Sonic the Hedgehog: New Interview

[big_smile]

UK site Computer and Video Games recently conducted an interview with Sonic Team about next-gen Sonic the Hedgehog. Those eager for news about the title will be disappointed as it mostly regurgitates material from the E3 press releases.

Sonic the Hedgehog Next-Gen
24-May-2006 We chat with Sonic Team about the blue hedgehog's first forray into the world of next-gen on PS3 and Xbox 360

Can you believe it? It's fifteen years since Mario and Sonic first went head-to-head on the home console scene, causing more fevered playground discussion than the stern-faced revelations of one boy we knew, whose mother had told him you loose a pint of blood everytime you masturbate. As it happened, no you don't, and Mario did - in many ways - win the battle of the console mascots.

Now, fifteen years later, Sonic Team - freed (somewhat regrettably, perhaps) from the shackles of working solely on a Sega console - is set to bring Sonic bang up-to-date, as the speedy blue hedgehog prepares to spread his next-gen wares across PS3 and Xbox 360. We caught up with the guys at this year's E3 to find out what's in store when Sonic touches down this winter.

What are the key Sonic values, and how do they come across in Sonic's next-gen adventure?
Sonic Team: What the team wanted to do in this game is create speed and a cool attitude. In terms of speed, we've already shown Sonic running at great speed and for this game we want to really up that again. The team also felt that Sonic hasn't had the same amount of attitude recently as he has in the past, so the inclusion of humans in the storyline lets us show more attitude.

Can we expect to see slower levels where we're given the opportunity to explore the world?
Sonic Team: Sonic won't just be running, there will be moments where people can stop and do different things. Throughout the last 15 years, Sonic fans have said they like the way Sonic just keeps running, but have also said they want action as well - and felt that the team hasn't made a game that features speed and action. So this time, we're trying to incorporate both. It's hard to put together, but that's what we're trying to do.

What's it been like, working with a Western company such as Microsoft?
Sonic Team: The team doesn't have any difficulties working with Microsoft, it makes no difference in terms of making games.

How is Sonic going to change the next generation of consoles?
Sonic Team: On previous consoles, we had to choose to enhance graphics or gameplay. On the next generation of machines we can do anything.

Would you still prefer to be making games for a Sega console?
Sonic Team: There probably would be many positive things in working for a Sega machine again, but we're happy with the current situation. As a creator of games, if Sega only made games for one hardware the number of people who can play the game is really limited. But since we have PlayStation, Xbox, Gamecube and so on, it means more people can enjoy the games that Sega is creating.

Xbox 360 is focussed around multiplayer gaming - are you planning anything in that area?
Sonic Team: We can't tell you about this in detail at the moment, but we are thinking about it although nothing has been decided. We'll probably do something, but we're still not sure.

Why do Sonic and Silver play in different styles of levels?
Sonic Team: The differences in stages are because of the storyline. One of the key features of this game is that Sonic can go into lots of very different types of environment.

Can Sonic play in Silver's levels and vice versa?
Sonic Team: There are stages both characters can play, but the abilities Silver has are so different there has to be levels that only Silver can play. There will be some shared levels, though.

Will we see much in this game that references previous Sonic titles?
Sonic Team: Since it's Sonic's 15th anniversary the team will try to implement things that have been in previous games, so if you played Sonic 15 years ago you might see something you recognise in here. We're trying to put that in, but we're not sure how much we can do yet. But we have to do something to make the 15th anniversary title special. Since the original Sonic had a great impact when it was released, we feel we have a lot of pressure on us. We're proud to be working on this project, and don't want the fans to feel this isn't as good a game as the original Sonic The Hedgehog.

Is Sonic still an appropriate mascot for Sega in 2006?
Sonic Team: In Japan we don't feel like Sonic is the mascot for Sega all the time. In Japan people tend to feel that the latest product represents the company, the latest trend. So if Sega came up with a dog character, people in Japan will think the dog represents Sega. But when I meet people from abroad, they still think Sonic is the mascot. But Sega is about more than one game.

What has impressed you most about working with the PS3?
Sonic Team: The system for PS3 is really high quality. There's a lot of things we can do with PS3, but we're still studying - it's complicated to understand how to make a great game for PS3. It's a really good console.

[Psychobob]

Damm, I was really hoping this would be the Famitsu interview. I’ve been looking for a scan and translation of it everywhere (I work on Sonic News).

Oh well, while were on the subject there’s a better interview here: http://interviews.teamxbox.com/xbox/159 ... erview/p1/

[Light Speed]

TeamXbox also has a new internview, which also pretty much regurgitates stuff we've heard all along. I swear they say they are going back to their roots about 12 times. It does however have some interesting information about how they create their new characters. The way they chose Silver's color/name was kind of sickening though. They freaking based his color on what colors they hadn't used yet, and then they just named him after his color.

Anyway link here.

[G.Silver]

On previous consoles, we had to choose to enhance graphics or gameplay. On the next generation of machines we can do anything.

WTF!

[FlashTHD]

What are the key Sonic values, and how do they come across in Sonic's next-gen adventure?
Sonic Team: What the team wanted to do in this game is create speed and a cool attitude. In terms of speed, we've already shown Sonic running at great speed and for this game we want to really up that again. The team also felt that Sonic hasn't had the same amount of attitude recently as he has in the past, so the inclusion of humans in the storyline lets us show more attitude.

...huh?

What's it been like, working with a Western company such as Microsoft?
Sonic Team: The team doesn't have any difficulties working with Microsoft, it makes no difference in terms of making games.

Jesus, what kind of stupid question was that?

Why do Sonic and Silver play in different styles of levels?
Sonic Team: The differences in stages are because of the storyline. One of the key features of this game is that Sonic can go into lots of very different types of environment.

Can Sonic play in Silver's levels and vice versa?
Sonic Team: There are stages both characters can play, but the abilities Silver has are so different there has to be levels that only Silver can play. There will be some shared levels, though.

A Sega rep at E3 claimed that all characters can access all stages. I guess that was just whatever hoo-ha they'd been instructed to tell. So, it's possible that the "Shadow's missions are mostly driving" bit had no truth to it either.

Will we see much in this game that references previous Sonic titles?
Sonic Team: Since it's Sonic's 15th anniversary the team will try to implement things that have been in previous games, so if you played Sonic 15 years ago you might see something you recognise in here. We're trying to put that in, but we're not sure how much we can do yet. But we have to do something to make the 15th anniversary title special.

Hmm...SA2 gave Green Hill its' props, so what next? By "15 years ago", they may be referring to something from Sonic 1...

And Shadow does enter into it as well?

Sonic Team: Shadow, of course, also has his own motivation to what he’s fighting for, and basically the storylines and motivations of all three characters will be intertwined as the story progresses. (Translator added, “at this point, they’re not really ready to talk in too much detail about Shadow, but, of course, information will be forthcoming.”)

Cue the *dun du-dun dun*. Still, it could mean that they haven't figured out exactly what they want to do with Shadow.

Eyes front, this is the most important quote:

When I played the game demo, in some cases it almost seemed too fast, especially when your perspective changes. The original Sonic was 2-D and flat, and the speed was all just left to right kind of stuff, but when you’re in a 3-D space and you’re darting in different directions, and the perspective is changing—the camera is changing—a couple of times it seemed disorienting. While it’s early and there’s still time for tuning, is there a problem with too much speed?

Sonic Team: One of the things that the team hears about from many of the previous Sonic games has been issues with the camera, and falling off things and dying. Those are things they definitely do want to address—they want to aggressively address, not just try to minimize as much as possible. However, if they just slow him down, then that’s not really Sonic anymore. So they want to find ways to make sure that players get the experience of speed, but not be frustrated by the controls or the camera.

Oooh! Did they just now promise to try and hold back on the cheap pit deaths? Nice to see they're concerned about the biggest problem dogging so many 3D Sonic stages, but we'll see how well they "agressively address" it.

Will we see much in this game that references previous Sonic titles?
Sonic Team: Since it's Sonic's 15th anniversary the team will try to implement things that have been in previous games, so if you played Sonic 15 years ago you might see something you recognise in here. We're trying to put that in, but we're not sure how much we can do yet. But we have to do something to make the 15th anniversary title special. Since the original Sonic had a great impact when it was released, we feel we have a lot of pressure on us. We're proud to be working on this project, and don't want the fans to feel this isn't as good a game as the original Sonic The Hedgehog.
--------
How do you keep your game fresh after 15 years of Sonic games? How do you bring something new to the franchise…how do you freshen it up, so that it doesn’t feel to the players like just another Sonic game?

Sonic Team: The past few games have been like Sonic Heroes or Shadow the Hedgehog, which have gone off in fairly different directions when you compare them to the rest of the Sonic franchise. The core concept in this case was returning to his roots—what makes him so popular, what makes him special?—and a large part of that answer is speed. He’s fast. And so, in this particular case, rather than trying to do something entirely different that’s a complete departure from the Sonic franchise, it’s more about [returning to] his roots…and let’s try to let the player experience that speed—Sonic speed—in new ways.
--------
Is there anything else they wanted to say?

Sonic Team: The core concept that they’ve been talking about is a return to [Sonic’s] roots, but another one of the things that they’re really working for at this point is, it’s his fifteenth anniversary—there have been 15 years of Sonic games—and they really want to make this the definitive Sonic. There are things like the town stages, which are far more involved than stages of earlier games, and the vast majority of the characters of the past will make appearances here. It’s basically something that they’re trying to put together—the best moments from 15 years of Sonic gaming, and really try to give back to the people who’ve supported the series.

...I give up trying to make any sense of them generalizing all they're going for with this "roots" talk. It confuses the hell out of me, and I wonder if even they know what it all means. As of now, i'm satisfied that "the roots" means Sonic's part of the game.

[Professor Machenstein]

On previous consoles, we had to choose to enhance graphics or gameplay.

... You mean you did not choose.

HIGH FIVE

[BlazeHedgehog]

What are the key Sonic values, and how do they come across in Sonic's next-gen adventure?
Sonic Team: What the team wanted to do in this game is create speed and a cool attitude. In terms of speed, we've already shown Sonic running at great speed and for this game we want to really up that again. The team also felt that Sonic hasn't had the same amount of attitude recently as he has in the past, so the inclusion of humans in the storyline lets us show more attitude.

...huh?

I think they mean a little more of Sonic's attitude will come out. In Sonic Adventure, most of the NPCs you talk to, Sonic didn't really respond to; perhaps he does, now. Or, at the very least, perhaps Sonic interacts with people more during cutscenes.

I think "going back to his roots" is a little bit more clear now. Every Sonic game, they describe that Sonic is going back to his roots - but it's a different part of his roots in every game.

Sonic Adventure 2, the game abandoned Adventure Fields - opting for the more classic "stage-by-stage" routine. It also featured only three character types, instead of six.

Sonic Heroes, the artistic design went back to the classic Genesis games more - checkerboard hills, and brighter, more fantastical environments. Generally, less realism. However, it also veered off with that stupid teamplay mechanic.

Sonic 2k6, on the other hand, is going back to Sonic's roots in the sense it's returning to the Sonic Adventure gameplay rather than what Heroes or Shadow put forth. Which I guess makes a little bit more sense, but still worries me a great deal as it still feels decidedly lazy. I especially like the part in the TeamXbox interview where they basically say...

"WE WERE ALREADY MAKING A NEW SONIC GAME BUT THEN WE REALIZED 'OH IT'S HIS 15TH ANNIVERSARY' SO WE DECIDED TO TRY A LITTLE HARDER THAN USUAL."

That fills me with hope and joy!

[Zarathustra]

Dumb and lame humans surrounding Sonic gives you the impression of him being cooler.

Sonic Team: One of the things that the team hears about from many of the previous Sonic games has been issues with the camera, and falling off things and dying. Those are things they definitely do want to address—they want to aggressively address, not just try to minimize as much as possible.

They'll actually put some joe to play the game and see if he falls into a pit unintentionally and start bitching SONICTEAM or what?
"I smell victory".

[DackAttac]

My best interpretation of the human comment will be that Sonic is racist against humans. Violently.

They'll actually put some joe to play the game and see if he falls into a pit unintentionally and start bitching SONICTEAM or what?

I tried to make out the grammar of that sentence and...
I smell failure.

[Zarathustra]

Sawrri phor mah uik inglyshd

[Ritz]

Dumb and lame humans

But I'm the furry, right?

[Zarathustra]

Shit, what I meant was that they will do humans EVEN DUMBER than the shitty NPC's of Sonic Adventure just for the sake of supossed Sonic's and co. coolness!! Again, IMHO.

[Frieza2000]

This reminds me: bump for this one!!

Besides, I wouldn't subject you all to such a massive mindfucking again, as doing so really would be pretty pointless. Baba probably would, though. He's a bastard like that.

If you do something like that again... I would view it without second thoughs ^_^.

a very fucked topic. I'll read it now, thanx

What I was interested about was in some pic of you grooming yourself with your tongue

Also, isn't there any Shadow and/ or Rouge underwear? That would really rock!

I thought it was pretty obvious.

[Zarathustra]

"You know it's wrong, but it feels so good..."
And I'm not talking about drugs nor incest...

So, this is how you turn a news thread into a furry nonsense.

[SegaSonic]

WANT NEW INFO? IVE GOT IT RIGHT HERE!


Official PS2 UK magazine article

Page 1
http://img293.imageshack.us/my.php?imag ... an10od.jpg

Page 2 - Pt.1, Pt.2, and Pt.3 (Was minimized due to being 5mb..)
http://putfile.com/pic.php?pic=5/14416380446.png&s=f5
http://putfile.com/pic.php?pic=5/14416531920.png&s=f5
http://putfile.com/pic.php?pic=5/14416551752.png&s=f5

Enjoy, and whatnot.

[Arcade]

5 megas? Couldn’t you use infaview and save them as JPG or something?

Mario: The world is screwed, Sonic is the one saving a princess and a princess in saving me-_-

[SegaSonic]

Well, atleast she's a human, it reminds me of the Sonic OVA.

[Arcade]

Well, atleast she's a human, it reminds me of the Sonic OVA.

The girl in the Sonic OVas was a catgirl (girl with cat ears and sometimes a cat tail, see "Digicharat" for example).

[FlashTHD]

There is absolutely nothing there that's new, and it's about as lame as Gamepro's shlock. Now compensate me for the 20 minutes I blew getting those.

[SegaSonic]

Yeah well, I consider those human anyway.

[Baba O'Reily]

"You know it's wrong, but it feels so good..."
And I'm not talking about drugs nor incest...

So, this is how you turn a news thread into a furry nonsense.

That's definitely mildly creepy out of a possible nigga whut the fuck you on.

[Zarathustra]

... Baba, let me remind you I'm argentine, I simply CAN'T be a nigga (it's not technically possible to be one... and no, I'm not racist, it's only that it's that way down here), but yes, it's still creepy. I promise I won't do that shit again.

The girl in the Sonic OVas was a catgirl (girl with cat ears and sometimes a cat tail, see "Digicharat" for example).

I'm gettin' tired of the Sonic OVA comparison. After all, it was a really fine non-canonical anime, but this Square Enix-styled brand new Sonic has not a fuck to do with that (infact, it's pretty the opposite).

[Locit]

... Baba, let me remind you I'm argentine, I simply CAN'T be a nigga (it's not technically possible to be one... and no, I'm not racist, it's only that it's that way down here)

Dammit man, stop talking

[Tsuyoshi-kun]

I've never seen the necessity of humans in the Sonic universe sans Eggman, his grandfather, and Maria, and still am wondering their continued existance. It just feels jarring and out of place to me. This especially applies to the Sonic OVA, which would've been a lot better if it wasn't for that stupid catgirl and her dad fucking things up. If they got rid of them, as well as the Dragonball Z fighting between Sonic and Metal Sonic, it would've been so much better. Still better than Sonic X, though.

[Zarathustra]

http://www.segabastard.com/NickEvil/fea ... romes.html

...a series known for suck will be hyped for some supposed rebirth. Tons of talk about "righting the wrongs" or "bringing the series back to its roots" or "recapture the magic" will be thrown about recklessly.

It sounds pretty familiar...
Seriously, am I the only one feeling so bad for being shamelessly fouled by some game designers who don't know a fuck what they have to do and/ or what they want to do?

I'm not implying that Sonic series suck (if it was, I fucking obviously wouldn't be here in the very first palce), but as you already know, the last games weight more than the classic ones. This' serious. These people even recognised Sonic as "not being the company's mascot". They most probably don't give a fuck for him, they'll keep him alive while his games are still commercially successful. He definetely is not in the same position as Mario anymore, he's not representing anything but big bux for SEGA...

I need to sleep a little maybe, I'm tired and probably babbling nonsensical shit again...