Sega to Give Sonic a Rest

[Dr.Finger]

The irony of a character, hell a whole franchise, based on pure unadulterated speed needing a rest is not lost on me. From 1UP (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3158379) comes word that the big wigs at Sega have finally realized what most of us knew five years ago. Sega president Simon Jeffery told Newsweek the Wii game was one of the company's first steps towards reinventing what the world perceives as Sonic....

And what this means for Sonic and friends is a break. "We're not going to be bringing another game out on the other platforms for quite some time, because we feel that it is time to reinvent Sonic, to make Sonic contemporary again. At the same time, even the recent 360 and Playstation 3 games have sold extremely well. Sonic is still an extremely endearing character; there's still a lot of love for Sonic out there in consumerland. Good for Sega. It takes guts to let a franchise as well known as Sonic rest and breathe for a while. Forsaking 'now' sales to allow future revitalization.

[Norse]

Sega should take a rest IMHO. The real Sonic seems to have been resting for a long time...

[agentgray]

Ohhh noes! Tewh Sonik is teh gone!

"Make more Sonic games. We CRAVE Sonic. Now it's going (partially) away, I've get to get as much as possible"

Smart move on Sega's part.

[Oddmaker]

About bloody time!

[Heretic Machine]

Sega doesn't need new characters, or to give it's old franchises a break... They need to get some new developers with some fucking talent! Otherwise all of their games will be shit, indefinitely.

[T-Rex Commando]

Fuck "reinventing" Sonics image. That's what helped ruin him (that, and shitty games of course). What we need is a return to the chillydog-eating, Jaleel White-voiced, fun loving blue hedgehog from the 90's who told kids what to do if someone tried to touch them in a way or place that made them feel uncomfortable. Cuz that's NO good.

[TheFlyingOrc]

I disagree - the problem is how the series has changed, not how it has stayed the same. Secret Rings was a good step - I was really hoping for a greatly improved sequel WITHOUT any minigames.

[Yellowman]

Yeah, a multiplayer race would of been more interesting. But hard to pull off...

[jeffbax]

I'm sorry guys, I bought Sonic 360 :(

[Lord Nerdious]

I'm sorry guys, I bought Sonic 360 :(

I found the love from consumerland, do I win a prize?

[GrinR]

Agreed with the above. Sonic had two things going for it - unrestrained speed and trippy-ass crazy shit.

The magic of Sonic was that generally you could blister your way through an entire level without stopping - you'd just go faster and faster until everything was just a blur. It was controlling that speed to hit the right things or break through special areas that made you a good player, not your ability to complete the level.

The gemstone bonus levels were the ultimate reward. Hand out the acid, pack the bong, and bounce around in psychotropic heaven.

That 3D Sonic game was designed by someone named Elroy McGillicuddy and his idea of fun was feeding his pet turtle. It had NONE of the love of speed that the original had.

[DriveALW]

I'm sorry guys, I bought Sonic 360 :(


Sorry? We're sorry for you.

[wezlypipz]

I think they should use Sonic in advertising the brand and create some new IPOs. They have bled the Sonic games dry and I haven't enjoyed a Sonic game since the Dreamcast days.

[Metal Jesus]

I tried the Sonic X360 demo...for about 60 seconds and couldn't believe how shitty the controls and camera were! I turned that crap off before I lost any more precious time from my life!

Maybe Sega needs a "rest" and figure out that perhaps it was their programming, development, QA that needs to be re-evaluated...and not necessarily the franchise.

[Shodan2020]

The Sonic series died a bit before they gave Shadow his own game. (http://www.vgcats.com/comics/?strip_id=140)

[Telefrog]

For the past few years, Sonic has held the same position as Mickey Mouse in my mind. He's more of a corporate logo than an actual product in his own right.

[Klunka]

this comes 2 days after we learn sonic will be competing in the olympics against mario?

[Philonious]

I never was a Sega boy, they were big back in the days when I couldn't afforrd multiple console (i.e. my childhood) but the idea of Sonic seemed fun. They just try the New Super Mario Bros. maneuver and try a 2.5D sidescroller. NSMB was excellent (if easy) and would be a great way to reintroduce the character. That said, they've re-released the classics on PSP right?

[TheFlyingOrc]

I never was a Sega boy, they were big back in the days when I couldn't afforrd multiple console (i.e. my childhood) but the idea of Sonic seemed fun. They just try the New Super Mario Bros. maneuver and try a 2.5D sidescroller. NSMB was excellent (if easy) and would be a great way to reintroduce the character. That said, they've re-released the classics on PSP right?

They've done so on the game boy, and to a high level of success.

[danhoo]

Poor, poor Sonic.

[Adam Blue]

SA1 and SA2 were awesome. I was really hoping for an SA3. But none of those guys are there anymore.

[Johan]

What the hell? Sonic is still around?

[Plomid]

Oh no does this mean no sonic for brawl

[galactic empire]

That Sonic game for the DS was fun, but I agree. There has not been a good Sonic game since the Dreamcast. After Sonic 2, I sold my Dreamcast. Got $40 stinking bucks for it. What a shame.

[thecrazyd]

Fuck "reinventing" Sonics image. That's what helped ruin him (that, and shitty games of course). What we need is a return to the chillydog-eating, Jaleel White-voiced, fun loving blue hedgehog from the 90's who told kids what to do if someone tried to touch them in a way or place that made them feel uncomfortable. Cuz that's NO good.
I disagree. No voice at all. He doesn't need to talk, he needs to run.

[Kamalot]

That Sonic game for the DS was fun, but I agree. There has not been a good Sonic game since the Dreamcast. After Sonic 2, I sold my Dreamcast. Got $40 stinking bucks for it. What a shame.
You deserve thrashing with a wet noodle. Never sell your Dreamcast!

[Stryfe01]

Sega should take a rest IMHO. The real Sonic seems to have been resting for a long time...

I don't think that I could have said it better.

[Utils]

Didn't SNK do this with little payoff?

[DaXIthR]

this comes 2 days after we learn sonic will be competing in the olympics against mario?

Exactly what I was wondering...

I wonder why SEGA has been making so many crap games for so long? They were so consistent - so edgy and innovative - what the hell happened after the Dreamcast?

[Boris]

Sonic needs to spend some time in rehab for that meth addiction.

Same goes for the Sega executives. :)

[TheFlyingOrc]

Exactly what I was wondering...

I wonder why SEGA has been making so many crap games for so long? They were so consistent - so edgy and innovative - what the hell happened after the Dreamcast?

They were completely destroyed by the device known as the "camera"

[Kamalot]

They were completely destroyed by the device known as the "camera"
No kidding. This is probably the best reason for some developers to stick to 2D games. Sonic Rush on the DS was great!

[TheFlyingOrc]

SONIC! He's the baddest dude!

SONIC! He's got an attitu-ude!

SONIC! He's the fastest thing alive...he's the fastest thing alive....he's the fastest thing ALIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE!
Sonic.

[JazGalaxy]

I think what has ruined Sonic have been all the attempts to turn it into a legitimate story. The initial idea is farcical, but it works when you only take it at face value and use ample amounts of videogame logic. But, when the developers start taking the game too seriously and start trying to add in accesory characters, and have Sonic interact with society... it just gets to be stupid and boring. Sonic Adventure was the height of terrible, in my opinion, because all the other characters who weren't Sonic should never have shown up, and all the town elements should never have appeared.

[BadCRC]

Just make me da Shenmue III... meh

[laggerific]

I agree that he should take a rest...from 3Dness...or at least the "adventure" style gaming they've been doing. I never really played the games after the first one heavily, but they could do some sweet things with the new systems out these days with 2D style gameplay....

[MaiXu]

Please just let Sonic appear in Smash Bros. Brawl. Then he can take his "rest."

[MacD]

This is such bullshit. A 'rest' or 'break' in and of itself does nothing, for or against a good Sonic game. All it takes is a developer who remains true to the core: a speeding blue hedgehog. That dev could create the quintesential Sonic game tomorrow; a break does nothing but add more marketing spin.

[ElectricMonk]

Just looking to see what sonic games they've made recently on wikipedia... some ubernerd has taken the time to order them in chronological order based on plot elements in the games. wow. just wow.

[ferrarimanf355]

Just make me da Daytona III... meh
Fixt.
I sure hope that Sega learns their lesson from Sonic 2006 and fixes what's wrong with Sonic as a franchise. Killing off Shadow, Rouge, and Silver would be a good start. :)

[ElectroDruid]

A collection of statements:

- I agree with the people who say that it's not that the franchise needs a rest, it's that the developers need to not suck. I'm not really a fan of the game, but it's fair to say that Mario 64 set the precedent and made the rules for 3D platformers, and Sonic Team have studiously ignored those rules.

- I agree that Sonic in 3D has never worked, and probably never will. I didn't own a Dreamcast, but I guiltily admit to getting some fun out of Sonic Adventure Battle 2 (or Sonic Adventure 2 Battle or Sonic 2 Battle Adventure, or whatever the fuck it was called), but it was a game which was clearly broken in a lot of ways.

- Following on from that, can anyone here honestly hold their hand up and say that if a proper, classic, 2D Sonic game with all the eye-candy of a 3D game but none of the gameplay horrors came out on a this-gen console that they'd be disappointed? I wouldn't be. Sega, throw every ounce of rendering power at the next Sonic game, just don't do the Third Dimension. It doesn't work for Sonic, so don't try.

- To go one further, although the Crash Bandicoot games have a shit main character, and enough crates to make you puke, does anyone dispute the fact that those games do a bloody good job of making an old-skool 2D platform format work in 3D? Why don't the newer Sonic games learn from Crash?

- JazGalaxy's point about trying to develop the storyline is bang on. Dr. Robotnik (no, he's not called fucking Eggman) wants the chaos emeralds, Sonic wants him to not have them, and Robotnik tries to stop Sonic via a series of horribly flawed robot designs. There's the plot. That's all you need.

- Fuck the other characters. I had some time for Knuckles, but that was the extent of it. (This is the bit where someone is going to reply, misquote me, and accuse me of being a bigot, but I think the following point should still be made). Tails is a gay fox who loves Sonic in a disturbing way, and has a butt-plug with another tail on it. Don't get me wrong, I'm not homophobic, but (a) he LUUURVES The Sonic in a way which introduces subtexts to a videogame series which really doesn't need those kind of subtexts (in the same way it doesn't need a complex plot), and (b) regardless of sexuality and what he likes to put in his butt, Tails is a fucking liability. He actively made Sonic 2 more difficult to complete just by being on the screen. In the more recent games, the designers have desperately tried to make him useful by retro-fitting his ability to pilot mechs. Mechs which are slow, boring, and have no place in a Sonic game. And when you look at the cast of the more recent Sonic games, it's ridiculous - Who honestly gives a shit about Amy Rose, or Rouge, or that crocodile detective bloke, or the really fat cat, or Cream the Bunny? Why do they exist?

[Skyelan]

I'm just genuinely curious how many people who continue to say that a good 3D Sonic game can't be made/that the developers can't make one either HAVEN'T played Secret Rings, or played it and hated it.

If it's the later, that's great, but if it's the previous, check it out. You never know, you might be one of the people who were pleasently surprised. :p

[Heretic Machine]

They've done so on the game boy, and to a high level of success.

No they didn't, that is the point, someone else made those games as well as Rush. Sega just published them. That is way they aren't made of suck, lose, and a heap of suffering.

[Ultima Thulian]

Dear Sega:

If by rest you mean "euthanize", then I support the "resting" of Sonic. Otherwise, quit making shitty games. I don't understand why you enjoy ruining your classic series, but you do. Stop it or kill them all off and save them and everyone involved some pain. Thanks.

Sincerely,
Ultima Thulian

[Kamalot]

This is such bullshit. A 'rest' or 'break' in and of itself does nothing, for or against a good Sonic game. All it takes is a developer who remains true to the core: a speeding blue hedgehog. That dev could create the quintesential Sonic game tomorrow; a break does nothing but add more marketing spin.
Agreed. It sounds as if they want us to forget about Sonic for a while. Note to Sega: actions speak louder than words.

My nephew is the BIGGEST Sonic fan though. When he runs on the playground, he holds his arms back, hands clenched into fists just like Sonic. Don't let him down.

[Rook34]

Agreed. It sounds as if they want us to forget about Sonic for a while. Note to Sega: actions speak louder than words.

My nephew is the BIGGEST Sonic fan though. When he runs on the playground, he holds his arms back, hands clenched into fists just like Sonic. Don't let him down.

Heehee! Your nephew's a dork!

You totally gotta snap us a video of that!

[blackzc]

They need to save him for the next console launch.

[bitwise]

I disagree. No voice at all. He doesn't need to talk, he needs to run.

Right square on. I enjoyed the Secret Rings, but god damn if I wasn't clawing my ears off during the cutscenes.

As much as people glorify games with deep stories, some games really benefit from having porn plots. "Oh noes. Dr. Robotnik wants the chaos emeralds. You have to stop him. Okay, NOW HERE ARE SOME FUN LEVELS!" That's all you need. Seriously. And to tell you how long it's been since I've played a Sonic game, I guffawed when I heard Robotnik reffered to as "Eggman" in the Secret Rings. That's bullshit.

Oh no does this mean no sonic for brawl

Pfail :(

This is such bullshit. A 'rest' or 'break' in and of itself does nothing, for or against a good Sonic game. All it takes is a developer who remains true to the core: a speeding blue hedgehog. That dev could create the quintesential Sonic game tomorrow; a break does nothing but add more marketing spin.

Seriously. The Mario games have stayed more or less awesome experiences and true to what makes Mario Mario, even when translated to 3D. There's no reason Sega can't do the same thing with Sonic. I think there's a real attitude that they have to make Sonic evolve to keep up with the times, but that just results in horrible voice acting and severely mediocre games.

Just looking to see what sonic games they've made recently on wikipedia... some ubernerd has taken the time to order them in chronological order based on plot elements in the games. wow. just wow.

The internet: All of us isn't as smart as one of us.

I'm just genuinely curious how many people who continue to say that a good 3D Sonic game can't be made/that the developers can't make one either HAVEN'T played Secret Rings, or played it and hated it.

If it's the later, that's great, but if it's the previous, check it out. You never know, you might be one of the people who were pleasently surprised. :p

That's the thing. The Secret Rings can't rightly be called 3D. It renders in 3D and you move in a 3D environment, but the control is 2D. A lot of people complained that it was "on rails" but for this type of game that is an excellent decision. All you do is go forward (and maybe rarely backwards for short amounts of time). While going forward, you can move in the plane perpendicular to your direction of movement by jumping and moving left to right. On top of it you have super moves and special abilities and stuff.

The "on rails" part gives them liscence to make Sonic go really fast in a somewhat straight line and base the game's challenges around fighting at high speeds. The fact that it has 2D controls means it can be a fast game. If it were a true free roaming 3D game, it wouldn't be fast because you would want to stop and go look at a tree or something. In 3D, it would be about exploration, and it would no longer be Sonic.

P.S. Sonic Spinball ruled.

[Skyelan]

That's the thing. The Secret Rings can't rightly be called 3D. It renders in 3D and you move in a 3D environment, but the control is 2D. A lot of people complained that it was "on rails" but for this type of game that is an excellent decision. All you do is go forward (and maybe rarely backwards for short amounts of time). While going forward, you can move in the plane perpendicular to your direction of movement by jumping and moving left to right. On top of it you have super moves and special abilities and stuff.

The "on rails" part gives them liscence to make Sonic go really fast in a somewhat straight line and base the game's challenges around fighting at high speeds. The fact that it has 2D controls means it can be a fast game. If it were a true free roaming 3D game, it wouldn't be fast because you would want to stop and go look at a tree or something. In 3D, it would be about exploration, and it would no longer be Sonic.

P.S. Sonic Spinball ruled.

Fair enough, but it was more that I hear a lot of people complaining that there hasn't been a good console Sonic in a long time, and understandably so. If I actually played Next Gen beyond a demo, I'd have given up even MORE hope that I had back when Heroes let me down.

I know that Secret Rings DID disappoint a lot of people, but I've seen just as many who were genuinely pleased with it, just thought it could be better.

I actually find the news interesting, because in almost every Sega + Nintendo rep interview, the Sega rep says that they're only taking a hiatus from Sonic on other consoles, and since Sonic has been so successful on Nintendo systems (His words, I dunno how accurate it is) and the generally praising reviews that Rush and Rings got, those are the directions they wanna take Sonic.

I personally see a number of simple ways they could improve the Rings engine (It wouldn't be too hard to have some multiple paths, I could see Tails and Knuckles gameplay worked in fittingly, who of course would ALSO be different paths, low road, middle road, high road concept) and a more natural theme (Hey, crazy idea, ROBOTNIK COULD BE THE FINAL BOSS MAYBE), and that Sonic would go from 'Nice basics' to 'Great game'.

Basically I think it was just not so much a matter of that Sonic Team couldn't make a good Sonic game, it's just that the faction of Sonic Team he's been assigned to can't do shit correctly. Put Ogawa in charge and you see decisions that make sense.

Also, I really do think too many people are taking this as 'No more Sonic games for a while', when it's actually 'Sonic is staying on the Wii and DS for a while'.

And watch what you say man, in some circles (Outside of mine) saying you really liked Spinball can get you Sonic-fan-lynched. :D

[Utils]

They need to pull a Nintendo and not tell us anything about Sonic for a good 2 years.

[Wolvie]

Tomb Raider did it, got a different dev team and look where they are now? Sonic needs the same R & R and new angle after the break that TR did.

[bitwise]

I know that Secret Rings DID disappoint a lot of people, but I've seen just as many who were genuinely pleased with it, just thought it could be better.

I personally see a number of simple ways they could improve the Rings engine (It wouldn't be too hard to have some multiple paths, I could see Tails and Knuckles gameplay worked in fittingly, who of course would ALSO be different paths, low road, middle road, high road concept) and a more natural theme (Hey, crazy idea, ROBOTNIK COULD BE THE FINAL BOSS MAYBE), and that Sonic would go from 'Nice basics' to 'Great game'.

Yeah. I liked it definitely would have been better if they added the things you're talking about.

Basically I think it was just not so much a matter of that Sonic Team couldn't make a good Sonic game, it's just that the faction of Sonic Team he's been assigned to can't do shit correctly. Put Ogawa in charge and you see decisions that make sense.

It makes me question how many of the decisions are coming from actual game designers and how many are coming from suits who think that Sonic's "image" has to change to keep the games relevant. I imagine there's a real dilemma for game designers who knows that "on rails" is the best way to make a Sonic game but who also knows that most of the gaming community will decry it for the very same reason.

And watch what you say man, in some circles (Outside of mine) saying you really liked Spinball can get you Sonic-fan-lynched. :D

I'll take that risk :D i loved that game.

[ferrarimanf355]

Get rid of Shadow, Rouge, and Silver, and I'll listen.

(Oh, and Sega, another Daytona USA game would be nice. :D)

[Utils]

Daytona Usa was great for it's time but it's out of place now.

The highlight of the Datona series was getting to play as the car in Fighters Megemix.