Sega charging for online gaming and thoughts about recent events
© Ryan Newman
After the cancellation of Shenmue 2 in North America, this is yet some more bad news for gamers. It is my belief that there should be a Free/Basic service and a Premium service. The free service would encompass titles already released, like Quake 3: Arena and the 2K lines. These titles were bought under the impression that the online play would be free and regardless of age, they should be kept as such. Only should future titles be billed and that is only with proper notification. The only justification one might have in paying for the services are a member profile area and an instant messenger. To that I say - so what. Instant messengers are a dime-a-dozen on computers and there have even been ways some have implemented MSN messenger using the Dreamcast and member profiles is a completely ridiculous item to even mention as a feature. I see no reason that would warrant a $9.95 monthly fee.
I know their reasons are in regards to people using servers and said servers costing money, but honestly, how taxing is Ooga Booga on SegaNet? With Sega selling out the Shenmue license to Microsoft for North America and now backing out on free-play with titles already bought with the option of playing online without a charge, it is feeling as if Sega is changing its style. This isn't the same company who released Panzer Dragoon Saga and Burning Rangers at the end of the Saturn's lifespan, knowing they would not get much money, but doing so only to give enjoyment to the gamers and their supporters. This is a new Sega, one that is leaving a fowl taste in my mouth. Now I understand that they need to save money and cut some costs, but some of this is beyond merely cutting cost and leading more along a bloodletting of popular franchises and doing so behind a mask of regret that they couldn't do more for their loyal following.
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