Sega considering Netflix-like subscription service for their games

Roughly a month since delisting lots of classic games, we’ve learned Sega is considering their own Netflix-like game subscription service.

While nothing is officially announced, Sega is apparently seriously considering their own games subscription service, though it may be a ways off.

“We’re thinking something – and discussing something – we cannot disclose right now,” Sega president Shuji Utsumi said to the BBC.

The Sega boss wouldn’t say much more but did tease that subscription products are “very interesting”, and his company is “evaluating some opportunities.”

As mentioned, the new tease comes weeks after Sega delisted dozens of their classic games from various digital storefronts, with games from the Mega Drive / Genesis through the beloved Sega Dreamcast.

Sega previously delisted all the original and classic Sonic the Hedgehog games ahead of their big Sonic Origins collection. Since then the only way to obtain the games digitally has been through that new set, which brought with it criticisms of its emulation and more.

The Sonic company has toyed with re-releasing their classic games for years in the form of various Genesis Collection or Sonic Collection releases, though they did release a free “Sega Forever” collection of classic games years ago.

Lots of major gaming companies all offer their own subscriptions now ranging from Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, and even third party publishers like Electronic Arts and Ubisoft.

Sega titles have been on rival subscription services, so it could make sense for the company to offer their own alternative service for the fans that only want Sega titles. This would also presumably mean a Sega subscription would cost less than the pricier options from Sony and Microsoft.

Sega is largely considered the first gaming company to offer a subscription service for games in the form of Sega Channel, which they launched back in 1994. For younglings out there, this was a revolutionary service that let gamers play Sega Genesis / Mega Drive games online, play game demos, and even get cheat codes.