Article: SEGA & Sammy Announce Merger

[LollipopLolita]

Eclypse writes, "It appears that the rumors linking MSFT to the acquisition of Sega are no longer valid because today they were purchased by Japanese pachinko maker Sammy. You can find the story here."

From Gamespy:
"SEGA and Sammy will consolidate on October 1 to form a "globally known, comprehensive entertainment firm" spearheaded by Sammy President Hajime Satomi. The new company is estimated to have a combined market value of $2.4 billion. The merger solves SEGA's weak financial situation and the expansion quest of Sammy, Japan's leading producer of "pachinko" game machines. SEGA cut its forecast for the current financial year by 90 percent, from 5 billion to 500 million yen ($4.12 million), blaming poor US sales of its football simulator Sega Sports NFL 2K3"
Sammy.

[TerribleDeliMeat]

As long as it doesnt prevent the release of games like the Shenmue series, it'll be alright.

[Eclypse]

I doubt it will impact the release of game that much. It appears that they are just taking a financial and expansion outlook with the merger. Sammy has the dough that Sega needs, and Sammy wants to expand into the markets that Sega has already broken into, consoles.