Namco Bandai Partners

Namco Bandai Partners Pty. Ltd., most famously known as Ozisoft or Sega Ozisoft is one of the oldest and largest video games distributors in Australia. The company was founded in 1982 by Kevin Bermeister and Mark Dyne. After a short period of independence and a long stretch as a division of Infogrames S.A., the company was sold to Namco Bandai Partners in 2009.

History

Foundation

Ozisoft Pty Ltd was founded in 1982 by Kevin Bermeister and Mark Dyne. It was one of the first companies in Australia to focus on the supply and distribution of multimedia software. Much of the company's early efforts involved distribution of games for the Commodore 64 and other popular home computer systems.

Sega Ozisoft

Ozisoft's relationship with Sega began in 1987 when Ozisoft began distribution of the Sega Master System. Australia proved to be one of Sega's more lucrative territories, as the Master System managed to gain a fairly significant market share, whereas Nintendo dominated America and Japan. Sega Japan started to take notice when the launch of the Mega Drive in Australia in 1990 was also successful.

Bermeister and Dyne sold Ozisoft to First Pacific Hong Kong in 1991, but in 1992, they orchestrated a management buyout with Sega Japan as partners. The company was then renamed to Sega Ozisoft. Despite being a joint venture with Sega, Sega Ozisoft did not exclusively focus on Sega products, instead continuing business as usual. Amusingly, this also meant selling software for formats such as the NES and SNES that competed directly with the Mega Drive and Master System. Sega Japan paid $14.5 million for a 50% share^[1].

Notes

• Ozisoft NZ Pty Ltd closed 2001 after DC collapse.
• At time of SOJ buy in, Ozisoft held a 49% market share and Sega SKUs accounted for 70% of its revenue.
• $80 million in software sold in 1991, 250,000 consoles. Boosted by its dominance in video arcades around the country, Sega expects to treble sales this year and is planning to open the first of its proposed 200 specialty Sega Serious Fun shops nationwide. We expect to open the first Melbourne stores next month, said Mr Bermeiscer. Ours will be shops within shops; a new concept in Australia. Naturally, only Sega equipment and games will be sold. Although Mr Bermeiscer would not be drawn on where the first outlets would open, it is understood the company has been negotiating with Daimaru. ^[2]
• Sega Ozisoft planned to open 6 Sega World parks and 20 arcades from 1994 for $250M. At this point Sega owned 75% of Ozisoft.^[3]
• Sold 250,000 SMS II after drop to $99.^[4]
• Sega cancelled local release of Night Trap in 1993. ^[5]
• Fremantle location for Sega World planned. ^[6]
• With no Sonic games for 1996, Ozisoft relied on merchandising. ^[7]
• Sega, Village Roadshow and PBL formed joint venture to distribute arcade games starting with Virtua Fighter 3. ^[8]
• Bad blood between Sega and Ozisoft? Sega signs deal with SCEE for first PS2 games. Space Channel 5 (2 titles), K-Project (working title), Virtual Fighter 4, F 355 Challenge (working title), Head Hunter and Ecco the Dolphin. ^[9]

References

1. ↑ McNamara, Sean. "Australia: Sega moves to increase market share." Newsbytes 27 May 1992
2. ↑ Smith, R. (1992, October 4). This is War. Sunday Age.
3. ↑ Sega Ozisoft To Build 6 Theme Parks, 20 Arcades In Australia. (1994, July 19). Dow Jones News Ticker.
4. ↑ Cantlon, G. (1991, November 17). Cut-throat selling in video games. Sun Herald.
5. ↑ O'Grady, D. (1993, May 18). Sega's 'Trap' too violent for Australians Sega of America: Cancels release of 'Night Trap' video games in Australia due to protests. Hollywood Reporter.
6. ↑ Sega plans Australian theme parks, arcades. (1994, July 14). Reuters News.
7. ↑ Yelland, P. (1996, July 9). Sega awaits Sonic boom. The Australian
8. ↑ VILLAGE ROADSHOW LIMITED (VRL.AX) SEGA & VILLAGE NINE LEISURE JOINT VENTURE. (1996, September 30). Australian Stock Exchange Company Announcements
9. ↑ Sega and Sony's big deal. (2001, June 30) Adelaide Advertiser.