Sad news today guys. Bernie Stolar, CEO of Sega of America during the Dreamcast launch has passed away at age 75.
"I consider it an honour that a product I helped create still has a loyal fanbase to this day. Thank you for keeping the 'Dream' alive." - Bernie Stolar - 2018 via DCJY interview
Bernie was extremely passionate about the Dreamcast. He really embraced it and cared about being a part of something better and different. It really wasn't all about the money with him. He fought Sega Japan over what the Dreamcast should do and championed for what us gamers would want out of a console. He was so energetic and quite an engaging and intellectual individual with a broad dynamic. He had to battle that financial black hole called the Saturn he inherited when joining Sega. Years after he wasn't with Sega, he would find a way to bring up the Dreamcast in non-Dreamcast related interviews and events, even when he worked with Microsoft and EA. When most of Sega buried the Dreamcast as if it never existed, Bernie would always let everyone know that history. Try finding any other high level corporate individual who actually cares about anything other than money.
Bernie Stolar was pivitol to Dreamcasts success. His team put together the best launch in US history when Dreamcast debut in 9.9.99. I always wondered how things would of panned out if Bernie was still in charge instead of Peter Moore.
In my opinion, the one common denominator with Sega's struggles has been Sega of Japan. They never understood markets outside of Japan, which is understandable, but always became a massive barrier for any CEO hired for Sega of America. The times they let SoA guide the ship they were super successful, when SoJ took control they tanked each time. Its an ongoing problem even today.
