Does Sega own Wonder Boy?

Does Sega Own Wonder Boy?

The Wonder Boy series is a beloved franchise of action-adventure games that has been around since the 1980s. But the question remains: who owns the rights to the Wonder Boy franchise? In this article, we’ll delve into the history of the franchise and answer the question of whether Sega owns Wonder Boy.

History of Wonder Boy

The first Wonder Boy game was released in 1986 by the Japanese game developer Westone. The game was a huge success, and Westone went on to develop several sequels and spin-offs. In 1992, Westone was acquired by Sega, a Japanese video game developer and publisher.

Sega’s Role in the Wonder Boy Franchise

Although Sega acquired Westone in 1992, it did not directly own the rights to the Wonder Boy franchise. Instead, Sega retained the rights to the "Wonder Boy" and "Monster World" trademarks, while Westone retained the rights to the games themselves.

The Westone Story

Westone, the original developer of the Wonder Boy series, is still active in the gaming industry today. In 2006, the company rebranded itself as Artdink and began developing games for various platforms. In 2014, Artdink released Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom, a new game in the Wonder Boy series that was well-received by critics and fans.

Sega’s Role in Recent Years

Although Sega did not directly own the rights to the Wonder Boy franchise, the company has still been involved in the series. In 2011, Sega released a remake of the first Wonder Boy game, titled Wonder Boy Returns, for PC and mobile devices.

Current Ownership

So, does Sega own Wonder Boy? The answer is no. Westone, now known as Artdink, retains the rights to the Wonder Boy franchise, while Sega retains the rights to the "Wonder Boy" and "Monster World" trademarks. This means that Artdink is free to develop new games in the series, while Sega has the right to use the franchise’s intellectual property.

Recent Developments

In recent years, the Wonder Boy franchise has seen a resurgence in popularity. In 2018, Artdink released Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap, a remake of the 1989 game Wonder Boy in Monster Land. The game was well-received by critics and fans, and it has helped to revive interest in the franchise.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sega does not own the Wonder Boy franchise. Instead, Westone, now known as Artdink, retains the rights to the franchise, while Sega retains the rights to the "Wonder Boy" and "Monster World" trademarks. The Wonder Boy series has a rich history, and it continues to be beloved by gamers around the world.

Timeline of Wonder Boy Games

Here is a timeline of the Wonder Boy games, including their release dates and platforms:

Conclusion

The Wonder Boy series is a beloved franchise of action-adventure games that has been around since the 1980s. While Sega was involved in the franchise, it does not own the rights to the Wonder Boy franchise. Instead, Westone, now known as Artdink, retains the rights to the franchise, while Sega retains the rights to the "Wonder Boy" and "Monster World" trademarks. The Wonder Boy series has a rich history, and it continues to be beloved by gamers around the world.