Podcast
Acquired
The book was highlighted for its deep dive into Sega's history and the strategic decisions of its American leadership, especially the four‑point plan devised by Tom Kalinsky to challenge Nintendo. Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal praised it as an engaging, detailed account of the console wars that offered a compelling hero’s‑journey narrative for the Genesis era. The hosts consistently recommended it as a prime example of how a challenger can take on an entrenched incumbent.
Episode: Short: The Death of Sega
It was discussed in the context of Sega's history, particularly the perspective of Sega of America's leadership regarding the decisions made by the Japanese parent company, Sega of Japan.
And if you read the book, Console Wars by Blake Harris He spends a lot of time with Tom Kalinsky, the CEO of Sega of America
Episode: Nintendo: The Console Wars
It was an engaging read that provided a detailed account of the console wars, particularly highlighting Tom Kalinsky's recruitment and his four-point plan to dethrone Nintendo. The book also mentioned that the Genesis era might have a more impressive narrative than Nintendo's.
And for as compelling as the nintendo story is it's compelling because they won long term for this brief moment of time The genesis era I think sega probably has an even more Impressive narrative and sort of hero's journey with tom kolinsky.
I think this is the best example We've ever seen on the show of how to compete against an entrenched incumbent
We're gonna get into what they do this four-point plan, but it is freaking brilliant
We are a tiger who will skit in you piece by piece Obviously, he doesn't say that publicly, but this isn't really good for nintendo's image
The fact that you can play something at home and take it outside This is the gamer's dream