Sega Revives Ecco IP With Trademark
Ecco The Dolphin Returns
In an exciting development for fans of classic video games, Sega has reignited interest in the beloved Ecco the Dolphin series by filing trademarks for "Ecco" and "Ecco the Dolphin" late last December. This move, made public today, suggests that the franchise, dormant for 24 years, might be poised for a comeback. The trademarks were officially filed on December 27th, 2024, sparking a wave of speculation and anticipation among gamers.
Originally launched in 1992, Ecco the Dolphin was developed by the Hungarian studio Appaloosa Interactive (formerly known as Novotrade International) and published by Sega. The game follows the adventures of Ecco, a bottlenose dolphin on a mission to thwart extraterrestrial threats and protect the planet. The series saw four sequels up until the year 2000, with the last being Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future. Plans for a follow-up, Ecco II: Sentinels of the Universe, were abandoned following the decline and eventual discontinuation of the Sega Dreamcast.
Today, Sega stands as a prominent game developer and publisher, while Appaloosa Interactive has ceased operations. However, the legacy of Ecco lives on through its creators, such as Ed Annunziata, who developed Space War Arena in 2019. In a 2019 interview with NintendoLife, Annunziata expressed his ongoing hope for an Ecco sequel, stating, "One thing I can say is in the future, people are playing this game. I never give up!"
While no further details have emerged regarding the future of Ecco the Dolphin, the gaming community remains eager for updates. Sega's recent activity suggests a renewed focus on reviving classic IPs, as evidenced by announcements over the past two years for projects like Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio, Golden Axe, Shinobi, and Virtua Fighter, alongside new ventures such as Project Century and an "RPG-like" Virtua Fighter. As we await more news, the potential revival of Ecco the Dolphin adds to the excitement surrounding Sega's portfolio of beloved franchises.
