Haruki Satomi
Reporting and statements that mention Haruki Satomi.
Latest coverage
Rovio closes Copenhagen studio following shut down of Sonic Blitz
Rovio has closed its Copenhagen studio and cancelled the mobile game Sonic Blitz, impacting approximately 20 employees. CEO Alexandre Pelletier-Normand cited poor retention and a need to concentrate resources as reasons for the discontinuation. Sega, which acquired Rovio in 2023, reported a significant impairment on the acquisition cost due to profitability falling below forecasts and challenges integrating technology.
Sega reports 17.3% rise in Q3 net sales; games segment exceeds expectations
Sega Sammy reported a 17.3% increase in net sales for its first quarter, with the Entertainment Contents segment, including games, exceeding expectations at ¥68.4 billion. While free-to-play games slightly underperformed, the company plans to strengthen existing titles and anticipates strong performance from upcoming full-game releases like Stranger Than Heaven and Persona 4 Revival. Sega also addressed a $200 million impairment loss on Rovio, citing market changes and integration challenges.
Morning Consolidation
Sega president Haruki Satomi expressed the company's continued value for physical media, contrasting with PlayStation's apparent move towards an all-digital future. The article also briefly mentions an outage of the PlayStation Network shortly after the release of Marvel's Spider-Man 2.
What went wrong with Sega's $776m acquisition of Angry Birds giant Rovio?
Sega Sammy's $776 million acquisition of Rovio has faced significant challenges, resulting in a $200 million impairment due to profitability falling below forecasts. Issues include difficulties integrating Rovio's technology and the mature state of the Angry Birds franchise in a rapidly changing mobile market with increased user acquisition costs and platform shifts. While Take-Two's acquisition of Zynga eventually proved successful, Sega's situation highlights the complexities and risks involved in acquiring mobile game companies, particularly when relying heavily on established IP.
Sega's "Super Game" has been cancelled, but revivals of classics like Crazy Taxi and Golden Axe are still moving forward
Sega has officially cancelled its ambitious "Super Game" project, shifting focus away from live-service titles due to underperformance. However, revivals of classic franchises like Crazy Taxi, Golden Axe, Jet Set Radio, Shinobi, and Streets of Rage are still in production. Separately, a three-week crossover event is underway for Phasmophobia, featuring content from Alan Wake 2, including recreated locations and character skins, available on PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation VR2, and Xbox Series X/S.
How have things been going at Rovio since it was bought by Sega?
Rovio's creative officer Ben Mattes discusses the company's integration into Sega following its acquisition in 2023. Despite a significant financial writedown by Sega, Mattes emphasizes Rovio's value as a mobile-first, transmedia company aiming to elevate the Angry Birds IP to the same level as Sega's Sonic franchise. Collaboration between the companies is ongoing, with examples like Angry Birds characters appearing in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds.
Sega responds to concerns after recording $200 million impairment write-down for Rovio
Sega has recorded a $200 million impairment write-down related to its acquisition of Rovio. CEO Haruki Satomi stated that the company will learn from this experience for future endeavors.
Sega responds to concerns after recording $200 million impairment write-down for Rovio
Sega reported a $200 million impairment write-down for its acquisition of Rovio, citing over-reliance on local management and difficulties implementing Rovio's Beacon technology into its own mobile titles. CEO Haruki Satomi stated that Sega will learn from these challenges and reform its global publishing and marketing strategies to focus on data-driven approaches and IP-based sales.
Sega says yeah you're all real nice about our games—but you sure ain't buying them
Sega Sammy's financial results reveal a disconnect between critical acclaim and actual sales for many of its recent titles, leading to stagnant performance. The company is reviewing its marketing and sales mechanisms, and its acquisition of Rovio has resulted in a significant write-down due to underperformance.
