Says “The Fan Base needs to Seriously Grow Up”
Richard Kuta, the man who put his Sonic fan film project on an indefinite hiatus this week, told TSSZ News exclusively that he and his family were victims of harassment ranging from sexually explicit phone calls to death threats, and that he has involved police in the matter.
“My reputation has been brutally shattered to where my career has no launching pad,” Kuta claims of the harassment.
Speaking only to TSSZ News, Kuta detailed some of the problems he has encountered in developing the project, and the end result of them–upon consultation of his team members, the Sonic fan film has been put on “indefinite” hold, and he will be closing down his design studio, RK Dezignz, after 10 years of operation. We had speculated in our previous article whether the film had hit another legal hurdle despite its newly formed fan appreciation status, but that does not appear to be the case.
Kuta explained how all of this came to fruition with the release of the fan film’s trailer on YouTube.
“Ever since I released the trailer to the public, I have been the victim of malicious attacks, blackmail, death threats, and crank calls,” Kuta said. “One individual felt compelled to sabotage my RK Dezignz, harass my friends/family, and bring in a coalition of trolls to stalk my every move.”
Among the elevated attacks, Kuta claims, were public posts of his address and phone number across the Internet. That led to a string of sometimes sexually explicit phone calls made to him and his family.
“It escalated to the point where it was endangering lives and taking its toll on my sanity,” Kuta explained. “I was mortified.”
Kuta cited to TSSZ News one such call his older sister fielded, which was filled with lewd comments. It was then that he involved authorities. After a few days of investigation, police identified the individual, whom we cannot reveal because of his 15 year old age.
“The idea of how someone that young can cause so much mental damage…it’s disgusting,” Kuta said.
Though disdain for Kuta reaches beyond the Sonic community, he appears to place most of the blame for these troubles on it.
“It’s ridiculous how much hate is circulated around a video game character and how people are willing to go through great lengths to destroy someone’s life since their perception of the project doesn’t agree with them,” Kuta said. “I may still hold an affinity for Sonic, but the fan base needs to seriously grow up.”
Even before the stakes were ratcheted up, he endured plenty of animosity. From vulgar comments on his work to faux accounts bearing his name, Kuta–despite his best efforts of appeal to fandom with the film project–was not held in well regard. He moved on, but the sudden involvement of police was enough for him to reconsider.
“With all the turmoil that erupted, I honestly hope these douchebags are satisfied with what they accomplished and now realize why Matt Sullivan quit his efforts,” Kuta said, referring to the same Matt Sullivan of Simpsons and Family Guy fame who announced last year he would try to revive the SatAM story of Sonic the Hedgehog into a new series. Sullivan had a pitch, but hasn’t been heard from since.
“I never encountered this type of conflict in my life and this really illustrates how much the fan base has degenerated over the last few years,” Kuta explained.
Perhaps most disturbing in all this is not the damage done to the Sonic fan film, but possibly to Kuta’s career aspirations as an artist.
“It’s really depressing that after 10 years of running a successful design firm, that I’m forced to shut it down due to the stubborn, selfish immaturity of the Sonic community,” Kuta said. “I’m 28 years old and it’s embarrassing how I had to go through this affliction just because I wanted to branch out from graphic design and engage in something endearing.”














Haha, I was wondering when you’d show up, blueblur!

Honestly! You spoiled the overly serious tone of the comments thread!
Right. I reckon everyone’s said everything they possibly can on this. (Actually, I bet you’ll dig up something, Mysterious Guy Y!)
Good luck with your new endeavour, Richard.
I think we all learned something through this ordeal.
Play nice, みんあ!:)
Telling 12 year olds to grow up?
Also the video sucked. It is a shitty SatAM ripoff. Maybe they should try to make their own content.
I want to steer this conversation into a different direction. Most people seem to criticize me based on the crap that has happened in Sonic community, yet it perplexes me how nobody knows what I even do for a living or acknowledge my past contribution to the entertainment industry. It would actually give you guys more insight to look beyond what slanderous articles say and let the artwork speak for itself. I’m not talking about Sonic related artwork, I’m speaking of the my own original work. Flyer/Poster design for various musicians. Id like to invite you guys to get an in depth look at what I’ve accomplished in the last 10 years. Since art is subjective, Ill understand and respect your opinions. I have a love for obscure, lo-fi, avant garde art styles and I incorporate that into my work. I want everyone to realize that THIS is what I do for living and that I’m not some introverted Sonic fanboy as people play me out to be. Sonic was intended to be my way of branching away from graphic design and into film cause it’s a property that I sincerely cherish. Anyway, here’s an archive of my past work. Hopefully this will provide a better perspective of who I am as an Artist. Thank You.
http://www.rkdezignz.com/graphics.html
@ Kuta: I know you’re a graphic designer and that it’s what you do for a living. It’s your behavior concerning this project and/or overall attitude towards its acceptance that I and/or most people disagreeing with you don’t like.
Also, aside from the fan project thing the fact that your name has come up as having possibly claimed other artists’ work as your own is something that I don’t like about you, especially given that I’m an artist myself. I’m not only referring to the Rogferrez related incident to your original “pitch”, but also to things like that apparent report of you taking credit for a celebratory design of “2009” by ColorCubic.
oh boy, that makes me lost my respect towards the Sonic fanbase community even more.
Lol, a 15 years old behind the harassments, that’s pretty seriously moronic
“The [Sonic] Fan Base needs to Seriously Grow Up”
It’s a great idea, but it’s not going to happen.
Damn, really, I was hoping for this movie. Well, here’s my response to the fanbase. Some of you guys are being complete idiots. Kuta was trying to create a movie that would use parts of the Sonic continuation (Comics, Cartoons, and Games) and you guys go and start flaming him because of Sonic games declining since 2005?! Seriously, some, if not all of you need to understand. The reason I’ve been sticking with Sonic all my life is not from the changes like the VA and stuff like that, the reason why is for the blue blur himself! If your not getting this through your thick skulls then you are being completely stubborn. Stick true to Sonic for who he is, not for what he has become all these years. Kuta, I’m sorry to movie won’t be worked on but don’t let that keep you down, leave the past behind and aim for the future.