Sega President Shuji Utsumi Eyes Global Expansion Amid Console Market Challenges

Sega President and COO Shuji Utsumi Sets Sights on Global Growth in Gaming's Shifting Landscape Sega has been enjoying a renaissance in recent years, propelled by the resurgence of its iconic franchises and a revitalized approach to international markets.

At the heart of this momentum is company president and chief operating officer Shuji Utsumi, whose vision for Sega’s future is to elevate its current revival into the crowning achievement of his career. Utsumi, a veteran credited with crafting the business plan for Sony’s original PlayStation and leading first-party development for the Sega Dreamcast, emphasized in a recent interview with The Game Business that his previous successes now take a back seat to his forward-looking ambitions.

When he rejoined Sega, he quickly noticed Japanese studios were insular, focusing on domestic audiences while overlooking international fans.

Today, Utsumi underlines a significant shift in mindset: Sega now views “all the gamers in the world” as its audience, marking a strategic pivot toward global engagement. Despite this optimism, Utsumi remains candid about the mounting challenges facing the console games market.

Reflecting on his personal history in the console space, Utsumi shared that his experience as a PlayStation launch team member fostered a deep affinity for the console business.

He expressed admiration for Nintendo’s contribution, stating that “Nintendo has played an extraordinary role,” and admitted that even insiders were surprised by the huge global success of the original Nintendo Switch.

Still, he pointed out that the industry is undergoing an undeniable shift: “The major trend is toward PC, which has massive worldwide reach, and mobile, whose graphical capabilities keep improving.” Utsumi also acknowledged that players enjoy diverse styles of play—whether it’s relaxing with a console in the living room, catching a quick game on mobile, or tackling more immersive experiences on PC. Addressing concerns about the increasingly competitive gaming market, Utsumi adopted a practical yet hopeful approach.

Drawing on his background in the music and movie industries, he noted that, unlike those sectors, “the video game industry’s base is still expanding.” While he conceded that the environment is getting tougher for consoles specifically, Utsumi remains optimistic, emphasizing that gaming overall continues to reach more people globally. Sega’s recent track record supports his optimism.

The company launched three titles on day one with the Switch 2, with additional projects underway.

Meanwhile, the Sonic the Hedgehog movie franchise continues to achieve notable box office success, expanding Sega’s cultural footprint.

For fans of classic Sega hits, the return of beloved franchises such as Crazy Taxi and Golden Axe is on the horizon, affirming Sega’s renewed commitment to both its legacy and its future. As Sega advances its global strategy and leverages opportunities across Nintendo Switch, PC, and mobile platforms, Utsumi’s leadership positions the company to thrive in a rapidly evolving industry.

Whether this new era becomes Utsumi’s greatest achievement, Sega’s renewed global outlook is already making an impact.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo Sega Switch Shuji Utsumi console Sony PlayStation Switch 2 Crazy Taxi Golden Axe Sonic the Hedgehog The Game Business