If you're looking for a laugh, you've come to the right place. It looks like the SuperSega affair is coming to an end. A quick reminder if you haven't been following the story of the so-called FPGA console that could read all the SEGA console cartridges.

Demonstration videos that failed to convince Internet users (with major doubts about the authenticity of the hardware tested), pre-orders debited for a total of €400 without prior notice, more than dubious overall communication, refusal to send prototypes to journalists on the pretext that there was too great a risk of theft of the project's intellectual property... And, most recently, a letter threatening legal action by SEGA for copyright infringement.

Things have accelerated in recent days: SuperSega project leader Alejandro Martin has put his Lamborghini (bought during the project) up for sale to cover damages, losses and legal costs. This was followed by a statement from the person concerned:

"To be clear, we didn't rip anyone off. Soon we'll be releasing a video to thank you for your unconditional support and to let you know what we're up to. Stay tuned between now and early January 2025. ‘

Alejandro Martin / Photo iainlee

Contacted by Time Extension, Alejandro Martin confirms that this is essentially a problem with the name of the console, and not with the device itself. The company had even proposed the name Super SPGA, which was also rejected by SEGA:

"Why can't we call it SuperSPGA according to SEGA? Why can't we mention the word SEGA on our website, even when showing the TM (trademark)?

SEGA is not friendly to us. We have processed all refunds. We have to wait and see what happens. Nothing more to say at this stage, we'll see what happens in 2025.

So it would seem that the project is on the rocks, but that was without counting on another last-minute turn of events! Alejandro Martin has sent Time Extension a ‘copy and paste’ of an email he received from SEGA (with no official attachment, of course).

We'll leave it to you to read it:

‘Greetings to anyone who may be affected by the SuperSega-SuperSPGA group.

We apologise for interfering with your game console project without providing any evidence of your wrongdoing in relation to these ongoing matters.

We actually approve of your plans and appreciate your contributions to gaming communities/industries worldwide.

Please understand that some of the employees/associates of our legal team behind the false takedown requests have intentionally made false reports in order to commit crimes on behalf of your group members for no reason whatsoever.

We invite you to continue your projects by keeping all the units you have manufactured. Do not hesitate to contact Sega's offices if you need help with the development of your SuperSega-SuperSPGA console.

Please feel free to report certain employees/associates of our legal team who are behind these illegal attacks for misconduct, harassment, etc.

Yours sincerely

Sega Europe Legal Department

The Time Extension team will of course be contacting SEGA to verify the authenticity of this e-mail, which seems somewhat... unexpected...