SEGA President Shuji Utsumi on the Company’s Creative Resurgence and Reviving Classic Franchises

SEGA President Shuji Utsumi on Reviving Sonic, Yakuza, and Classic Franchises: SEGA’s Rock and Roll Resurgence Explored SEGA has experienced a notable revival in recent years, propelled by the critical and commercial successes of flagship titles and multimedia ventures featuring some of gaming’s most iconic characters.

As the publisher behind enduring brands like Sonic the Hedgehog and Yakuza, SEGA has found new relevance with both legacy fans and a modern gaming audience.

In a recent interview with Eurogamer, SEGA president Shuji Utsumi delved into the company's fresh momentum and the creative philosophy guiding its latest slate of announcements and releases. After the well-received launch of "Sonic x Shadow Generations" and the continued cinematic triumph of the Sonic the Hedgehog movie franchise, SEGA has doubled down on revitalizing its most beloved intellectual properties.

Utsumi emphasized the importance of these initiatives, noting that at the 2023 Game Awards, SEGA was intent on reigniting interest in classic IPs such as Sonic, Yakuza, and Persona.

"With our first round of announcements, I was focused on bringing new vitality to these franchises," Utsumi explained.

"They have significant potential to become even stronger and help establish an identity that is distinctly SEGA." SEGA’s renewed approach is apparent in the company’s plans for long-standing brands that have lain dormant.

Titles like Jet Set Radio and Crazy Taxi are poised for a fresh introduction to contemporary gamers, underscoring SEGA’s ambition to bridge its rich history with ongoing industry trends.

"SEGA owns many IPs that have aged remarkably well," said Utsumi, "and we believe they still have the power to resonate with the market today." Addressing the company’s place in the wider gaming landscape, Utsumi compared SEGA’s creative spirit to the pioneering sounds of rock and roll, as opposed to Nintendo’s wide-reaching, polished appeal.

"If you view the games industry as analogous to music," he stated, "SEGA’s innovation was like inventing rock and roll, while Nintendo’s contribution is comparable to pop music—an enduring, universally loved genre." Utsumi elaborated further, referencing influential bands, "SEGA’s style is reminiscent of acts like Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Abba, and Queen—innovative, distinctive, and never lacking attitude." This cultural positioning is more than metaphor; it informs SEGA’s ongoing efforts to modernize its franchises while maintaining their unique character.

“There’s a certain coolness, a particular edge, that SEGA games have always embodied,” Utsumi reflected.

"As we continue to revive classic content, we’re infusing it with fresh influences—incorporating a bit of hip-hop flavor to add to the company’s legacy of attitude and innovation." With a commitment to both reinvention and reverence for its classic catalog, SEGA is strategically positioning itself as a leader in creative risk-taking and brand revitalization.

As titles such as Sonic the Hedgehog, Jet Set Radio, and Yakuza return to prominence across modern platforms like the Nintendo Switch and global digital storefronts like the Nintendo eShop, the company demonstrates an enduring capacity to surprise and engage a worldwide audience.

SEGA’s ongoing resurgence highlights not just its storied past, but also its dynamic future in the gaming industry.

Nintendo SEGA Sonic Shuji Utsumi Sonic the Hedgehog Jet Set Radio Crazy Taxi Yakuza Persona Game Awards Eurogamer