Industry giant Sega is reportedly set to reveal a peculiar new initiative dubbed “Fog Gaming” that intends to make use of arcade machines during their downtime.
A few days ago, a Japanese tech journalist by the name of Zenji Nishikawa teased a monumental reveal by Sega headed to the Japanese weekly magazine, Famitsu. He even went as far as likening it to the PlayStation 5 exclusive from last year.
According to Serkan Toto, the CEO of a game industry consultancy in Tokyo, the big news is regarding a new platform called “Fog Gaming,” which will incorporate Japan’s bustling arcade scene. The details of the scoop reportedly came from Japanese news source Ryokutya2089.
According to this news source in Japan (https://t.co/mWggsCOmIS), Sega is working on a new kind of platform they apparently dub "Fog Gaming".
That term is NOT the Japanese equivalent of cloud gaming, but no further infos as of now.
Sega is having a weird day. https://t.co/jYoqaUBD6O
— Dr. Serkan Toto / Kantan Games Inc. (@serkantoto) June 3, 2020
Microsoft-Sega partnership rumors
While some floating rumors suggested that the news was a collaboration effort between Sega and Microsoft to rebrand the Xbox Series X in Japan, sources shot down the hearsay with Toto, also pointing out that Microsoft was never even brought up.
Information surrounding the avant-garde initiative
The consultant translated the Ryokutya2089 article, which reported that the upcoming platform would be making use of the CPUs and graphics cards found in arcade machines.
Fog Gaming promises an ultra-low latency experience, which is perfect for Japan and its love for fast-paced fighters, while the arcade cabinets will primarily be used during their off-hours.
Article now with info:
– yes, "Fog Gaming" is the "scoop"
– Sega will use arcades in Japan as the technical backbone
– CPUs and GPUs housed in arcade machines are mentioned specifically
– ultra-low latency is touted
– commercial idea is to use arcades outside business hours https://t.co/LWOiYuDAYj— Dr. Serkan Toto / Kantan Games Inc. (@serkantoto) June 3, 2020
The common hypothesis between gamers is that the platform will likely be cloud-based akin to the Google Stadia, and will allow people to play the arcade games from the safety of their homes, though sufficient proof has yet to surface to corroborate the theory.
Arcades are still a huge thing in Japan, which means that Sega’s new tech will probably be pretty revolutionary for the country. Unfortunately, other regions don’t share the same love for the classic cabinets, making the impact of Fog Gaming in those countries a mystery.
Sega’s new Game Gear Micro
Fog Gaming isn’t the only thing that put Sega in headlines this week, as the industry juggernaut recently unveiled the nostalgic Game Gear Micro—a homage to their 8-bit handheld console that was released back in the 1990s.
As the name suggests, the Game Gear Micro is a miniature version of the original and will come in four different colors: Blue, Red, Yellow, and Black. Funny enough, each of the colors will have a specific set of games hardcoded into the console.
The Game Gear Micro comes in four colors, representing real variations released in the 90s. pic.twitter.com/STq7ouow13
— SEGAbits.com 💥 SEGA News (@SEGAbits) June 3, 2020
People who pick up the blue version get Baku Baku Animal, Gunstar Heroes, Sonic & Tails, and Sylvan Tale. Red has Columns, The GG Shinobi, Last Bible Special, and Megami tensei Last Bible.
Yellow features three Shining Force games and Nazo Puyo: Arle no Roux. And black sports Sega classics Outrun, Puyo Puyo 2, Royal Stone, and Sonic the Hedgehog.
The mini handheld is set for release on October 10 of this year in Japan and will retail for around US$45 [AU$65].
Image courtesy of jpellgen (@1179_jp)/Flickr