Sega co-founder David Rosen has passed away at the age of 95
David Rosen, one of the most important figures shaping video game history, passed away at the age of 95. According to his family, Rosen died on Christmas Day surrounded by loved ones. His death, a key figure in both the birth of Sega and the shaping of the Japanese arcade scene, has left a significant void in the gaming world.
David Rosen Was the Architect of Japanese Arcade Culture
David Rosen, who went to Japan in the 1950s as an American air force personnel, began his career by founding Rosen Enterprises Ltd. Initially involved in art trade and photography for identity cards, Rosen noticed the increasing disposable income in post-war Japan and shifted his focus to the entertainment industry. Obtaining special permission from the Japanese Ministry of Trade and Industry to import coin-operated amusement park machines from the US demonstrated the foresight of his vision.
These machines quickly became hugely successful, and Rosen began opening arcades throughout Japan. In his own words, by the time he left, there was a Rosen arcade in almost every city. As the industry grew in the early 1960s, Rosen Enterprises merged with Nihon Goraku Bussan, ushering in a new era. Following this merger, the company became Sega Enterprises Ltd., and Rosen assumed the roles of CEO and chairman.
Released in 1966, Periscope, Sega’s first original game, laid the foundation for the company’s modern identity. In subsequent years, Rosen was among the founders of the Japan Entertainment Association and served as its chairman for a long time. After Sega was sold to Gulf+Western Industries in 1969, Rosen remained at the helm and played a significant role in the founding of Sega of America in the mid-1980s.
David Rosen was one of the key figures shaping the video game industry during its early years. His vision and entrepreneurship formed the cornerstone of the process that transformed Sega into a global gaming giant. The gaming world respectfully remembers Rosen, who left behind a legacy that will be difficult to erase.
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