Hoaxbusters: Behind This Fake Sonic Screenshot

– January 30, 2010

Where Did This Come From?

By now, you’ve probably seen the screenshot we’ve captured here. It began circulating last week when some news broke about Project Needlemouse. It looks beautiful–depicting Sonic speeding through a 2.5D environment–but despite an initial lack of origin, it was quickly debunked as a hoax, at least in relation to the next Sonic.

We bet you didn’t know specifically who made this, though.

It turns out the picture was produced on December 16th by a Chicago based designer and 3D modeler. Luis Tejada posted the photo on CGSociety.org, and it was just meant to be something for the portfolio. Produced with a combination of 3D Studio Max, Photoshop, and Vray, Tejada created the stuff dreams are made of. And yes, he’s a fan:

I liked Sonic since a was a kid and after thinking for a while for my next rendering I wanted to do something like this. Just recreating a Sonic stage in 3D, trying to get a new and more modern feeling.

So, while a hoax, the picture will be dancing in many fans’ heads as what could be Needlemouse-esque at least until more substantive and official information is released. One can’t be blamed if you had stronger thoughts about the picture, at least for a little bit. But be warned: When it comes through our door (unless we want some more,) you bet we’re gonna call…Hoaxbusters!

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SSC

Posted January 30, 2010 at 1:55 AM

I’ve never previously seen the image, but it’s still too bad. I would’ve loved for Needlemouse to have looked like that. The lush and realistic environment really catches my eye. Tejada did an awesome job.

serpx

Posted January 30, 2010 at 1:59 AM

People honestly believed this mess to be the game?

Soul Gauge

Posted January 30, 2010 at 2:12 AM

Why not? It looks nice (and fairly believable). But you’re antsy about it because it’s not in your pwecious spwite style.

glem3

Posted January 30, 2010 at 2:19 AM

Wow, people online are real jerks about 3D art >.< However, I wouldn't believe this either (mostly because of the sonic model). Also the 16 bit HUD and symbols are kind of a giveaway. I hope the game looks like this, though.

Golden~Hedgy

Posted January 30, 2010 at 2:27 AM

I lol’d at Soul Gauge’s response… because it’s true…

if only this was a real game…

Yvarthecreator

Posted January 30, 2010 at 4:04 AM

I think needelmouse looks better. I still dont know if its 2.5D

Tjerk Otten

Posted January 30, 2010 at 4:10 AM

Hi,

I am a 3D modeller myself i have to say that this image could never have been the next sonic. The rendering quality is just too bad. Even the coloring is pretty bad.Its good that people create sonic art though. I created some sonic art myself back in 2006. Check it out if you like to check out some other 3D Sonic design work.

[url]http://shomasuyo.deviantart.com/art/Sonic-The-Hedgehog-34086724[/url]

Posted January 30, 2010 at 4:12 AM

I Don’t think its that good either. The rendering is pretty much of low quality. Coloring as well. In 2006 i created some 3D work for sonic as well. Check it out it you like….

http://shomasuyo.deviantart.com/art/Sonic-The-Hedgehog-34086724

Malady

Posted January 30, 2010 at 4:17 AM

@Yvarthecreator

LOL, you mean you HOPE it looks better, otherwise gimme’ the screens you’ve been secretly looking at. >V

qwerty

Posted January 30, 2010 at 6:27 AM

The object placement sucks. The Z-axis makes it look awkward as well; what the fuck can those badniks do now that Sonic is no longer aligned with them on the Z-axis? How can Sonic get the monitors? These things are easy to overlook in 2D games with 2D graphics, but not in 2D games with 3D graphics.

I hope to never see this as an actual Sonic game.

Sjmaster

Posted January 30, 2010 at 8:04 AM

Honestly I’d rather have that style than old-fashioned sprites any day.

Rolo

Posted January 30, 2010 at 8:18 AM

@qwerty:

Calm down man, it’s just 3D art.

Edwin Shy

Posted January 30, 2010 at 9:47 AM

This is how Sonic`s 20th should look like

yvarthecreator

Posted January 30, 2010 at 9:56 AM

@Edwin Shy

Sonics 20th anni game has to be a full 3D sonic game like the adventure titles. Wel I hope that

Posted January 30, 2010 at 11:45 AM

“The object placement sucks. The Z-axis makes it look awkward as well; what the fuck can those badniks do now that Sonic is no longer aligned with them on the Z-axis? How can Sonic get the monitors? These things are easy to overlook in 2D games with 2D graphics, but not in 2D games with 3D graphics.”

That’s obviously NOT a problem. Sonic would land on the backround platfroms when he jumped up to them, just like in the 2D games, and destroy the foreground enemies, just like in the 2D games.

Mike

Posted January 30, 2010 at 3:05 PM

qwerty has never played LittleBigPlanet.
Although I do agree the item placement sucks.

Crysore (AKA Soniman32)

Posted January 30, 2010 at 3:15 PM

What with all the hoaxes? Dont no whats the point in fooling people like this. Even though this does looke pretty believable.

2reason2

Posted January 30, 2010 at 4:11 PM

look at this http://screwattack.com/blogs/ScrewAttack-News/Project-Neddlemouse-Community-Challenge-II-Update

Posted January 30, 2010 at 5:19 PM

Honestly, I don’t think this “object placement” thing really matters. It’s just a work for someone’s portfolio and he just wanted to give the stage a realistic and more modern look.

Plus, it may be cluttered on purpose since he probably tried to include most of Green Hill Zone’s features in just one image. Either way, it’s the visuals that caught my eye. Not the object placement.