# Sega of America

> American branch of video game developer and publisher Sega

**Wikidata**: [Q63867244](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q63867244)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sega_of_America)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sega-of-america

## Summary
Sega of America, Inc. is the American branch of the video game developer and publisher Sega, operating as a subsidiary company within the video game industry. Founded on March 10, 1986, in San Francisco, the entity is headquartered in Irvine, California, and serves as a primary developer and publisher for the North American market. It is best known for its association with the *Sonic the Hedgehog* franchise and its leadership under executives like Tom Kalinske and Bernie Stolar during the 1990s.

## Key Facts
*   **Official Name:** Sega of America, Inc.
*   **Short Name:** SOA
*   **Inception Date:** March 10, 1986
*   **Location of Formation:** San Francisco, United States
*   **Current Headquarters:** Irvine, California (6400 Oak Cyn, Ste 100, Irvine, CA 92618-5204) since 2015
*   **Parent Organization:** Sega (relationship established in 1986)
*   **Industry:** Video game industry
*   **Operating Area:** North America
*   **Revenue:** $144,000,000 (estimated for 2018)
*   **Employee Count:** 116 (as of 2018)
*   **CEO Tenure (Tom Kalinske):** October 1990 to September 1996
*   **President Tenure (Tom Kalinske):** 1990 to 1996
*   **President Tenure (Bernie Stolar):** July 1996 to August 1999
*   **Chief Operating Officer (Bernie Stolar):** July 1996 to August 1999
*   **Chief Operating Officer (Douglas Robson):** 1998 (specifically noted in April 1998 context)
*   **Website:** https://www.sega.com/ (English)
*   **Social Media Handles:** Twitter/X (@SEGA), Facebook (SEGA), Instagram (sega), YouTube (SegaAmerica)
*   **Member Of:** Entertainment Software Association
*   **D-U-N-S Number:** 131631988
*   **IRS Employer ID:** 77-0111662
*   **ISNI:** 0000000107198193
*   **Library of Congress ID:** no2007127748
*   **Bloomberg Company ID:** 0222490D:US
*   **LinkedIn ID:** sega-of-america-inc.
*   **MobyGames Company ID:** 2747
*   **Metacritic Company ID:** sega-of-america-inc
*   **TheGamesDB Publisher ID:** 346
*   **VideoGameGeek Company ID:** 11990
*   **Crunchbase Organization ID:** sega
*   **LittleSis Organization ID:** 202200
*   **Opencorporates ID:** us_ca/C1271130
*   **Wellfound ID:** sega
*   **Sega Retro ID:** Sega_of_America
*   **Fandom Article ID:** sonic:Sega/Sega_of_America
*   **Steam Curator ID:** 32528477
*   **IMDb ID:** co0000527
*   **FAST ID:** 1688422
*   **BnF ID:** 16133766c
*   **Phone Number:** +1-949-788-0455
*   **Logo:** Available at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/SEGA_logo.svg

## FAQs
**When and where was Sega of America established?**
The company was officially formed on March 10, 1986, in San Francisco, California. It was created as the American subsidiary of the Japanese parent company, Sega.

**Who were the key executives leading the company in the 1990s?**
Tom Kalinske served as both CEO and President from October 1990 until September 1996. He was succeeded by Bernie Stolar, who held the titles of President and Chief Operating Officer from July 1996 to August 1999.

**Where has the company been headquartered throughout its history?**
The headquarters have moved several times: Redwood City (until 1998), San Francisco (1998–2001 and 2001–2015), and finally Irvine, California, where it has been located since 2015.

**What is the company's financial and operational scale?**
As of 2018, the company reported an estimated revenue of $144 million and employed 116 people. Its primary operating area covers the entire North American continent.

**Which organizations is Sega of America a member of?**
The entity is a member of the Entertainment Software Association, a trade group representing the video game industry in the United States.

## Why It Matters
Sega of America serves as the critical operational bridge between the Japanese video game giant Sega and the North American market, shaping the industry's landscape for decades. As a major developer and publisher, it is responsible for bringing iconic franchises like *Sonic the Hedgehog* to Western audiences, directly influencing console wars and gaming culture in the 1990s. The company's strategic decisions regarding hardware (such as the Sega Genesis and Saturn) and software distribution helped define the modern video game industry's business models and marketing tactics. Its evolution from a San Francisco startup to a major Irvine-based corporation reflects the broader trajectory of the video game industry's growth and professionalization in the United States.

## Notable For
*   **Franchise Stewardship:** Being the primary American publisher for the *Sonic the Hedgehog* animated television series and related media.
*   **Historical Leadership:** Hosting the tenures of industry legends Tom Kalinske and Bernie Stolar, who drove major strategic shifts during the 16-bit and 32-bit eras.
*   **Corporate Mobility:** Demonstrating significant corporate relocation history, moving from Redwood City to multiple San Francisco locations before settling in Irvine.
*   **Industry Representation:** Serving as a key member of the Entertainment Software Association, influencing policy and standards in the US video game sector.
*   **Digital Presence:** Maintaining a verified and active social media ecosystem across Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube with millions of followers.
*   **Legal and Corporate Identity:** Holding distinct identifiers such as the D-U-N-S number 131631988 and IRS ID 77-0111662, solidifying its status as a formal US corporation.

## Body

### Corporate Identity and Classification
Sega of America, Inc. is legally classified as a subsidiary company and operates as both a video game developer and a video game publisher. It functions within the broader video game industry, specifically targeting the North American operating area. The entity is recognized by its short name, SOA, and holds the official legal name "Sega of America, Inc." It is a member of the Entertainment Software Association, linking it to the primary trade organization for the US video game sector. The company is listed in various business directories and databases, including Bloomberg (ID: 0222490D:US), Crunchbase (ID: sega), and LittleSis (ID: 202200). Its corporate registration is tracked via the Opencorporates ID us_ca/C1271130, specifically for the state of California.

### Founding and Historical Timeline
The entity was founded on March 10, 1986, in San Francisco, United States. This inception date marks the beginning of its operations as the American branch of Sega. The company's history is documented in various sources, including the "History of Sega" publication from *Sega Visions* (February 1993), which details its early years. The location of formation is confirmed as San Francisco, with specific corporate records linked to the state of California. The company has undergone significant structural changes over the decades, evolving from its 1986 origins to its current status as a major corporate entity.

### Executive Leadership and Management
The leadership structure of Sega of America has been defined by several key figures during its most active periods. Tom Kalinske served as the CEO from October 1990 to September 1996, concurrently holding the title of President during the same period. Following Kalinske's departure, Bernie Stolar took over as President and Chief Operating Officer, serving from July 1996 until August 1999. Douglas Robson is also noted in historical records as a Chief Operating Officer, with specific mentions in April 1998 business reports. These executives were instrumental in steering the company through the competitive landscape of the 1990s video game market.

### Headquarters and Geographic Footprint
The company's headquarters have shifted locations multiple times throughout its history, reflecting its growth and strategic adjustments.
*   **Redwood City:** The company was based at 255 Shoreline Dr, Ste 200, Redwood City, CA 94065, until 1998.
*   **San Francisco (First Tenure):** From 1998 to March 2001, operations were located at 650 Townsend St, Ste 650, San Francisco, CA 94103-4908, within the Townsend Center.
*   **San Francisco (Second Tenure):** From March 2001 to 2015, the headquarters moved to 350 Rhode Island St, Ste 400, San Francisco, CA 94103.
*   **Irvine (Current):** Since 2015, the headquarters have been located at 6400 Oak Cyn, Ste 100, Irvine, CA 92618-5204. The current location is in the 92618 zip code, with coordinates at latitude 33.67655787967498 and longitude -117.76839620898757.
The company's phone number is listed as +1-949-788-0455.

### Financials and Operational Scale
As of 2018, Sega of America reported an estimated revenue of $144,000,000 (United States dollars). In the same year, the company employed 116 individuals. These figures highlight the company's substantial economic footprint within the US market. The financial data is sourced from business directory profiles, indicating a stable operational scale for a regional subsidiary of a global conglomerate.

### Digital Presence and Social Media
Sega of America maintains a robust digital footprint across multiple platforms.
*   **Website:** The official website is https://www.sega.com/, which is available in English.
*   **Twitter/X:** The handle is @SEGA, a verified account created on October 31, 2008. As of February 5, 2023, the account had 2,163,109 followers.
*   **Facebook:** The page is named "SEGA," a verified profile established on July 30, 2008.
*   **Instagram:** The handle is "sega," also a verified account.
*   **YouTube:** The channel "SegaAmerica" (ID: UCWfXR0-F7MI-TbqikgEdJcQ) was created on March 5, 2008. As of September 1, 2024, it had 402,000 subscribers, with a projected 540,000 by November 1, 2025.
*   **Fandom:** The company maintains a presence on Fandom, with a specific user account "SEGA of America, Inc." and an associated article on the Sonic Fandom wiki.
*   **Steam:** The company operates a Steam Curator page (ID: 32528477).

### Industry Associations and Memberships
The company is an active member of the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). This membership underscores its role in the broader ecosystem of video game publishing and development in the United States. The ESA connection links Sega of America to industry-wide initiatives regarding ratings, lobbying, and consumer protection.

### Technical Identifiers and Metadata
Sega of America is cataloged in numerous international and industry-specific databases:
*   **Library of Congress:** Authority ID no2007127748.
*   **ISNI:** 0000000107198193.
*   **VIAF:** 123657368.
*   **BnF (France):** 16133766c.
*   **FAST:** 1688422.
*   **IMDb:** co0000527.
*   **MobyGames:** ID 2747 (and former scheme ID "sega-of-america-inc").
*   **Metacritic:** ID "sega-of-america-inc".
*   **TheGamesDB:** Publisher ID 346.
*   **VideoGameGeek:** Company ID 11990.
*   **Justia Patents:** Assignee ID "sega-of-america-inc".
*   **My Abandonware:** Company ID "it" (listed as SEGA of America, Inc.).
*   **Sega Retro:** ID "Sega_of_America".
*   **LinkedIn:** ID "sega-of-america-inc.".
*   **Wellfound:** ID "sega".

### Related Entities and Projects
The entity is closely linked to the *Sonic the Hedgehog* franchise, specifically the American animated television series. It is also associated with the broader Sega brand, which includes the parent company in Japan. The company's activities are documented in various media, including interviews in *Electronic Games* magazine and historical features in *Sega Visions*. Its corporate history is further detailed in business profiles from sources like *Reference for Business* and *Business Wire*, which noted its relocation to Southern California in 2015.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.sega.co.jp/group/list/)
2. [Source](https://www.sega.com/corporate)
3. Crunchbase
4. International Standard Name Identifier
5. BnF authorities
6. OpenCorporates
7. [Source](https://relationshipscience.com/organization/sega-of-america-inc-618436)
8. [American Libraries](https://americanlibrariesbuyersguide.com/Listing/Index/Interactive_MediaGaming/Video_Game_Publishers/802/272/100/1)
9. Google Maps
10. [Source](https://www.dnb.com/business-directory/company-profiles.sega_of_america_inc.d34f4fc70c216bb8ed0fffd1dc85a33d.html)
11. D-U-N-S
12. [Source](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150129006720/en/SEGA-of-America-Relocates-to-Southern-California)
13. Yelp
14. [Source](https://www.yellowpages.com/san-francisco-ca/mip/sega-of-america-2233353)
15. [Source](https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/san-francisco/profile/wholesale-video-games/sega-of-america-inc-1116-63142/details)
16. [Source](https://foursquare.com/v/sega-of-america/4b4b570cf964a520129826e3)
17. [Source](https://businesssearch.sos.ca.gov/Document/RetrievePDF?Id=01299989-7011748)
18. Library of Congress Name Authority File
19. [Source](http://www.ic.gc.ca/app/opic-cipo/trdmrks/srch/viewTrademark.html?id=1107317&lang=eng)
20. [Google Books](https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Screenwriter_s_Handbook/98F5AYzEvosC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA31&printsec=frontcover)
21. [Sega of America bound for San Francisco. 1998](https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/stories/1998/04/13/story1.html)
22. [Source](http://wikimapia.org/39086/former-SEGA-of-America-HQ)
23. [Contacts. Searcher (Medford, N.J.). 2000](https://www.infotoday.com/searcher/jan00/contacts.htm)
24. [Source](https://www.referenceforbusiness.com/history2/3/Sega-of-America-Inc.html)
25. [Source](https://uknow.uky.edu/campus-news/cornerstone-commentary-feature-former-sega-america-ceo)
26. [EG Interview. Electronic Games](https://retrocdn.net/images/6/67/ElectronicGames2_US_04.pdf)
27. [Source](https://segaretro.org/Tom_Kalinske)
28. Virtual International Authority File
29. IMDb
30. [LittleSis](https://littlesis.org/org/202200-Sega_of_America)
31. [Source](https://sega.fandom.com/wiki/User:SEGA_of_America,_Inc.)
32. [Source](https://community.wikia.com/index.php?title=Special%3ALog&type=rights&page=User:SEGA_of_America,_Inc.)
33. [Source](http://search.sunbiz.org/Inquiry/CorporationSearch/ConvertTiffToPDF?storagePath=COR%5C0308%5C0530%5CCH000198.tif&documentNumber=F95000000418)
34. [Source](https://businesssearch.sos.ca.gov/Document/RetrievePDF?Id=01299989-3656576)
35. [History of Sega. Sega Visions. 1993](https://retrocdn.net/images/6/60/SegaVisions_US_11.pdf)
36. [Source](https://segaretro.org/Bernie_Stolar)
37. [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernardstolar/)
38. [Source](http://search.sunbiz.org/Inquiry/CorporationSearch/SearchResultDetail?inquirytype=FeiNumber&directionType=Initial&searchNameOrder=770111662F950000004180&aggregateId=forp-f95000000418-acff344e-d4c2-4a58-96db-b11dfe26d863&searchTerm=770111662&listNameOrder=770111662F950000004180)
39. [Source](https://www.sega.com/Privacy)
40. [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/ads/library/?active_status=all&ad_type=all&country=US&view_all_page_id=28248536795&search_type=page&media_type=all)
41. [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/user/SegaAmerica/about)
42. [Source](https://www.bisnode.de/upik-profile/131631988/sega_of_america__inc_/)
43. AngelList
44. LinkedIn
45. [Source](https://sonic.fandom.com/wiki/Sega/Sega_of_America?oldid=2369336)
46. Justia
47. YouTube API
48. VideoGameGeek