Ecco the Dolphin Trademark Revived by Sega

Sega's recent trademark filings for the Ecco the Dolphin IP have ignited speculation about a potential franchise revival. This follows a 24-year hiatus.

The Return of Ecco?

Gematsu reported that Sega filed trademarks for "Ecco" and "Ecco the Dolphin" in late December 2024 (publicly revealed recently). This action has fueled excitement among fans.

Originally released in 1992 by Sega, with development by Appaloosa Interactive (formerly Novotrade International), the Ecco the Dolphin series featured the eponymous bottlenose dolphin battling extraterrestrial threats. Four installments were released before the series went quiet in 2000. A planned sequel, Ecco II: Sentinels of the Universe, was reportedly cancelled following the decline and eventual discontinuation of the Sega Dreamcast.

While Sega remains a prominent developer and publisher, Appaloosa Interactive ceased operations in the mid-2000s. However, many of its staff, including Ecco the Dolphin's creator Ed Annunziata, continue to work in the gaming industry. Annunziata, who released Space War Arena in 2019, expressed his continued 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 are scarce. However, the trademark filings suggest the IP could be joining Sega's extensive roster of projects. In the last two years, Sega has announced numerous titles, including revivals of classic franchises like Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio, Golden Axe, Shinobi, and Virtua Fighter, as well as new IPs such as Project Century and a new RPG-like Virtua Fighter experience. The future remains exciting for fans of the series.