Sega recently trademarked “Skies of Arcadia” and “Eternal Arcadia” in Japan, much to the delight of Dreamcast and GameCube fans worldwide. Both trademarks—one for the game’s Japanese title and one for its English title—were filed on the 16th of January prior to being publicly available on the 24th of January, Gematsu reports. While trademark filings are usually a routine measure to safeguard intellectual property, in Sega’s case, they appear to be part of a broader effort to revive several of its vintage franchises.
Skies of Arcadia, which originally debuted on Dreamcast in 2000, holds a unique place in the hearts of gamers. A favorite as one of the console’s best games, the game’s strong narrative and addictive turn-based RPG mechanics appealed to players with its story of sky pirates and vast, imaginative worlds. Its position was cemented further when an updated re-release—Skies of Arcadia Legends—came to GameCube in 2002 (2003 abroad). This release introduced new quests and discoveries, ensuring the game remained up to date years after it was originally released. Despite its cult classic status, Skies of Arcadia has not been ported to newer consoles, and fans have been eagerly anticipating a re-release on newer consoles like the Switch 2.
The trademark filings are well timed for Sega. The company is actively reviving several of its old franchises, with new installments in Crazy Taxi, Shinobi, Golden Axe, and Streets of Rage all rumored to be in development. The initiatives suggest that Sega is trying to bring its old games to a new generation of gamers, as well as appealing to the nostalgia of older players. The recent trademark applications for Skies of Arcadia may be seen as Sega laying claim to potential future work on that series.
One of the original developers of Skies of Arcadia, Kenji Hiruta, indicated in 2020 that any rerelease or sequel would be up to Sega. These new trademark filings have led some fans to speculate that this could be the spark that will finally set sail for a modern revival of Skies of Arcadia. Adding to the speculation, Sega’s filing of a trademark for Ecco The Dolphin several weeks ago led to rumors that Sega was in the process of reviving several classic franchises. These strategic moves have undoubtedly created hype and expectation among gamers.
Sega’s history is rife with classic games and innovative gameplay experiences, and Sega has never been one to forget the past. Over the years, bits and pieces of Skies of Arcadia have made their way into other Sega titles. Characters like Vyse, Aika, and Fina have made cameo appearances in other titles, such as the strategy RPG Valkyria Chronicles. In addition to that, Vyse was even a playable racer in Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, and elements of Skies of Arcadia have been brought into crossovers like the Archie comic Worlds Unite. Even the smallest nods to the game, such as in the Sega logo during the opening of the Sonic the Hedgehog movies, have been caught by dedicated fans. These references speak to the lasting impact that Skies of Arcadia has had on Sega’s reputation and fan base.
Though the trademark applications have caused a great deal of enthusiasm, it is prudent to balance these events with some level of caution. Trademark applications and renewals, while often a precursor to new projects, do not in themselves signal that a complete rerelease or sequel is forthcoming. They could be as straightforward as Sega guarding its intellectual property rights while it considers several options going forward. That Sega is actively reviving other retro franchises, however, lends credence to the hopes that Skies of Arcadia may someday be revived.
For most gamers, the prospect of being able to revisit the world of Skies of Arcadia on a modern-generation console is nothing short of exciting. The potential for experiencing the beloved sky pirate turn-based RPG with contemporary graphics, refined controls, and perhaps developed story elements is a dream that has endured for many years. Whether through a remaster, complete remake, or even a totally new game within the series, the potential return of Skies of Arcadia is one that is received with passion and anticipation by the fans.
So, as Sega pushes forward with its path through the revival of its classic franchises, the trademark filings for Skies of Arcadia and Eternal Arcadia are a thrilling hint at what’s in store. Do we see a re-release of Skies of Arcadia on the Switch 2 or another modern platform? Only time will tell. For now, fans can only speculate, theorize, and wait anxiously for any announcement from Sega regarding what’s in store for one of its most popular franchises. Let us know in the comments—do you think Skies of Arcadia will take to the skies again soon?
