Sega Trademarks Ecco The Dolphin, Fueling Rumors Of The Series’ Comeback

Sega's December 2024 trademark filings for "Ecco" and "Ecco the Dolphin" have ignited speculation about a potential revival of the beloved franchise after a 24-year hiatus. This news, initially filed on December 27th, 2024, and recently publicized by Gematsu, has sent ripples of excitement through the gaming community.

The Return of Ecco?

Originally launched in 1992 by Appaloosa Interactive (formerly Novotrade International) and published by Sega, the Ecco the Dolphin series captivated players with its unique blend of underwater exploration and intergalactic adventure. The titular bottlenose dolphin, Ecco, bravely confronts extraterrestrial threats to safeguard the planet. The series spanned four installments before concluding in 2000. A planned sequel, Ecco II: Sentinels of the Universe, intended to follow Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future, was ultimately shelved following the decline and eventual discontinuation of the Sega Dreamcast.

While Sega remains a prominent game developer and publisher, Appaloosa Interactive ceased operations in the mid-2000s. However, many of its former employees, including Ecco the Dolphin's creator, Ed Annunziata, continue to contribute to the video game industry. Annunziata, who released Space War Arena in 2019, expressed his enduring hope for an Ecco sequel in a 2019 interview with NintendoLife, stating, "One thing I can say is in the future, people are playing this game. I never give up!"

Currently, concrete details regarding the future of Ecco the Dolphin remain scarce. However, the trademark filings suggest the possibility of a new entry joining Sega's impressive roster of projects. In recent years, Sega has announced a remarkable array of titles, encompassing revivals of classic franchises like Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio, Golden Axe, Shinobi, and Virtua Fighter, alongside the development of new IPs such as Project Century and a new "RPG-like" Virtua Fighter. The addition of Ecco the Dolphin to this list would undoubtedly be a welcome surprise for many long-time fans.