current financial situation. Thoughts Away!!

 

WOW! This is insane! Good Luck!

 

I sense a chicken-egg problem here. They won't take your offer seriously unless you're a multimillionaire corporation, and you won't get financing unless they take your offer seriously... Also, if your writing style is the same as this post, they'll think you're simply a kid with big dreams (no offense). I guess some silicon valley billionaires could do it, but I think your chances are pretty thin.

Better wait until they go bankrupt and trying to win those right at an auction, I think ASSEMbler has already bough stuff from bankruptcy or similar.

That said, good luck! Just don't hold your breath.

Cheers,

FG

 

You could call me a big kid! I am a 1990 child, so you do the math. Thats the beauty of it, I am not making an offer, I am simply asking if they would sell it. I also don't think that it would get to a million dollars, but thats just my opinion. Yeah, I read about his buying the whole Acclaim when they went bankrupt. Also I am guessing in the 200k-500k range, I am holding my breath as should every other Dreamcast fan!

 

Atleast it is a very nice thought. I say go for it!

 

Honestly I think the question is moot. Your letter went onto someones desk they took one look at it and probably tossed it in a circular file cabinet. I think the main reason for that would be that it would cost Sega money just to address this issue. Basically you have the salary of whoever would 'start' the process of even figuring out if it is possible for them to sell it. How much of it do they own. Which parts did they license? What was there agreement with Microsoft for Windows CE? Did that agreement expire? Is it transferrable? Can Microsoft even legally still distribute Windows CE? A Sega lawyer would probably have to dig into this, and I imagine they would only do this if they thought they had a decent offer on the table (or a serious party inquiring). I don't mean to rain on your parade too much just calling it like I see it. I think it is very possible that a company could revive the dreamcast, but would be a ton of work.

Just my 2 cents.

 

Oh dear.

Sega are never going to do this because they use the IP. They can't sell the IP they don't own, though. And if they were to sell, it would be for millions. As someone said, they're not going to ever consider selling to Joe Schmo. And crowdfunding is a terrible idea - nobody's going to give you money for nothing. Of course, you're having this conversation in Japanese with SOJ, aren't you? If not, you're wasting your time... well, you are anyway.

There WAS a website telling you how to set up your Dreamcast. Then Sega stopped making it. Then they stopped supporting it. Why would they maintain a website on how to do something really simple with old hardware? Welcome to 2015. Dreamcast is dead.

 

Sega won't sell the IPs related Dreamcast for the same reason they won't sell the IPs related MegaDrive/Genesis. They know in the future, storage will be big enough and CPU will be powerful enough that can release Dreamcast game collections like they been doing for the MegaDrive/Genesis. I know Dreamcast was not popular as the MegaDrive/Genesis, but they know they make more money that whatever you can offer them. Dreamcast has IPs owned by other company. Other than Microsoft WinCE, the GD-ROM is actually developed by Yamaha, the CPU made by Hitachi, and GPU was a series 2 PowerVR made by NEC but licensed from VideoLogic(now called Imagination Technologies).

Also remember when THQ went bankrupted and some people thought that by raising $72,000 with Kickstarter and Indigogo, they could buy Homeworld IP at THQ bankrupt sale. Of course, it was sold for $1.3M to Gearbox. And that was for 1 IP in bankruptcy court. Again, Sega will have issue releasing Dreamcast games in future without the right to the Dreamcast name alone.

 

I think a better idea would be investing in those small teams/individuals who are interested in developing games for the DC. There's a very small number of people still supporting the DC with games once and a while. Maybe working with them would be beneficial. Hell, maybe they could even teach you how to develop yourself.

 

This Dreamcast theme 3DS is another reason that Sega will ignore any request sell their Dreamcast trademark. God, I hope they will release it in the US. Oh yea, I forgot to mention that Sega has been making a manga and anime series based around the Mega Drive, Saturn, and Dreamcast. The are still making money off all of their old consoles.