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For the first time in 17 years, there will be no new “Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games” installment for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics. This surprising turn of events marks the end of a beloved series that spanned six games, beginning in 2007. The decision to move away from this franchise is reportedly due to the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision to end its partnership with Nintendo and Sega, shifting its focus towards new partners, NFTs, and esports.
According to Eurogamer, the IOC chose not to renew the deal with Nintendo and Sega after the release of “Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.” Lee Cocker, who worked on the series, explained that the IOC wanted to explore other opportunities. “They wanted to look at other partners and NFTs and esports,” Cocker told Eurogamer. “Basically, the IOC wanted to bring [it] back to themselves internally and look at other partners so they would get more money.”
Cocker spent nearly two decades at ISM Fantasy Games, a company credited as one of the creators of the “Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games” series. The franchise, known for uniting the iconic mascots Mario and Sonic after the fierce console rivalry of the 1990s, sold over 30 million copies worldwide. Its first game debuted on the Wii, celebrating the 2008 Beijing Games.
As Eurogamer highlights, the IOC has shifted its focus to “Olympic Go! Paris 2024” as the primary video game release for this year’s Olympics. This free-to-play title is available on mobile and PC, complete with collectible NFT digital pins. Additionally, the IOC has announced plans for the 2025 Olympic Esports event, set to take place in Saudi Arabia.
While fans may miss the familiar faces of Mario and Sonic at the Olympics, the IOC’s decision represents a shift towards the modern digital landscape. The inclusion of NFTs and esports indicates a broader trend within the industry, as traditional sports organizations increasingly embrace new forms of entertainment and engagement.
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