Gamasutra Interviews Yuji Naka
Tristan Oliver | December 29, 2008
Reconfirms Sonic-esque title in Development
There is a lot of debate in the Sonic community over who truly deserves to be the “father” of Sonic the Hedgehog. It certainly can’t be denied, however, that Yuji Naka, considered for the longest time to be the creator, played at least a very significant role.
Mr. Naka already confirmed at the Tokyo Game Show that his development studio, Prope, had a Sonic like title in the works. That confirmation came from Gamasutra, which promised a more in-depth interview later on.
That interview has now been made available.
The interview begins with talk on Prope’s first projects, Let’s Tap and Let’s Catch. But Mr. Naka also speaks of starting the development house in the first place, and how the game industry heirarchy works:
The game industry has a very short history behind it, and as a result, the more games you make, the further you work your way up the company ladder, until you become one of the heads of the whole outfit. Once that happens, you start running out of time to actually make games.
It’s better to keep yourself directly involved with the actual game process, you know? Directors are pretty high up the job ladder in the movie industry, but they’re still involved with every aspect of the film they’re working on; they’re still making movies their entire careers.
The game industry isn’t quite like that, and I think that’s a lost opportunity for a lot of people.
Before I left Sega, I was high enough up that I was looking at every game the company was developing.
Once I was in that position, though, I found that I wanted to get into the nitty-gritty details instead with the games, including Sonic — the whole “it’d be better if this bit were like this instead of that” type of thing. There was a lot I wanted to do that I couldn’t gauge until someone actually tried making it.
So, at the age of 40, I convinced Sega to let me build a company — since it’s Sega that’s behind the company, they’re the one publishing the games.
Really, if you’re a game creator, no matter how high a position you have in the industry, you need to keep creating.
It’s better for the industry, and it’s more fun for everybody involved.
The interview also is more specific about the Sonic style title in development, but not much more specific. The only new information stemming from the Q&A is that the new game will be character based, and probably will be an original IP. Naka also says that he would be willing to make the Let’s series go deeper if this initial game sells well. Right now, it isn’t.
We’ll continue to keep tabs on what Yuji Naka and Prope have in store.
Filed Under Sonic Scene
I look forward to see what this Sonic-esque title is going to be like. Should be fun getting into a new thing!
Shame about the Tap sales, though. Then again, it’ll make a killing over here. Anything Wii is lapped up like a cat drinking milk in the UK!
Yey! A new Sonic title! when they say “like” what does that mean? b-but its still a Sonic game right? Oh i hope its on formats like 360, PS3, Wii… but im glad Yuka naka is back
(i think)
Blueblur: its not a Sonic game and he is not back
I wonder what other games he’ll come up with. We’ll see.
bluebur: Yuji’s not back. It’s not a Sonic game. Nama’s in a new company known as ‘Probe’, whom are working on a new title SIMILAR to that of say, Sonic, Klonoa, etc.
To tell the truth, I’m quite eager to see what Naka’s got in store for us. What shall be the next “Big Game Icon / Series / Character”, or something of that variation. And, remember, there’s the chance that we may see cameos by Sonic & Co, though, it’s unlikely. Good luck, Yuji!
This could be interesting to see, I hope it comes out soon.
@ Soul: It’s Prope.
I refuse to acknowledge Yuji Naka anymore.
the new character like sonic by Naka
mmm…
the Rival of Sonic maybe
….but
i believe in Sonic…
Sega’s Sonic Team’s Sonic vs Sega’s Probe’s newcomer, who will win?
Geez, why do people believe that this new franchise is going to “rival” Sonic? I don’t think a new franchise made by the same bloody guy counts as a “rival”.
I will keep a eye on this. Should be interesting.
[...] also touched on recent murmurs by Mr. Naka that a Sonic like platformer is coming out of Prope. It appears, however, that his [...]