David Rosen, SEGA's Arcade Visionary, Passes Away at 95

David Rosen, who co-founded SEGA and built Japan's arcade industry from scratch, died on 25 December aged 95, surrounded by family.

If you've played a SEGA Genesis, dropped coins in an arcade machine, or ever wondered why Japanese game centres became such a big deal — Rosen's fingerprints are all over it.

How an American Built Japan's Arcade Empire

Rosen arrived in post-war Japan in the 1950s. First he dealt in art, then ID photography. But the real money was in importing American coin-op games — shooting galleries, mechanical amusements — stuff nobody thought would work in Japan.

He was wrong about that last part. Very wrong.

• Got official import licence from Japan's Ministry of Trade (rare at the time)
• Built arcade network across nearly every major Japanese city by early 1960s
• Merged his company (Rosen Enterprises) with Nihon Goraku Bussan in 1965
• That merger created SEGA Enterprises — Rosen became CEO

SEGA's First Game: Periscope

In 1966, SEGA made its first original game: Periscope, a mechanical submarine shooter. Not a video game (those didn't exist yet), but it showed SEGA could build, not just import.

That shift — from distributor to creator — set up everything that followed: arcade classics, home consoles, Sonic, the whole lot.

• Founded Japan Amusement Association (became chairman)
• SEGA arcades dominated Japan through the 1960s and 70s
• Built foundation for video game boom that came later

The Console Years: Genesis, Saturn, and SEGA of America

After Gulf+Western bought SEGA in 1969, Rosen stayed on as CEO. When the parent company wanted out in 1984, Rosen helped buy back SEGA Japan, then launched SEGA of America in Los Angeles.

He was co-president until 1996 — through the Genesis/Mega Drive era, Game Gear, and Saturn. The Dreamcast came after his time, but the foundation was his.

• SEGA Genesis (Mega Drive outside US) became a household name
• Competed directly with Nintendo through the early 90s
• Built global distribution that brought SEGA to the UAE and Middle East

What This Means for UAE Gamers

SEGA consoles were everywhere in the UAE during the 90s. The Mega Drive was in malls, homes, rental shops. Arcades in Dubai and Abu Dhabi ran SEGA machines. A lot of that infrastructure traces back to Rosen's work.

These days, SEGA's legacy lives on through mini-consoles like the Genesis Mini 2 and retro game collections. If you're into classic gaming, now's a good time to revisit what Rosen helped build.

For more on retro gaming, see our guide to all-time classic consoles and games.

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