Sega launches ‘Sega Universe’ to revive retro franchises across broader entertainment mediums

Sega is turning back the clock by focusing on its lineup of classic titles with the launch of “Sega Universe.” This new initiative aims to revive older IPs beyond video games. The company announced this new project with the slogan “No old, stay gold” on April 24, 2026, alongside a dedicated website.

Addressing the launch of Sega Universe, the company explained its philosophy and said that it plans to “shine a light on classic titles that are still loved by fans, are distinct from current titles, and aim to transcend the world of games by delivering new ways to enjoy them.”

The Sega Universe website states:

Games and characters born in the past, transcending generations and borders, continue to live on in the same universe even today. Beyond games, they are expanding into film, music, fashion, and even further forms of entertainment.

While changing form, the experience is constantly updated. Everything created here remains in someone’s memory and is passed on to the next generation.

The first phase of the Sega Universe initiative will focus on anniversary projects for titles hitting major milestones in 2026. These projects aim to create “nostalgic yet new entertainment content” that respects the original titles while making quality-of-life updates for modern audiences.

What’s even more interesting is that the Sega Universe website features a “2026 Selected” section, which pays homage to nine video games celebrating anniversaries in 2026. These titles include:

• Fantasy Zone (40 Years)
• Out Run (40 Years)
• Streets of Rage (35 Years)
• Rent a Hero (35 Years)
• Guardian Heroes (30 Years)
• NiGHTS Into Dreams (30 Years)
• Dynamite Deka (30 Years)
• Sakura Wars (30 Years)
• SGGG, also known as Segagaga (25 Years)

This broad, somewhat vague transmedia outlook refers to Sega’s previously discussed strategy to expand its video game franchises into other media, as it has successfully done with Sonic through a trilogy of movies.

To support its transmedia efforts, the company brought in Disney veteran Justin Scarpone as global head of transmedia, aiming to replicate Sonic’s success with additional IPs such as Persona and Like a Dragon across film, TV, merchandise, and live shows.

For now, the Sega Universe initiative seems limited in focus, focusing on some of its oldest franchises. However, the company is also working on the sidelines on new entries for several classic franchises, such as Streets of Rage, Jet Set Radio, and Crazy Taxi, even as it continues to publish and monetize its titles on newer console platforms regularly.