Golden Axe - Official Thread

[Berto]

Golden Axe (2026) | Boss Battle against Dark Guld (S1, E5) | Paramount+







https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CS0FoOnajo

Meet them all on Paramount+!

Link : https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/golden-axe/

[Mystic Monkey]

Other than SEGA, may be there's a factor from the fanbase too I guess. They're joined by the new generations that can adapt change nicely and aren't bitter whenever SEGA or Atlus' announcing something new to the franchise.

Persona Dancing game? Persona fighting game? Persona musou game? Cool.
Total War leap from a realistic history setting to fantasy setting with a new Total War: Warhammer series? Awesome.
Managers can now set completely different shapes and player roles depending on whether the team has the ball or is defending on Football Manager? Nice.
Majima is a protagonist for the new Yakuza game? Great.

Meanwhile classic fans :
Sonic game has a new open zone formula? Wtf with these large areas and pop-in issues where platforms and rails suddenly appear in mid-air. This is not the sonic game I knew.
Golden Axe cartoonwith humour approach? Who asked for this!
Shinobi: AoV priced at $29.99 (with the Digital Deluxe Edition priced at $39.99)? It's just a 2D game, why it's so expensive, Sonic Mania was $19.99 back then.
SEGA uses generative AI in the development of Crazy Taxi: World Tour solely as an optional brainstorming and reference tool for background objects? SEGA uses AI, they're destroying the planet.

I see, so... Sega are pretty much screwed? Is it impossible?

And the way I see it, if Sega can't make their classic IPs appealing, then their hope of ever being on par with Nintendo is just a pipe-dream. Even if Nintendo don't release new instalments to their classic IPs often, their classics are still pillars to their identity. Donkey Kong, Kirby, Zelda, Pokémon, even StarFox!

Granted, games like Persona, Yakuza, Total War, and Football Manager could be regarded new pillars, but then there's no real point in Sega flaunting their classics any more like they're doing in Sonic Racing: Crossworlds if it's no longer part of their current identity.

[Berto]

I see, so... Sega are pretty much screwed? Is it impossible?

And the way I see it, if Sega can't make their classic IPs appealing, then their hope of ever being on par with Nintendo is just a pipe-dream. Even if Nintendo don't release new instalments to their classic IPs often, their classics are still pillars to their identity. Donkey Kong, Kirby, Zelda, Pokémon, even StarFox!

Granted, games like Persona, Yakuza, Total War, and Football Manager could be regarded new pillars, but then there's no real point in Sega flaunting their classics any more like they're doing in Sonic Racing: Crossworlds if it's no longer part of their current identity.

Well, not screwed, it's just they have different pillars right now (but worry not for Sonic fans, Sonic is still one of them since the franchise somehow could always attract new fans).
Also what's the point of pillars if they don't make any money or make very little money due to branding / licensing fee cost?
For example EA. FIFA series used to be one of their pillar but when FIFA demanded more than double its previous fee—asking for roughly $1 billion every four years (or around $300 million annually) to keep the FIFA branding, EA dropped them. EA felt this amount was too high given what the brand actually provided and choose to go their own way with EA Sports FC series and they were right.
Colorful Stage right now is one of SEGA pillars but if Crypton Future Media planned to be greedy like FIFA, SEGA probably would drop them like EA did with FIFA.

[Mystic Monkey]

Well, not screwed, it's just they have different pillars right now (but worry not for Sonic fans, Sonic is still one of them since the franchise somehow could always attract new fans).
Also what's the point of pillars if they don't make any money or make very little money due to branding / licensing fee cost?
For example EA. FIFA series used to be one of their pillar but when FIFA demanded more than double its previous fee—asking for roughly $1 billion every four years (or around $300 million annually) to keep the FIFA branding, EA dropped them. EA felt this amount was too high given what the brand actually provided and choose to go their own way with EA Sports FC series and they were right.
Colorful Stage right now is one of SEGA pillars but if Crypton Future Media planned to be greedy like FIFA, SEGA probably would drop them like EA did with FIFA.

The fact that Sega nearly put Sonic on the chopping block, well to me it wouldn't be Sega any more. With new pillars than any of the old ones that help up the roof to begin with. the Sega we grew up with.

[Berto]

The fact that Sega nearly put Sonic on the chopping block, well to me it wouldn't be Sega any more. With new pillars than any of the old ones that help up the roof to begin with. the Sega we grew up with.

It's because you always compare SEGA to Nintendo. Compare SEGA to EA, Capcom, Ubisoft, Taito, or Epic Games. Most game companies adapt to the change. There are hundred game companies out there that are not keeping their classic success. Even Epic Games didn't touch Jill of the Jungle again and we know how popular the trilogy back then in PC.

[Berto]

Legends Never Die ⚔️

Relive the legendary world of Golden Axe with a new collection inspired by the original SEGA game.
Choose your warrior.
Wear the legend.
Shop the collection.

Link: https://link.amazon/B07lTK4tn

[Mystic Monkey]

It's because you always compare SEGA to Nintendo. Compare SEGA to EA, Capcom, Ubisoft, Taito, or Epic Games. Most game companies adapt to the change. There are hundred game companies out there that are not keeping their classic success. Even Epic Games didn't touch Jill of the Jungle again and we know how popular the trilogy back then in PC.

But EVERYONE compares Sega to Nintendo. Whenever there is a new Sonic game, it is often regarded "the answer to Mario's -----". It can't really be blamed given the history they have with one another. EA, Capcom, Ubisoft, Taito, and Epic Games do have their own fan bases, with fans who do not compare or expect that highly of them. Even though Sega no longer makes consoles, and just software developers, such as EA, Capcom, Ubisoft, Taito, and Epic Games. Because there are a few fans who hope someday Sega will be the titan they once was despite how doubtful it is.

[Berto]

But EVERYONE compares Sega to Nintendo. Whenever there is a new Sonic game, it is often regarded "the answer to Mario's -----". It can't really be blamed given the history they have with one another. EA, Capcom, Ubisoft, Taito, and Epic Games do have their own fan bases, with fans who do not compare or expect that highly of them. Even though Sega no longer makes consoles, and just software developers, such as EA, Capcom, Ubisoft, Taito, and Epic Games. Because there are a few fans who hope someday Sega will be the titan they once was despite how doubtful it is.

By everyone you mean people who lived through the 16-bit and 32-bit wars?
Unlike Generation X, the new generations don't compare them anymore, my kids and their friends don't compare them, hell even my friends in SEGA community groups don't even compared them.
It's all in the past. SEGA is doing financially better right now than in the past.
SEGA reported full-year net sales (revenue) of ¥487.5 billion (approx. $3.19 billion USD) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026.
Sure the early 1990s (around 1991–1993), SEGA’s revenue soared past ¥347 billion (approx. $1.5+ billion USD annually) as the SEGA Genesis dominated the 16-bit console war and outsold Nintendo for several holiday seasons but after that they're going downhill, reported a net loss of ¥43.3 billion in 1998, and even to almost bankrupt in 2001.

[Berto]

Enter the Battle. Wear the Legend! ⚔️

Relive the legendary world of Golden Axe with a new collection inspired by the original SEGA game.
Choose your warrior.
Wear the legend.
Shop the collection.

Link: https://link.amazon/B07lTK4tn

[Mystic Monkey]

By everyone you mean people who lived through the 16-bit and 32-bit wars?
Unlike Generation X, the new generations don't compare them anymore, my kids and their friends don't compare them, hell even my friends in SEGA community groups don't even compared them.
It's all in the past. SEGA is doing financially better right now than in the past.
SEGA reported full-year net sales (revenue) of ¥487.5 billion (approx. $3.19 billion USD) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026.
Sure the early 1990s (around 1991–1993), SEGA’s revenue soared past ¥347 billion (approx. $1.5+ billion USD annually) as the SEGA Genesis dominated the 16-bit console war and outsold Nintendo for several holiday seasons but after that they're going downhill, reported a net loss of ¥43.3 billion in 1998, and even to almost bankrupt in 2001.

I thought they were met with bankruptcy until Sammy Holdings took hold of them. And while yes, a favourable strategic move to no longer make consoles, how come they're no longer at par with Nintendo, XBox or PlayStation?

[Berto]

I thought they were met with bankruptcy until Sammy Holdings took hold of them.

SEGA were never formally declared legally bankrupt, so saying SEGA were met with bankruptcy is not right. The thing that saved them from ever really bankrupt was SEGA's chairman Isao Okawa's personal will after he passed away in 2001. Before dying, his personal will forgave roughly $500 million in debt that Sega owed him and returned his personal stock (worth hundreds of millions) back to the company. This prevented formal bankruptcy and surprised everyone at SEGA since it's really like Deus ex Machina. Religious fans would say God came at the right time, a moment before the fall. That was in 2001.

Three years later in 2004, Sammy Corporation acquired a controlling stake in Sega, forming the parent company SEGA Sammy Holdings, which stabilized its long-term financial future. So Sammy didn't save them from bankruptcy (Isao Okawa did) but Sammy did help stabilizing SEGA's long-term financial future since SEGA was still struggling at that time.

And while yes, a favourable strategic move to no longer make consoles, how come they're no longer at par with Nintendo, XBox or PlayStation?

Because they're playing safe with risk management now.
Sony or Microsoft can always burn money since their parent company was very very very big.
SEGA and even Nintendo don't have that kind of luxury so every risks must be calculated precisely.

And this is the reported latest full-year net sales (revenue) of some game companies (CMIIW) :

Taito - approx. $0.45 billion USD
Capcom - approx. $1.24 billion USD
Ubisoft - approx. $1.61 billion USD
Square Enix - approx. $1.8 billion USD
Garena - approx. $2.4 billion USD

Nexon - approx. $3.10 billion USD
SEGA - approx. $3.19 billion USD
Konami - approx. $3.3 billion USD
Roblox Corporation - approx. $4.90 billion USD
Epic Games - approx. $5.7 billion USD

Take Two Interactive - approx. $6.66 billion USD
EA - approx. $7.53 billion USD
Bandai Namco - approx. $8.2 billion USD
Nintendo - approx. $14.6 billion USD
NetEase - approx. $16.1 billion USD

Sony - approx. $78.83 billion USD *
Apple Store - approx. $82 billion USD
Tencent - approx. $109.4 billion USD
Microsoft - approx. $331.80 billion USD *

* not just from video games & their franchises-related though.

so SEGA has a lot to catch up if they aim for Nintendo level. They even have to beat Konami, EA, Bandai Namco, and lot of other game companies first. Still long road to go.

[Mystic Monkey]

SEGA were never formally declared legally bankrupt, so saying SEGA were met with bankruptcy is not right. The thing that saved them from ever really bankrupt was SEGA's chairman Isao Okawa's personal will after he passed away in 2001. Before dying, his personal will forgave roughly $500 million in debt that Sega owed him and returned his personal stock (worth hundreds of millions) back to the company. This prevented formal bankruptcy and surprised everyone at SEGA since it's really like Deus ex Machina. Religious fans would say God came at the right time, a moment before the fall. That was in 2001.

Three years later in 2004, Sammy Corporation acquired a controlling stake in Sega, forming the parent company SEGA Sammy Holdings, which stabilized its long-term financial future. So Sammy didn't save them from bankruptcy (Isao Okawa did) but Sammy did help stabilizing SEGA's long-term financial future since SEGA was still struggling at that time.

When you said Sammy aquired the controlling stake in Sega, does that mean Sega did not "consent" to the merger/takeover of Sammy? Sammy just brought them out from under their feet?

Because they're playing safe with risk management now.
Sony or Microsoft can always burn money since their parent company was very very very big.
SEGA and even Nintendo don't have that kind of luxury so every risks must be calculated precisely.

And this is the reported latest full-year net sales (revenue) of some game companies (CMIIW) :

Taito - approx. $0.45 billion USD
Capcom - approx. $1.24 billion USD
Ubisoft - approx. $1.61 billion USD
Square Enix - approx. $1.8 billion USD
Garena - approx. $2.4 billion USD

Nexon - approx. $3.10 billion USD
SEGA - approx. $3.19 billion USD
Konami - approx. $3.3 billion USD
Roblox Corporation - approx. $4.90 billion USD
Epic Games - approx. $5.7 billion USD

Take Two Interactive - approx. $6.66 billion USD
EA - approx. $7.53 billion USD
Bandai Namco - approx. $8.2 billion USD
Nintendo - approx. $14.6 billion USD
NetEase - approx. $16.1 billion USD

Sony - approx. $78.83 billion USD *
Apple Store - approx. $82 billion USD
Tencent - approx. $109.4 billion USD
Microsoft - approx. $331.80 billion USD *

* not just from video games & their franchises-related though.

so SEGA has a lot to catch up if they aim for Nintendo level. They even have to beat Konami, EA, Bandai Namco, and lot of other game companies first. Still long road to go.

I'm surprised they are well ahead of Capcom, Ubisoft and SquareEnix. Though, I am unfamiliar with Garena and Nexon.

[Berto]

When you said Sammy aquired the controlling stake in Sega, does that mean Sega did not "consent" to the merger/takeover of Sammy? Sammy just brought them out from under their feet?

Of course they did "consent" to the merger/takeover of Sammy, many of SEGA higher-ups became higher-ups in the merged SEGA-Sammy holding afterall.
SEGA might be out of the bankruptcy already, but they're still having financial problem.
Sammy was saving them. People at SEGA at that time felt relieved since they could focus at work without worry about lay off.

I'm surprised they are well ahead of Capcom, Ubisoft and SquareEnix. Though, I am unfamiliar with Garena and Nexon.

Garena is famous for their battle royal games (Arena of Valor, Free Fire/Free Fire Max (a popular 50-player mobile battle royale survival game featuring 10-minute matches), and Call of Duty: Mobile (colab with Activision)) while Nexon is famous for their graphic MMORPGs (MapleStory, Blue Archive, and The First Descendant). I don't play their games too but they are very popular here in Asia.

[Berto]

The overlap is uncanny!

Set your phasers to stun and steady your swords!
Stream Golden Axe and Star Trek: Lower Decks on Paramount+

Links :
https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/golden-axe/
https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/star-trek-lower-decks/

[Mystic Monkey]

Of course they did "consent" to the merger/takeover of Sammy, many of SEGA higher-ups became higher-ups in the merged SEGA-Sammy holding afterall.
SEGA might be out of the bankruptcy already, but they're still having financial problem.
Sammy was saving them. People at SEGA at that time felt relieved since they could focus at work without worry about lay off.

Yeah but with games like Iron-Man, Golden Axe: Beast Riders and Sonic '06 being the first Sega games after the merger, it shows a dip in quality of games afterwards for that era.

Garena is famous for their battle royal games (Arena of Valor, Free Fire/Free Fire Max (a popular 50-player mobile battle royale survival game featuring 10-minute matches), and Call of Duty: Mobile (colab with Activision)) while Nexon is famous for their graphic MMORPGs (MapleStory, Blue Archive, and The First Descendant). I don't play their games too but they are very popular here in Asia.

Maplestory is the only game familiar to me. I never played it, I just heard of it.