New Video: Knuckles in ASR

By
Tristan Oliver
– September 1, 2009

sonic_racingHis All-Star Move–and How we Got It–Inside

This story should be prefaced by noting that it’s actually two stories in one.

You may remember our coverage in previous 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.  That contradicted a more open policy touted on the SoS website, but the former was relayed in subsequent remarks made by organizer Svend Joscelyne in the days leading up to the show–until co-organizer and Sonic Wrecks admin Kevin Eva stated via a Tweet that the ban didn’t apply to Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing–just as it did not apply at the San Diego Comic Con, or at E3.

As it turns out, our original story may have been correct.  There are several accounts from this year’s Summer of Sonic that note that a blanket ban was at least attempted to be enforced, moreso involving Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games–which was expected–but also apparently to ASR, just as we had originally reported.  From some accounts, some members of Sonic Stadium staff were on hand to act as spotters, keeping an eye out for any cameras rolling.

Understandably due to all of the confusion about recording–apparently leading right up to the day of SoS–not everyone got the memo.

Several videos of the ASR kiosk have since popped up on YouTube, and many of those cameras got a close look.  The clearest one we’ve received is below.  Our staff did not shoot this; the UK based website TFMX did, and it was sent to us via a news tip by Brazilian Hedgehog.  It’s so clear, one has to wonder how the camera went undetected–and how good a job the spotters enforcing the purported blanket ban on such recording really did.

Evening Update: Now we know why there’s such clarity in the video–as it turns out, TFMX was the only media organization given authorization by Sumo Digital to record ASR.  The UK based gaming site set up shop just as Summer of Sonic had its finale at the main stage, and when the attention of most turned there, they turned away from the game kiosks, allowing TFMX to set up shop.  This, according to TSS staffer Shadzter, who, among others, was policing the game kiosks.  He, along with a Sega Europe employee and members of Sumo Digital, were all in on the blanket ban, according to his account, which you can read in full below, in our comments section.  This story has been edited slightly to reflect this account.

In this video, we see Knuckles racing his way through Seaside Hill.  You’ll also be able to get a glimpse at his All Star move, which involves the Master Emerald.  Like Sonic, Knuckles is a bit fidgety in his vehicle, but ditches it when he goes All-Star.  All of this is happening while a rep is explaining the finer details of ASR.  Be sure to pay attention to the very beginning, too–because the loading screen explains how drifting will play a role.

We have more video sent in via our News Tips, including some snippets of Bentley Jones’s performance that we’ll have tomorrow on TSSZ News.  If you want to share your SoS experiences, you can by clicking News Tips at the top of every page.  And, of course, our staff’s articles and impressions are coming soon.

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