Sega's Japan-made games give the company its strongest financials in years
Sega Sammy's newest financial report shows a decade-best performance across key categories.
The Japanese company saw strong growth for its Pachinko and Entertainment Contents (read: video games and films) business for 2023. In net sales, Sega Sammy saw ¥389.6 billion (or $2.58 billion) this year, up 21.4 percent from the previous year's ¥320.9 billion.
Similar rises were made in operating income (¥46.7 billion, up 46 percent) and ordinary income (¥49.4 billion, up 48.4 percent).
Sega attributed those increases to the Japanese side of its business, and in particular to the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. 2022's Sonic Frontiers was noted as "one of the best games" for the entire series, and last year's Sonic the Hedgehog 2 film "helped accelerate the [brand's] growth."
Similar praise was heaped onto Like a Dragon (née Yakuza). The open-world franchise has sold 21.3 million copies, and executive officer Masayoshi Yokoyama promised the series will grow "through our transmedia strategy."
Finally, Atlus' Persona series (which has sold 17.7 million units) was also highlighted for its "significant" growth throughout the year thanks to Persona 5 Royal's overseas performance. Persona 4 Golden was also highlighted, particularly for its performance with western and European audiences.
Inspired by the transmedia success of Sonic, Sega plans to make it a "key strategy" for expanding its other brands, with co-COO Shuji Utsumi naming Persona and Like a Dragon specifically.
"By launching the best games at just the right time in tandem with the development of video productions and merchandise," he said, "we can not only grow game sales but also maximize the value of our IP."
On the non-Japan side of things, Sega Sammy CEO Haruki Satomi
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