Sega Trademarks Ecco Revival Hint

Late last December, Sega quietly filed trademarks for its forgotten franchise, Ecco the Dolphin. What could this legal move signal for the cult classic series?

Sega Revives Ecco IP With Trademark

Ecco The Dolphin May Return

According to Gematsu's findings, Sega registered trademarks for both "Ecco" and "Ecco the Dolphin" in late December, reigniting hopes for the series' comeback after 24 years of dormancy. The filings became public today despite being submitted on December 27th, 2024.

Originally developed by Hungarian studio Appaloosa Interactive (formerly Novotrade International) and released by Sega in 1992, Ecco the Dolphin follows the oceanic adventures of its bottlenose dolphin protagonist defending Earth against alien invaders. The franchise saw four entries through 2000, including the Dreamcast's Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future. A planned sequel, Ecco II: Sentinels of the Universe, was cancelled amid the Dreamcast's discontinuation.

While Sega remains a gaming powerhouse today, Appaloosa Interactive ceased operations in the mid-2000s. Series creator Ed Annunziata continues working in gaming, having released Space War Arena in 2019. In a 2019 NintendoLife interview, Annunziata maintained hope for Ecco's return: "One thing I can say is in the future, people are playing this game. I never give up!"

No official announcements have been made regarding Ecco's future, but the trademark filings suggest Sega may be considering reviving another classic IP. The company has recently announced multiple projects reviving beloved franchises like Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio, and Golden Axe, alongside new ventures including Project Century and a "RPG-like" Virtua Fighter reboot.