Sega appoints Dreamcast and PSOne veteran Shuji Utsumi as new Western boss

[Gamernyc78]

Sega appoints Dreamcast and PSOne veteran Shuji Utsumi as new Western boss | VGC

Utsumi was reportedly instumental in the creation of Kingdom Hearts…

www.videogameschronicle.com

Shuji Utsumi has been appointed as President/COO and CEO of Sega America and Europe.

The change was announced by Sega’s parent company Sega Sammy on Wednesday.

Utsumi has had a storied career in the video game industry including being instrumental in the founding of Sony Computer Entertainment and launching the PlayStation in North America.

He also helped launch the Sega Dreamcast outside of Japan, and served as the executive producer of dozens of Sega’s classic hits.

Utsumi originally departed Sega in the early 2000s, where he went on to work at Disney Interactive. Utsumi is said to have been vital in bridging the gap between Disney and Square Enix to establish the Kingdom Hearts franchise.

Utsumi would then founded Q Entertainment with Tetsuya Mizuguchi, who he developed a relationship with during his time at Sega working on Rez.

Utsumi returned to Sega in 2020, serving as the CSO of Sega of Japan, as well as the general manager of Sega’s Game Contents & Service Business HQ. His most recent title was Co-COO, President of Consumer Game and Transmedia, Representative Director, CEO, Sega of America, Inc. Chairman, Sega Europe Ltd.

 

[Evilnemesis8]

Looks like SEGA is sending one of their guys to clean up after SEGA Europe's recent stumbles. Considering he's only been back since 2020, this is a pretty quick promotion to a big position.
Looking at his history, looks like the kind of guy that has experience with the West and would be a good liason between SEGA Europe and SEGA Japan. Knowing their history, that can only be a good thing.
We all remember the incredible feud between Sega of America and Sega of Japan back in the 90s that led to a complete lack of long term planning which was one of the big factor as to SEGA's exit from the console market.

 

[Gamernyc78]

Looks like SEGA is sending one of their guys to clean up after SEGA Europe's recent stumbles. Considering he's only been back since 2020, this is a pretty quick promotion to a big position.
Looking at his history, looks like the kind of guy that has experience with the West and would be a good liason between SEGA Europe and SEGA Japan. Knowing their history, that can only be a good thing.
We all remember the incredible feud between Sega of America and Sega of Japan back in the 90s that led to a complete lack of long term planning which was one of the big factor as to SEGA's exit from the console market.

Lets see what he accomplishes. Boy Sega was my number 1 system back in the days.

 

[Gods&Monsters]

 

[KiryuRealty]

Well, hopefully he will pull SEGA’s lips off the big green dick at least.

 

[Syndr0mePK]

I grew up with SEGA. I hope someday they can restore their lost glory.

 

[AshHunter216]

I guess they think if they can get their fanboys talking about acquisitions again, the 3rd party meltdowns will stop. Funny enough, MS leaked documents said that if they ever got their hands on Sega they would keep putting the games on Nintendo and Playstation hardware.

 

[Johnic]

Well, hopefully he will pull SEGA’s lips off the big green dick at least.

Came here to say this. Time to cut the dead console off.