Video Game Visionary and Sega Co-Founder David Rosen Dies at 95
David Rosen, a pioneering figure in the video gaming industry and co-founder of Sega, passed away on December 25, 2023, at the age of 95. His death was confirmed by his family representative, Annette van Duren. Rosen was instrumental in shaping what has grown into a $200 billion industry.
Early Life and Career
Born on January 22, 1930, in Brooklyn, New York, David Rosen had entrepreneurial aspirations from a young age. After serving in the U.S. Air Force in Japan during the late 1940s, he developed a love for Japanese art and culture. Following his military service, he attempted to start a business selling portraits by Japanese artists but found limited success.
Founding Sega Enterprises
In 1954, he relocated to Tokyo and recognized the demand for photo identification services. This insight led him to import photo booths from the United States, eventually founding Rosen Enterprises. In just a few years, his innovative approach transformed the photo booth industry in Japan.
As leisure time expanded in Japan during the late 1950s, Rosen saw an opportunity in the entertainment market. He shifted focus to coin-operated games, bringing in arcade machines that captured the nascent interest of Japanese consumers.
- Founded Sega Enterprises in 1965 after merging with Service Games.
- Released initial game Periscope, which became a significant hit.
- Played a crucial role in introducing video games to Japan, starting with Pong in 1972.
Visionary Contributions to Video Gaming
Rosen’s vision inspired Sega’s evolution from arcade games to home entertainment. As chairman of Sega’s U.S. operations in 1989, he rolled out the Genesis gaming console, which directly challenged Nintendo’s dominance in American households.
Cultural Impact of Sega
The Genesis quickly became a cultural phenomenon, popularized by its intense game lineup and marketing campaigns targeted at teenagers and young adults. The console’s presence extended beyond arcades into mainstream culture, with appearances in TV shows and films.
- Featured in “Roseanne” and “Swingers.”
- Players often greeted each other by exclaiming, “Sega!”
Legacy and Later Years
David Rosen remained with Sega through multiple mergers until his retirement in 1996. Despite Sega’s later struggles against industry giants like Sony and Microsoft, Rosen’s foundational contributions to gaming are undeniable.
In recent years, Sega has adapted by acquiring new companies like Rovio, the developer of Angry Birds, in 2023. The company is also set to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Sonic the Hedgehog this year.
Reflecting on his remarkable career, Rosen noted how far gaming has come since his childhood days playing penny arcade games at Coney Island. His legacy endures as a testament to the transformative power of video games and their role in popular culture.
