UPDATE: Sega has officially expressed its sorrow over the passing of David Rosen, stating they are "deeply saddened" by the news.
In a statement, the company remarked, "We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of David Rosen, one of the founders of Sega, and a true pioneer in the video game industry. Sega would like to offer its condolences to the family, friends, and acquaintances of Mr. Rosen, and we will always remember his contributions to our company."
ORIGINAL STORY: David Rosen, co-founder of Sega and a crucial figure in the development of arcade and console gaming, has died at 95. He passed away on Christmas Day at his home in the Hollywood Hills area of Los Angeles, as reported by RePlay magazine.
Originally an American Air Force pilot during the Korean War, Rosen found his way to Japan post-service, where he began his business career by importing photo booths in response to a demand for ID cards. This venture expanded into pinball tables and other coin-operated games, eventually leading him to collaborate with Nihon Goraku Bussan. Their joint efforts resulted in the establishment of what we now know as Sega.
Sega's roots lay in the arcade gaming scene, but upon returning to the US in the 1980s, Rosen foresaw the growing market for home consoles. His initial foray was less successful, but the introduction of the Master System in 1986 marked a turning point, especially in Europe and South America. Rosen recognized that titles like Golden Axe and Shinobi appealed to an older audience, contrasting with the family-friendly games Nintendo was promoting.
This insight paved the way for the launch of the memorable Mega Drive, or Genesis as it was known in the US, at the end of the 1980s—solidifying Sega's position as a household name in gaming.
Rosen remained with Sega until 1996, stepping down two years prior to the company’s release of the Dreamcast, which, unfortunately, did not perform well and led Sega to exit the hardware business to focus solely on game development.
Rest in peace, David Rosen. Your legacy will not be forgotten.
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