Having already acquired a controlling stake in the resurgent Japanese publisher, Sammy are looking to take total control of by purchasing the remaining 78% of shares in a deal worth 1.2 billion Euros. A new holding company will be created and headed by Sammy president Hajime Satomi, and Sega shareholders will receive 0.28 shares in the new firm for every one Sega share held; Sammy shareholders on the other hand will receive parity when the deal completes.

Apparently, the Satomi engineered takeover will be completed in October, and has been rumoured for some time since the Pachinko machine manufacturer Sammy bought a controlling 22% stake in the then-ailing publisher. Not only will Sega give Sammy an international influence (their primary business was mainly domestic before), but Sega may also provide a new wealth of talent for Sammy's arcade machines, an area in which Sega profits have risen since dealings with Sammy began.

More on Sega and the firm's future direction as we get it.

By Luke Guttridge