The GHZ Forum

<b>GameSpot:</b> Why did you decide to create this type of sonic game for the PlayStation Portable, as opposed to a more traditional platformer? (Such as Sonic Rush on the Nintendo DS?)

<b>Takashi Iizuka:</b> The processing power of the PSP allows us to create beautifully sculpted 3D environments, while the portability gave us a chance to create a new type of Sonic game where we incorporate the traditional platform action with racing.

<b><b>GS:</b></b> How are you blending the 2D and 3D elements in the game? (that is, does it play something like Sonic Rush in terms of parts being straight 2D and other parts being pure 3D, such as in the boss fights in that game?).

<b>TI:</b> We are blending the traditional 2D platform action within the three-dimensional space...a similar challenge encountered in our creation of NiGHTS.

<b><b>GS:</b></b> What sonic characters will appear in the game? Which are playable?

<b>TI:</b> We currently have four playable characters, including Sonic, Knuckles, Shadow as well as introducing a brand new member of the Sonic family.

<b><b>GS:</b></b> What will the gameplay be like? Is it just the sonic basics of jump and run, or is there more to it?

<b>TI:</b> The gameplay will incorporate all of the traditional Sonic actions, such as jumping, running, and attacking, but what makes this game completely different is the "rival" feature. This game is based on competition between Sonic and a rival, where players will jostle, trip, and push each other, trying to be the first to cross the finish line. No matter if you're playing against the computer's AI or against your friend, the competition will be fierce and challenging from start to finish.

<b>GS:</b> Will there be a power-up system in place? If so, how will it work?

<b>TI:</b> Yes. This is a brand new power-up system based around a racing platformer, where the players can utilize the power-ups in both offensive and defensive ways. We'll be releasing more details about this system shortly.

<b>GS:</b> Will there be hidden areas and bonus games?

<b>TI:</b> We'll be releasing more info on that shortly.

<b>GS:</b> How will the customization system work? (Is it like equipping cards?)

<b>TI:</b> We have a robust reward-card system that allows the user to customize their characters.

<b>GS:</b> How is the game structured? Is the single-player game just a series of linear races shaped into a story or something else?

<b>TI:</b> You'll be able to play as one of four characters from the Sonic world, each having their own unique storyline. In the single-player mode, you will race through various zones, trying to thwart Eggman's evil plans.

<b>GS:</b> How will the multiplayer game work? What modes will it offer? Will it be ad hoc, infrastructure, or both?

<b>TI:</b> The multiplayer game is designed to be ad hoc, taking advantage of the PSP platform technology, enabling you to battle head to head, as well as be able to trade and wager cards with your friends.

<b>GS:</b> Will there be game sharing?

<b>TI:</b> We'll be releasing more info on that shortly.

<b>GS:</b> Thanks for your time.

THERE AREN'T ENOUGH CHARACTER IN THE SONIC UNIVERSE!

Tsuyoshi-kun wrote:They should've just stopped with Knuckles. Or Big. Big is cool. Except for Big, Rogue, and the Chaotix, I haven't cared for any characters that came out of the pipeline since Sonic 3 & Knuckles.

Ritz wrote:Even though we need a new character like a knife to the face, I can't help but be overcome with a profound burst of excitement and anticipation at the mention of a fresh face. What'll we get next? Rask the Wolf? Bailey the Manatee? Illusion the shotgun-toting Demonhog? I can't wait to see how this turns out.

Shame that it won't last, though.

SegaSonic wrote:That Iizuka and his stupid "Heroes" ideals and Eggpawns, heres a man who actually thinks Heroes was the greatest game...therefore all we will ever recieve is crap..as seen in Shadow the Hedgehog, the biggest stupidity in history.

Kishi wrote:It'll probably be the white hedgehog from the next-gen game.

Locit wrote:Remember when they killed of Gamma and didn't bring him back?

Frieza2000 wrote:

Locit wrote:Remember when they killed of Gamma and didn't bring him back?

They reused him in Battle.

Ritz wrote:So are Bean, Bark and Ray. Your point?

Frieza2000 wrote:I think I get it now. They're building to a climax where at E3 they'll announce the production of Shadow the Hedgehog 2 and the Sonic Dating Sim. Then, just as our outrage and despair has peaked, Yuji Naka will jump out of a closet and yell "Surprise!" and show us the game Sonic Team has <i>really</i> been working on for the past 6 years.