Welcome To The Next Level

== Introduction ==
IOTL, Sega was one of the most prominent video game console manufacturers in the 1990s, but poor decisions from both the Japanese and American branches led to Sega exiting the console business in 2001 and downsizing to a third-party developer. This timeline follows the decisions that could have been made to not only keep Sega in the Console Wars, but thrive.
In the early 1990s, Sega's two feuding divisions, Sega of Japan and Sega of America, hold a meeting. Realizing they need to cooperate to compete with Nintendo, the two divisions put their differences aside and began collaborating on upcoming consoles, peripherals and games.
== Consoles and Peripherals ==
=== Sega CD/Mega-CD (1991-1996) ===
Rather than fall into the "interactive FMV" game fad of the 1990s, Sega focuses much more on full games with CD capabilities (only using FMV for select uses such as cutscenes) for the Sega CD add-on. Because of this, the Sega CD is more successful and sees more support from Sega. With Sega focusing on its next console, the Sega 32X does not exist.
=== Sega Saturn (1994-2003) ===
IOTL, the Sega Saturn flopped for multiple reasons: a big reason is that it was notoriously hard to develop for, with two CPUs, two GPUs, and many other processors, as well as using quad polygons instead of triangles. ITTL, the Saturn is designed with much simpler architecture and a slightly different controller better suited for 3D games incorporating the now-famous "ABXY" buttons (an evolution of the "XYZ" and "ABC" buttons on six-button Genesis controllers). The cartridge slot is used for Genesis backwards compatibility instead of RAM expansion.
Another major reason for the Saturn's failure IOTL is that its intended worldwide release date (September 1995) was pushed ahead by four months in an ill-conceived attempt at gaining a head start over the then-upcoming PlayStation, blindsiding both developers and consumers. ITTL, the Saturn is released in Japan in November 1994 and overseas in September 1995, with a vast array of first and third-party launch titles and a $200 pricetag, becoming far more successful than IOTL (due to consumers not growing frustrated with Sega, as well as Nintendo's stubbornness in sticking with cartridges for the Nintendo 64) as well as dethroning the aging Genesis as Sega's flagship console. New Saturn consoles are produced until 2003.
=== Nomad (1997-2008) ===
IOTL, the Nomad was released exclusively in North America in 1995 as a portable variant of the Genesis. Its short battery life and blurry screen, combined with its lack of support and the decline in Genesis titles, rendered it a failure. ITTL, the Nomad is still 16-bit with performance comparable to the Genesis, but is its own independent system. It uses a higher-quality LCD screen and speaker, as well as an internal battery and a longer battery life, and is smaller than OTL's Nomad. The Nomad is released in late 1997 and becomes another success, with the Game Boy Color (released a year later) overshadowed by the Nomad. Support for the Nomad ends in 2008.
=== Dreamcast (2001-2014) ===
In May 2001, the much-anticipated Dreamcast is released after a long delay, with additional features such as higher specs, online gaming (via its SegaNet online service), DVD playback, a twin-stick controller, and compatibility with Saturn games. Sega of Japan does not interfere with the system, and Electronic Arts does not cut ties with the company. The Dreamcast is a tremendous success for Sega, becoming its highest-selling console as well as the biggest competitor to the PlayStation 2 throughout the 2000s (the Nintendo GameCube is dismissed by many as a toy due to its aesthetics, not helped by Nintendo's stubborn refusal to adopt DVD-ROM technology, which causes the console's graphical capabilities to suffer, as well as a refusal to embrace online capability). Due to Sega still seeing success in the console wars, Microsoft does not release the Xbox line of consoles, instead electing to partner with Sega and contributing to the designs of future consoles, as well as making exclusive Microsoft Game Studios titles for the Dreamcast; titles such as Halo: Combat Evolved and Project Gotham Racing instead become Dreamcast launch titles. New games and Dreamcast systems are still manufactured until 2014.
=== Dreamcast Pocket (2003-2015) ===
In November 2003, Sega's next handheld console, the Dreamcast Pocket, is released. Unlike the Game Gear and Nomad, the Dreamcast Pocket boasts much more power than previous handheld systems, multimedia capabilities, and the ability to play Saturn titles. The Dreamcast Pocket competes with the Nintendo DS and PlayStation Portable. Like the Nomad before it, the Dreamcast Pocket is also a success, cementing Sega's dominance in the handheld market along with Nintendo.
=== Bluestreak (2006-2018) ===
Five years later, in November 2006, the Dreamcast is followed by Sega's next console, the Bluestreak (named in homage to its mascot, Sonic the Hedgehog), which boasts even more power than its predecessors, as well as Blu-ray playback, greater online integration, and compatibility with Saturn and Dreamcast games; the Bluestreak is also built on the Naomi II arcade hardware. Thanks to Sony's infamous E3 2006 presentation and early mishandling of the PlayStation 3, as well as the Wii being flooded with low-effort shovelware and Nintendo marketing the console to casual audiences (thus creating the image that "Nintendo is a kid's toy", though several first-party Nintendo games such as Super Mario Galaxy, Mario Kart Wii, Wii Sports Resort, and The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword actually outsell some of the Bluestreak's biggest games such as Halo 3 and Gears of War), the Bluestreak becomes the highest-selling console of the seventh generation, with new units manufactured until 2018.
=== SegaGo (2009-2021) ===
The SegaGo is released in May 2009 as a successor to the Dreamcast Pocket. It features even more power than either the Dreamcast Pocket or its main competitors, the Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation Vita. It once again becomes a success, and new SegaGo consoles are produced until 2021.
=== Spartan (2013-present) ===
The Bluestreak is followed up with Sega's next console, the Spartan, in November 2013. With increased graphical capabilities, cross-platform functionality, and backwards compatibility with Saturn, Dreamcast, and Bluestreak titles, the Spartan becomes another success, dethroning the PlayStation 4 and Wii U as the highest-selling eighth-generation console (the PS4 is plagued with high prices, and the Wii U sells less units than IOTL due to Nintendo having been in a slump since the GameCube era, which many blame on the company's outdated business practices, attempts to apply Japan's lack of Fair Use laws to the rest of the world, resistance to adopting innovations such as optical disks, online play, a digital storefront, and voice chat, creating consoles with hardware on par with previous-generation consoles, and stubbornly catering only to casual audiences). An upgraded model, the Spartan+, is released in 2016 with even more graphical prowess and 4K compatibility.
=== Drifter (2016-present) ===
The Drifter is released in October 2016 alongside the Spartan+ as a successor to the SegaGo. It features even more graphical power and cross-platform functionality, like the Spartan. It becomes another success, though not as successful as the Nintendo Switch, which comes out the following year and pulls Nintendo out of its slump, putting the company back in the lead for the first time since the SNES days.
=== Vortex (2020-present) ===
In November 2020, Sega's ninth-generation console, the Vortex, is released, with the most powerful graphics seen on any video game console as well as much faster loading times and backwards compatibility with Saturn, Dreamcast, Bluestreak, and Spartan games. A cheaper model named the Vortex Starter is released at the same time, with less graphical power. It currently competes alongside the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 in the market (as of December 2023, the Switch is winning the war with the Vortex sitting comfortably in second, and the PS5 is plagued by issues with PS4 backwards compatibility, an unusual design, loud cooling fans, voice chat being recorded to be used as evidence when reporting verbal harassment, a steep $500 price tag, supply shortages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and scalpers).
==Effects==
===Franchises===
* All of Sega's franchises such as Sonic the Hedgehog and Phantasy Star remain first-party exclusives, not going multiplatform. Sega also releases more games for its other franchises such as Golden Axe, Streets of Rage, Shinobi, Columns, Nights into Dreams, Daytona USA, Alex Kidd and others.
====Sonic the Hedgehog====
* In early 1995, Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is released on the Saturn, due to the 32X and Knuckles' Chaotix not existing. It follows Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy, and Espio going to Newtrogic High Zone, a resort in which Dr. Eggman has constructed a fortress to search for the mysterious Chaos Rings.
* Sonic 3D Blast is released on the Saturn (not the Genesis) in 1996. It's mostly the same as OTL's Saturn version.
* In late 1997, Sonic X-treme is released, with Tiara the Manx added to the main cast. This is the Sonic franchise's first 3D title, as well as the first with voice acting. Ryan Drummond becomes the English voice actor for Sonic, a position he still holds as of 2024.
* Sonic Adventure is still released in 1998, though on the Saturn instead.
* Sonic Adventure 2 is a Dreamcast launch title. Sonic Adventure 2 Battle does not exist.
* The Sonic Advance trilogy does not exist.
* Sonic Heroes is also released on Dreamcast, and has the following teams: Team Sonic (Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles), Team Tiara (Tiara, Mighty, and Ray), Team Dark (Shadow, Rouge, and E-102 Gamma), Team Rose (Amy, Cream, and Big), Team Mystery (Espio, Charmy, and Vector), and Team Hooligan (Fang, Bean, and Bark).
* Shadow the Hedgehog is another Dreamcast title.
* Sonic Adventure 3 is a Spartan game, released in 2006 as the final game in the Adventure era.
== See also ==
* Gallery
Category:Welcome To The Next Level
Category:Timelines