SEGA has admitted that Sonic the Hedgehog titles of late have been deserving of some of the flak they have received from fans and media.
Speaking about criticism of recent Sonic games in an interview, SEGA of America's VP of marketing, Sean Ratcliffe, said, "Some of that criticism is probably warranted. We definitely recognize that a franchise that has been going as long as Sonic, you really have to put a huge amount of effort in to make sure that you maintain that quality, and arguably a disproportionate amount of effort."
Naturally, SEGA is improving matters. Ratcliffe went on to say, "However, I would say we recognise it, which is why you're seeing us this year taking the first steps in making sure the quality is right, and we're constantly looking at innovation. We can't just stand still with Sonic. We've got to be looking at different ways to develop the character, different genres, and so on."
Talking specifically about SEGA's first (dreadful) attempt at Sonic on next-gen platforms, Ratcliffe said, "I think the Sonic next-gen experience in terms of quality, that was relatively early in the next-gen cycle when lots of developers were just coming to grips with the technology. It's not a huge surprise when you try to get something out for launch or thereabouts and the quality is not optimal."
SEGA currently has Sonic Unleashed for PS3, 360, Wii and PS2, Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood for the DS and Sonic and the Black Knight for the Wii in the pipeline.
Another point of note is what looks to SPOnG very much like an admission that a new SEGA MMO is in the works. Asked whether there is such a project underway, Ratcliffe said, "Well, we have Phantasy Star Universe, but right now we have no specific plans in the MMO space that I can talk about." See that? See what he did there? He said, "that I can talk about". Translation: "there is such a game, but I'm not telling."
Anyway, here's hoping that the next round of Sonic games do deliver a better experience than Sonic the Hedgehog on next-gen systems...
Source: GameDaily.biz
Speaking about criticism of recent Sonic games in an interview, SEGA of America's VP of marketing, Sean Ratcliffe, said, "Some of that criticism is probably warranted. We definitely recognize that a franchise that has been going as long as Sonic, you really have to put a huge amount of effort in to make sure that you maintain that quality, and arguably a disproportionate amount of effort."
Naturally, SEGA is improving matters. Ratcliffe went on to say, "However, I would say we recognise it, which is why you're seeing us this year taking the first steps in making sure the quality is right, and we're constantly looking at innovation. We can't just stand still with Sonic. We've got to be looking at different ways to develop the character, different genres, and so on."
Talking specifically about SEGA's first (dreadful) attempt at Sonic on next-gen platforms, Ratcliffe said, "I think the Sonic next-gen experience in terms of quality, that was relatively early in the next-gen cycle when lots of developers were just coming to grips with the technology. It's not a huge surprise when you try to get something out for launch or thereabouts and the quality is not optimal."
SEGA currently has Sonic Unleashed for PS3, 360, Wii and PS2, Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood for the DS and Sonic and the Black Knight for the Wii in the pipeline.
Another point of note is what looks to SPOnG very much like an admission that a new SEGA MMO is in the works. Asked whether there is such a project underway, Ratcliffe said, "Well, we have Phantasy Star Universe, but right now we have no specific plans in the MMO space that I can talk about." See that? See what he did there? He said, "that I can talk about". Translation: "there is such a game, but I'm not telling."
Anyway, here's hoping that the next round of Sonic games do deliver a better experience than Sonic the Hedgehog on next-gen systems...
Source: GameDaily.biz
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Comments
schnide 7 Aug 2008 10:14
1/10
You see, this is great stuff. Great stuff!
Except they've said this before. Different genres? Sonic is about 2D platforming. They did that to death with sequels, and that's also the of why any Sonic game outside that genre has failed.
What they need is to find a way to translate Sonic's 2D game into 3D just as Nintendo managed to OVER TEN YEARS AGO.
Can it be done, or should they just let the character die?
Except they've said this before. Different genres? Sonic is about 2D platforming. They did that to death with sequels, and that's also the of why any Sonic game outside that genre has failed.
What they need is to find a way to translate Sonic's 2D game into 3D just as Nintendo managed to OVER TEN YEARS AGO.
Can it be done, or should they just let the character die?
realvictory 7 Aug 2008 11:09
2/10
What they need is to give up on 3D, and do what Capcom did with Megaman 9.
What's so good about 3D anyway?
What's so good about 3D anyway?
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realvictory 7 Aug 2008 11:09
3/10
What they need is to give up on 3D, and do what Capcom did with Megaman 9.
What's so good about 3D anyway?
What's so good about 3D anyway?
Dio Brando 7 Aug 2008 11:29
4/10
Prope, (Yuji Naka's studio) would make it happen, but has stated that he wants nothing to do with former sega properties. Sonic the Hedgehog 1991 - 1993 R.I.P.
Twoozle 7 Aug 2008 15:20
5/10
schnide wrote:
Can it be done, or should they just let the character die?
I vote for death. Right now I am loving the little guy from Echochrome and the Shepherd chick from Mass Effect. We dont really need opld characters dug up and zombied around our screens in any D at all do we?
Joji 8 Aug 2008 00:28
6/10
Truth is Sega do get too nostalgic over Sonic, when they have plenty of other good IP worthy of real attention, namely Shinobi, Daytona and FFS!!! BURNING RANGERS??
Honestly Sega, you are doing much better at the moment, but you need to leave Sonic alone for a good while and give your other IP a boost. Stop trying to compete with Nintendo and focus on your stronger IP.
Get some talented folk on bringing Shinobi, Panzer Dragoon, Jet Set, Space Channel 5 and Burning Rangers back with a one two punch.
On a more positive note, Valkyrie of the Battlefield is a great step in a new direction. This game looks gorgeous and makes me a little jealous of not owning a PS3. More new stuff please.
Sonic was great in 2D, but you gotta give the speed demon time to catch some rest.
Honestly Sega, you are doing much better at the moment, but you need to leave Sonic alone for a good while and give your other IP a boost. Stop trying to compete with Nintendo and focus on your stronger IP.
Get some talented folk on bringing Shinobi, Panzer Dragoon, Jet Set, Space Channel 5 and Burning Rangers back with a one two punch.
On a more positive note, Valkyrie of the Battlefield is a great step in a new direction. This game looks gorgeous and makes me a little jealous of not owning a PS3. More new stuff please.
Sonic was great in 2D, but you gotta give the speed demon time to catch some rest.
SuperSaiyan4 8 Aug 2008 11:03
7/10
Sega have killed Sonic a long time ago when he went 3D somethings are just best left alone!!
Even that latest Sonic game that is coming out looked interesting until for some uknown reason Sega made Sonic turn into some f**ked up wild beast!!! WTF?!!!!!!!
SEGA can F**K OFF!
Even that latest Sonic game that is coming out looked interesting until for some uknown reason Sega made Sonic turn into some f**ked up wild beast!!! WTF?!!!!!!!
SEGA can F**K OFF!
mrAnthony 8 Aug 2008 12:22
8/10
or perhaps you could just let them to their own devices and not get so blown up about things.
Nibac 19 Nov 2011 23:28
9/10
I don't know why people give Sega a hard time. It's almost always because they didn't get what they expected. Why must people keep on doing that? You can't get everything you want in life. That's the problem with some Sonic "fans." If you don't like a game series: Move to another. I don't think you can be a fanatic if you just can't stand something. Oh, and Sega can't keep up with everybodys' expectations.
The Effect 8 Aug 2012 19:51
10/10
None of the games - Sonic 06 included - have been perfect, but none of the games - Sonic 06 included - have deserved all the childish, juvenile, petty, and in many cases unrelated (dark stories and real world-based settings) criticisms. In a lot of cases, people who don't like Sonic as it is now or has been for the last eleven years need to let it go. It's never going away.