Sega is considering a game subscription service like Netflix

Sega is considering launching its own Netflix-like subscription service for video games, a move that would accelerate gaming’s transition toward streaming.

There are several similar services already on the market – such as Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus – which require gamers to pay a monthly fee for access to a range of titles, rather than owning them outright.

Sega president Shuji Utsumi told the BBC that such subscription products were “very interesting”, and that his company was “evaluating some opportunities”.

“We’re thinking about something – and discussing something – that we can’t disclose right now,” he said.

Some in the industry have expressed concern about the move, however, telling the BBC that it could lead to gamers “spending more money” on many subscription services.

It’s not just Sony and Microsoft that offer game subscriptions – there are now countless players in this space, with rivals like Nintendo, EA and Ubisoft all offering their own subscription plans.

Currently, various Sega games are available on several streaming services.

The amount charged by these services varies depending on the features and games available individually. For example, Xbox Game Pass costs £6.99 to £14.99 per month, while PlayStation Plus costs £6.99 to £13.49 per month.

Therefore it would be financially beneficial for Sega to have people playing its titles, rather than paying its competitors’ subscription fees.

It may also be attractive to those who want to play mostly Sega games – but it may cost too much for everyone else.

Rachel Howie finds herself playing the game on Twitch, where she is known to her fans as dontrackquit, and said she was “excited and anxious” about another subscription service.

“We already have so many subscriptions that we find it very difficult to justify signing up for a new one,” he told the BBC.

“I think SEGA will definitely have a core dedicated audience that will benefit from this, but will the average gamer choose this over something like Game Pass?”

And Sophie Smart, production director at UK developer No More Robots, agreed.

She said, “As someone whose first console was the Sega Mega Drive, I would love most to see Sega flourish and this feels like a step in a modern direction.”

But he wondered if Sega created a rival subscription service if it would lead to their games being removed from other services.

“If so, it could mean consumers are spending more money for multiple subscription services,” he said.

Shuji Utsumi spoke to the BBC ahead of the premiere of the film Sonic 3 on Saturday, a year after he oversaw the launch of Metaphor: Refantagio, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth and the latest Sonic the Hedgehog game.

Our conversation started in an unexpected way.

The first thing Mr. Utsumi said to me was that it seemed like the company that dominated gaming in the 1990s with the rivalry between Sonic the Hedgehog and Nintendo’s Super Mario might have lost its way.

He said, “I want to make Sega really shine again.”

He said that Sega was too focused on domestic success in Japan, and needed to re-establish itself on the global stage, which would mean expanding beyond its base.

He said, “Sega is somehow losing confidence.”

“But why? Sega has a great RPG group, Sega has amazing IPs, Sega is a really well-known brand.

“So I said, hey, now’s not the time to be defensive — but it’s time to be more aggressive.”

He said that when he took over the company was very concerned about controlling costs, and he wanted to “bring a rock and roll mentality” to gaming.

When I told him it sounded familiar – Sega’s marketing in the ’90s often tried to position Sonic the Hedgehog as a good alternative to Mario – he agreed.

He added that the company now had to “make a great game” in the series.

“The next one is going to be a very challenging, very exciting game that we’re working on,” he said.

But he wouldn’t reveal whether Sega is considering a follow-up to the much-loved Sonic Adventure series.

He said, “Sonic Adventure was kind of a game-changer for Sonic.”

“When we release it, it has to be good, it has to be impressive – we have to meet or exceed people’s expectations, so that takes some time.”

One part of the series that fans are eager to see back is the Chao Garden – a much-loved virtual pet synonymous with Sonic Adventure.

Mr Utsumi said, “We are talking about it” – but would not go into further detail, only that he “can’t say too much about it”.

Mr. Utsumi spoke glowingly about the firm’s successes this year, including winning multiple gaming awards with Metaphor: Refantazio, the new IP created by the team behind the Persona series.

But it hasn’t been all positive for the company, with job cuts in March and Football Manager 2025 being delayed to next year.

“It was a difficult decision,” he said of the cuts. In which 240 people lost their jobs,

“But when you reset the initiative, you have to make that tough decision.”

And he said Football Manager was delayed due to a “quality issue”.

“I mean, financially, maybe making the game available at an early stage might be a better option.

“But we decided to maintain that discipline to maintain the quality level.”

And he also touched on how Sega’s year has moved out of gaming, with multiple film and television adaptations culminating with the third Sonic the Hedgehog movie being released on Saturday.

“I just saw the movie – it’s a lot of fun. It would be great if this kind of excitement continues.”