Spectrobes and Sega just don't mix
by John Bardinelli 
{ Mar 16th 2007 at 8:59AM }
Spectrobes, Disney Interactive Studios' answer to Pokemon, seems to harbor a secret grudge against software developer Sega. When naming your captured creatures the "naughty words list" prevents you from using the company's name. Other development studios are fair-game, so why pick on Sega?Relax. While the word "Sega" conjures images of blue hedgehogs in our minds, the word brings up a very different set of images for Italians. It appears Disney Interactive is taking their word censorship efforts above and beyond the English language. Siliconera tried entering a few French swear words and received the same response.
The moral of the story: if you want to name your Spectrobes with dirty words, consider using 1337 5p34k.
[Via DS Fanboy]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jack of No Trades @ Mar 16th 2007 9:06AM
"purple hedgehogs"
I thought Sonic was blue??
32_Footsteps @ Mar 16th 2007 9:09AM
John obviously has an older TV with a color adjustment knob. Oh, the wonders of NTSC televisions.
So, anyone with a knowledge of Italian care to share why "Sega" is so objectionable? And why the Sega Master System and the Genesis sold well there anyway?
Braindead @ Mar 16th 2007 9:18AM
"Sega" literally means "saw" in italian.
Now think about the act of an alternating thrusting movement...
so "sega" also means "wanking off".
ssuk @ Mar 16th 2007 9:24AM
Classic.
TMoney @ Mar 16th 2007 9:29AM
Sega had this problem before when they sposored italian soccer teams. No one wants to buy a jersey that says masterbate on it. Kinda sucks for Sega, but at least it doesnt mean anything bad in english, Im looking at you Wii
Sturat @ Mar 16th 2007 10:11AM
Uniracers censored swear words in names, saying they were "not cool enough." "Sega," "Sonic," and "Tails" were all grouped in with the swear words if I remember correctly.
Cabe @ Mar 16th 2007 3:43PM
I beleive this is related to a defunct deal Sega had with Disney back when the Dreamcast was out. When I worked at Epcot in Orlando, If I remember correctly, Disney terminated the deal for various reasons; one of which being the low sales Sega was getting near the end run. Personally; I remember the Sega of America rep screaming at a disney exec in the GM meeting rooms above 'Test Track.'
Kevin @ Mar 16th 2007 12:45PM
So that's why if you put your name on a DDR Supernova machine as Sega, it defaults it to Konami.
32_Footsteps @ Mar 16th 2007 11:51AM
You know, I really want to know about why Sega did sell so well in Italy. "Yeah, I'd like to buy a Masturbation Mega Drive." "Hey, want to play Masturbation? I've got Sonic for it now." "Did you hear about how Masturbation is going third party? There will be Masturbation games on all the consoles now."
... Seriously, how the hell did they manage to do any business in Italy?
chris @ Mar 16th 2007 12:39PM
Just throwing this out there..... maybe Italians enjoy masturbating?
jadenguy @ Mar 16th 2007 4:28PM
it was a gustsy move to market sega in italy. probably about as gusty as naming a system wii.
kftgr @ Mar 16th 2007 8:23PM
funny thing about the sega shirt comment. about 15 years back, one of my sister's friends wore a shirt with a stylized/logolized "jag" on it.
and then there's also the JAG tv series.
Heh, someone should start a line of clothing here called Onani and pass it off as a very expensive Japanese designer brand.
Alex @ Jun 12th 2007 2:25PM
"Sega" is an extremely common slang for "handjob" in Italy. Sega (videogames company) wasn't very concerned about that in Italy because they officially used a different, more english-sounding pronunciation (ie. it was pronounced "Seega", even in tv commercials). Anyway, you must give credit to Disney for creating a totally new kind of job : the swear words scout. Where can I apply?