Yu Suzuki *OUT* @ AM2?!?! AM2 with new president.

Oh, don't get me wrong, I agree with most of you post. I'm the biggest Sega freak in Hawaii... but...

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max314 said:
The fact that Yu Suzuki is in this position does not necessarily mean that he will have little or no say on how Sega and it's development is run, because of his track record. As a result, he is still a dramatically influencial figure in the company.

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Well, that was the debate, how much influence he still has. It's debatable. Fishie has put it in me that doubt. No one knows for sure other than from INSIDE guys. Fishie ain't one of em, but he's been within the walls of Sega (Japan), so he carries alot of weight, despite expressing his views in questionable ways.

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This is GOOD news in my view...this man will NOT let the company fall. In fact, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Sega will rise again.


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Again, it's debatable as to how much weight his stick carries today. We'll see what happens in the future.

 

I said before and ill repeat now that within the next two years we will see where Suzuki is headed.

 

Well I would hope so -- two years is a long freaking time in the gaming world... or any business world for that matter.

 

I'm not saying that some of what Fishie is saying couldn't be true, but he's totally warping Suzuki's role within AM2, painting him as some fat-cat manager who's no longer allowed to interfere.

Not that Edge is the best point of reference, but there's some high profile interviews with Suzuki and his assistant director from one or two years back, about the time AM2 were portng F355, 18-wheeler to Dreamcast and Virtua Fighter 4 was in development. Back then Suzuki was clearly in the development driving seat. The interviews make clear how Suzuki was producing and directing allot of projects

As far as I know, he was fairly hands-off with the following titles: Beach Spikers, 18-wheeler, Outrigger. and heavily involved in: Shenmue 2, F355 port, Virtua Fighter 4 and Virtua Fighter Quest.

Directorship of Shemue 2 may well have been handed to somebody else, but then the project was effectively finsihed and he was still producer and excecutive director. The same engine was used and the story followed the script writen by Yu a few years ago.

Also, from what I've heard Outrun 2 is being directed by Suzuki. Now if that's the case, calling him a manager with little control over development strikes me as being a little retarded.

 

Well, all I know is that AM2 with Suzuki on board has been THE development house on the top rung of the ladder in my books.

Time will tell if AM2 will miss his leadership with the quality of titles they will produce.

Hopefully, one of the publications will shed more light on just what is going on.

 

I've always liked Smilebit, but Panzer Dragoon Orta just bumped them up to the top. In all honesty, besides VF and Shenmue, I've never been a diehard fan of Am2. Their stuff is solid, but just not my cup of tea.