When Sonic fans of old and new collide, cue the drama
When up and coming young guns exist in any role or capacity, it’s customary and, perhaps, almost expected that they taunt and tease their elder counterparts, referring to them as old fashioned, and behind the times. A circle of life does exist, after all–the young must at some point replace the old, where they age, mature, and eventually step aside to make way for the next generation. Such evolution is a necessity for survival and acceptance of humanity as a whole–after all, if the acceptance of new ideas and concepts were rejected in modern society, democracy would have been suppressed, the rights of many would lack proper recognition, and new technologies would almost certainly have never flourished.
The Internet is one of those new technologies, and it’s a great way for minds to be enriched. Theory, practice, debate, and criticism of any number of ideas can all be accessd with a few keystrokes and the click of a mouse. The Internet, like most things, has seen rapid evolution in its short public lifespan. BBS and primitive web design have yielded to blogging, wikis, and a new era of instant information. Sonic has also evolved with the times, popping out of a 2D sidescrolling landscape into a more immersive, creative 3D world, with a new troupe of allies to boot, and new ways to extend Sonic’s outreach. Whether Sonic is on a hover board, holding a sword, kissing a princess, or morphing into a Werehog, the intricacies and changing variations of Sonic gameplay and back story are well above and beyond the simple times of the 1990s that many feel helped the hedgehog become so well loved in the first place.
As Sonic has now seen the better part of twenty years in action, there have been many who have supported Sonic through both good and bad times, and there are those who don’t remember how Sonic evolved. These aren’t the next generation of fans–indeed, who knows what’s next for Sonic–they are the new generation of fans, and while classic Sonic may have been exposed to them via recent compilations, a 16-bit Sega Genesis may be too young for the new generation to remember. In place of the original Sonic television series that ran Saturday mornings on ABC may be Sonic X, which ran Saturday mornings on FOX. The new generation seems to have flourished with the release of Sonic Adventure 2 or even Sonic Heroes, as well as, to a lesser extent, the original Sonic Adventure. As many longtime veterans in Sonic fandom spent their childhood plugging away at the Labyrinth Zone, or fighting that blasted barrel in the Carnival Night Zone, the new generation blasted through zones in groups of three, dug for emeralds, and jammed to Live and Learn or His World. This is the new generation’s first exposure to Sonic, the fault of families keeping up with rapid changes in console gaming. They have, to an extent, seen Sonic embroiled in story over substance.
There’s nothing that states veteran Sonic fans aren’t pleased by some fare the new generation loves. Nearly all Sonic fans hold Sonic Adventure 2 and even Sonic Heroes in high regard. The two generations also almost universally abhor the 2006 Sonic the Hedgehog. But while veteran Sonic fans refer to such fare as the Werehog and Arthurian environments as “gimmicks,” the new generations finds both concepts–as well as seemingly anything Sega throws at them–much more acceptable.
When the lines of division are drawn between old and new, watch out.
Nowhere is that more evident in recent times than the initial rows surrounding Sonic and the Black Knight, from start to finish. “Sonic with a sword” was uncharted territory for all in fandom. Many veterans found the concept absurd, under the premise Sonic should be able to cut through anything a sword can with his spin attack. Incredible anger filled many community message boards. The top Sonic fan site, The Sonic Stadium, bore the brunt of both anger at the concept, and the eventual criticism toward such expression.
This was the message expressed on the front page of TSS after the Nintendo Power cover of SBK was leaked:
Words cannot express how pissed off I am right now. This “leaked” Nintendo Power cover better be a hilarious prank. Knowing SEGA, though, I doubt that it is.
“Dear SEGA…
NO.
Yours sincerely,
Everyone”
That led to several reader complaints regarding the direction of TSS, and confusion surrounding its position as a blog versus a news source. This was just some of the harsh language written by assumed new generation fans, published on TSS shortly after the above post:
dude seriously i don’t think you are a sonic fan i mean seriously mario had to travel through space to find a freaking princess its the same story line over and over again, so what if sonic makes a game about sub characters it just adds to the story line, at least sega is trying unlike nintendo, or YOU, they have great ideas, u can take this feed back anyway u want, seriously just let sonic be the way he is, and stop bitching about something new about him,
yours sincerely a true sonic fan
—–
What’s up with the news post about the Black Knight? Not only do you slate something you know next to nothing about, you attack a guy guilty only of providing us with this information. Really, that’s poor journalism and an insult to members of the Sonic Stadium.
Sonic Stadium staffers have, in many ways, found themselves at the center of the clash since, regularly defending their right to their opinion on the front page of TSS, and using editorials, crass comments, and even comics to label the vehement, stubborn opinion of the new generation on a level tantamount to trolls. In many times and many ways, doing so has arguably involved stooping down to the same ill-informed level some purport this new generation to have.
Some veterans have given this generation nicknames they do not want, such as the “Defend Sonic Brigade” or the “Sonic Defense Force,” mainly due to how strong the opinion is, and the lengths it’s believed they are willing to go to make it known.
IGN’s Matt Casamassina is well aware of this; he received threats in light of his poor review of Sonic and the Black Knight. While he used the moment to poke fun at Sonic fandom as a whole in a radio podcast shortly after the review, it did nothing to quell tensions between the reviewer, the website as a whole, and factions of its jaded readers. Casamassina, in the podcast, also mentions criticism received by fellow IGN staffer Hilary Goldstein, who may not have given Sonic Unleashed a fair shake prior to his review.
Indeed, the release of SBK and its almost universally poor reception in the mainstream gaming media has done nothing to unite more seasoned Sonic fans with the new generation. Veterans have used SBK as a shining example of why Sonic must return to its classic roots, while the new generation of fans accept the story on its merits, finding the good yolk inside a tough egg to crack. The Sonic Stadium, with its good standing as a whole in the community, has attempted to quell tension with its “No Drama ’09″ initiative, only to have seen some derailment, in part stemming from a sudden shutdown of the website and an ongoing rebuilding effort. Webmaster Svend Joscelyne’s review of SBK also did no favors toward the new generation; that prompted a promise to oust “trolls” who were leaving unsavory comments in response, but it also called into question concerns as to whether Joscelyne is using the “troll” label to silence, in part, this new generation–something that has been denied publicly on TSS. It is only been recently that Joscelyne has found something good to say about SBK, but that in of itself has drawn ire from many veteran Sonic fans elsewhere.
Even this site has seen its share of extreme commentary from the new generation. It is our job and responsibility to bring you the news of Sonic and Sega, unbiased and unafraid, and that has unfortunately meant covering a lot of the negativity surrounding SBK. Some of these stories TSSZ News has run since July have been met with strong responses. Here is a sample of some comments left:
GOD FUCKING FORBID SONIC TRIES SOMETHING DIFFRENT YOU DUMB ASSHOLES!!!!!!!!
srsly how much of that “classic sonic feel” needs to be mashed into their freakin heads before they shut the hell up.
—–
man…they just want everyone to hate them huh?
I’m just so angry…EVERY SONIC GAMES ARE GREAT!! almost every time for me the last Sonic game that comes out is better then the last one!
IGN is no longer reliable anymore…
HELL!! I never looked at a review before playing a game!
I hate reviews…I hate IGN…I hate reviewers!Black Knight was awesome!
Sonic 06 was INCREDIBLY AWESOME!
Unleashed was great!!
it’s just that for me a Sonic game that is almost perfect is:
1) one with many characters!
2) a great story( they are ALWAYS great)
3) fast platforming like usual—–
Sonic don’t suck! IGN sucks!!! Curse you IGN forever! Hope your company goes down this month and SEGA will sue you for your sucking ratings!
—–
Break out the torches and pitchforks!
And in positive times, we’ve seen responses such as this:
Finally – a site that gives the game a review it deserves.
—–
They always say that the “younger ones” don’t know what a real Sonic game and stuff like that is. It still feels like a Sonic game beacuse od some elemts, but still it isn’t thet kind of Sonic game if you know what I mean. I ejoy it and I’ve some missions left and it’s really fun.
—–
this review is somewhat ok because its like close to a 7 so ya so good so far…
With such wild fluctuations, where should the line be drawn?
The new generation deserves as much a voice in the community as veteran Sonic fans do. It does not deserve to be demeaned or censored in the name of reaching toward an ideal for Sonic as a whole, as it is evident the new generation is the generation Sega is catering toward in these times. All things must evolve with time, and Sonic the Hedgehog is no exception. As his evolution continues, it will only bring in a new influx of fans who may feel completely different from the current crop clashing today. Both generations must learn to evolve, accept, respect, and eventually coexist; that is the only way toward peace in the Sonic community. One generation can learn from the other. A strong defense of one’s own viewpoint against the other will only send community affairs into chaos. No single voice of clout is the sole voice of what is and isn’t in Sonic fandom, rather several voices of reason are needed to quell tension.
It is clear, contrary to popular belief, that many do care about the state of Sonic. The civil and welcome exchange of ideas of what is and what’s to come may ultimately be how the generation gap is bridged, ensuring that all of us are “True Sonic Fans.” But the destruction of new ideas, the silencing of those who dissent, and the lack of respect from both sides will be the genesis of a lost generation.
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The Ten is a multi-part series examining the 10 events of the past decade that have shaped Sonic fandom and community affairs today. It is part of a series meant to complement the 10th anniversary of TSSZ News.
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Umm, that above comment
“how much of a sonic feel needs to be mashed into their heads before they shut the hell up”
was it mine, I think it was but I cant remeber.
You know what this guy is so right like Nintendo isnt even trying to make new stuff for Mario its been the same storyline over and over again plus Sega at least makes new games just in case the the same gameplay gets boring like how many games does Mario have that deal with Main series and Spin Off series will Sonic has more than him and Mario has been there for more years than Sonic but Sonic has more games better storyline and more characters that are unique going to continue wat i said later on
That statement about Sonic’06 would’ve been somewhat true IF it was completed. But, what are you going to do, things happen, all you can do is look to the future and not let the past cloud your judgement, the one thing I think “younger fans” do right.
But Black Knight DID suck.
I really despise it when people use words like “suck” or “crap” to desribe a game that is disappointing, but has many qualities in its own right. I was very disappointed by Black Knight, especially because I LOVED Secret Rings and Black Knight has really a huge drop in quality compared to Secret Rings. But things like that happen. I’ve always believed in Sonic Team and I will always continue to support them. Sonic Team is the most unique game company in the world and I love them, even when they do mistakes.
Another thing, I really don’t like it when older Sonic Fan talk as if the new games were exclusively loved by younger players. I’m 24 years old, married, and have been playing Sonic games since I was 7. (Thas is when the very first Sonic game came out) And I love both old and new Sonic games. It has all to do with how tollerant one person is and how much he/she is able to recognize and appreciate the effort that goes into creating a video game. Sonic had several awesome games in the 90s, and he has several awesome games in this decade as well. He had dissapointing games back then, and he has some dissapointing games now. That is only natural. Sonic has always been my favourite game series and I will never ever stop supporting him.
Stardust Speedman@
*sniff*
now that is a sonic fan
He is righgt, people shouldnt make a tanget between 2D and 3D sonic games they both have their have their good and bad (3D Blast, Mean Bean Machine, and Spinball for 2d) and (Next Gen, Genesis, and Shadow the Hedgehog for 3D). There shouldnt be a friggin division between the two.
This kind of fanbase makes me feel ashamed for liking the series…
http://nicochi.deviantart.com/art/Sonic-in-Lava-Reef-Zone-117341739
This rant makes me feel worse…
There is no such thing as a good game or bad game in any series.
People may disagree but its all just oppinions.
everyone acts like Zelda and Gears of war and call or duty are the best things ever personally I hate those game series.
I personally like every Sonic game and although I wasnt around in the genesis days Ive played every game I started my sonic love WITH the genesis so I cant really be considered one of the newer fans. And eating up everything that SEGA throws at you isnt a bad thing.
the community sucks now because no one understands how to respect others oppinions as soon as we can do that we can all get along. the first one that needs to start is the sonic stadium A.K.A the worst sonic site in the world.
In my opinion…
Awesome Sonic Games:
01. Sonic Unleashed Full: 9.5
02. Sonic Rush Adventure: 9.5
03. Sonic Rush: 9.5
04. Sonic the Hedgehog 16-Bit: 9.5
05. Sonic and the Secret Rings: 9.3
06. Sonic the Hedgehog CD: 9.3
07. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles: 9.3
08. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 8-Bit: 9
Great Sonic Games:
09. Sonic Adventure 2: 8.7
10. Shadow the Hedgehog: 8.7
11. SegaSonic the Hedgehog: 8.7
12. Sonic Heroes: 8.5
13. Sonic the Hedgehog 8-Bit: 8.5
14. Sonic Adventure: 8.3
15. Sonic Advance 2: 8.3
16. Sonic & Tails 2: 8.3
17. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 16-Bit: 8.3
18. Sonic 3D Flickies’ Island: 8.3
19. Knuckle’s Chaotix: 8.3
20. Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball 16-Bit: 8
Good Sonic Games:
21. Sonic Advance 3: 7.7
22. Sonic R: 7.7
23. Sonic Battle: 7.7
24. Sonic Advance: 7.3
25. Sonic & Tails: 7.3
26. Sonic Riders: 7
27. Sonic Riders 2 Zero Gravity: 7
28. Sonic Chronicles The Dark Brotherhood: 7
Passable Sonic Games:
29. Sonic the Hedgehog 15th Anniversary: 6
Poor Sonic Games:
30. Sonic Blast: 4
Personally, this reminds me of the whole “Hardcore vs Casuals” argument that I have encountered throughout the game communities.
I hate every Sonic game after Shadow the HEdgehog. Though Unleashed was pretty cool; all Sega has been doing is milking Sonic. Even though I like both Mario and Sonic (well; the old games), I really have to say Nintendo has done a good job with Mario the whole way (even though Sunshine was different, it was still pretty fun), and unlike Sega they can add new things to a Mario game and “something different” to the Super Mario formula and come out with a great result, unlike Sega, where the end up fucking up the whole game (except in Unleashed, I’m one of the few people who somewhat enjoyed the Werehog levels). And one more thing, how is it that Nintendo keeps their good fashion of level-design yet a lot of Unleashed’s levels are just frusterating?
Ahh well, people have different tastes in everythin, don´t they?. You know, i am a new generation fan, i started playing Sonic since SA2:Battle, and well…i´ve played most sonic games since (Even the old games, i love them),and all i can say is that Sonic has it´s failures in both 2D and 3D, but that doesn´t stop me from liking Sonic the way he is now, no. I support Sonic Team and encourage them to keep trying, because one day….there will be this game among all others that will keep us playing, just you wait ;D
When ever someone says a game sucks better give me a good reason why and most of the time they are overexaggerating which ticks me off
…..Are there other fanbases that have such boiling hatred for one another? During normal nerd-fights it’s clearly a fanbase vs. fanbase senario. You know: Star Wars vs. Star Trek. Street Fighter vs. Tekken. One Piece vs. Naruto. That sort of thing…but this? This is Sonic vs Sonic! and if we continue to fight amongst ourselves, we won’t focus on what’s important: Helping SEGA to make a Sonic game that we ALL can enjoy, or at the very least tolerate!
The Sonic series has been so versatile, extensive and open-mindly designed that it has attracted many different types of fans. This is just one of the things that makes the Sonic Universe so awesome. However, I personally believe that with the fan base that Sonic has today, it is almost impossible to creat a Sonic game that all of them would love. But yeah, there could be at least a game on which everyone would agree that it is a good game, even if many of the fans wouldn’t enjoy it as much as many other fans.
Edge’s first line = Truth.
Hey Edge, I totally missed your comment. I absolutely agree with you, except that the worst Sonic comunitiy in the world is the Green Hill Zone. It is definately a Sonic-Hater forum with, strangely enough, a name from the Sonic Universe. The Greem Hill Zone museum pages are great and I visit them quite a lot, but the forum is the worst thing you could find on the net. I can’t express in words how much I hate that forum!
Stardust: You should GameFAQs. It had like, one good Sonic fan, and she’s not around the boards I don’t think anymore.
She’s pretty much like any Sonic fan but she’s EXTREMELY respectful of opinions. A fine quality of a Sonic fan. Of a normal fan. Of a human being for that matter.
One of the smartest things she’s ever said was either “I should buy whatever I want without someone calling me an idiot” and “Am I the only Sonic fan that played Sonic from the very beginning but doesn’t have to go back to its roots to be good?” or something along that line.
Anyway, all I’m saying, she smart.
@ Soul Gauge: Too bad I never meat her! She really seems to be a very nice person!
SonicLegend shut up, that is all lies. Mario is far better than So9nic and has more games, the Sonic games are just plain horrible and you are sheep to but them, getting fleeced. Nintendo actually puts work into they’re. Show me proof that storyline is better.
That’s what makes Mario good simplicity he doesn’t need a overcomplicated story or a personality and since they kept it like that for years there able to put him in different game with gimmicks that actual work such as the Mario and Luigi series the sports game and the party games (which im not to fond of) sonic had that at one point but ditched in sa1, what now?