Sega of Japan research, information & discussion (2025)

This thread is for discussion, research & discussion of all matters of Sega Corporation. Internal development, IPs, business developments, ex-employees and the long history that spans back to the 60s.

Sega CS1

Consumer Studio #1 is probably the premiere gaming studio for Sega of Japan. It was headed by tanned mastermind Toshihiro Nagoshi who was behind Daytona USA, Super Monkey Ball and Yakuza as a director. Now headed by Masayoshi Yokoyama
The main purpose of the studio is to create the Yakuza series. The legacy of the developers at the studio are of AM11/R&D4/Amusement Vision and CS1/Sega PC/Smilebit. Super Monkey Ball, Jet Set Radio, Panzer Dragoon and Spikeout.

Full overview.

Recently completed projects:

  • Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise
  • Judgment
  • Super Monkey Banana Blitz HD
  • Yakuza Remastered Collection
  • Yakuza 7
  • Lost Judgment
  • Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown
  • Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania
  • Like a Dragon: Ishin!
  • Like a Dragon Gaiden
  • Like a Dragon 8

Current projects:

  • Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
  • New Virtua Fighter
  • Project Century
  • Support for Kancolle and Miku arcade

Assistance in outside use Sega IP:

  • Streets of Rage 4

Members
Tetsuya Kaku (programmer at Sega since Virtua Fighter 1), no longer at Sega
Masayoshi Yokoyama (since Jet Set Radio, script writer then for Yakuza series)


Sega CS2

The second studio for console and handheld games is mainly resposible for the Sonic the Hedgehog, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic games and the Puyo Puyo series. The legacy behind the studio mainly people who worked on the Sonic series since Sonic Adventure as well as Space Channel 5.It also has a US studio, that only supervises Sonic projects out in the West (Sonic Mania) which is headed by Sonic Adventure director, Takashi Iizuka.
However the Japanese studio is now headed by Eigo Kasahara and has most of the dissolved CS3 staff. CS3 main points of fame are RPG's like Valkyria Chronicles or Sakura Wars, and many more off-shoot projects like A Certain Magical Virtual On. Frequently outsources projects.
Full overview.

Staff of AM1 moved to CS2 in 2021, supporting several arcade games in Japan

Recently completed in-house projects:

  • Sonic Forces
  • Puyo Puyo Tetris for Switch
  • Hatsune Miku Project DIVA X
  • Samba de Amigo: Party Central
  • Sakura Wars 2019
  • 2020 Olympic Games
  • Sonic Frontiers
  • Sonic Origins
  • Sonic X Shadow Generations
  • Persona 5 Royal Multi-Platform

Recently completed outsourced projects:

  • Valykria Revolution (with Media Vision)
  • 3D Classics (with M2)
  • A Certain Magical Virtual On (with Access)
  • Shining Resonance Refrain (with Media Vision)
  • Valkyria Chronicles 4 (with Media Vision)
  • Sonic Superstars (with Arzest)
  • Sega Ages for Switch (with M2)
  • Shinobi: Art of Vengeance (with Lizardcube)

Current projects:

  • Sega Legacy IP (Streets of Rage, Golden Axe and Shinobi)
  • SRPG project
  • Sonic games (Sonic Racing Crossworlds, others)
  • Support for Initial D Arcade, Maimai/Ongeki/Chuunithm, Sangokushi Taisen, Eiketsu Taisen

Assistance in outside use Sega IP:

  • Chu Chu Rocket Universe
  • Space Channel 5 VR
  • Alex Kidd DX

Members:
Kazuyuki Hoshino (artist since Sonic CD, or art director for Sonic Adventure)
Sachiko Kawamura (artist since Sonic 3D Blast, creator of Chao, art director for ChuChu Rocket, art director since Sonic Unleashed)
Shinkichi Tanahashi (character animator for Space Channel 5, then switched to the Sonic series since Unleashed)
Tetsu Katano (programmer since Clockwork Knights, then lead programmer for Sonic Adventure)
Takumi Yoshinaga (game design lead for Space Channel 5, Feel the Magic)
Akira Nishino (director of Ristar)
Hirotaka Kanezawa (artist for Skies of Arcadia)
Rieko Kodama (Phantasy Star), passed away in May of 2022

Sega AM1

The arcade studio who's legacy goes way back into the 80's. Console projects have to be found with a microscope...nothing on that front for decades. Ports of House of the Dead to PS3 or Sangokushi Taisen on Nintendo DS are some of those, and they were long ago. They also developed the most successful mobile game for Sega, Chain Chronicle.
Has veterans from Sega Rally, HotD and other racers and rail shooters.
Division closed since 2021. Staff moved to CS2

Projects:

  • Chain Chronicle
  • Initial D Arcade Stage
  • World Club Champion Football
  • Wonderland Wars
  • MaiMai
  • Chuunithm
  • Ongeki
  • Code of Joker
  • Sangokushi Taisen
  • Sega World Drivers Championship
  • House of the Dead Scarlet Dawn

No console games

Members:
Kenji Arai (Initial D)
Takashi Oda (House of the Dead)

Assistance in outside use Sega IP:

  • House of the Dead Remake 1&2

Sega AM2

The second arcade studio, like AM1 also existing since the 80's. It was headed by Hiroshi Kataoka. Full overview.
Has veterans from Virtua Fighter, Fighting Vipers, Daytona USA, Virtua Tennis and more.
Division closed in 2021. Staff moved to CS1

On going projects

  • Border Break
  • Mahjong Arcade & Mobile
  • Kancolle Arcade
  • Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Arcade
  • Fate Grand Order Arcade

Console games

  • Border Break PS4
  • Hatsune Miku: Project Diva Mega Mix for Switch
  • Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown

Members:
Daichi Katagiri (Virtua Fighter)
Hiroshi Kataoka (Fighting Vipers)
Makoto Osaki (Virtua Fighter Kids)
Shinichi Yoshino (Shenmue)

Division 3​

The studio that is currently making GaaS projects on all devices in general. Full overview (Online R&D). Full overview (Mobile Sega Networks)
Known to be working on the "Super Game" project which involves arcade teams from AM1, AM2 as well as the teams working on mobile and consoles. Currently contains mobile and GaaS type projects as Division 3

On going projects

  • Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis
  • RGG Online
  • Project Sekai
  • Crazy Taxi and Jet Set Radio reboot.

Members
Akinori Nishiyama (Phantasy Star)
Shuntaro Tanaka (Skies of Arcadia)
Masayoshi Kikuchi (director of Jet Set Radio)

Division 4​

Just mobile. You can find all listed games in the app stores btw!

  • Dx2: Shin Megami Tensei Liberation
  • Sonic Rumble
  • Sega Pocket Club Manager

Licensed Sega of Japan IP:

  • Rez HD/Infinite
  • Cosmic Smash
  • Shenmue III
  • Bayonetta 2&3
  • Panzer Dragoon
  • Streets of Rage 4
  • Panzer Dragoon Voyage Record
  • Space Channel 5 VR
  • House of the Dead 1&2 remakes
  • Alex Kidd DX

Companies founded by ex-Sega employees:

taken from here: https://www.resetera.com/threads/a-list-of-studios-founded-by-ex-sega-employees.256659/

Genki

  • Shutokou Battle series
  • Kengo series

Riz Inc.

  • Virtua Cop: Elite Edition
  • Shenmue III

Land Ho!

  • Crimson Dragon
  • Derby Tsuku series
  • Just Dance series

Artoon

  • Blinx: The Time Sweeper
  • Blue Dragon
  • Yoshi Island DS

studiofake co., ltd.

  • Custom Robo: Battle Revolution
  • Odama
  • Shenmue III

Q Entertainment

  • Lumines
  • Meteos
  • Child of Eden

Prope

  • Ivy the Kiwi?
  • Let's Tap
  • Rodea: The Sky Soldier

Bitster

  • Aqua Race Extreme
  • Dragon Quest X
  • Sega World Drivers Championship

Grounding Inc.

  • Shenmue III
  • Air Twister

Ys Net

  • Shenmue III
  • Air Twister

Arzest

  • Balan Wonderworld
  • Yoshi's New Island
  • Wii Play: Motion

Enhance Games

  • Rez: Infinite
  • Tetris Effect

Huga Studios

  • Final Re:quest

Nagoshi Studio

Also I recommend the article series I did for Segabits:
http://segabits.com/blog/2015/09/23/history-sega-japan-rd-part-1-origins-80s/

Sega of Japan research, information & discussion (2025)
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