In a significant shift for the Japanese gaming giant SEGA, the company has announced a restructuring of its internal development studios, streamlining its operations into two newly designated divisions: Unit 1 and Unit 2.
This move is designed to better align SEGA’s creative teams with either single-player or multiplayer game focuses, strengthening both organizational clarity and game production pipelines. Unit 1 will now serve as the home for SEGA’s established teams dedicated to single-player experiences.
Notably, Sonic Team—best known for developing the enduring Sonic the Hedgehog franchise—will formally be housed within this division.
This reorganization also groups P-Studio (renowned for the Persona series), RGG Studio (creators of the Yakuza and Monkey Ball franchises), Studio Zero (currently developing Metaphor), and Studio Maniax (with a portfolio including Shin Megami Tensei and Etrian Odyssey) under Unit 1.
This division is now led by Osamu Ohashi, formerly the Head of SEGA’s 2nd Development Division, who was recently promoted to CEO of Atlus, a position that signifies both his leadership acumen and SEGA’s intention to leverage cross-company expertise. Meanwhile, Unit 2 will concentrate on multiplayer and online gaming experiences.
Teams within this division include the Online R&D Department in charge of Phantasy Star Online 2 (PSO2), the Mobile Game Division known for titles such as Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage!, and SEGA Sapporo Studio, credited with contributing to franchises like Crazy Taxi. In a translated statement, SEGA representatives explained that these changes are aimed at improving synergy between teams with similar development focuses, enabling more innovation and resource sharing as the publisher continues to expand its presence across global markets including the Nintendo Switch and other leading platforms. Sonic Team’s shift into Unit 1 comes amid continued success for the Sonic brand, which recently celebrated a resurgence in popularity thanks to mainline releases on the Nintendo Switch and other hardware.
SEGA has reported robust sales milestones for Sonic-related titles, demonstrating the franchise’s strong market appeal more than three decades after its debut. Under the guidance of Osamu Ohashi, known for his strategic leadership at Atlus with critical and commercial successes like Persona 5, Unit 1 is positioned to further strengthen SEGA’s single-player IPs.
With a portfolio that spans classic series and new creative directions, SEGA’s restructuring signals a commitment to focused development, promising fans more refined gaming experiences in the near future. As SEGA continues to evolve its corporate structure, both longtime enthusiasts and industry analysts will be watching closely for new project announcements and updates across the Nintendo Switch eShop and other digital storefronts, ensuring that SEGA’s beloved franchises remain at the forefront of the gaming industry.
This move is designed to better align SEGA’s creative teams with either single-player or multiplayer game focuses, strengthening both organizational clarity and game production pipelines. Unit 1 will now serve as the home for SEGA’s established teams dedicated to single-player experiences.
Notably, Sonic Team—best known for developing the enduring Sonic the Hedgehog franchise—will formally be housed within this division.
This reorganization also groups P-Studio (renowned for the Persona series), RGG Studio (creators of the Yakuza and Monkey Ball franchises), Studio Zero (currently developing Metaphor), and Studio Maniax (with a portfolio including Shin Megami Tensei and Etrian Odyssey) under Unit 1.
This division is now led by Osamu Ohashi, formerly the Head of SEGA’s 2nd Development Division, who was recently promoted to CEO of Atlus, a position that signifies both his leadership acumen and SEGA’s intention to leverage cross-company expertise. Meanwhile, Unit 2 will concentrate on multiplayer and online gaming experiences.
Teams within this division include the Online R&D Department in charge of Phantasy Star Online 2 (PSO2), the Mobile Game Division known for titles such as Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage!, and SEGA Sapporo Studio, credited with contributing to franchises like Crazy Taxi. In a translated statement, SEGA representatives explained that these changes are aimed at improving synergy between teams with similar development focuses, enabling more innovation and resource sharing as the publisher continues to expand its presence across global markets including the Nintendo Switch and other leading platforms. Sonic Team’s shift into Unit 1 comes amid continued success for the Sonic brand, which recently celebrated a resurgence in popularity thanks to mainline releases on the Nintendo Switch and other hardware.
SEGA has reported robust sales milestones for Sonic-related titles, demonstrating the franchise’s strong market appeal more than three decades after its debut. Under the guidance of Osamu Ohashi, known for his strategic leadership at Atlus with critical and commercial successes like Persona 5, Unit 1 is positioned to further strengthen SEGA’s single-player IPs.
With a portfolio that spans classic series and new creative directions, SEGA’s restructuring signals a commitment to focused development, promising fans more refined gaming experiences in the near future. As SEGA continues to evolve its corporate structure, both longtime enthusiasts and industry analysts will be watching closely for new project announcements and updates across the Nintendo Switch eShop and other digital storefronts, ensuring that SEGA’s beloved franchises remain at the forefront of the gaming industry.
