Game News

Iizuka: “A Constant Roadmap Going Ahead” for Sonic Series

Now that Sonic Generations has arrived for most of the world, the inevitable questions are popping up: what’s next for the Sonic series? We’ve heard already that there are “no plans” for classic Sonic post-Generations (and our inevitable reaction was no doubt heard ’round the Internet), but beyond the upcoming Sonic 4: Episode 2 release next year, there hasn’t been much indication of where Sonic’s going next.

In an interview with Gamasutra, Sonic Team producer Takashi Iizuka sat down to explain his views on moving the series forward, stating that Generations is about taking the past 20 years of history and rolling it into one really fun product. I think, as a result, I would like to make a new standard Sonic, a modern Sonic if you will, in 2012 and beyond.

Also, the obligatory fanbase question and answer:

The Sonic series has a lot of really passionate fans. When you’re charting a course for the series, how much do you have to listen to that fanbase? How much of the decision is based on where you think it should go?

Well, the fact that Sonic has kept going for the past 20 years is because it’s received all that support from fans over the years. I try to preserve the image of Sonic that these fans are looking for, and I try my best to participate in the assorted fan events that take place.

So I treat those voices seriously, but on the other hand, I think it’s also necessary to surprise them, to turn against their expectations — in a good way. I want to introduce new aspects that don’t shake what the fans want, but also provide something new to the package.

You can check out the entire interview (along with the “I feel old” realization of both parents and children enjoying Sonic games) over at Gamasutra.

Previous Post Next Post

You Might Also Like

18 Comments

  • Reply

    Mmm…problem is, iizuka, that you and the fans have different ideas as to what “good surprises” are. For us, a good surprise would be adding Tails as a playable character in Sonic CD, so props to you there. On the other hand, we have ceiling running…

  • Reply

    …We’re screwed, aren’t we?

  • Reply

    There are rumors of a new Sonic game coming out for the Wii-U
    http://wiiublog.com/blog/2011/10/30/rumor-sonic-dimensions-is-coming-to-the-wii-u.html
    From what I heard it seems interesting.

  • Reply

    So am I the ONLY ONE who noticed the wording in the orignal interview states that they have no plans IN THE NEAR FUTURE for Classic Sonic? Everyone else is interpretting that as them having no plans whatsoever, which clearly isn’t what was said.

  • Reply

    They should do a reboot, and have fresh new stories, character disign, etc. Same gameplay though. 🙂

    • Reply

      God no. The last thing we need is another ‘dmc’..

  • Reply

    Not gonna lie, I’m kind of scared from what he said there.  Hopefully they don’t change him drastically, which brings up another question.  

    *Dramatic Music* Will they change his look for the *New* Modern Sonic???

  • Reply

    Sonic dimensions!!!! Thats for 21

  • Reply

    People believe the Sonic Dimensions stuff? Really? For shame.

  • Reply

    Seriously Sega, is it that hard? Just do Sonic Generations 2.

  • Reply

    if this new modern sonic means no more crap hold boost to win camels then go for it! if this new sonic brings us Sonics trademark spindash and items and 3d and payable friends back then going awesome!!! atleast return the spindash and bury the shit hold boost to win formula …. please… here’s hoping to a return to the sonic I grew up with and others from 1999s sonic adventure 1

  • Reply

    stupid spellcheck its crap not camels…

    • Reply

      I’d love to hold boost to win camels. Sonic Team, do not shatter my latest dream.

  • Reply

    They finally perfected the modern Sonic gameplay, and they want to throw it all away? dammit Iizuka

  • Reply

    I’ts best that they throw away the *modern* stlye gameplay.I mean it’s good and all but people are getting pissed off with the whole boost-button rape. Now if Iizuka-san decides to go back to the sonic adventure style gameplay, I’m gonna be real hype. and I mean the sonic adventure 1 gameplay, you know, adventure fields, chao gardens, animals coming out of robots instead of chaos drives, 5 different character stories that all intersect in the end, no levels that are basically straight lines that you can beat with a simple rape of the boost button ,and GOOD CONTROL. we don’t need another sonic 06, pefectly good game if it had shorter loading times and solid control. c’mon SEGA you can do this.

  • Reply

    Or another Sonic Adventure, right?

  • Reply

    Just me that thinks Sonic Generations should’ve been the last Sonic game?

    Meh. Iizuka has not once given me a good surprize. The wisps don’t really count since they weren’t massive gameplay changers.

  • Reply

    Bullshit! We, the fans, are the only reason for Sonic’s continued existence. We deserve to have Sonic games made EXACTLY the way WE want them! No surprises! WE OWN YOU!

    (RIP Andy Rooney. Thank you for allowing me to tap into my inner curmudgeon.)

  • Leave a Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.