Notas del episodio
Recorded live at SXSW 2026, Greg Off sits down with two of gaming's most influential leaders: Maya Rogers, President & CEO of The Tetris Company, and Shuji Utsumi, President & COO of Sega. Together, they explore how Tetris and Sonic have remained cultural icons for decades—and what it really takes to build entertainment brands that stand the test of time. From the origins of Tetris to Sega's modern revival, Maya and Shuji share stories from behind two of the world's most recognizable gaming franchises. They discuss the philosophy of "lore and innovation," the fan feedback that reshaped Sonic's movie debut, the Tetris film, brand collaborations, licensing, transmedia storytelling, and why authenticity matters more than ever. In this episode:
- How Tetris has stayed timeless for more than 40 years
- Sega's strategy for evolving Sonic while protecting its legacy
- The making of the Tetris movie
- Why "Ugly Sonic" became one of gaming's biggest success stories
- The power of community, licensing, and transmedia
- Audience Q&A on remakes, fan communities, and the future of iconic IP
Originally recorded as a live SXSW panel, this special bonus episode captures an engaging conversation about creativity, leadership, and building gaming brands that endure across generations. Links & References
- The Tetris Company — https://tetris.com
- SEGA — https://www.sega.com
- Tetris (Apple TV+) — https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/tetris
- Classic Tetris World Championship — https://thectwc.com
- Tetris Effect — https://tetriseffect.game
- Tetris 99 — https://www.nintendo.com/store/products/tetris-99-switch
- Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 — https://puyo.sega.com
- Sonic the Hedgehog — https://www.sega.com/games/sonic-the-hedgehog
- Persona — https://atlus.com/persona
- Like a Dragon — https://ryu-ga-gotoku.com