Editing Sega AM2 (section)

=== Merge into Sega and years since ===
[[File:R-Tuned.jpg|alt=Four arcade cabinets with seats and steering wheels in a row, colored green|thumb|AM2's ''[[R-Tuned : Ultimate Street Racing]]'' cabinet]]
During mid-2004, [[Sammy Corporation]] bought a controlling share in Sega and created the new company [[Sega Sammy Holdings]], an entertainment conglomerate. Since then, Sega and Sammy became subsidiaries of the aforementioned holding company, with both companies operating independently, while the executive departments merged.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/sammy-reveals-new-logo-changes-at-sega/1100-6099624/|title=Sammy reveals new logo, changes at Sega|author=Hirohiko Niizumi|date=June 1, 2004|website=GameSpot|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828001811/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sammy-reveals-new-logo-changes-at-sega/1100-6099624/|archive-date=August 28, 2018|access-date=November 16, 2016}}</ref> Prior to the acquisition by Sammy, Sega began the process of re-integrating its subsidiaries into the main company,<ref>{{cite news|last=Fahey|first=Rob|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/sega-development-studios-return-to-the-fold|title=Sega development studios return to the fold|date=June 29, 2004|work=GamesIndustry.biz|access-date=July 11, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711093418/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/sega-development-studios-return-to-the-fold|archive-date=July 11, 2018|publisher=Gamer Network|language=en}}</ref> which was completed by October 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/sega-and-sammy-complete-merger-new-holding-company-launched|title=Sega and Sammy complete merger, new holding company launched|last=Fahey|first=Rob|date=October 4, 2004|website=Gamesindustry.biz|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612165251/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/sega-and-sammy-complete-merger-new-holding-company-launched|archive-date=June 12, 2018|access-date=March 31, 2020}}</ref>  Sega would also restructure the development studios again, consolidating the divisions further into the Global Entertainment, Amusement Software, and New Entertainment R&D divisions.{{Sfn|Horowitz|2018|pp=253-257}}
[[File:BorderBreak Controller.jpg|left|thumb|The controllers for Border Break]]
AM2 continued to develop games after the merger. ''[[Virtua Fighter 5]]'' was released in 2007.<ref name=":6">{{cite web|url=http://archive.videogamesdaily.com/features/sega_am2_interview_mar07_p1.asp |title=Sega AM2: The Complete VF5 Interview|date=March 21, 2007|website=Kikizo|publisher=Superglobal|access-date=March 31, 2020|url-status=live|archive-date=September 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909040036/http://archive.videogamesdaily.com/features/sega_am2_interview_mar07_p1.asp}}</ref> An upgrade, ''Virtua Fighter 5 R'', was released the following year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://archive.videogamesdaily.com/features/sega-am2-vf5r-interview-oct08-p1.asp |title=Virtua Fighter 5 R: The ONLY Interview|date=October 7, 2008|website=Kikizo|publisher=Superglobal|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190915075356/http://archive.videogamesdaily.com/features/sega-am2-vf5r-interview-oct08-p1.asp|archive-date=September 15, 2019|access-date=March 31, 2020}}</ref> The last release of the ''Virtua Fighter'' franchise was the console port of ''Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown'', the final iteration of the game.<ref>{{cite web|title=Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown release date, price announced |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-05-14-virtua-fighter-5-final-showdown-release-date-price-announced |last=Robinson|first=Martin|date=14 May 2012|website=Eurogamer}}</ref> [[Ghost Squad (video game)|''Ghost Squad'']], in the style of ''Virtua Cop'', received an arcade and a Wii release in 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://archive.videogamesdaily.com/reviews/wii/ghost_squad.asp|title=Wii Review: Ghost Squad|last=Dransfield|first=Ian|date=June 10, 2008|website=Kikizo|publisher=Superglobal|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160928053854/http://archive.videogamesdaily.com/reviews/wii/ghost_squad.asp|archive-date=September 28, 2016|access-date=March 31, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Ghost Squad Review |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/836/836873p1.html|last=Bozon|date=November 20, 2007|website=[[IGN]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111211212439/http://wii.ign.com/articles/836/836873p1.html |archive-date=December 11, 2011|access-date=June 18, 2011}}</ref> AM2 has developed games for the ''[[Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA]]'' series, as well as a number of free-to-play smartphone games in Japan,<ref name=":5">{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2019-08-23-sega-genesis-saturn-dreamcast-sequels-and-remasters.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAA2Ehzbj3wOVMqOhzBp9xImO6QgLInb6a7DRovkEYCgpCut30lhy8g9R9l6H8ynZ45VB4K-lt-13oDdLsF9EYdYn2v4uDqtU32_Nc3H6jIynkwQoS3gylXt62DLrRJbFv9AFJJ58hMyIwIv6D6F9d1zCV3pNNKuCecLUjrxHGW87|title=Sega is becoming its weird and wonderful self again|last=Souppouris|first=Aaron|date=August 23, 2019|website=[[Engadget]] |access-date=March 31, 2020}}</ref> such as ''Soul Reverse Zero''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sega · Interactive, announces new arrival RPG "SOUL REVERSE ZERO" of AM2 lab!|last=Fukuhara|first=Hiroyuki|date=October 21, 2016|website=GAME Watch|publisher=Impress Corporation |language=ja|url=https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1025758.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704153231/https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1025758.html |archive-date=July 4, 2018|access-date=September 29, 2018}}</ref> Some titles have been developed for consoles as well, such as ''Hatsune Miku: Project Diva Mega 39’s'' for [[Nintendo Switch]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.siliconera.com/hatsune-miku-project-diva-mega-39s-to-sing-and-dance-on-nintendo-switch-in-early-2020/|title=Hatsune Miku: Project Diva Mega 39's To Sing And Dance On Nintendo Switch In Early 2020|last=Wong|first=Alistair|date=July 1, 2019|website=[[Siliconera]]|access-date=March 31, 2020}}</ref> AM2 became involved with the ''Hatsune Miku'' license with items for ''Virtua Fighter 5 R'' and the racing game [[R-Tuned : Ultimate Street Racing|''R-Tuned: Ultimate Street Racing'']]. When the PSP game ''Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA'' was in development, it was decided that AM2 would develop an arcade version as well as develop the [[Holography|holographic]] imagery for ''Hatsune Miku''<nowiki/>'''s'' live concerts. The visuals for these projects were based on the ''Virtua Fighter 5 engine''. Makoto Osaki called this period the most stressful for him since ''Shenmue''.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=『初音ミク』の10年と、『ディーヴァ』シリーズの歩みを振り返る。クリプトン佐々木氏＆セガ大崎氏インタビュー(1/2)|date=December 11, 2017|magazine=Famitsu |language=ja |url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/201712/11146884.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617154027/https://www.famitsu.com/news/201712/11146884.html|archive-date=June 17, 2019|access-date=April 5, 2020}}</ref>
[[File:Kan-Colle Arcade.jpg|thumb|Arcade version of [[Kantai Collection]] ]]
A major success for AM2 has been the ''[[Border Break]]'' franchise. The game was partly developed because the development team felt envious of the ''Virtua Fighter 5'' team and wanted to develop a competitive game as well. The arcade release in 2009 was continuously updated, with releases ''Border Break Union'' in 2012, ''Border Break Scramble'' in 2015, and ''Border Break X'' in 2017—with a [[PlayStation 4]] version released in 2018. In 2019, ''Border Break'' celebrated its 10th Anniversary.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/406/G040661/20190902096/|title=「ボーダーブレイク」の10年を開発者とゲストが振り返る，「10周年だヨ！ボダりな祭」レポート。12月のPS4版アップデートも一部が明らかに|last=徹也|first=稲元|date=September 19, 2019|website=4gamer.net|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204135153/https://www.4gamer.net/games/406/G040661/20190902096/|archive-date=December 4, 2019|access-date=April 5, 2020}}</ref> Other titles from AM2 to get long-term support in arcades are ''[[Quest of D]],''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/11/13/new-from-sega-am2-quest-of-d|title=New from Sega-AM2: Quest of D|date=November 13, 2003|website=[[IGN]]|access-date=April 5, 2020}}</ref> ''[[Sega Network Taisen Mahjong MJ]],''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sega-am2.co.jp/jp/games/index.html|title=Games|website=www.sega-am2.co.jp|publisher=Sega-AM2 Co.|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040630004045/http://www.sega-am2.co.jp/jp/games/index.html|archive-date=June 30, 2004|access-date=April 5, 2020}}</ref> ''and [[Shining Force Cross]].''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/series/pickupac/167941.html|title=シャイニング・フォース クロス|last=Kiharu|first=Taku|date=May 1, 2009|website=GAME Watch|language=ja|access-date=April 5, 2020}}</ref> Hiroshi Kataoka likened the basic enjoyability of these network-based arcade games to those of an MMO, but collectible cards and a community differentiated these from the usually solitary MMO experience on PC.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3149135|title=The Last Arcade Crusaders|last=James|first=Mielke|date=March 31, 2006|website=[[1Up.com]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070914101054/http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3149135|archive-date=September 14, 2007|access-date=April 5, 2020}}</ref> According to Sega Amusement International CEO Paul Williams, these type of core games are only possible in Japan due to Sega owning their own chains and being able to kickstart an online infrastructure.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.t3.com/features/t3-interview-ceo-of-sega-amusements-international-paul-williams|title=T3 Interview: CEO of Sega Amusements International Paul Williams|last=Zangirolami|first=Marco|date=December 16, 2016|website=T3|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428045122/https://www.t3.com/features/t3-interview-ceo-of-sega-amusements-international-paul-williams|archive-date=April 28, 2019}}</ref> The latest effort, ''Soul Reverse,'' was born out of the desire to create a fantasy version of ''Border Break.''<ref>{{cite web |last=Muratani |first=Kenta |date=April 14, 2008 |title=アップデートで巻き返しを図る「SOUL REVERSE」クリエイターインタビュー。バランス調整が施されたVer.1.2の狙い……のその前に，苦戦の理由を聞いてみた |url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/361/G036113/20180412074/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321085604/https://www.4gamer.net/games/361/G036113/20180412074/ |archive-date=March 21, 2020 |access-date=April 5, 2020 |website=4gamer.net |language=ja}}</ref> It lasted a year, launching in 2018 with its network features shutting down in 2019.<ref>{{cite web |date=October 12, 2018 |title=アーケード用対戦アクション「SOUL REVERSE」が2019年2月下旬でサービス終了 |url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/361/G036113/20181012111/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803112836/https://www.4gamer.net/games/361/G036113/20181012111/ |archive-date=August 3, 2019 |access-date=April 5, 2020 |website=4gamer.net |language=ja}}</ref> The game was not well received by the Japanese arcade player base. It took four years to produce.<ref>{{Cite web |title=アップデートで巻き返しを図る「SOUL REVERSE」クリエイターインタビュー。バランス調整が施されたVer.1.2の狙い……のその前に，苦戦の理由を聞いてみた |url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/361/G036113/20180412074/ |access-date=2023-11-21 |website=4Gamer.net |language=ja}}</ref> Currently running arcade games with AM2 staff working on them are ''KanColle Arcade'',<ref name=":16" /> ''Fate/Grand Order Arcade''<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=『Fate/Grand Order Arcade』 「Amusement Journal」の「2020 Best Income Award 大型ビデオゲーム部門」にて2年連続大賞受賞 {{!}} 最新情報 {{!}} ディライトワークス株式会社 |url=https://www.delightworks.co.jp/news/20210120-6907 |access-date=2022-09-02 |website=www.delightworks.co.jp |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-29 |title=大人気アプリゲーム・FGOの世界観を徹底再現！Fate/GrandOrder Arcadeのマスターになろう！ - マガポケベース |url=https://pocket.shonenmagazine.com/article/entry/fgo/arcade |access-date=2024-01-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529110842/https://pocket.shonenmagazine.com/article/entry/fgo/arcade |archive-date=May 29, 2023 }}</ref> as well as an updated version of ''Virtua Fighter 5'', ''Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown'', co-developed with [[Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio]].<ref name=":8" />

As of 2014, Hiroshi Kataoka was still in charge of AM2.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-10-27 |title=バーチャファイター20周年記念特設サイト -株式会社セガ- |url=http://vf20th.sega.jp:80/interview140410A.html |access-date=2024-01-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027201030/http://vf20th.sega.jp:80/interview140410A.html |archive-date=October 27, 2014 }}</ref> Currently he is an executive for Sega supervising arcade engineers and the technology backend of games developed at the engineering division.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-10 |title=『Beep21』片岡洋特別インタビュー 〜クリエイター・リユニオン・ファイルVol.7〜｜Beep21 |url=https://note.com/beep21/n/n48876f452c62 |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=note（ノート） |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=技術本部インタビュー |url=https://www.sega.co.jp/recruit/episode/episode11/ |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=採用サイト｜株式会社セガ -【SEGA CORPORATION】 |language=ja}}</ref>