Dreamcast's Pre-Launch Jitters

TOKYO – Pre-orders for the Dreamcast began October 20 at Official Dreamcast Dealers all over Japan. Reportedly, the response from consumers has been quite good. But soon after shops began taking pre-orders, a weird rumor started to circulate that due to some problems at the factory, there would be a launch delay or major cut from the numbers of systems initially planned in the first shipment.

Today Sega responded to this rumor. According to Sega's official statement, after starting the pre-order campaign, they discovered that there was a problem with the numbers off a certain chip. The chip is NEC's Power VR2 which started production in August. The yield percentage of Power VR2 chips was not as good as expected.

As a result, Sega has determined that it cannot secure as many Dreamcast units as they expected by the system's launch. While Sega didn't reveal how many units will ship for the system's launch, it promised that it will secure as many units as possible to fill pre-orders. Newly revised shipment numbers will be announced to Dreamcast dealers within the next few days.

Now most of the people who have already pre-ordered the system are left wondering, "Will I have the Dreamcast on the launch day?"

Despite this "false start," Sega insists that the initial plan to ship on million units by the end of the fiscal year is still feasible.

In other Dreamcast news, new cars for Sega Rally 2 have been revealed: Toyota Celica GT-Four (ST-185), Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV, Subaru Impreza 555, Renault Maxi Megane, Fiat 131 Abarth Rally, Peujot 205 Turbo 16. Currently these six car comfirmed to adding the Dreamcast version. According to Sega, there will be even more cars announced soon.