Guest Columnsit Hugh Bowen - Hugh Bowen and Associates, Inc.

I worked for Al at the launch of the Sega Genesis 1989-90, back when Sega of America had only 50 employees and 5% U.S. market share. That first year was very hectic, but hugely exceed all expectations. Some said we were the fastest growing company in U.S. history, for the first year, about a year Al and I headed off to Tokyo, to Sega headquarters.

On the way we stopped in Honolulu, and that afternoon we went for a short drive. We were out in the country, and all of a sudden we could see some sort of interesting looking fences, and then large signs, saying "This is a live firing range." It didn't sound good. We skedaddled as quick as we could, wondering if we'd start hearing the shells going overhead. Fortunately we got out safely.

Then on to Tokyo, where we were treated like Kings, the full treatment ofthe great nightlife of Tokyo. The people at Sega of Japan had been pretty surprised by the tremendous success of the Genesis, as much as we. Al and I each came home with an equisite Geisha doll, and no bullet holes.