Talk of reworked concepts, tweaked physics, iPhone exclusive levels
In a segment with Ricardo Torres for Gamespot’s weekly video show “Today On The Spot“, Ken Balough and Aaron Webber (better known as RubyEclipse to us) shared the reasoning behind Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1′s delay from “Summer 2010″ to “Late 2010″:
“We play the game, every day, and we obviously see some things that could be improved, and we want to make sure those fixes are taken care of.” said Balough, “But there’s another key component to all of this in that we’ve released a lot of official assets out to the audience and we’ve gotten some terrific feedback, from community and from press, and we wanted to be able to incorporate some of that.”
Webber says, “I think it’s the first time in the last ten years, if not longer or ever, that we’ve taken feedback from Sonic fans, and are actually making changes to a Sonic game based on that. I think that’s pretty monumental.”
Balough continues: “We’re gonna be doing everything as far as polish is concerned, but we’re also going to be taking a lot of level design considerations – we’re going back and we’re even going as far as redesigning certain elements of certain levels, to make it feel more momentum-based and more momentum-driven.”
“The physics, I think, are really a big thing,” says Webber, “That’s the biggest thing if anything that the fans have come back and given us feedback on; the physics look different. That’s one of the things we’re going to be looking at once again, we’re gonna try and make it a bit less ‘floaty’ and a bit more like the pinball mechanics style that the classic Sonic games are.”
The brief interview concluded with a look at the new Sonic the Hedgehog 4 trailer we saw a few hours ago – though they are careful to point out that the changes they’re making to the physics and the level design might not yet be evident in this specific video. As for the recently announced iPhone version of the game, they reveal that Apple’s mobile platform will be receiving two additional, exclusive levels that, in Balough’s words, “really go to the core of the gameplay mechanics of the iPhone itself.” – most likely meaning we can expect heavy use of the touch screen and accelerometer.
As for a specific date due to the game’s new “extended” development schedule? Balough says, “Obviously it will not be coming out this summer, as we had originally intended. But I think that ultimately it’s for the best, and a lot of people are going to be really happy when they finally get it in their hands and see what Sonic 4′s all about.”
Other topics covered in this edition of “Today on the Spot” include a chat about Ivy the Kiwi and StarCraft 2 – so if you’re interested in those, give the full video a look.
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“I think it’s the first time in the last ten years, if not longer or ever, that we’ve taken feedback from Sonic fans, and are actually making changes to a Sonic game based on that. I think that’s pretty monumental.”
Well, just be sure you’re listening to the right fans. I wish Capcom would listen and give me Legends 3. ;_;
“we’re gonna try and make it a bit less ‘floaty’ and a bit more like the pinball mechanics style that the classic Sonic games are.”
That should’ve been your intention from the very beginning.
“see what Sonic 4’s all about.”
I look forward to it. In the mean time Birth By Sleep and Galaxy 2 with keep me plenty busy.
Great, Great, news. I cant wait
Im as excited as ever for this game now
Even though the fact that they’re listening to the fans on this one, I still feel cheated. They put a lot of hype into this announcement, only to give us a delay a trailer which is now outdated. And what happened to the community reveal?!?
Still excited for the game, but… this was a real bummer if you ask me…
@Tails: Anytime SEGA “hypes” something, lower your expectations.
@Mike: Megaman Legends, I assume? I agree completely! I read a while ago that the creator wants to, but can’t get funding. In theory, releasing the first two (and Misadventures of Tron Bonne!) on PS1 Classics would help, provided they sold well. So right now, I’m more concerned with why they haven’t been released there yet. Sorry this is off-topic…I couldn’t resist.
Anyway…I’d like to know why it took them THIS long to listen to the fans. Not that fans are always right (I read an article that gave multiple examples to the contrary, most notably the Fallout series), but COMPLETELY ignoring them for at least a decade really isn’t a good idea. Props to them for finally getting around to it at all, though…better late than never, right?
@Mike I totally agree with that!!
@Stuffgamer1 I also like what you have to say.
@Stuff: One should keep an ear out for the fans, but they shouldn’t make a game based entirely on what the fans say. That’s how I feel, anyways. I think it’s ignorant for any developer to shut-out the fans entirely — the fans aren’t just fans, they’re the people who are going to buy the game.
If you shut them out, and give them something displeasing, you’re just throwing your money out of the window.
@TailsFox88: Would you rather have a bad game early, or a better game that has been delayed?
Patience is a virtue.
@ Ryan Bloom
Nintendo always uses that same damn excuse.
@Mike: It’s an excuse? I see it as a benefit. Nintendo makes great games. Polished games. Even when Mario stumbles (see: Super Mario Sunshine), the result is still vastly superior to whatever we get from Sonic Team.
Sega should do what Nintendoes. (I’m sorry for that.)
@Mike How dare Sega not rush this game out!!! Oh you silly fan you
Look out guys. Sonic defense force is on my ass.
I’m not mad about the delay. Games are usually crappy when they’re rushed. (’06 anyone?) I was just hoping that with all the hype put into this, that we’d get something, I don’t know, a little more concrete? New stage? Retro Sonic? Not just a quick, the games been delayed. I just feel like my anticipation for news today was let down. :S
@serpx: Towards your first comment, I’m noticing that more and more…
Grrr. I can’t help but come out frustrated with all of this. Ruby hyped up this huge announcement that would “satisfy most” and all we get is a delay and iPhone release? If Sega was “listening” to all of this feedback (and from whom? The people who bashed the shit out of the leaked vids?), why would they hype up this clearly anticlimactic display? They must have understood that this isn’t exciting in the slightest. And claiming to reveal such a huge thing on Sonic Retro…the site with full game leaks…was a horrible move. They had all of those people who had seen the leaks (who follow Sonic news close enough to visit a site dedicated to the subject) excited for some exciting news. Then they pull out and say “oops, nevermind.” Not only is that going to piss off the regular visitors because it was a lie, but it’s anticlimactic news in itself.
I mean, kudos to them for taking a look at what the fans have to say, but Christ, shouldn’t they have been doing that from the start? It seems like they’re full of themselves and wildly proud to be listening to fans. This is something that should have been done years ago. Why are they just realizing this now? Sonic has become a laughing stock on account of Sega’s lax attitude toward listening to fans for so long.
Sega might learn a thing or two if they take a book from Capcom’s page. They did it correctly and very, very well with Mega Man 9 and 10. I highly doubt Legends won’t be in the cards sometime soon, as well.
^page from Capcom’s book*
iPhone gets more horrible minecart levels haha, they should just make every gimmick filler stage exclusive to that platform.
@apsyd
Sonic Retro was the first souce of criticism about the physics and gameplay in general. It´s only natural that they hyped something like that in Sonic fan sites AND NOT on other press sites. It wasn´t a huge new for something who wasn´t a fan of Sonic, but for those that were worried about how bad gameplay looked, specially those who had seen THE ENTIRE GAME from video or game leaks, it was an extremely good new.
That´s why they hyped it just in Sonic fan sites and not in the gaming press in general. This is a damn good move, and if they listen close enough and make the gameplay better… The game will improve greatly. If they are changing the level design too, then it´s a win-win situation. It´s still soon to see how much will they improve in those months, but I´m now looking after the game a lot more, like before the first leaked gameplay video appeared.
@Mike: I don’t think it’s an excuse either…I really believe in it! Too many developers nowadays rush games to release, and they’re simply less polished than they should have been. That’s the exact reason Sonic 3 & Knuckles wasn’t in Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis collection, at least if you believe SEGA’s excuses: Not enough time to put them in with everything else before release. I say they should’ve delayed it a couple weeks or whatever it would take and put it in there!
I know Nintendo gets a lot of hate from the “hardcores” lately, but they still pour a level of care into their big-name games that nobody else can match, and part of the way they do that is by delaying games that aren’t ready yet.
Think about that when you’re playing Galaxy 2: If Nintendo was like most developers, it would’ve released over a year ago, and would most likely not be nearly as good as it actually is.
About Nintendo, they are actually making many casual games, but the hardcore games they make are awesome and full of quality. Super Mario Galaxy or Super Smash Bros Brawl are great examples of that.
I was probably one of the minor people who already said that it’l be great.. now it will be even better!
@Knuckles MetalMind
That’s a very good rebuttal. I just think that the hyping of such news was over-the-top for what they actually presented. It /does/ make sense for them to announce it to the source of the criticism. I just wish they hadn’t blown it up so much. But I certainly see where you’re coming from.
@ Knuckles MetalMind
I personally saw SSBB as one of the weakest games Nintendo has ever published from a series I respect, I felt that all the stages were about the same layout, as well nearly all the characters being remakes and having final smashes with things that had nothing to do with the characters
@Knucles MetalMind: They pour their all into the casual games as well, though. Whether you like them or not, the fact remains that they are well made games and are generally a lot more fun to play that similar games from lesser developers.
@edge: I hear that opinion a fair bit, but I don’t understand it at all. Brawl is easily my favorite game in the series. Saying the level layouts were all the same is just plain absurd (compare 75m to New Pork City to Flat Zone 2), and most of the Final Smashes actually DO have something to do with the characters (some, such as Luigi’s Negative Zone, are certainly odd, but all the Landmasters, PK StarStorms, Super Sonics, grenade launcher drops, Pikmin nights, etc. fit in exceedingly well).
If you just don’t like the game, fine, but please don’t make up illogical reasons.
@ stuffgamer1
You can’t see that the layouts and some final smash’s were ridiculously similar to stages in the game or just being flat out rip offs of previously made stages?
First off is Final destination and lylat cruise… they are both a line with 3 platforms above it. They both also have a changing background, the only difference? One has gravity and the other doesn’t, however, the main point is the stage layout, which is unbelievably similar. Oh and lets not forget Smashville which at times features the 3 platforms, oh and also Sky World!
Then there are two stages that are blatantly ripping off Stages from previous games, Mute City from Melee is Delfino Plaza and Port Town Aero Dive in this game, the later was an attempt to keep big blue in the game and make it to were more than one melee stage could be used in the game but disguised as a different stage. Also, Yoshi’s island in this game and in the original smash bros. almost identical! Also, Mario Circuit used the same gimmick of cars hitting you as PTAD and MC
There were also stages that seemed plain bland, like the Bridge of Elden which was essentially a rip-off of final destination without the ability to fall off unless the bottom of the stage is broken (see also, a gimmick that is used and actually makes perfect sense in Green Hill Zone) and a bunch of people that just run and hit you. I’m not going to say a single thing about Norfair, or rumble falls, figure that one out on your own!
The only stages I thought were original were Green Hill Zone, Shadow Moses Island, New Pork City, Halberd, Castle Siege, WarioWare inc., Frigate Orpheon, 75 m, Mario Bros., Distant Planet, Mushroomy Kingdom, Luigi’s Manshion, Spear Pillar, Flat Zone 2, Hanenbow, Pirate Ship, and even Pok’emon stadium (only because it featured new types of pokemon)
So as you can see, pretty much half of the Brawl stages were rip-off’s of other stages in the same game or other games in the series. Which should not be done in such a creative game
Also final smashes were supposed to be exclusive moves to characters, I don’t consider having *3 characters that used landmasters* to be very reasonable at all.
Also, final smashes that made absolutely no sense at all.
-Luigi’s
-Peaches
-POK’eMON trainer makes a little sense, but there was no triple finish move in any pokemon game therefore there should have only been a final smash for whatever pokemon he was using at the time.
-Lucas, because he has the same move as Ness
-Falco, he even says “personally, I prefer the air!”
-Ganondorf, his final smash does the same thing as the dudes on the bridge of elden
-Wolf, his final smash is the same as Fox’s
Also, there are characters that are the same exact thing. or are the same as Melee characters I mean seriously there’s too many of these things.
Wolf-Fox-Falco
Nes-Lucas
Ganon-C.Falcon
Link-Toon Link
I recall Marth and Ike being very similar
Lucario-Mewtwo
I actually had a list that I had made of similar characters throughout the series and it was rediculous… I no longer have the list and also it’s like 8:30 in the morning and I’m unbelievably sick right now, and I think I’ve reinforced my point so much as to were I feel comfortable ending it there, I could go further on in the character department if you want though.
I didn’t say NONE of the levels are similar, I just said not ALL of them are. I consider the differences between some of the levels you complain to be too similar sufficient, but I can understand not everyone will think that.
I must agree that THREE landmasters was overkill. But I also think Wolf was overkill. Other than that, I’m pretty happy with the character selection. All of the duplicates have enough differences to be worthwhile. Marth and Ike are by far the LEAST similar on your list, though…they’re really two different characters!
If you want to get picky, neither Ness’ or Lucas’ final smash makes sense because PK Starstorm is Poo’s and Kumatora’s respectively. It just works well enough as a final smash (without having to decide on a way to display PK [favorite thing]).
Ganondorf’s final smash makes perfect sense in relation to Twilight Princess.
Luigi’s and Peach’s are weird, but what would you have suggested? They just have less source material to worth with.