Article: Sega Sponsors Charity Auctions to Help Japan's Earthquake Victims

[Ryna]

Sega of America is auctioning off a wide variety of rare Sega swag on eBay. Proceeds from these auctions will go to charity to help the victims of the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The swag includes an Ambition of the Illuminus poster signed by Satoshi Sakai, clothing, toys, and artwork. Be sure to show your support by bidding!

Update: Sega has recently posted an auction for the original print of a well-known Phantasy Star Online magazine advertisement. Also up for bidding is GM Edward's own inflatable GH 101 partner machine. Great job to those bidding so far, the support being shown is already excellent!
Update: The signed AOTI artwork has closed at a generous bid of $560.00!
Update: The inflatable PM has finished at $87.00, while the PSO ad print has finished at $330.00! Sega is still adding items for auction, including a copy of the original Phantasy Star. The winner can choose to have it signed by a few of the current and past PSU GMs.
Update: The copy of Phantasy Star has gone for $102.50! Thanks to everyone who put in bids, spread the word around, and of course won!

[Mamimi-San]

me no have money

[ShadowMasterson]

Now thats something I'd pony up for. SEGA swag AND I'm helping Japan? Its like getting Goldania and getting Rappies on Scarred Planet. To the electronic black market!

[RubyEclipse]

Thanks for bidding and helping with the relief efforts!
We've added an inflatable PM (GH101) to the list, and later today we'll be adding a rare item from the Dreamcast PSO days.

[Cranberry]

I'm impressed that the poster is currently going for more than $300. Last year when I was doing the MAG+ Medal Project and Edward sent me letters of congratulations to include with the medals, he also sent me one of these posters autographed by the PSO Art Director. Might be the same guy; I'll have to check. I knew it was special, but I didn't know it was so valuable. I still have it safely tucked in the box it came in.
I'm going to get a frame for it and get it safely displayed. I'm almost tempted to sell it to help the Japan relief efforts, but I've already made a $100 donation to the Red Cross so I've certainly done my part. One thing concerns me though. It says that 100% of the funds are going to relief efforts, but this is being done through Ebay and if you look at Ebay's policy, 20% of the amount goes to their partner MissionFish. http://www.ebaygivingworks.com/about-donationamount.html =/

[S-T-H]

Yes, it's the same guy. On their partner, this is something that isn't all that uncommon. MissionFish is still a nonprofit and the whole thing actually still applies for a tax deduction. Of course most will use the term 'proceeds', which really means that Sega themselves will not be taking anything (while sometimes there is a cut elsewhere). Also note that Sega is covering shipping on everything. So while there is still that 20% (or less depending on price), it's about the best they can do on a site like eBay. Some people weren't/aren't aligning themselves with it and have been disappointed in the results.

[Psu5675]

just give them the money it be easy
like sega care i dam about japan victims makeing others bid and so they do noy have to pay

[pinkace]

I want to buy some of that stuff, but I can't afford it anymore I know it's charity but still...

[Azbatsman]

I was the fortunate winner of the PSO print at $330.
Managed to get my winning bid in with only 1 second left on the clock. I fully intend to have the print restored and then framed which I think will do this wonderful piece some justice, as well as being delighted to have contributed to the relief efforts in Japan.
So if you can I fully urge you to aid in this fantastic cause.

[Shark11]

Holy crap, this is the dumbest post I've seen in a long while.
Sega Japan alone donated 200 million Yen, that is one of the biggest pay outs from any videogame company, they also donated all sales of Sonic and Football Manager apps for the Tsunami week, which reached over 200 thousand dollars...
Finally these items to bid on are from Sega, from the company, from the staff. 100% of the proceeds are going to charity.
Trust some unappreciative PSO/PSU fanboy to find a way to spin such a selfless act into something negative.
-Ryan
www.segabits.com