Sega has launched Sega Universe, a brand new undertaking aimed toward bringing its older IP to different mediums.
Utilizing the tagline “no outdated, keep gold”, the corporate launched an announcement in Japan saying it plans to “shine mild on traditional titles which can be nonetheless beloved by followers, distinct from present titles, and goals to transcend the world of video games and ship new methods to get pleasure from them”.
In line with Sega, the primary part of Sega Universe will contain “anniversary tasks” targeted on IPs which can be celebrating main anniversaries in 2026, with the intention being to ship “nostalgic but new leisure content material”.
Whereas it hasn’t introduced any particular produced but, the Sega Universe web site has a piece known as ‘2026 Chosen’, which particularly notes that the next 9 titles are celebrating massive anniversaries this 12 months:
- Fantasy Zone (fortieth)
- Out Run (fortieth)
- Streets of Rage (thirty fifth)
- Lease a Hero (thirty fifth)
- Guardian Heroes (thirtieth)
- NiGHTS Into Goals (thirtieth)
- Dynamite Deka (thirtieth)
- Sakura Wars (thirtieth)
- SGGG (aka Segagaga) (twenty fifth)
It’s not but clear how Sega plans to mark every of those video games – or certainly whether or not it particularly plans to mark all 9 of them – however the English language model of the web site provides an concept of what kind of merchandise Sega is planning.
“Video games and characters born prior to now,” the positioning says. “Transcending generations and borders, they proceed to stay on in the identical universe – even immediately. Past video games, increasing into movie, music, vogue, and even additional types of leisure.
“Whereas altering kind, the expertise is continually up to date. Every thing created right here stays in somebody’s reminiscence and is handed on to the following era.”
Though Sega Universe seems to particularly be targeted on transmedia tasks somewhat than new video games based mostly on these IPs, Sega has already beforehand confirmed that a brand new Streets of Rage sport is in growth, together with new Jet Set Radio, Loopy Taxi and Golden Axe video games (it additionally introduced a brand new Shinobi, which is now out).
In 2024 Sega appointed Justin Scarpone as its new world head of transmedia, tasked with taking the success of the Sonic model outdoors of video video games and replicating it with Sega’s different franchises – resembling Persona and Like A Dragon – throughout movie, streaming, TV, stay exhibits, and merchandise.
In an interview with VGC, Scarpone – who beforehand labored at Disney – hinted at Sega’s plans to revitalise its older, dormant IP by way of its transmedia technique.
“I believe there’s a core set of IPs which can be at present the core pillars of our firm,” he defined. “Tou have Sonic and Buddies, you’ve got Persona, you’ve got Like a Dragon, and I’d additionally positively put Offended Birds in that bucket. Additionally, a number of the issues we do in Europe are fairly fascinating, like Soccer Supervisor, which could be very steady and has a really loyal viewers. Artistic Meeting has Complete Battle as properly.
“So we’ve these companies the place, over the following five-to-ten years, we’ve a persistent slate plan, advertising and marketing initiatives, product, hopefully extra transmedia.
“After which we’ve what we name the Sega Legacy IP, which is those you’re alluding to, that return to the times after we have been within the {hardware} enterprise: arcade machines, Genesis / Mega Drive, and all that. And that is arguably probably the most fascinating enterprise for transmedia. We simply introduced not too long ago our plans to make a Shinobi movie, and Everlasting Champions has come out pretty not too long ago, I imagine, as properly, as introduced. And there are extra that we’re engaged on.
“The fascinating factor about that’s you’ve got a era of parents who bear in mind these titles fondly from their childhood or younger maturity, who’re of their 40s or 50s. After which you’ve got a youthful era that, frankly, actually doesn’t have any connectivity to that IP.
“So, the problem is, if we attempt to reinvent these IPs, how will we join? Which platforms and the way will we evolve the lure for these IPs which can be lesser identified, frankly talking? And the way will we join with new generations?”
