Sega Denies Saturn's Demise

When it comes to the truth, there are often two sides. But in the case of Sega, truth - or what passes for it - is reduced to its basic element, damage control. Numerous reports about poor management, a huge loss last year leftover from the16-bit system, and the death of its 32-bit Saturn at the hands of Sony and Nintendo notwithstanding, there's got to be a ray of hope in there somewhere.

Friday's reports that Sega was stopping all shipments of Saturn hardware in the US were met with knowing glances exchanged between people who have been following Sega's current position and those who are awaiting Sega's next hardware platform. Logic tells us that one way or the other, if Sega is to move forward, the Saturn must go by the wayside.

But in this case, Sega's still holding on to the Saturn, even if it's only to dodge reporters' questions and reassure retailers. GameSpot News spoke to Sega representative Dan Stevens on Monday, and he assured us that the company is not abandoning retailer support for the product, nor is it pulling software support. That may be true, but the questions raised from Friday's announcements didn't question Sega's "support."

We pressed repeatedly about Sega's future Saturn lineup. Stevens could offer no definitive statement as to what titles if any would follow the platform's last scheduled title, Burning Rangers, due at the end of May.

As far as what Sega will show at E3, Stevens was mum again. Stevens would not say whether new Saturn titles would be shown, commenting only that the company is developing games for its new platform.

Another spokesperson for Sega didn't know what the company would be showing at E3, nor if any Saturn games would be included in the company's E3 showing besides what is already on the market.

Sega only replied to our questions by saying that at this point in time, it is still shipping hardware to retailers, and new games will be arriving as well. When asked about the alleged March 31 stop date for Saturn shipments, Stevens told us that they "are not aware of any specific date" on which hardware shipments would end.

There are reports from additional sources that directly contradict statements given to us today by Sega of America (SOA). Those include that Saturn shipments to retailers will indeed stop March 31, and that software support will continue - however that support will not go beyond the titles already announced. Those titles will be available in a very limited quantity, 5,000 units or less per title nationwide. Stevens would not specifically reply to these reports.

A statement from SOA on the matter, which does not mention any of the major questions brought up from Friday's announcement, was released today, simply stating:

"Sega of America is working with our retailers to sell through all of our Saturn inventories. is also on track to preparing the channel for our future products."