- Sega’s COO, Shuji Utsumi, plans to expand the company’s iconic intellectual property to other platforms, such as movies, mobile, and Roblox.
- After the success of Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Sega aims to capitalize on its popular IP by bringing more adaptations to the world.
Still from Paramount’s “Sonic the Hedgehog 2.”
Paramount
Sega’s COO, Shuji Utsumi, laid out their plans to replicate the success of Sonic the Hedgehog with other hit video games from their portfolio.
Utsumi spoke to CNBC, confirming the company’s intentions to bring more of their successful intellectual property to various platforms beyond just gaming.
“Sonic is reviving,” Utsumi told CNBC, referring to the success of the movie adaptations of Sonic the Hedgehog.
Sonic the Hedgehog grossed $306.8 million in the box office, becoming a blockbuster win for the franchise, even after initial backlash from fans.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 performed even better, banking $405.4 million at the box office.
Looking to expand beyond movies, Utsumi mentioned possible adaptations of popular Sega IPs into a mobile format and also on the Roblox gaming platform.
Furthermore, Sega recently acquired Rovio, the maker of Angry Birds, for 706 million euros ($767.9 million).
Utsumi highlighted Yakuza and Persona as potential IPs that could receive adaptations outside of the gaming realm.
Sega also disclosed plans to launch new Yakuza and Persona games in the upcoming years, continuing to expand the reach of its successful IPs.
The Yakuza series has sold 21.1 million units, while Persona 5 has reached over 9 million copies sold worldwide, demonstrating the strong potential for successful adaptations.
Sega’s COO, Utsumi, expressed interest in further expansions and acquisitions as the company aims for growth and success across different platforms and regions worldwide.
The company is optimistic about the future, expecting solid development studios and IPs to propel them forward.
Additionally, Utsumi addressed rumors of Microsoft’s potential interest in acquiring Sega, dismissing the possibility of any such transaction taking place due to the company’s strong ownership and attractive IPs.
