In another sign of expanding cooperation between the two companies, Sega and Sammy have recently begun to share their Japanese e-commerce resources. Starting late last week, the Sega Direct online shopping site began carrying Sammy-related goods, and Sammy opened its own Sammy Direct site as well.

The Sega Direct online store has been open for business since the earliest days of the Dreamcast, when it bore the name Dreamcast Direct. Even after Sega left the hardware business, Sega continued to sell games and related goods through the site -- both its own, and games from other publishers as well.

Sammy Direct looks to be a spinoff of Sega's site, carrying only Sammy-related goods as yet. It's worth browsing, though, especially for the selection of violently picturesque T-shirts and other whatnot based on Sammy's hit new Hokuto no Ken pachinko machines.

Sega and Sammy's recently-announced plan to integrate their operations under the auspices of a single holding company won't be fully completed until October 1, and the reorganization of the two companies' businesses will continue for some time afterward. However, signs of the gradual reorganization continue to show themselves -- Sega's individual studios are gradually reducing their public presence as they're reintegrated into Sega proper.