The iconic collaboration between Nintendo's Mario and SEGA's Sonic the Hedgehog in the Olympic Games series has officially come to a close, marking the end of an era as confirmed by Lee Cocker, the former developer. The series began in 2007 with the first Olympic-themed game, bringing together these two beloved characters across various sports and competitions. Despite no official announcement from the IOC, it's worth noting that a Twitter thread by Lee Cocker assures fans there will be no future Mario & Sonic titles for Paris 2024 or beyond.

This shift in focus is attributed to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), who are now prioritizing NFTs and esports as key aspects of their future initiatives. This decision aligns with the IOC's announcement for the inaugural Olympic eSports Games set for 2025, scheduled to be hosted in Saudi Arabia.

With both franchises continuing their respective journeys in gaming history, Mario is poised to release Super Mario Bros Wonder, and SEGA has announced a remaster of Sonic Generations titled Sonic x Shadows Generations. As we reflect on this chapter's conclusion for the Mario & Sonic crossover series, let's not forget their memorable moments together in gaming history.

Do you think incorporating NFTs and esports into traditional sports games like the Olympics has the potential to reshape how we perceive and experience these events?