SEGA Sports R&D
Encyclopedia
SEGA Sports R&D is the group responsible for creating the Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games
series. The studio houses talented developers from the defunct divisions Team Andromeda and Smilebit, which were responsible for bringing to life such underappreciated Sega properties as Panzer Dragoon
and Jet Set Radio
.
's lifespan. The group produced three Panzer Dragoon titles and, after the release of its final game Panzer Dragoon Saga
in 1998, was then dissolved.
After the restructuring, many of the group's members joined Sega's Smilebit and United Game Artists development teams. Former Team Andromeda staff have also developed video games at other studios, including Polyphony Digital
, Artoon
, feelplus and Land Ho.
, Panzer Dragoon Orta
and GunValkyrie
. On July 1, 2004, three months before the completion of the Sega Sammy merger
, Sega's internal development studios were again restructured. Smilebit was shut down and its personnel were absorbed by two new groups: New Entertainment R&D Dept., which included many members of the recently closed Amusement Vision group, and Sega Sports Japan, which is composed entirely of former Smilebit team members.
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, known in Japan as , is a sports video game developed by the Sega Sports R&D Department of Sega Japan. It was published by Nintendo for Japan and by Sega for North America, Europe and all other regions. The game is officially licensed by the International Olympic...
series. The studio houses talented developers from the defunct divisions Team Andromeda and Smilebit, which were responsible for bringing to life such underappreciated Sega properties as Panzer Dragoon
Panzer Dragoon (series)
Panzer Dragoon is a series of video games by Sega, created first by its internal Team Andromeda and later, the Smilebit development team. Aside from the RPG Panzer Dragoon Saga, the games are of the rail shooter genre...
and Jet Set Radio
Jet Set Radio (series)
is a series of games produced by Smilebit and Sega. Three titles have been released, the last in 2003.*Jet Set Radio, the first game, released for the Dreamcast in 2000.*Jet Set Radio Future, the sequel to the above game, released for the Xbox in 2002....
.
Team Andromeda
Initially founded in mid-1994 as part of Consumer Software R&D Dept. 1, Team Andromeda became a separate internal development team during the Sega SaturnSega Saturn
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console that was first released by Sega on November 22, 1994 in Japan, May 11, 1995 in North America, and July 8, 1995 in Europe...
's lifespan. The group produced three Panzer Dragoon titles and, after the release of its final game Panzer Dragoon Saga
Panzer Dragoon Saga
is a critically acclaimed role-playing video game released exclusively for the Sega Saturn in 1998. It was the third game released in the Panzer Dragoon series , and so far remains the only game in the series that is not a rail shooter...
in 1998, was then dissolved.
After the restructuring, many of the group's members joined Sega's Smilebit and United Game Artists development teams. Former Team Andromeda staff have also developed video games at other studios, including Polyphony Digital
Polyphony Digital
Polyphony Digital, Inc. is an internal video game developing company of Sony Computer Entertainment and is part of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios...
, Artoon
Artoon
Artoon is a computer and video game third-party developer established in 1999. The team was primarily affiliated in the United States with recent and current Microsoft Xbox and Xbox 360 projects, although they had also worked with Hudson Soft and Nintendo on other platforms...
, feelplus and Land Ho.
Smilebit
Key members of Team Andromeda were folded into the new second-party Sega studio Smilebit Corp., fondly remembered for crafting such titles as Jet Set RadioJet Set Radio
is a video game for the Dreamcast, developed by Smilebit and published by Sega on June 29, 2000. A 2D version of the game was later released for Game Boy Advance; this version was developed by Vicarious Visions and published by THQ. Its sequel, Jet Set Radio Future was released 2 years later for...
, Panzer Dragoon Orta
Panzer Dragoon Orta
Panzer Dragoon Orta is a rail shooter video game published by Sega for the Xbox. The game was released in Japan in December 2002, the following month in the United States, and three months later in PAL territories. It is the fourth console game in the Panzer Dragoon series, after three such games...
and GunValkyrie
GunValkyrie
is an alternate history/science fiction video game developed by Smilebit and published by Sega for the Microsoft Xbox.-Gameplay:The gameplay is very different from most third-person shooters, due to a unique dual analog control scheme, which is the main contributor to the steep learning curve of...
. On July 1, 2004, three months before the completion of the Sega Sammy merger
Sega Sammy Holdings
is a Japanese holding company formed from a merger of Sega and Sammy. They were both very involved in the arcade business , and Sega's main fame comes from their console systems.-Background:...
, Sega's internal development studios were again restructured. Smilebit was shut down and its personnel were absorbed by two new groups: New Entertainment R&D Dept., which included many members of the recently closed Amusement Vision group, and Sega Sports Japan, which is composed entirely of former Smilebit team members.
Games developed as Team Andromeda
- Panzer DragoonPanzer Dragoonis a rail shooter video game released for the Sega Saturn in 1995; and later released on PC, PlayStation 2, and as a bonus in its sequel Panzer Dragoon Orta for Xbox...
(1995) - Panzer Dragoon Zwei (1996)
- Panzer Dragoon SagaPanzer Dragoon Sagais a critically acclaimed role-playing video game released exclusively for the Sega Saturn in 1998. It was the third game released in the Panzer Dragoon series , and so far remains the only game in the series that is not a rail shooter...
(1998)
Games developed as Smilebit
- Jet Set RadioJet Set Radiois a video game for the Dreamcast, developed by Smilebit and published by Sega on June 29, 2000. A 2D version of the game was later released for Game Boy Advance; this version was developed by Vicarious Visions and published by THQ. Its sequel, Jet Set Radio Future was released 2 years later for...
— (2000) (Dreamcast) - The Typing of the DeadThe Typing of the DeadThe Typing of the Dead is an arcade game , released in 1999 based on The House of the Dead 2...
— (2000) (Dreamcast, PCPersonal computerA personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
) - Hundred SwordsHundred SwordsHundred Swords is a fantasy based on-line strategy game developed for the SEGA Dreamcast. The game was also released on PC, and was compatible with Windows 95, 98, and Me. It was produced by SEGA's Smilebit Studio....
— (2001) (Dreamcast, PCPersonal computerA personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
) - Derby Tsuku 2 — (2001) (Dreamcast)
- Jet Set Radio FutureJet Set Radio FutureJet Set Radio Future is a video game developed by Smilebit and the sequel to Jet Set Radio. The game is also known as Jet Grind Radio. It was published by Sega. It was released on February 25, 2002 in the United States, near the beginning of the Xbox's lifespan...
— (2002) (XboxXboxThe Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console...
) - Soccer Tsuku 2002: J-League Pro Soccer Club wo Tsukurou! — (2002) (PlayStation 2PlayStation 2The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
) - Baseball AdvanceBaseball AdvanceBaseball Advance is a sports games for the Nintendo Game Boy Advance, developed by Smilebit and released by THQ in March 2002. It was generally praised by critics upon its release.-Game modes:There are four modes of games available....
— (2002) (Game Boy AdvanceGame Boy AdvanceThe is a 32-bit handheld video game console developed, manufactured, and marketed by Nintendo. It is the successor to the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001; in North America on June 11, 2001; in Australia and Europe on June 22, 2001; and in the People's Republic of China...
) - J-League Pro Soccer Club wo Tsukurou! Advance — (2002) (Game Boy AdvanceGame Boy AdvanceThe is a 32-bit handheld video game console developed, manufactured, and marketed by Nintendo. It is the successor to the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001; in North America on June 11, 2001; in Australia and Europe on June 22, 2001; and in the People's Republic of China...
) - The Typing of the Dead 2003The Typing of the DeadThe Typing of the Dead is an arcade game , released in 1999 based on The House of the Dead 2...
— (2002) (PCPersonal computerA personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
) - GunValkyrieGunValkyrieis an alternate history/science fiction video game developed by Smilebit and published by Sega for the Microsoft Xbox.-Gameplay:The gameplay is very different from most third-person shooters, due to a unique dual analog control scheme, which is the main contributor to the steep learning curve of...
— (2002) (XboxXboxThe Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console...
) - Panzer Dragoon OrtaPanzer Dragoon OrtaPanzer Dragoon Orta is a rail shooter video game published by Sega for the Xbox. The game was released in Japan in December 2002, the following month in the United States, and three months later in PAL territories. It is the fourth console game in the Panzer Dragoon series, after three such games...
— (2003) (XboxXboxThe Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console...
) - Derby Tsuku 3: Derby Uma o Tsukurō! — (2003) (GameCube, PlayStation 2PlayStation 2The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
) - J-League Pro Soccer Club wo Tsukurou! 3 — (2003) (PlayStation 2PlayStation 2The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
) - Ollie KingOllie KingOllie King was first revealed at Tokyo's JAMMA Arcade Show in 2003 published by Sega developed in-house by Smilebit, the developer behind Jet Set Radio, this game brought cell shaded skateboarding to the arcades....
— (2004) (ArcadeArcade gameAn arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
) - The Typing of the Dead 2004The Typing of the DeadThe Typing of the Dead is an arcade game , released in 1999 based on The House of the Dead 2...
— (2003) (PCPersonal computerA personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
) - J-League Pro-Soccer Club wo Tsukurou! '04 — (2004) (PlayStation 2PlayStation 2The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
) - Derby Tsuku 4: Derby Uma o Tsukurō! — (2004) (PlayStation 2PlayStation 2The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
)
Games developed as Sega Sports Japan
- Virtua Striker 4 — Japan (2005) (Arcade)
- Virtua Striker 4 Ver. 2006 — Japan (2006) (Arcade)
- Mario & Sonic at the Olympic GamesMario & Sonic at the Olympic GamesMario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, known in Japan as , is a sports video game developed by the Sega Sports R&D Department of Sega Japan. It was published by Nintendo for Japan and by Sega for North America, Europe and all other regions. The game is officially licensed by the International Olympic...
— Japan (2007) (WiiWiiThe Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
), (Nintendo DSNintendo DSThe is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...
) - Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter GamesMario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Gamesis a 2009 sports video game developed by Sega. It was published by Nintendo for Japan and by Sega for North America and Europe. The game is officially licensed by the International Olympic Committee through exclusive license International Sports Multimedia...
— Japan (2009) (WiiWiiThe Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
), (Nintendo DSNintendo DSThe is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...
)