David Rosen obituary: co-founder of video games giant Sega

February 13, 2026 - 23:14

David Rosen, the determined entrepreneur who co-founded the video game giant Sega, has died at the age of 95. His journey from a modest startup to a global entertainment powerhouse is a landmark story in the industry's history.

Rosen's initial venture was far from gaming. After serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps, he founded a company in Japan that imported photo booths, a novelty at the time. This successful enterprise, Service Games, provided the capital and foundation for his next move. In 1965, he orchestrated a merger with a competitor, forming Sega Enterprises, a name derived from "Service Games."

Under Rosen's leadership, Sega transitioned from importing coin-operated amusement machines to developing its own. This pivotal shift set the stage for the company's entry into the home console market decades later. While Sega is celebrated for iconic characters like Sonic the Hedgehog, its arcade legacy, built on Rosen's early vision, produced timeless classics that defined a generation of gaming in public spaces.

Rosen stepped down from day-to-day operations in the early 1980s but remained a company advisor. His innovative spirit and business acumen transformed a simple import business into a foundational pillar of the global video game industry, leaving a legacy that continues to resonate with millions of players worldwide.