Valuable Info.
Interview and other stuff like translations from the official site.
here's an interview and a few bits from a Japanese article (originally posted on StH PS3 board under "those who think eggman is skinny"; not sure where the article itself is from):
Familiar characters contend against various risks! The world becomes a stage of adventure, drawn on an
impressive scale and at the same time with great detail, using the great abilities of the next generation machines.
Story: At the height of a festival Princess Elise of the kingdom of Soleana is
abducted by Dr. Eggman, seeking the secret of the "Flames of Disaster".
Sonic tries to halt Eggman's plan, but Silver blocks his path, calling
him "Iblis Trigger". Silver's intentions? And the secret of the "Flames
of Disaster"? Sonic's new adventure starts now!
In-development Director Interview: R and D dept. Planning section Nakamura
Revolutionary starting concept
----: Any comments on how you decided to handle this latest Sonic project?
Nakamura: Because Sonic is the character mascot for the company, you are not
allowed to fail, and you expect many users. With such significance it feels
very risky, on the other hand, the result feels worth it.
----: The title is "Sonic the Hedgehog", was a certain concept needed as the
revolution starting point? [not to be confused with the Wii, this refers to
the new style]
Nakamura: That's so. This time "Sonic", carrying an exhilarating sense of
glamour, is said to be once again looking back.
----: It is sold for Playstation 3 and Xbox 360, but does the content
change between these two models?
Nakamura: The firm intention is they should be almost the same. Only after
reaching the second half of the game will you begin to see small
discrepancies, consider those of idea level.
----: How hard is the the new development?
Nakamura: It is very difficult, yes. Hearing about the power of the next
generation "Let's do everything possible" comes up, but after all there
are limits. Within them, constructing a world while retaining efficiency
is extremely difficult, isn't it.
----: Do you feel the difference in level from current machines?
Nakamura: The way we think about creating games must change, along with
accepted impressions. Designers and programmers, previous thoughts on
how to do things are left behind and finished. The development staff and
the assignment grow together, or you have the feeling it lags when it is
finished.
The People Sonic Meets
----: However, concerning the contents of the game - the story and such -
this serious mood works well, but...
Nakamura: In this work, a key point is Sonic appearing and being involved
in a human place, isn't it? If Sonic happened to encounter a human girl,
what kind of things would happen? With this stated approach, we would like
to give the impression of the traditional series. Up until now it has been
somwhat leaning towards children, but adults and everyone will be able to
enjoy what this work will do with this notion; Eggman's design and such,
different from the traditional cartoon forms, have become more real.
----: Also a new character called "Silver is introduced, right?
Nakamura: "What of the next generation machines?" they ask, creating a third
person in the easiest role of the game to display new physical movement.
Creating a character making use of that new gimmick, now called Silver,
introduces a new character able to manipulate psychic ability.
----: So far in this series, various characters have come forth, as for
these former comrades, will they appear?
Nakamura: Yes. This time, there is significance in returning to the former
"Sonic" but also compiling 15 years into one game.
----: Stage gimmicks seem rather abundant, there sem to be a rich variety
aren't there?
Nakamura: The various stages have different gimmicks, and called "[? -I
cannot make this make sense]" is characteristic enjoyment. Morever, this time
Sonic can freely visit preparation areas called Town Stages.
----:The adventure sections are the foundation, and are huge stages; one must
clear missions to advance the story, is that right?
Nakamura: True, it is the foundation. Here the inside of the town becomes a
base, opening paths to action stages, the story advances upon clearing the
stages, as you reach that point. The game progresss with that sort of flow.
----: Is there also considerable volume?
Nakamura: There is also a volume, we increase the -heehee- words on the next
generation machine (laughing). So, with 15th anniversaries so far, people
will buy with a feeling of gratitude, it's felt to be crammed with similar
things if at all possible.
Observations on Supersonic Speed Mode
----: Action, gimmicks and more, is this the part I want to watch by all
means?
Nakamura: We say "Supersonic Speed mode", however this specialized speed mode
is planned to be prepared for exclusive stages. So far, we assume "This
character is fast", this time words don't approach the degree of speed(laughs).
"Yabei! this is fast!" is increasingly the kind of thing that is said. Behind
him, the psychic powers of Silver, right? By simply floating things and
throwing levers, there are puzzle-like elements. Like this, bend the this
road, and the cars on top fall; using that you advance, as it were, to part
of the puzzle solution, see?
----: The sale date is a matter of interest, but are you adjusting to the
sale of the Playstation 3 after all?
Nakamura: The development situation is still 40%. We feel it will be
released in the fall of this year. At the start we said we planned to release
this fall, but then the Playstation 3 was said to be coming out (laughs).
Aiming at the season, there will be no wait.
----: In conclusion, a single word comment please for fans tired of waiting.
Nakamura: The first "Sonic the Hedgehog" game appeared in '91, at that time
it became popular due to the sense of speed and characters' cool images. That
charm but the presentation of today, adding new things, even people not
acquainted with the game can enjoy it; furthermore people who are familiar
with the story can enjoy what the game is doing. By all means you will feel
enjoyment in many ways.
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Rather than a mere *bump*, here are some of the current character bios from Sonic Channel (in case someone's not familiar with the site, it's Sonic Team's official Sonic game website
http://sonic.sega.jp/index.html). I'd hoped they'd have made a few more additions to the StH site by now, but it looks like the English site may be a translation of the Japanese site anyway this time around; which would be a first - the Riders and ShTH sites were entirely different. Anyway (insert standard disclaimer about this being my own "best translation) the first four:
Sonic the Hedgehog: Real name : Sonikku za Hejjihoggu
English name : Sonic the Hedgehog
Nickname : Sonikku
Classification : Hedgehog
Gender : Male
Height : 100 cm
Weight : 35 kg
Age : 15 years old
Running speed : Supersonic speeds
Selfishly fond of freedom but very likeable, leaning towards a great dislike of secrecy. Although sometimes quick tempered, possessing kindness in bringing freedom to distressed people. Considering life a series of events and adventures, he lives by his own rules and common sense. He keeps promises. He is no traitor. His justice is honest. From a habitual daredevil aloof from the world, when some kind of crisis arises he is from here on in the game a different person, with a degree of intensity and acuity that astonishes the watcher. In any case, you cannot quietly be the fastest hedgehog in history.
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Tails: Real name : Mairusu Paua
English name : Miles "Tails" Prower
Nickname : Teirusu
Classification : Kitsune (fox)
Gender : Male
Height : 80 cm
Weight : 20 kg
Age : 8 years
Special skill: Rotating his two tails to fly in the air.
Hobbies : Tinkering with machines - flying mechas
Hie real name is Miles Prower, but everyone calls him "Tails". This kind-hearted foxcub possesses 2 tails. By spinning these tails he is able to fly through the air. At a time when everyone picked on his two tails, he unexpectedly encountered Sonic's running form while wishing for courage; since that time he has never been far from Sonic's side. He loves to tinker with machines and has developed various mechas. As far as Sonic is concerned, he's a delightful little brother; Tails himself hopes to one day be the person that Sonic will depend on.
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Dr. Eggman: Real name : Unknown
English name : Dr. Eggman
Nickname : Dr. Egguman
Classification : Human
Gender : Male
Height : 185 cm
Weight : 128 kg
Age : Unknown
Blood type : Type B
IQ : 300
Favorite things : Mechas
Selfishly self-centered, is this self-styled evil genius scientist. He has a fondness for mechas and more for three meals a day. This scientist's IQ greatly surpasses 300, and he does not reflect on people's annoyance but wishes to designate the world Eggman-land. This man will never give up. These plans being thwarted entirely by Sonic, his dearest wish is to defeat Sonic; in some respects, hatred for Sonic is the tune in his inner heart.
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Knuckles: Real name : Nakkuruza za Ekidouna
English name : Knuckles the Echidna Height : 110 cm
Weight : 40 kg
Age : 16 years
Nickname : Nakkuruza
Classification : Echidna (Harimogura)
Gender : Male
Favorite things : Fruit
Loathed things : Strong sunlight
Special skills : Digging * Wall climbing * Gliding * Punch
A heroic and powerful echidna. He knows his sole purpose for living on "Angel Island", an island floating in the heavens, is to protect the gigantic gem called the Master Emerald. Sonic's rival is a quarrelsome friend. If Sonic is the breeze, Knuckles, remaining in one place is as established as the mountains. As a result of having an honest character and a one-track mind, he is a bit one-sided and gullible. He is also a treasure hunter and a master of martial arts. As for his powerful fists, the intensity of their punch is able to shatter stones. He further posesses the special skills of gliding and climbing up walls.
[note, this is "the Knuckles tribe", not "Knuckle's tribe", the Japanese text has always designated the line of Pachacamac as the Knuckles tribe or clan]]
By way of a bump, have some more official bios:
Amy: Real name : Emii Roozu
English name : Amy Rose
Nickname : Emii
Classification : Hedgehog
Gender : Female
Height : 90 cm
Weight : SECRET!
Age : 12 years
Favorite things : Loathed things: Special skills: Tarot cards
Dowsing PikoPiko Hammer
Persistently crowding Sonic with love, this girl chases after him, falling in love with love. The self-styled girl-friend of Sonic the Hedgehog. An energetic manufacturer of cheerful moods, she strenghtens her pre-eminent behavior with more and more determination. At the critical moment, she produces her favoroite PikoPiko Hammer out of nowhere carelessly embarrassing men with her actions. Sonic is overwhelmed when faced with her wholehearted emotions.
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Shadow: Real name : Shiyadou za Hejjihoggu English name : Shadow the Hedgehog
Nickname : Shiyadou
Classification : Hedgehog Gender : Male
Height : 100 cm
Weight : 35 kg
Favorite things : None Loathed things: Mankind in general Special skills: Chaos Control
Chaos Blast
Chaos Spear
This black hedgehog and Sonic are as alike as two melons. Dr. Eggman's grandfather, Professor Gerald, the genius scientist of the era, produced Shadow as the ultimate life-form. Using the Chaos Emeralds gives Shadow the ability to warp space-time (Chaos Control). He holds true to his aims, not avoiding a path because of danger.
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Cream & Cheese: Real name : Kuriimu za Rabitto Real name : Chiizu
English name : Cream the Rabbit English name : Cheese
Nickname : Kurimu Nickname : Chiizu
Classification : Usagi (rabbit) Classification : Chao
Gender : Female Gender : Without
Height : 70 cm Height : 40 cm Weight : 12 kg Weight : Unknown
Age : 6 years Age : Unknown
Favorite thing : TV Favorite food : Coconuts (Yashi no mi - palm's nut)
(especially "The NEXT Show")
Best friends with a chao, this rabbit girl always brings along her chao friend Cheese. She is bright, curious and lively, and through everything battles on with all her might. Her mother's discipline was extremely strict, resulting in Cream's rigidly polite speech and manners. This child is able to fly through the air on the wind generated by flapping her long ears. Cheese's tag attack is powerful! By the way, her mother's name is Vanilla.
I think this may be the only official announcement of Cream's mother's name outside of Sonic X. I don't believe she was ever named in the games (although I haven't finished Sonic Rush yet).
In case I hadn't said, these are off Sonic Channel, an official Sonic Team site, not linked directly to any of the games, although some of them are very similar to the Sonic Riders bios in part. BTW did you know Jet the Hawk was 14? Haven't translated him yet, he's new for September.
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Double post but I thought I'd do the characters as I finished them - I've got bits that looked interesting from all 4 at the moment, lol.
Each character has 2 pages of info at the moment, a story bio linked to the first picture and a gameplay summary (at least for the hedgehogs) on the second. Thus: Characters: Sonic the Hedgehog, Shadow the Hedgehog, Silver the Hedgehog, Princess Elise. Guess by the silhouettes who's coming soon! (and yes that's Omega, not Gamma)
Sonic the Hedgehog
The world's fastest; the supersonic hedgehog. Going your own way as you please, very likable, but hating dishonest acts. Although quick-tempered, he has a soft spot for troubled people and cannot leave until they are free. While Sonic is in Soleana, the beautiful city of water, he sees Dr. Eggman kidnap the Princess Elise from the site for the purpose of stealing the secrets of the "Flames of Disaster"; now he must face Dr. Eggman to rescue Princess Elise.
New action feature, Custom ACT!
Now, when Sonic seeks special things, he can gain information by talking to people on the street of the vast Town Stages, and make alterations in his actions by purchasing custon actions from the stores. He can do this whenever he chooses in order to be equipped with the right actions for doing things, to be able to enjoy his actions. Please do try to check all the "Custom Actions" that are shown sequentially on the official list.
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Shadow the Hedgehog
Created by Professor Gerald in his quest to produce the Ultimate Life form. Recieving a request from the Federal Government to extricate Rouge, Shadow penetrates a research establishment; en route he encounters a new enemy Mephiles. In the midst of the fight with Mephiles, Shadow flies to the future, there....
Increase Shadow's play with what's called Gadet Action!
This time Shadow's special feature, his various battle actions, can be varied by gadgets (vehicles) to ride in and break things up. Born to be the Ultimate Life-form, returning to the path he'd strayed from, Shadow uses his hand-to-hand fighting gifts and driving technique without hesitating to utilize every gadget and break things in the exection of his mission. Please check the "Gadget Action" button as things are added.
Notice - only vehicles and hand-to-hand are mentioned, not hand-held guns.
