First Details After Sega Contest Success
Sega has made good on their word to reveal details about Project Needlemouse today, after their week long Sonic trivia challenge proved an incredible success. However, what they revealed wasn’t much.
Today, we now know for certain that Sonic will be the only playable character in the game. On Monday, we had projected anywhere from 1-3 characters would make the cut from the list of 11 given. Most everyone agreed that Sonic was a given–it was only a matter of whether Sega would throw a curveball and add to the roster. To be sure, Sega also affirmed that “no new characters” would be introduced in the game–”playable or otherwise,” according to the reveal. That may be important, as it still opens the door for Tails or Knuckles–who were not mentioned in Sega’s list this week–to make a classic, non-playable cameo.
Sega had also had some concept art to show of a Kanipanchi-esque Badnik, and according to Sega’s USA blog, the art is meant to dictate the next Sonic’s direction:
This art reveals an enemy from the game – but at the same time, it also reveals much more about the spirit, and direction, that Project Needlemouse is taking. For all of you older fans who were stoked by the news above, this should be the icing on the cake. Take a look, and click to see the full-sized image.
Here is that artwork, below. You’ll notice that there is Japanese markup on the work, so at least some of the final product will be the work of Sega’s Japanese division. That we have it on an angle, in 3D space, may also tell us something. So, we don’t have video, screenshots, or even a formal name–just the art and the assurance that Sonic will be going solo in his next game. Do you think this was worth the trivia hassle? Tell us in our comments section.
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This is my escape. I’m runnin’ through this world and I’m not looking back.
I know I can go where no one’s ever gone and I’m not looking back.
But how will I know when I get there? And how will I know when to leave?
We’ve all got to start from somewhere.
It’s like that for me. The possibilities are never ending.
YYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSS! Sonic Forever!!
This contest was absolutely necessary. Or else people wouldn’t be as hyped about it. Due to that badnik model there I have a feeling that this will be SORT OF a remake of the original genesis Sonic
Aww, I was really hoping for Sonic’s friend Mr. Needlemouse to be in the game! A cameo from Robotnik’s pal Teddy Roosevelt would have been nice too. Blah. This game is gonna stink!
Obviously kidding. This is very great news! Though, I wouldn’t have minded THAT much if Tails and Knuckles were optional.
Badnik art is epic win!
OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG
THIS ART IS SO EPIC AND NOSTALGIC!!!!
i feel so happy xD!
OMG OMG OMG
THIS ART IS SO EPIC AND NOSTALGIC
i feel happy now xD!
so as far as I can tell from the concept art, it’ll be a little bit realistic lookin(?)
I f they do go in that direction, i just hope it won’t be TOO realistic
(looking at you Sonic 06)
Dis’ aint’ no Crabmeat – it is Shellcracker. Still – looks good as. Can’t wait for the “Soon to come” news, as said on the blog.
WOOHOO! Finally, SEGA get it!
!
“classic Sonic’s character design” – “new Sonic redesign” new.
Finally, this shall be the resurrection of a nearly dead series, it’ll also shut those old-school fanoys up. Sega, if you don’t add anything, no matter how good it seems, you will give us what we wanted, THE CLASSIC THAT NEVER CAME!
John H : I love both the 2D & 3D Sonic games
That concept artwork is gorgeous and shows one advantage of older games to newer games – there was no need to make the bad guys all gothic, dark or evil but just fun and cute in a non-ironic way. I hope they pull it off – at the very least I was expecting Sonic Rush so good luck to them.
First Time reviewing after a year of so checking up. This looks incredibly promising. I can’t wait to get more info.
Cool! Love the badnik art.
Cant wait!!!
Wow, this is kinda funny how people react to a picture with a badnik. We haven’t even seen a screnshot yet, so don’t be so sure about classic gameplay ans so on. But they would be stupid if it isn’t.
But I’m a little bit hyped too. XP
….oh…my…GOD
I think I just made a tiny fangirl Squeek and i havenbt done that for a sonic game in a LONGGGGGG TIME~
Im still hopeing that Tails and Kucks will still get in there somehow but if we get a GOOD old fashioned game, then ill be happy(even without poor tails ;w; )
I wouldn’t get too excited, guys. This is the Sonic Cycle starting right now–everybody get’s hyped up for the game, regardless of the fact that there will be no new characters in this 2D HD game, playable or otherwise. It’ll be just Sonic, but how will the game be in the end?
It’s still too soon to say.
Stop with the whole Sonic Cycle mess. For one, the cycle is now invalid because no longer does the “new friends” rule apply.
It’s not just “Kanipanchi-esque”… it says “Kanipanchi” right there on the artwork.
This new style kinda reminds me of how the Transformers look in the modern comics, compared to how they used to look in the 80s. Still cartoony, just much more detailed cartoony.
serpx, don’t be naive. The characters was just one out of a number of common peripheral complaints for Sonic games. The central issue has always been the gameplay and the story as a close second.
As long as SEGA or Sonic Team can fuck up a Sonic game badly in some way while getting people insanely hyped for it (like this), you will always have the Sonic Cycle. It’s just observable and predictable behavior. The only way I can see it to be really “dead” is if either A) SEGA actually puts out good major Sonic games for a change that just about anyone can enjoy with little to no legitimate complaints, or B) people stop giving them (or Sonic) the time of day for SEGA’s potential bullshit.
*sigh* As I said on the Stadium, this sucks. >_>
At least the crab thingie is there, but only Sonic? AGAIN? I’d rather have a game with all the other characters EXCEPT him at this point. -_-;
The quiz was kind of pointless.
I agree the quiz (as good as it was) was pretty pointless…..
All we need now is Splats fully realized once and for all!
Treleus, if someone’s perspective brings them seperate judgements that don’t equal up to your own, they’re being naive? I was looking at the cycle in a literal sense, and you was looking at the cycle in an abstract sense, giving us seperate perspectives and judgements on the matter.
In the literal sense of the Sonic cycle, you’re still invalid. In the abstract sense, or putting it to its simple “central issues”, you’re right, the cycle applies from your perspective. Your two methods would surely kill the whole Sonic Cycle — hopefully SEGA puts their tears and blood into this title, and hopefully they do thorough in-house and out-house user testing to ensure quality of this title, because personally, if they don’t nail this one, they’re going to ensure a nail to their borderline future coffin, in my opinion.
@ blueblur The reason why I think the quiz was pointless because SEGA was announcing only one playable character in Project Needlemouse (obviously Sonic).
Even though it was a tease, Sega wasted one week getting the news out (even though it was a busy epic week for Sonic fans). I hope SEGA can let out new Info on Project Needlemouse ( My bets is on E3).
omg, this is such BS x.x
Classic Sonic was amazing during it’s time because, obviously, that’s all that technology could offer, but we have FARRR better tech now that can offer wayy better graphiccs. So quite honestly, i don’t understand how holdind down the left trigger and pressing the A button a couple of times could excite anyone.
And really, only Sonic. Don’t get me wrong, I love sonic, but it’s all of his little buddies that give the game life…… ugh, this is gonna be such a waste of time
@Keigo, not all franchises require to use advanced technology to be successful. Some classic franchises, like Sonic, have tried to be innovative for “so many years”, fans just want them to deevolve so they can experience what made Sonic great in the first place — which this greatness is still, just simple and enjoyable fun.
Solitare hasn’t involved much, because the formula is still enjoyable. Mario is back in his game, because his formula is simply just enjoyable. The same works for Sonic.
@serpx
…You’re using Solitaire as an example…? Freaking Solitaire? The game people play only when they have absolutely nothing better to do with their lives.
*facepalm*