If Segas open to making an Eternal Champions movie, then an Ecco revival isnt too farfetched (Sega)As theories swirl on what the upcoming Xbox showcases mystery reveal is, Sega is found to have filed new trademarks for one of its dormant IPs.Between the likes of Jet Set Radio, Crazy Taxi, and Shinobi, Sega is going all in on reviving several of its classic IPs. Not just through games, but movies as well.It hasnt provided an update on any of those projects since their reveals, but it has continued to announce new ones with a Virtua Fighter revival debuting at The Game Awards 2024.Now, therere rumblings of Sega plotting another retro revival, thanks to newly discovered trademarks the company filed for Ecco The Dolphin.What is Ecco The Dolphin?Published by Sega and developed by the now defunct Hungarian studio Appaloosa Interactive, Ecco The Dolphin was a series of action adventure games than ran from 1992 to 2000, where you explored the ocean as the titular dolphin.Rather than a cute and cartoony mascot character, Ecco was depicted as a realistic looking dolphin, albeit one with stars on his head. Also, the series plots were bizarre, involving time travel and thwarting an alien invasion.The original 2D game for the Mega Drive did well enough to spawn a couple of sequels and eventually a 3D reboot for the Dreamcast in 2001, but the series has been dead in the water ever since.In 2016, according to a GamesBeat report, Ecco creator Ed Annunziata filed a lawsuit against Sega in an effort to reclaim control of the IP. While the two parties did reach a settlement, they didnt comment on how things were resolved, though it was speculated that it could still allow for a revival of the series.In a 2019 interview with Nintendo Life, Annunziata even suggested he wanted to make a new Ecco after his attempt at crowdfunding a spiritual successor, titled The Big Blue, failed: I still very strongly believe in the story and the mechanics but it really cant be a spiritual successor to Ecco, it has to be Ecco! One thing I can say is in the future, people are playing this game. I never give up!As spotted by Gematsu, Sega filed trademarks for Ecco and Ecco The Dolphin in Japan on December 27, 2024, which only went public on January 13. So perhaps Annunziata and Sega have reached an agreement for the former to make The Big Blue, but as an official Ecco title.Given the timing, there are suspicions that this will be the surprise reveal at the Xbox Developer Direct showcase happening next week. As a reminder, all Microsoft has said about this mystery game is that viewers will visit a surprise location to see another studios brand-new game.Since then, noted Xbox insider Jez Corden claimed in a Windows Central report that the game in question is a new entry in a legendary Japanese IP which has decades of history, and should make a lot of fans happy.More TrendingEcco The Dolphin would technically fit that description, since it is something of a cult classic and, while its been dormant for years, it continues to influence other works, like 2019s Jupiter And Mars.Cordens description, though, could just as easily apply to several other Japanese franchises that are far more recognisable.Other suggestions floating about range from Final Fantasy (specifically the long rumoured Final Fantasy 9 remake) and Persona 6 to Dino Crisis and Resident Evil 9, the latter of which is certainly due for a proper announcement beyond that brief tease last summer.Theres also been talk of a new 3D Ninja Gaiden game recently, after a 2D spin-off was announced last year, and the 2004 reboot was one of the few Japanese-made exclusives on Xbox at the time. Resident Evil Village was almost four years ago (Capcom)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralExclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy