Segagaga

Segagaga is a 2001 role-playing simulation video game developed by Hitmaker and published by Sega for the Dreamcast in Japan. Described as a "Sega simulation", the player takes control of Sega Tarō, who must help save a struggling Sega from losing to its rival DOGMA, who owns 97% of the console market. Gameplay involves battling employees and other characters throughout various Sega development studios, some being taken from older Sega game franchises. It features many tongue-in-cheek references to Sega and the video game industry, particularly Sony Computer Entertainment and its PlayStation 2 console. Development was directed by Tez Okano, who worked on Segagaga in secret for two years. When he presented it to Sega, the management took it as a joke at first and dismissed it, but a second presentation impressed them. Okano marketed Segagaga himself with a budget of $200, half of which he spent on a promotional wrestling mask. Several characters, such as Segata Sanshiro and a Ferrari from Out Run, had to be cut due to licensing issues. Toei Animation produced the animated cutscenes. Segagaga was initially exclusive to the Sega Direct online service, but its popularity eventually resulted in a physical release. Segagaga received positive reviews for its humor, gameplay, bizarre nature, use of various Sega franchises and for poking fun at the industry. One critic labeled it the "swan song" of the Dreamcast. It is one of the last games for the Dreamcast, released two days before its discontinuation on March 31, 2001.