How Close We Were–And Perhaps Still Are–to Another Sonic Storybook
The next Sonic for Nintendo Wii and DS, Sonic Colors, will be developed in the same vein as Sonic and the Black Knight–toward the very young fan, not necessarily a Sonic fan, and not the mainstream gamer.
That is one of several pieces of information an independent source confirmed to TSSZ News regarding the game, slated for release this Holiday season. In fact, it will be the same Sonic Team division behind SBK and Sonic and the Secret Rings–dubbed the “Storybook” division, who will head up most of the development on the Wii edition, our source said.
So, why isn’t it a part of the Sonic Storybook Series? It’s most likely because the franchise is dead, our source explained. Decision makers at Sega killed off a future Storybook installment after realizing the damage done to Sonic branding upon SBK’s very poor sales and reception–opting instead to push forward with this project. An unofficial estimate at VGChartz.com claims the game to date has sold only a hair above half a million copies worldwide.
Though the true Storybook elements are gone, Sonic Colors may retain some callbacks, especially in difficulty and demographics. On the former, our source made clear this game will not have a huge learning curve to it, and will be easy for target audiences to pick up and play. That audience, we were told, leans young. Though this is a Sonic game, Sega will push marketing of Colors toward general, mainstream Wii players–not necessarily generalized, mainstream gamers. Our source compared the marketing strategy of Colors to Jambo! Safari: Animal Rescue, which Sega released last year with hints of education components to the Nintendo Wii and DS. It’s interesting to know that, when you consider the select few adults in mainstream gaming press who have claimed to play Colors in its current state seem pleased with the product.
More jaded Sonic fans can welcome one bit of information. Our source believes only Sonic will be playable in Sonic Colors’s main campaign. Tails was seen in the trailer Sega released Thursday, but our source believes the fox’s role will be limited, perhaps as part of a multiplayer component.
But what about gimmicks? Nintendo Power teased a lack of gimmicks, but we’ve been informed that won’t quite be the case. To complement Sonic Colors’s push toward young players, our source says there will be gimmicks that involve pointing and touching various items in-game. That said, we’ve been assured this isn’t a game breaker, and that the gimmicks play out very well with overall game mechanics.
As for fans already comparing Sonic Colors to Super Mario Galaxy sight unseen, we are told that may be on par with comparing apples and oranges. Our source cited Super Mario Galaxy’s universally mainstream appeal, which Colors is internally not trying to accomplish. Still, the source hinted at possible Galaxy-like elements in the game, and believed Sega’s PR staff may use that as a marketing tactic to appeal to the more selective mainstream.
Those are the new details we have independently learned this week. It won’t be long before we know more when Sonic Colors is playable on the show floor of the 2010 Electronic Entertainment Expo. But we’re not done with the exclusives. Friday on TSSZ News, we’ll have some new information to share with you regarding Sonic the Hedgehog 4, and we think you’ll like it.
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THIS JUST IN, SONIC COLOURS WILL HAVE RINGS! YES PEOPLE RINGS WILL BE IN SONIC COLOURS… ALSO RED SHOES!
@ Golden-Hedgey
Okay then, despite the fact that a majority of children can’t draw that good, how do you explain how he lives in Tampa, Florida, yet, his ‘pep-pep’ lives in the UK?
@ edge
He divorced my mom when he was 7. Those were rough times.
May i remind you all that Sonic is, has, and always will be A KIDS GAME, and kids ARE Sonic fans too. Sonic isn’t aimed at 20 year olds that complain about every new game that even SLIGHTLY gets announced. And so what if it has some point and click type gameplay? Super Mario Galaxy 2 has it, twilight princess has it, Metroid Prime 3 was MADE FOR IT. So whats wrong with Sonic doing it? Because it has Sonic’s name attached to the title, if it was Super Mario Colors no one would give half a crap. Anything that has Sonic ANYTHING in it gets instantly blamed with a “ZOMG THIZ SUX” before GAMEPLAY even shows up. Sonic’s always been a kids game, kids are the fans and the ones the REALLY give a crap about because thats what he’s AIMED at, not 18-20 year olds. They do consider even the older fans aswell, this is one of the very few kid aimed Sonic games EVER. If you don’t like the idea, DON’T EVEN TALK ABOUT IT JUST LEAVE IT ALONE FOR OTHERS WHO’D RATHER ENJOY IT THAN SEE SOME WHINEY 20 YEAR OLD SIT AT HIS COMPUTER AND COMPLAIN ABOUT A KIDS GAME.
Actually Sharky, with the way Sega has handled Sonic over the years, it does come as a relief to hear that there will be red shoes and rings. Thanks for the confirmation. I was afraid it would be something stupid like spiked shoes, and mangy fury, like a werewolf or something. Oh wait……….
As long as there’s not excessive talking during levels like Heroes, I don’t mind the ‘kiddy’ Sonic games. Deep down all Sonic fans (even the older ones) enjoy them. ;D
Okay. Let us get some things straight.
I do not mind it if a Sonic game is aimed at kids. Sure it might end up stupidly juvenile and I would rather a game that was aimed at a general audience for EVERYONE to play but it is not necessarily a bad thing.
HOWEVER…. If you are observant then you will know by now that if Sega aims something at the kids it either is never very good, it frustates kids with stupid difficulty (SatBK), and it is always an excuse…….
An excuse to make a bad game. Let’s face facs. Mike Hayes has been wanting to make Sonic games on the level of a shitty Thq Nickeloeon game and guess what? He SUCCEEDED!
I will not condemn the game since honestly I have been incapable to give two shits about the modern games but I am keeping tabs on this. and trust me… When the time is right I will say ”I told you so.”
Speaking of Mike Hayes he is also the new leader of Sega West right? Yea. This franchise is destined for mediocrity until someone dethrones that moron.
Yes, president and CEO of Sega of America and Europe division. I wish Sega of Japan would just buckle down and give him a good scolding.
Yeah – educational. Like teaching kids to spell colour ‘color’.
@ TailstheHedgehog
You know that Color is pretty much only spelled that way in America right? They spell Colour like that in almost all Europe.
Argumentum ad populum
@TheUltimateMario9
FINALLY someone gets that too! All the Sonic complainers are just 18-20 (or older!) year old that wish times were still like it was back when they were a kid! Think about it- a 13 year old Sonic fan NOW wouldn’t have even been around when the classis were out, therefore unable to experience the “greatness” but acually “appeaciate” the “Sonic crap that being spewed out today”. Sheesh. Now they can’t complain because it’s aimed at the younger people. So if they try, they’ll look pretty stupid for bashing a young kid’s game.
I’m excited. I’ll buy it. And even if it’s “terrible”, I’ll probably still somewhat love it.
Wow, can’t wait for this! and why everyone complaining about this game? you haven’t played this game & you don’t know what it will be. Actually, Sega responses to us (SU day stage, 2D platformer). If you want to have Sonic game like you want, just make it yourself!!