SEGA’s Future – Back to Rock’n’Roll

TL;DR

The Guardian recently ran an interview with Sega America and Europe CEO Shuji Utsumi, providing insight into Sega’s future. I share some thoughts.

SEGA’s Attitude Adjustment

In case you missed it, The Guardian recently sat down for an interview with Shuji Utsumi, current CEO of Sega America and Europe. It is a recommended and wonderful read. While Utsumi-san has been in this role for about a year, he has a storied history both at Sega and beyond. Having spent time at Sony on the PlayStation team as well co-founding Q Entertainment with fellow Sega alum Tetsuya Mizuguchi, he is no stranger to both the culture and business of video games.

What I found interesting from the piece is Utsumi-san’s notion of both embracing history and of moving it forward. Sega’s IP, and what it means to be a Sega-like game, should be preserved and celebrated now and into the future. Yet at the same time, they need to build upon and advance this legacy in order to move the medium forward. “We want to come back with that rock’n’roll mindset; we are not just a nostalgic company”.

This mindset comes across loud and clear in last year’s ‘Power Surge‘ trailer, announcing upcoming games in the Jet Set Radio, Shinobi, Golden Axe, Streets of Rage and Crazy Taxi franchises.

Elsewhere in the Industry

Personally, I believe this to be the absolute best path a video game company with such a deep past could take. One that, in conjunction with speed and execution, should ultimately lead to the long-term success and sustainability these historic companies deserve.

Nintendo

It is no different from how Nintendo develops games for their IPs. This is easily evident through the virtual outings of their most recognizable, and valuable character, Mario. A Mario game recommendation could come from a myriad of genres. Turn-based tactical; kart racing; role playing; sports; 3D platforming; or classic 2D platforming. They truly run the gambit. Each celebrating what it means to be a ‘Mario’ game, without being beholden to what came before it.

Atari

There are also parallels to Atari’s path since current CEO Wade Rosen took the helm in 2021. Granted, their relative size and position place them firmly in different territory than a market leader such as Nintendo. But as evidenced through various interviews and game releases, the ideology remains the same. Remain true to your core while also presenting the new and novel. You can see it in their Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration, which transcends mere retro collection status to become a video game documentary. Or their Recharged games, which take game IPs from the arcade golden age and reimagines them with modern sensibilities. Even their embrace of classic Atari 2600 and Atari 7800 hardware has brought with it modern conveniences and new release games. A celebration of the past while moving it forward.

Sega’s Future Looks Bright

All this to say that I believe the future looks bright for Sega indeed. My opinion is based on Utsumi-san’s intentions to build upon and advance their legacy. I wanted to elaborate on my thoughts after seeing a YouTube video from one of my favorite channels on the topic. The creator seemed a bit put off by 2 specific quotes. “I’m not going for the Mini direction”, in reference to the decision not to release any additional mini consoles in the near future such as the Sega Genesis Mini. Followed by “We are not a retro company”.

The creator’s opinion was, no, Sega IS a retro company. Sega’s reluctance to release a mini console was interpreted as a putdown on the company’s legacy. This was not my takeaway. Rather, Sega cannot trade solely on their history as some kind of retro product in and of itself. Not if they want to grow now and into the future. They instead need to focus on building upon it, catering not only to Sega’s current gamers and their sensibilities but to new generations as well.

I love mini consoles. I have 2, a Genesis Mini and SNES Classic, prominently displayed and ready to play at all times. While it would be great to have Saturn and Dreamcast mini consoles, resource constraints are always a factor. And in fact, mini-Sega products are being released. Devices just announced at CES2025 feature Sonic, OutRun, Shinobi, Golden Ace and Streets of Rage.

However, production is in partnership with MyArcade, benefiting Sega greatly. They can devote themselves to their core skillsets of producing innovative games with a Japanese and ‘Sega-like’ flare, while partners produce those products with a more pure-nostalgia angle to them.

With the upcoming games detailed in ‘Power Surge’ and the MyArcade partnership, I find it difficult to argue that Sega is not respecting their legacy.

Perhaps this is what Utsumi-san is driving at. Sega is not turning their back to history. But they need to focus on doing what they do best, while others release items keeping with a stricter interpretation of the past.

And who know, maybe MyArcade will help Sega release that Saturn mini someday.