Sega Admits Sonic Has Gone Downhill
Website GameDaily has an interesting interview up with Sega's Sean Ratcliffe where they discuss, among other things, the recent state of Sonic games. At the end of the interview, GameDaily goes for the throat asking: "Let's talk a bit about Sonic. He's still Sega's "mascot," if you will, but I don't think it's harsh for me to say that the games in recent years have just not been any good." Harsh words to be sure but none the less true. If you saw our recent E3 video "What character of franchise do you hope you never have to see again?" you'll know that two thirds of the journalists we interviewed named Sonic!
Ratcliffe's response to the Gamedaily's question was truthful about the decline and yet looks to the future for better Sonic titles down the road.
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. However, I would say we recognize 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...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. This time around, with Sonic Unleashed, we got a great new engine, the Hedgehog engine, and that allows us to truly deliver the Sonic experience as it arguably should have been on the next-gen - you know, blending classic 2D gameplay with 3D, beautiful landscapes, rich environments.
It's good to know that Sega is listening to gamers' and journalists' concerns and are making a concerted effort to improve the flagging Sonic franchise. I sincerely hope they can pull it off before poor Sonic has to be buried in a shallow grave.
Fruit Brute
Posted to Hot Stuff, Video Games on 7 August 2008
· Comments (5)
Other stuff like this: downhill, franchise, sega, sonic
I'm sorry, did you mean "shadow grave"?
Seriously though, I've never been a Sonic fan, I dug the speed, but technical inferiority soundwise as well as in the visual department made me prefer Mario. I do however hope that they can make Sonic work again for the long-time fans, even though it's now on Nintendo consoles, which I find deeply ironic: It seems like Nintendo after all. Catch that reference ^^
Well, it's taken 8 years and about 20 terrible games, but they've finally admitted it, well done Sega, admitting is the first step.
The next step will be to actually make an average to good game featuring Sonic in the style that used to work, but in 3D, something which you've tried 20 times, and failed in every single attempt.
The final step will be to make a good to great game featuring Sonic, which is possible, it's never too late, I just hate seeing one of my favourite childhood game characters reduced to the 3D outings he's had thus far, every single one is sub par.
i think sega should do what eidos did for tomb raider. fire sonic team from making another sonic game and have some other company come in and make a great one. *sigh* i miss you sonic... i grew up with you... you have not been the same... i want you back and i want things to be like how they use to be
Hmm 2 bad games and one with terrible music [Shadow, 06 and Sonic Rush respectively].
I'm not seeing that big a problem personally.
The fandom has gotten too whiny and negative for its own good, so they'll never be satisfied. *shrugs*
*Looks forward to Unleashed, Chronicles and Black Knight*
Hmmm. Kay. They want a good idea? Here's one. Just make a 2-d sidescroller! Hire back the old music composers. Give us (insert name here) Zone Act 1. Special Stage, Mini-boss. Dr. whatevertheycallhimnow boss. Seriously. We need to reeducate these kids today and show them where these games really came from! ...that is all. :/