SoS Videotaping Policy Not so Open-Ended
Tristan Oliver | August 21, 2009
Taping Game Demos May be Banned Outright
For those making the trip to the Summer of Sonic convention thinking they’ll be able to record and show the world what Sega has cooking for upcoming Sonic games, think again.
The Summer of Sonic FAQ page, as of today, notes that video cameras and recording are allowed, with only the casual caveat that special guests may be “uncomfortable” with their faces ending up on social media sites. But after we broke the news yesterday concerning Sega’s vast embargo on any in-game footage of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games being released, TSSZ News has learned SoSers’ recording reach may not be so vast.
Most know that both M&S and Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing are slated to show up at the London event. What most didn’t know is that any sort of recording near those demo kiosks will be prohibited–”strictly forbidden,” according to the information we’ve received this morning. While that was a foregone conclusion as it pertained to M&S, it also appears that will apply to ASR.
If that holds, it would be a stark contrast in Sega corporate policy from other expos, such as the San Diego Comic-Con, where both amateur and media cameras were freely rolling on the first build of ASR.
Otherwise, the policy outlined on the SoS FAQ will hold true for the rest of the convention floor.
The UK based staff of TSSZ News is making the trip to London for the Summer of Sonic. For those who can’t make it, be sure to look for updates throughout next weekend.
Filed Under Gaming News, Sega, Sonic Scene
I didn’t really understand here. Can I here on the other side of the ocean see anything from Summer of Sonic on internet?
The answer is yes, apart from any off screen footage of the two games outlined in the story, possibly.
Expected. LOL!
Sega doesn’t want the internet knowing the extent of how much their new game is going to suck. That way, they don’t loose immediate customers. Smart move.
I’d agree with you if it looked like either game was going to suck. We mostly know what to expect from M&S thanks to its prequel. ASR looks an enjoyable enough racing game just like Superstars Tennis looked like an enjoyable tennis game. Neither is going to set the world alight but I’m willing to give Sumo Digital the benefit of the doubt for doing wonders with Outrun and ST.
Not wanting to showcase the games online is a really strange choice. It’s not like either of the demos’ crash a lot or are horribly broken. Odd stuff. But yeah, i’ll tell you all how they play when I get back from SOS with the rest of the UK TSSZ crew.
I don’t think its anything to do with “not wanting the games to suck.” M&S2 already looks far better than the original, and ASR looks pretty good, as well, and we have gotten footage of that. Its mostlikely another reason that M&S is prevented from being shown, and Sega plans on releasing their own footage, as well. Its probably that they simply want it to be in a controlled environment so something else isn’t featured that may spoil the game (which some people seem to think that it may be character flags… Bowser Jr. and Silver’s flags were “leaked,” but they were in a controlled environment. There’s no way Sega didn’t know they were there.)
Could they be… different builds?
I am sure we can use words alone to describe sufficiently!
flame6753 I totally and utterly agree with you my fellow poster. Sega latest are sucking hardcore and they dont wanna show it. I bet you bayonetta will be flaunted like **** but these games wont get to see daylight until release.
You realise of course, that recording restrictions are in place at any gaming event? Gamescom, E3, Tokyo Game Show… I’m sure Comic Con had similar restrictions in place. Journalists are aware of such filming restrictions at large expositions, in fact. I’m surprised that this is news to TSSZ.
Just to clarify, attendees will be playing, first hand, demos of the new Mario and Sonic and Sonic and Sega All-Stars Racing at the Summer of Sonic convention. Demos that may include information that has yet been revealed or is embargoed until a later date, in fact. There is nothing you can really detract from that experience (considering ASR is in fact months from release) by implementing a very standard recording restrictions practice.
Perhaps if Tristan was willing to ask for comment directly this information might not have been interpreted quite so abstractly.
Surely getting to play the game first-hand a good while before release is prize enough for showing up at SoS. This policy isn’t exactly unusual or unexpected. Way to make a huge big fuss over something that actually isn’t anything out of the ordinary at all. (In other news, Sonic is blue.)
It’s a shame you can’t show up for the event dude, but this article gives off a really negative vibe which is a little undeserved. Not being able to videotape M&S will be a very small consolation for the rest of the activities lined up for the day.
I don’t remember Sega ever being so forceful with the removal of gameplay footage before and it’s slightly disconcerting, especially as other Sega games are being untouched on YouTube (the aforementioned ASR and a quick search brought up lots of off cam Bayonetta footage for example). Take this story in whatever light you wish but the fact remains this is out of the ordinary and my concern about recent Sega policy remains.
“Perhaps if Tristan was willing to ask for comment directly this information might not have been interpreted quite so abstractly.”
It’s a shame…because I did. Three days ago. A day before I went to press with this story. In fact, I noted such on a story that preceded this.
Please actually check your E-Mail next time, before inserting your foot into your mouth.
-T
Tristan,
Waiting for a direct comment, instead of sniping someone else’s correspondence, is how a respectable writer usually goes about his business.
Just saying.
[...] week, TSSZ News told you about information we received concerning a revision to recording guidelines at this year’s [...]
Tristan, for the love of christ
“LET THAT CHILD ALONE”
[...] weeks surrounding the confusion about videotaping at this year’s Summer of Sonic. Our first story had noted an apparent blanket ban in place on taping near the gaming kiosks at the convention. [...]