One of the most adored home consoles of all time unfortunately had one of the most spectacular burn-outs. But even in its comparatively short time in active production, the Sega Dreamcast managed a respectable library of software: many titles therein later becoming some of the biggest cult hits in the industry’s history. Its no surprise then, that the top brass at Sega, including Chairman Isao Okawa, attempted to keep the catalog on life support through any means necessary. Recently revealed through Kotaku was one of the more surprising efforts on Sega’s part, a plan to include Dreamcast compatibility with the original Xbox.
Many termed Microsoft’s first effort in the console market as the Dreamcast’s “spiritual successor,” so the prospective collaboration isn’t completely out of reasonable bounds. A tweet from former Microsoft executive Sam Furakawa confirmed Sega’s efforts, stating that “Before Mr. Okawa passed away, he visited [Bill] Gates several times, to see if it would be possible to add Dreamcast compatibility into the Xbox.”
Being one of the first systems to support internet-based multiplayer on multiple AAA titles, Microsoft’s Xbox Live would have been a natural progression for Sega’s intentions with the Dreamcast, and the compatibility would have no doubt aided Microsoft’s sales in Japan – to date the company’s weakest region. But due to Microsoft’s desire to keep Live play limited to their own titles, negotiations were quick to fall apart before a deal could be reached.
Would the addition of Dreamcast compatibility have made the Xbox a more attractive console? Would it have aided either company? Give us your own Elder-Geek thoughts below!
Well I can understand the logic of giving the Dreamcast to Microsoft once Sony beat Sega out of the console race, but I doubt it would’ve added much. Sega fanboys will be Sega fanboys and playing a Dreamcast game on an Xbox just isn’t the same.
Man, that would have been pretty huge. Instead of having backwards compatability of a last gen system, the Xbox would have had compatability of a current gen beast with some incredible games. Too bad the deal fell through.
But maybe it was for the best. Maybe MS needed fewer online titles to focus on, which is how XBL was able to become such a great service.
Oh how the land of ‘What Ifs’ is a cruel one.