![USA :FUS:](./images/smilies/flag_usa.gif)
Jon Burton, co-founder of Traveller’s Tales, recently appeared on Gamastura’s Catch Up column. The weekly column seeks to uncover interesting development anecdotes for both old and new games. In the column, Burton discusses both Sonic 3D and Sonic R.
According to Burton, Sonic 3D was completely designed by Sega’s Japanese studios. Impressed with their work on previous games, Sega approached Traveller’s Tales to turn the design into a reality.
Burton’s team used every programming trick to create a pseudo-3D engine that would run on the modest hardware specifications of the Mega Drive. Although Burton is impressed with the end result, he admits that the engine couldn’t scroll the levels fast enough to deliver Sonic’s trademark speed.
Sonic R originally started out as Formula One racing game. Converting it into a Sonic title took six months, which is why the final game has only five courses.
Burton has nothing else to say about Sonic R, but does reveal a small item of trivia. As a Christian, Burton enjoys placing Christian-themed Easter Egg in his games. The village in Resort Island contains one of these Easter Eggs in the form of the Christian Ichthus, which adorns the first hut.
Sonic the Hedgehog Vocal Tracks
![Japan :FJ:](./images/smilies/flag_japan.gif)
More details about other tracks on the disc can be found here
No Rivals for Japan
![Japan :FJ:](./images/smilies/flag_japan.gif)
Although the title was first unveiled last summer, it has never appeared on Sega’s Japanese release schedules. As SoJ never commented on the title, there was a slim chance that it still might be released. Iizuka confirms that this will not be the case, but invites Japanese fans to purchase the US version.
Iizuka states that he is pleased with the western sales figures and takes comfort in its success, as the game had a “hurried scheduledâ€￾ in order to be released in time for Christmas.