SEGA appoints former Disney exec Justin Scarpone as new executive to lead global transmedia strategy

It looks like SEGA wants to increase their global presence, as they just recently announced former Walt Disney executive Justin Scarpone as the Executive Vice President, Head of Global Transmedia Group for SEGA effective April 1st, 2024. Justin is probably most well known for launching a little indie title known as Kingdom Hearts. Between the Sonic movies and the New Energy, New Era lineup of video game revivals, it looks like SEGA is serious about expanding their presence. Welcome to the team, Justin. Word of advice: don’t talk to Sonic fans on social media.

After the break, check out the full press release!

New Streets of Rage game title revealed in SEGA SAMMY report, developer potentially revealed

A recent report from SEGA parent company Sega Sammy Holdings Inc. has revealed a new look at the upcoming Streets of Rage game, including the games potential title! Streets of Rage Revolution promises a return to the side-scrolling beat ’em up action series in a whole new (well, new as of the mid 90s) dimension: 3D! While Streets of Rage 4 gave fans a throwback title with modern 2D animated graphics, the upcoming Streets of Rage Revolution will evoke later 3D beat ’em up titles like SpikeOut and Zombie Revenge. While the developer has not been announced, fans speculate Mighty Fight Federation developer Komi Games Inc. is behind the title based on shared visual styles and recent job postings.

While the fourth title was licensed out and published by Dotemu, Streets of Rage Revolution will likely be published by SEGA so as to bring their legacy franchises back under the SEGA umbrella. The game will still be developed externally, like Sonic Mania. It’s nice to see SEGA finally showing some pride for their past franchises outside of Sonic!

SEGA Filed Four Trademarks Of Classic Titles – Including Altered Beast, Kid Chameleon, and Eternal Champions

UPDATE: To follow up with this article, SEGA has filed eight more trademarks of their classic IPs which includes Alex Kidd, After Burner, Crazy Taxi, House of the Dead, Outrun, Shinobi, Streets of Rage, and Super Monkey Ball. We’ll keep you all updated when more news arrive!

Following up with the recent announcement during the Game Awards, SEGA has filed four trademarks of their classic IPs which includes Jet Set Radio (which was recently announced at the Game Awards), and three more titles such as Altered Beast, Kid Chameleon, and Eternal Champions.

With these trademarks being filed publicly, we might see more games in development from SEGA down the line or it could be something completely different from what we could expect. Until then, we will keep you all posted if there are any official announcements regarding these titles. Let us know what you all think of this news in the comments below!

SEGA pulling back on blockchain gaming saying play-to-earn games are boring

Cryptocurrency has taken a big hit in value, but when it was in its all time high, SEGA and other big publishers where quick to announce blockchain gaming projects across the board. SEGA was even one of the biggest supporters saying their next big ‘super game’ and successor to Phantasy Star Online 2 would feature NFTs. Now that the price and hype surrounding crypto has shifted into a bear market, it seems that SEGA is having second thoughts on the whole thing.

SEGA’s co-Chief Operating Officer Shuji Utsumi talked to Bloomberg News recently:

“The action in play-to-earn games is boring. What’s the point if games are no fun?”

As far as SEGA’s online multiplayer, high budget “Super Game” that is due to roll out in 2026, he had this to say:

“We’re looking into whether this technology is really going to take off in this industry, after all” 

New details on SEGA’s acquisition of Rovio, including plans for console and PC games

As we previously reported, SEGA’s parent company Sega Sammy Holdings Inc. (SSHD) entered into an agreement to acquire Rovio, and SEGA Europe has since made a voluntary recommended cash offer to the shareholders of Rovio to tender all their shares and the option holders of Rovio to tender all their options in Rovio to SEGA Sammy Holdings. Basically, SEGA will be acquiring Rovio.

Sonic and Puyo Puyo’s Special Menu Items at Osaka Mall

A Twitter post announced a collaboration with The Grand Game at Osaka’s Grand Front Complex in Japan with the Sonic the Hedgehog & Puyo Puyo franchises as part of their special menu for the location’s 10th anniversary event. From now until May 14th, attendees can visit the arcade and try out some themed foods like a Sonic latte & a Puyo pancake. Attendees can also take pictures at a photo op with cutouts of Sonic & Puyo characters and can play various games, such as a giant UFO crane machine & a Pac-Man themed golf course shaped from the level mazes.

First 4 Figures reveals Amy Rose statue

First 4 Figures has unveiled the Amy Rose resin statue on Twitter, which will be available for pre-order on November 8th to commemorate the release of Sonic Frontiers. The team used the Sonic Advance Yuji Uekawa design as a base for the statue, even coming equipped with her Piko-Piko Hammer. An exclusive and definitive edition will also come with an interchangeable hand that features a miniature Pink Amy Chao. More details will be revealed at later dates, and you can sign up for the email letter to get notifications or follow First4Figures on Twitter for when more info drops.

SEGA Talk #101: Ten Moments in Nintendo and SEGA History

On this special SEGA Talk episode we look back at not only SEGA & Nintendo shared moment, but also the origins of SEGA’s rival, they’re dip into arcades, the console wars, and even predict each company’s future.

Support us on Patreon! Get early access, tell us what games to cover, and have your SEGA memories read at the end and more!

[iTunes – Stitcher – YouTube – RSS – Download]

If you want to give us feedback, suggest a topic for the next podcast or want to ask a question for us to answer on the next episode you can add  them as a comment below or send theme directly to our email. Make sure you use subject line ‘SEGA Talk’ and as always, thanks for listening!

Seaman is back, introducing Seaman ASMR


Over in Japan, Mt. Rainier coffee will provide customers a QR codes on their coffee cans to listen to the beautiful soothing sounds of Seaman ASMR tracks. According to the company, the point of the promotion is to use soothing ocean tracks to help people who suffered stress during COVID-19 pandemic. Seaman will have four ASMR tracks and occasionally say various things.

While at first it sounds like the company just used tracks from Seaman, the ASMR is actually being done by award-winning aquascaper Takayuki Fukada. The QR code will also allow the user to access AR images of Japanese cities, which will have Seaman appear. As far as the tone of Seaman in this promotional advertisement will be, is unknown. I would hope that Seaman doesn’t insult the people, considering its meant to be for people under stress.

While on the surface a Seaman ASMR promotion seems a bit odd, considering how long the franchise has been dormant, Seaman was actually the highest selling Dreamcast game in the region. I’d assume Mt. Rainier would want to cash in on fans that grew up with the game. I’m personally looking forward to when the Seaman ASMR tracks get posted online for my listening pleasure.

[Via: Siliconera]

Yu Suzuki says there are ‘no concrete plans’ for Shenmue 4 yet

Shenmue creator and SEGA legend Yu Suzuki recently attended a event to celebrate Shenmue in Yokosuka, right during the finale of the Shenmue the Animation. At this event there where several gaming outlets including IGN Japan and Famitsu, where he discussed the anime and talked about the future of the series.

One of the interesting points he touched on was the fact that Shenmue 3 was created to please long time fans from the start since they’re the ones crowdfunding it. Yu Suzuki says he received positive feedback from those old time fans but felt that newcomers “felt like they had been left behind”. This made it a bad entry point for newcomers.

Ryo Vs Lan Di Stare Down! | Shenmue the Animation EP 12 Review/Discussion

We are almost coming to an end in our Shenmue The Animation After Show, on this episode our heroes journey into the Yellow Head Building, while the anime actually expands on both Joy and Wong’s character arcs and leaves us off with an epic stare down between Ryo and Lan Di!

If you enjoy our Shenmue The Animation After Show review segments and want to support us: Give us a sub and give this video a thumbs up so it shows up on more like-minded fans YouTube recommendations. You know, how that YouTube algorithm is.

Ryo Closes In On The Yellow Head Building! | Shenmue the Animation The After Show EP 11

We are approaching the last few episodes of Shenmue the Animation and on the 11th episode our boy Ryo finds out about Xiuying Hong’s brother, he enters a tournament and continues to get closer to The Yellow Head Building were a Lan Di is! We also look at changes from the game to the anime, including new storyline introduced for Joy!

If you enjoy our Shenmue The Animation After Show review segments and want to support us: Give us a sub and give this video a thumbs up so it shows up on more like-minded fans YouTube recommendations. You know, how that YouTube algorithm is

Four Wude Completed, Yuan Introduced | Shenmue the Anime EP 9 Review/Discussion

On this episode of Shenmue the Animation After Show we discuss Episode 9: Distinct. On this episode our young hero finishes his quest to discover the Four Wude, we are finally introduced to controversial Shenmue thug Yuan, and more!

If you enjoy our Shenmue The Animation After Show review segments and want to support us: Give us a sub and give this video a thumbs up so it shows up on more like-minded fans YouTube recommendations. You know, how that YouTube algorithm is

First4Figures reveals Sonic 30th Anniversary statue

First4Figures dropped a new teaser trailer for the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 30th anniversary resin statue. With more information releasing on April 5th, the trailer shows a quick glimpse of the statue: with Sonic doing the iconic run through the goal ring and a 30th anniversary pop-art logo (reminiscent of all the previous press pictures seen). Pre-orders will be avaiable after the stream, with a giveaway contest being promoted to win a figure. Be sure to tune into the F4F Youtube page on April 5 for more information!

SEGA showcases nine arcade games for Amusement Expo

SEGA Amusements has put together a short video showcasing what arcade games the company has for 2022. Some of the games we’ve seen talked about before like Mission Impossible Arcade DLX, but the video also showcases smaller titles like Capto Crane and Polar Slide.

The video features:

  • VR Agent
  • Mission Impossible Arcade DLX
  • Jet Blaster
  • Men in Black
  • Jumanji
  • Polar Slide
  • Power Roll
  • Capto Crane
  • Pushing Points

I know that lately people have assumed SEGA has pulled out of the arcade markets because they sold their arcade management business, but that isn’t true. SEGA is, as of right now, still creating arcade games but just doesn’t own most of its Japanese venues anymore.