Hints of a Retail Release, and More
Looks like we started a trend and made site decompilation the hip thing to do.
On the protected forum of Game-Hackers.com, one of its administrators going under the handle Vash did some deeper digging beyond some of the information already reported, going deep into the Flash code.
The mining did bring about some information of note.
Two main items of are interest–first there’s code suggesting that, for the moment, Episode 1 may only be a four-zone affair–that according t0 Vash’s remarks.
zone1Btn
zone2Btn
zone3Btn
zone4Btn
zonesBtn
Vash also suggests there may eventually be a retail release, if not with Episode 1, then as all episodes are completed.
preorderBtn1 = new preorderBtn();
“This would seem to suggest that there will be some sort of retail release,” Vash said. “I don’t know about you, but I’ve never pre-ordered a downloadable title.”
Vash also found buttons to piece together a mock-up music player, something that may be in the cards for the future of the Sonic 4 website. There was also code to suggest a correlation between “Bronik” and “Badniks,” something that probably means little.

Then there’s the above: four mysterious buttons that Vash found as part of the decompilation. Some have speculated these indicate the quantity of episodes to expect, or even the prospect of multiple characters(though that’s been debunked for some time, at least on a playable level.) The buttons could also back up the idea that there may only be four zones in Episode 1.
Vash has an idea about their purpose that makes more sense:
This could also suggest the methods of purchasing the title. This seems like the more obvious answer to me, blue being WiiWare, green being XBL Arcade, red being PSN, and yellow [....] appears to be the iPod Touch.
So, all in all, there’s not a whole lot to speak of that wasn’t already known, aside from the hints of a limited zone count for the first episode. Some fans have suggested even the content isn’t worth their time unless at least six zones make it in each episode. If it’s true, do you think such a limit is a bad idea? Tell us below, in our discussion area.













You’re late today, Tristan. =P Overslept?
Well, SOTI, some of us had to dig out of a 30 inch snowstorm, and actually have to work for a living and not live off the taxpayer’s dime for some fake disease.
-T
This could just show the previews of the zones, not the full game. But if it is only 4 zones, I’ll be very disappointed in them. I want at least 6, like in Sonic 3.
Tristan: Think of it this way. iTunes lets one pre-order before a future release, so maybe this pre-order button is for iTunes.
Ethan: That makes a lot of good sense.
Although from the sound of some of the fan reaction, Sega would not be in a good position if they don’t offer some retail copy, at least after all the eps are released.
-T
Tristan, about the “4 zones thing”… remember that news you put up, that told us the name and that the first zone was splash hill zone? Well now it’s pretty obvious that was true, so that pretty much confirms it has 7-9 zones like it said.
It won’t have 4 zones.. believe me
I want at least 7..
I highly doubt the 4 zones thing. Especially if there are bonus stages which presumably award chaos emeralds, Then there would be 7 zones if there are 7 ermeralds.
Isn’t it more likely that the site will only reveal the first four zones? Or maybe even 3 and a special stage…but really, it’d be unexpected if they revealed every zone on the site. So, they will tell you the names of four zones…then the others are surprises.
Oh, and is there history to this Tristan/Blueballs thing? It was hilarious. Tristan, you live in DC?
SOTI, give it up. Just tell us the truth.
Crazee and Epicenter: No history…just trying to convey what my weekend’s been like. So, of course people are gonna try and bandwagon on my words because hating on the site and me personally is the cool thing to do.
Please.
-T
Tristan:
Thats fucking rich when all YOU do is hate on other sites, like the Stadium.
Damn your ED article must be 100% true.
@ Tristan
Your a jerk.
I don’t see how he’s a jerk, I view this sort of like fast food for example, Subway constantly hates on BK and Mcdonalds and vice versa, very few competitors don’t hate on their oponents. Yeah corny, but that’s the only example I can think of now.
It makes sense for them to preview at least 4 zones, while saving the rest as a surprise. 4 Zones is too unreal — especially from how long they’ve been working on this episode, supposedly.
My guess:
Sonic 4 ep 1 = four zones. ep 2 = the rest.
Also, what’s this about hating on Tristan? Frankly, I prefer to pay a bit of respect to someone who gives me news.
Tristan does things I’d disagree with, but I enjoy his writing well enough. Plus, he does try to write like a professional. When I get news from TSSZ, I don’t have to deal with editorializing in every story. When Unleashed news came out…Tristan said what happened. Meanwhile, other sites in the community always ranted(positive or negative) in their update. Which is fine, but I prefer news to be neutral. Leave the commentary to the comments or editorials.
So yeah, I don’t get the hate really. But at the same time, there’s obviously a bit of it that doesn’t involve me. I’ve had drama before as a younger man, though. Not pleasant.
So anyway,(back on topic) the safest conclusion is they wouldn’t show all the zones on their website.
Are you kidding, Crazee? Tristan can’t write for shit!
Well people have been hating on Tristan for quite sometime if the other stories here are anything to go by. So I think he’s immune to what people have to say about him.Though I do agree with Crazeea about the neutrality of the articles. A complication of Sonic 4 wouldn’t be a bad idea.
Sorry about the obvious misspelling
SonicExeR: You hit the nail on the head.
It’s pretty much white noise to me at this point. If haters want to hate, let ‘em hate.
-T
Dreadknux is going to get his mom to sue you because you made fun of SOTI’s autism.
Heh, net drama. I guess I know what it’s like to have people constantly put me down even as a non-sequitar. “Sonic 4 new release date…” followed by “Tristan, you’re an idiot!” That makes no sense. Now, when Tweaker was complaining based on his portrayal of Sonic Retro business…fair enough. That’s between them. It just seems childish to insult people all the time, though, based on a disagreement that is unrelated.
I…tend to lurk in the community.lol @ Sega’s boards. I hope Sega doesn’t read their own site.
I would love tho own this game in a cd-box like all SONIC GAMES I have
Looks like Kogen’s here to troll. Thanks for revealing my identity Tristan.
]
And I don’t have autism. Stop thinking that those mass emails that get sent to you are true.
Had to dig your way out of a 30 inch snowstorm? aww, poor baby, I cry for you.. seriously, how low can you sink. o_O And you have the gall to edit other people’s posts as “Inflammatory”.
I don’t really care if you apologise or not, but at least stick to your own rules.
The buttons are most likely for the episodes because the Sonic 4 episode 1 logo’s background is blue.
(EDITED – Dear Sonic Stadium Staffer Nuckles87 – please use your real handle next time when commenting on this site.)
-T