http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=33826

Publisher content with position as sixth biggest publisher in US

Sega's US chief executive Simon Jeffrey has said that the company is not interested in the mergers and acquisition currently shaking up the videogame market, with the publisher happy to remain independent.

Jeffrey was talking following the announcement that Sega's Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games has shipped over 5 million units worldwide – evidence that smaller publishers can enjoy success in the market.

"We're moving very nicely up the charts but we are also very cognizant of what is happening at very top end of market, with regards to some of the M&A activity," Jeffrey said in an interview with Reuters.

"That's not an area we want to play in right now. We have no interest in being acquired, we are very happy with our position right now," he said.

Late last year Activision and Vivendi Games announced a merger, while last month it was revealed that Electronic Arts is attempting to convince Take-Two shareholders that an acquisition of the Grand Theft Auto publisher would be best for the struggling business.

According to NPD data, Sega is the sixth biggest publisher in North America, a position that Jeffrey is comfortable with.

"There is plenty of room for smaller companies to be successful and profitable in this business. You don't have to be number one or number two. You can be number six very happily," he said.

To me this is best. I would rather them make it on their own then get bought out.

I worry about the situation on both sides. If they get bought out, there's the matter of SEGA possibly getting ripped apart from their parent company. If they don't there's always the chance they could go under, and start selling intellectual properties to bidders whom will obviously not give those games the SEGA touch.

Overall though, SEGA should really stop playing defense and start playing a little offense. They shouldn't be content with sixth place but should be wondering what they need to do to get to fifth place.