Sega is considering launching a Netflix-like game subscription service

Summary

Sega is considering a Netflix-like game subscription service for its titles.
Sega is also removing cross-platform games to consolidate them under one service.

Sega COO and recently appointed president Shuji Utsumi said the publisher is considering a Netflix-style game subscription service for its games. The gaming industry is moving to a streaming service and it seems like Sega is thinking the same. Many game companies have also moved to providing games through a subscription service, as seen with Microsoft and Sony's own services.

Microsoft has Xbox Game Pass, while Sony offers PlayStation Plus. Subscribers must pay a monthly or annual fee to access a range of titles, rather than just owning them outright. Other companies such as Nintendo, EA and Ubisoft have also offered their own subscription plans, with Nintendo Switch Online in particular giving fans access to several classic games from Nintendo's library, including the higher-end Sega Genesis platform. Based on recent comments from Sega's president, the publisher is strongly considering opening its own subscription service.

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In a statement provided to BBC.com, Shuji Utsumi said that subscription productions like Netflix were interesting and that Sega was evaluating some of the opportunities it would provide. It's still very early days for this move to a Sega-based game streaming service, so it's likely the idea is only in the planning stages. “We're thinking something – and discussing something – we can't reveal it now,” Utsumi said.

Possibly Sega's subscription service and recent delisting

Sega recently removed several classic games on various platforms, including PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. Some of these removed games include A Sega Genesis classic collection, Sonic the Fighters, Virtua Fighter 2and many others. It's possible that Sega will remove all of these games across different services in order to consolidate their library under a single service. So it's not unlikely that Sega wants to put its games under one service and make a more direct profit from it.

While this could be a beneficial service for those who are big Sega fans, there are already many different subscription services available that gamers will need to pay for to keep up with the library. Various insiders who spoke to BBC.com expressed similar concerns, saying that Sega considering its own competing subscription service would lead to its games being removed from other services.

Shuji Utsumi also spoke to BBC.com about his own confidence in the revival Sega not only with Sound franchise, but several other older IPs as seen with upcoming reboots of properties such as Crazy taxi and Jet Set Radio. The publisher seems to be moving to a more modern global strategy, such as opening its own game subscription service.

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