Sega of America finalizes acquisition of Atlus U.S.A.

Sega of America has finalized its acquisition of Atlus U.S.A., the company announced, making Sega the sole company responsible for publishing duties in North America.

Both Sega of America and Atlus U.S.A. will continue to preserve its individual brand identities for upcoming video game and product releases.

The change affects the companies in name only. Both Atlus U.S.A. and Sega of America will still act autonomously, and no games or products will be adversely affected by the publisher unification.

Sega notes that since Atlus U.S.A. integrated with Sega of America, Atlus expertise has allowed it to localize popular Japanese titles in the west, including Yakuza and Hatsune Miku games.

“After nearly a year working under the Sega Games division, both Sega of America and Atlus U.S.A. have thrived and released a combined total of 23 game products,” said Naoto Hiraoka, CEO of Atlus U.S.A. “Between Atlus’ ability to localize and release Japanese video game products efficiently and the strength of Sega of America’s reputation as a leading publisher in the industry, the situation could not be more symbiotic for both companies.”

2016 also serves as the 25th anniversary for Sega’s series. Sega has appointed Ivo Gerscovich the new head of the Sonic business unit as the chief brand officer of Sonic and senior vice president of Sega of America. In his new role, Gersovich will oversee all aspects of the Sonic business for the Americas and EMEA markets, including providing guidance for game development, TV production and distribution, marketing, and licensing.

” I consider it an honor to be part of growing the iconic global brand at such a storied company,” said Gerscovich. “Even after 25 years, Sonic’s speed, attitude, and cool quotient still resonate strongly with fans of all ages. This 25th anniversary celebration year will see the Sonic the Hedgehog brand propelled to maximum velocity while breaking new ground to surprise and delight fans around the world.”

Sega is also shifting towards global engagement by transitioning Takashi Iizukua, vice president of product development, from Sega headquarters in Japan to the Sonic business unit in Los Angeles. In his new role, Iizuka will streamline the production process for all forms of Sonic entertainment and products, and will establish Los Angeles as the centralized hub for the global brand.

“There were challenging times for Sega of America in San Francisco, but now I am confident that the collaboration between Sega and Atlus U.S.A. will make us a uniquely positioned publisher poised to deliver top quality games from Japan,” said Tatsuyuki Miyazaki, CEO of Sega of America and Atlus U.S.A. board member. “Plus, the Sonic business team, with Ivo’s strong leadership and the addition of renowned Sonic Team creator Iizuka in the Los Angeles office, SEGA of America is in the best position yet to diversify and grow its business. SEGA of America is entering new age of publishing, and going back to the road to prosperity.”