Sega has backed the development of some of gaming’s most beloved franchises – Sonic the Hedgehog, Yakuza, Streets of Rage, and Bayonetta, to name a few. It seems as if a “tactical alliance” with Microsoft is in the works to create next-generation experiences using the Azure cloud platform. The partnership hasn’t been solidified yet, but a Sega-Microsoft joint effort could lead to the creation of “large-scale, global games.”
An article on the official Sega website provides more context for the entertainment company’s Microsoft-supported plans. Sega’s chief goal is to develop “Super Game(s),” with the specific focus being on keywords like “Global,” “Online,” “Community,” and “IP utilization.” We might be in for a new era of Sega-published/developed multiplayer games based on the recurring theme. Perhaps, even MMOs. But that’s all speculation.
Sega Corporation president and COO, Yukio Sugino, chimed in on his excitement for the partnership and the recent announcement as a whole:
“We are very pleased to announce today that we are considering a strategic alliance with Microsoft to help develop SEGA’s new 'Super Game' initiative as well as build a next-generation game development environment. By considering a strategic partnership with Microsoft, we seek to further advance our game development so that our titles can be enjoyed by fans all over the world; in this regard, we aim to build an alliance that utilizes both SEGA’s powerful game development capabilities and Microsoft’s cutting-edge technology and development environment.”
In a similar vein, Sarah Bond, the CVP of Microsoft, voiced the conglomerate’s respect for Sega’s historical pedigree and emphasized the utilization of cloud-based capabilities:
“SEGA has played such an iconic role in the gaming industry and has been a tremendous partner over the years. We look forward to working together as they explore new ways to create unique gaming experiences for the future using Microsoft cloud technologies. Together we will reimagine how games get built, hosted, and operated, with a goal of adding more value to players and SEGA alike.”
Exact details on what these two companies have in store remain to be seen.
In other Sega news, the final chapter in the Bayonetta franchise was revealed, and it looks bigger and better than ever, with intense Kaiju battles. Bayonetta 3 launches sometime in 2022 on Nintendo Switch.
What do you think these Super Games will look like? Let us know in the comments below!