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The first president of Sony Computer Entertainment America.
Stolar was instrumental in signing the likes of Crash Bandicoot, Ridge Racer and Spyro the Dragon to the platform, however, controversially, he reportedly enforced a “no RPG” policy during his time at SCEA due to the genre mostly being in 2D at the time, and thus not showing off the power of the PlayStation.
Following the successful first year of the PlayStation, Stolar moved to Sega of America where he oversaw the launch of Sega Saturn. Stolar subsequently became Sega of America COO in March 1997 and president the following year.
Stolar’s most famous moment came when he announced that the Sega Dreamcast would be priced at $199 USD to a standing ovation during a speech in 1999. However, it later came to light that this infuriated Sega of Japan, who was insistent that the console be priced at $249 USD in order to maximise profits.
Prior to the console’s launch in North America, Stolar was let go from Sega and received a $5Million dollar severance package.
“I took the Sega position based on conversations with Hayao Nakayama, who was then chairman of the company,” Stolar said in a 2015 interview.
“We’d institute and bring in a new hardware system that would do online multiplayer games. That became Dreamcast. I headed that up.
“Unfortunately, Nakayama got pushed out of the company by Mr Okawa at the end of 1999, and when he got pushed out, I got into an argument with Japan as well. I was pushed out as well.”
The first president of Sony Computer Entertainment America.
Stolar was instrumental in signing the likes of Crash Bandicoot, Ridge Racer and Spyro the Dragon to the platform, however, controversially, he reportedly enforced a “no RPG” policy during his time at SCEA due to the genre mostly being in 2D at the time, and thus not showing off the power of the PlayStation.
Following the successful first year of the PlayStation, Stolar moved to Sega of America where he oversaw the launch of Sega Saturn. Stolar subsequently became Sega of America COO in March 1997 and president the following year.
Stolar’s most famous moment came when he announced that the Sega Dreamcast would be priced at $199 USD to a standing ovation during a speech in 1999. However, it later came to light that this infuriated Sega of Japan, who was insistent that the console be priced at $249 USD in order to maximise profits.
Prior to the console’s launch in North America, Stolar was let go from Sega and received a $5Million dollar severance package.
“I took the Sega position based on conversations with Hayao Nakayama, who was then chairman of the company,” Stolar said in a 2015 interview.
“We’d institute and bring in a new hardware system that would do online multiplayer games. That became Dreamcast. I headed that up.
“Unfortunately, Nakayama got pushed out of the company by Mr Okawa at the end of 1999, and when he got pushed out, I got into an argument with Japan as well. I was pushed out as well.”
