Sonic Team only Sega studio to survive?

As Sega Sammy Holdings compresses the fragmented structure of both companies into one, easy-to-digest videogame breathmint – bracing to spawn one of largest entertainment companies in Asia – it has emerged that Yuji Naka’s Sonic Team will retain its identity.

As the Sonic Team website closed down last Thursday, the future of the fiercely autonomous studio was partially explained via its official website, with further clarification being offered from the holding company.

According to Hajime Satomi, Sonic Team will retain a certain level of recognition as a stand-alone partner developer, though the specifics were not disclosed. No mention was made of any other Sega development teams, indicating that Sonic Team will be the only studio to represent Sega’s standing of old.

Interestingly, despite the assurance that Naka-san’s department will remain intact, Sonic Team has decided to go on something of a nostalgia trip, offering various collectors’ items to its fans in Japan.

A soundtrack featuring music from Billy Hatcher and Sonic Heroes (amongst others) will be offered, as well as commemorative pins, with a limited run of a golden batch to be given away to high-scorers of the Japan-only ST quiz.

For reference, the full tracklist on the CD reads:

• "Chant this Charm" (Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg theme music)
  
• "I Just Smile" (Burning Rangers ending theme)
  
• "Sonic Heroes" (Sonic Heroes theme music)
  
• "This is My Happiness" (Space Channel 5 Part 2 ending theme)
  
• "World with Me" (Phantasy Star Online: Episode II ending theme)
  
• "Dreams Dreams" (NiGHTS into Dreams theme music)
  

We contacted Sega for an update on the studio consolidation happening at Sega Sammy Holdings right now, but we did not receive an authorised comment at time of press.

Expect a full outline of the current situation in the coming days.