Sega is making a major push to revive its iconic classic IPs, not just in games but also in movies. While updates on some of these projects have been scarce since their announcements, Sega has continued to unveil new ones, including a Virtua Fighter revival showcased at The Game Awards 2024.
Now, there are whispers of another retro revival in the works, following newly discovered trademarks filed by Sega for Ecco the Dolphin. Originally published by Sega and developed by the now-defunct Hungarian studio Appaloosa Interactive, Ecco the Dolphin was an action-adventure series that ran from 1992 to 2000. In the game, players took on the role of Ecco, a realistic-looking dolphin who ventured through the ocean on a mission that involved time travel and battling alien invaders.
Rather than relying on a cute, cartoony mascot, Ecco was depicted as a lifelike dolphin with distinctive stars on his head. The franchise initially found success with its 2D Mega Drive entry, which led to sequels and a 3D reboot for the Dreamcast in 2001. However, the series has been dormant for years, and there have been no significant updates since then.
In 2016, Ecco’s creator Ed Annunziata filed a lawsuit against Sega to reclaim control of the IP. The two parties eventually reached a settlement, though details remain unclear. Some speculated that the settlement could pave the way for a revival of the series. Annunziata even suggested in a 2019 interview that he wanted to create a new Ecco game, though his attempt at crowdfunding a spiritual successor, titled The Big Blue, failed. He remained determined, stating, "One thing I can say is in the future, people are playing this game. I never give up!"
On December 27, 2024, Sega filed trademarks for Ecco and Ecco the Dolphin in Japan, which only became public on January 13. This has sparked speculation that Annunziata and Sega may have come to an agreement for him to develop The Big Blue as an official Ecco title.
Given the timing, it’s possible that this will be revealed at the upcoming Xbox Developer Direct showcase, where Microsoft teased a surprise game. Insider Jez Corden recently claimed that the mystery game would be “a new entry in a legendary Japanese IP with decades of history” that would delight many fans. Ecco the Dolphin could fit this description, as it remains a cult classic with a lasting influence on other games, such as 2019’s Jupiter and Mars.
Of course, this description could apply to a number of other major Japanese franchises. Other theories include a remake of Final Fantasy 9, Persona 6, or perhaps a new Dino Crisis or Resident Evil 9 installment. There’s even been buzz around a new 3D Ninja Gaiden game, following the announcement of a 2D spin-off last year, with the 2004 reboot holding special significance for Xbox players at the time.
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