SEGA Looking Into Starting Own Netflix-Like Service

Summary

• SEGA considering a subscription service, hinting at streaming future.
• Launch success uncertain; SEGA may face competition, game availability issues.
• President plans global expansion, aims for a “rock and roll mentality” in game development.

While multiple subscription services are already available for video games, SEGA might be following suit at some point in the future.

This is based on what SEGA president Shuji Utsumi said in a recent interview, where the executive heavily hinted at how the company’s plans involve streaming.

SEGA Evaluating Streaming Service Opportunities

Speaking to the BBC, Utsumi mentioned subscription products were “very interesting,” and how the company was “evaluating some opportunities.” Not only that, but the company boss even said they were “thinking something” and “discussing something,” though they cannot disclose anything right now.

While this doesn’t guarantee we’ll see SEGA’s streaming service, it does confirm that the company is, at the very least, discussing its possibility.

Even if SEGA starts such a service, there’s no guarantee it’ll succeed. Several video game companies already offer such a service, such as Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass, Sony’s multi-tiered PlayStation Plus, and EA and Ubisoft offering similar services.

Even if starting a subscription-based service makes financial sense for SEGA, would gamers be willing to shell out for another gaming subscription service? Maybe for hardcore SEGA fans, it would, since there’s a huge fan base for the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise and fans of Atlus’ games as well.

Another thing to consider is, with some of SEGA’s games available on other subscription services, would the company launching their own mean the games would be pulled from those other services? There are a lot of questions about it if it were to be announced.

SEGA’s Current President Wants To Expand Its Success Outside Japan

In the same chat, Utsumi mentioned how he thinks SEGA has been focusing too much on success in Japan and how it needs to be more aggressive to re-establish itself globally.

“I want to make SEGA really shiny again,” says Utsumi, and adds, “SEGA has been somehow losing confidence.” The company boss thinks they have been too concerned about controlling costs, and now he wants to bring a “rock and roll mentality” to gaming. Part of his mindset now is to be more offensive rather than defensive when it comes to game development.

If that plan comes to fruition, SEGA fans are in for a treat. This year alone, the company has released RPG mega-hit Metaphor ReFantazio, a new Sonic game in Sonic X Shadow Generations, and also the action-RGP, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. All three major releases have been met with critical success, with Metaphor ReFantazio even considered not just for best RPG of the year by many publications, but even as a Game of the Year nominee.

Outside of games, SEGA is also thriving with the third Sonic the Hedgehog movie outpacing Disney’s Mufasa in the box office this week, with a fourth movie planned for release in 2027.

Based on Utsumi’s statements, SEGA’s massive resurgence is just starting.