Summary
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Sega is considering a game subscription service like Netflix for its titles.
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Sega is also removing games across multiple platforms, possibly to consolidate them under one service.
Saw Newly appointed COO and president Shuji Utsumi said the publisher is considering a Netflix-style gaming subscription service for its games. The gaming industry has moved to a more streaming-like service, and Sega seems to be considering the same thing. Many gaming companies have also moved to providing games via a subscription service, as seen with services from Microsoft and Sony.
Microsoft has Xbox Game Pass, while Sony offers PlayStation Plus. Subscribers must pay a monthly or annual fee to access a variety of titles instead of simply owning them. Other companies like 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 top-tier Sega Genesis platform. Based on recent comments from Sega's president, the publisher is seriously considering the possibility of opening its own subscription service.

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In a statement provided to BBC.com, Shuji Utsumi said that subscription productions like Netflix are interesting and that Sega is exploring some of the opportunities this would offer. This move to a Sega-based game streaming service is still very early, so it's likely that this idea is only in the planning stages. “We are thinking about something – and discussing something – that we cannot reveal at this time,” Utsumi said.
Possible Sega subscription service and recent cancellations
Sega recently delisted several classic games across various platforms, including PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. Some of these removed games include Sega Genesis Classics collection, Sonic the Fighters, Virtua Fighter 2and many others. It's possible that Sega is removing all of these games from various services so they can consolidate their library under one service. Therefore, it is implausible that Sega would want to put its games under one service and make a more direct profit from them.
While it may be a beneficial service for those who are big Sega fans, there are already many different subscription services available that gamers will have to pay for to keep up with the library. Various industry insiders who spoke to BBC.com expressed similar concerns, saying that Sega considering its own rival subscription service will lead to the removal of its games from other services.
Shuji Utsumi also spoke to BBC.com about his belief in the revival Saw with not only the Sonic franchise, but many other legacy IPs, as seen with upcoming reboots of properties like Crazy taxi AND Jet set radio. Therefore, it seems that the publisher is moving to a more modern overall strategy, such as opening its own game subscription service.

Saw
- Founding date
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June 3, 1960
- Site
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Shinagawa City, Tokyo, Japan
- CEO
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Hajime Satomi