Sega is stepping back and focusing on its classic titles with the launch of “Sega Universe.” This new initiative aims to revive old intellectual properties through video games. The company announced this new project with the slogan “No old, stay gold” on April 24, 2026, along with a dedicated website.
During the launch of Sega Universe, the company explained its philosophy, stating that they intend to “highlight classic titles that are still beloved by fans, differentiate from current titles, and aim to transcend the world of gaming by offering new ways to enjoy them.”
The Sega Universe website elaborates that games and characters born in the past continue to live in the same universe even today, extending beyond games to cinema, music, fashion, and other forms of entertainment. The first phase of the Sega Universe initiative will focus on anniversary projects for titles reaching significant milestones in 2026. These projects aim to create “nostalgic and new entertainment content” that respects the original titles while providing quality updates for the modern audience.
The website also includes a “2026 Selected” section, honoring nine video games celebrating anniversaries in 2026. These titles include Fantasy Zone (40 years), Out Run (40 years), Streets of Rage (35 years), Rent a Hero (35 years), Guardian Heroes (30 years), NiGHTS Into Dreams (30 years), Dynamite Deka (30 years), Sakura Wars (30 years), and SGGG, also known as Segagaga (25 years).
This broad and somewhat vague transmedia perspective refers to Sega’s previously mentioned strategy of expanding its video game franchises to other media, as they successfully did with Sonic through a film trilogy. To support their transmedia efforts, Sega has hired Justin Scarpone, a Disney veteran, as the global transmedia head. The goal is to replicate Sonic’s success with other intellectual properties like Persona and Like a Dragon in cinema, television, merchandise, and shows.
Currently, the Sega Universe initiative seems limited, focusing on some of its oldest franchises. However, the company is also working on new entries for several classic franchises, such as Streets of Rage, Jet Set Radio, and Crazy Taxi, while regularly releasing and monetizing their titles on new console platforms.
