Yukio Sugino, the current president of Sega, has expressed a keen interest in revitalizing some of the company’s beloved classic intellectual properties (IPs) through reboots and remakes. One notable IP that Sugino specifically mentioned is Sonic the Hedgehog, which holds an iconic status in the gaming world. The year 2023 appears to hold promising prospects for the Sonic franchise.
While other Sega IPs may not have received the same level of attention in recent years, there have been efforts to show them some love. For instance, the release of the Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown remake in 2021 and Samba de Amigo: Party Central are examples of Sega’s commitment to revisiting and reintroducing its IPs to a new generation of gamers.
The Samba de Amigo franchise, a niche rhythm series from Sega, has experienced a period of dormancy since its last release in 2007. However, there is exciting news for fans of the series as Samba de Amigo is set to make a comeback on the Nintendo Switch in 2023. This return of the beloved game has sparked discussions about the potential for more games in a similar vein. Sega’s president, Yukio Sugino, has expressed interest in exploring the possibilities of expanding the franchise further.
During an interview with Japanese magazine Famitsu, Sega’s president, Yukio Sugino, discussed the company’s approach to its IPs, including the iconic Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. When the interviewer referred to Samba de Amigo: Party Central as a reboot, Sugino clarified that he considers it a new game in the series rather than a reboot.
He went on to mention that Sega takes “reboots and remakes” into account when planning the future of its current IPs, with Sonic the Hedgehog being a prime example. Recognizing Sonic as one of the company’s signature IPs, Sega is not only focused on developing new games but also exploring the possibility of reboots and remakes for the franchise.
Sugino further elaborated on Sega’s plans for the upcoming Sonic Superstars co-op platformer, expressing his desire to incorporate “reboot-like measures” into the game. This suggests that Sega intends to infuse new elements into the Sonic franchise while still honoring its classic 2D gameplay. The president seemed excited about the return to the franchise’s roots and the addition of co-op multiplayer, emphasizing the company’s commitment to delivering an enjoyable and fresh experience for Sonic fans.
During the interview, Sugino highlighted the impressive performance of Sonic during Sega’s previous fiscal year. He specifically mentioned the achievements of Sonic in various areas. Firstly, he acknowledged the success of the second Sonic movie, both critically and commercially, indicating that it made a strong impact.
Additionally, he expressed satisfaction with the positive reception and sales performance of Sonic Frontiers, stating that the game surpassed his sales expectations. Sugino also expressed his delight in receiving positive feedback from gamers in the West, suggesting that Sonic the Hedgehog is moving in a promising direction.
