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 had me sold up until the point in which it said the game has educational and pick up and point elements. That is the thing I hate most about Wii games. Point and click motion controls. All that aside, it sounds like everything I wanted it to be, I may get this if there isn’t too much of that stuff. SEGA better not rely entirely on motion controls like Sonic and the Black Knight. That game sucked.
Except Strong Bad. That game is just awesome 100%.
Great… There goes my hope. Sonic point and click. Eeeeeeuck!
Sonic only? Not interested…
Looks like I won’t be getting the DS version
or any version
Since when did ANYTHING beyond run and jump start being labeled as a “gimmick”?
Oh no, the game won’t have a steep learning curve and appeals to younger players! God forbid they rip out the angsty adult themes we’ve all come to know and love throughout the years! How DARE they!
Sonic is and ALWAYS HAS BEEN a kid’s franchise at heart. Most of us weren’t well in our 20s when we picked up Sonic 1.
I’m becoming more and more fond of this simple “younger” direction the more I hear of it. My only concern with this whole storybook business is wondering whether it will have the same awful on-rails controls, as opposed to the much more pleasant Unleashed style of gameplay the phrase “2D/3D hybrid” brings to mind.
I don’t mind it being aimed at the younger demographic; it looks very inviting thus far. I just hope they don’t treat them like idiots.
So the real question is what is the PS360 team working on?
Playable at E3? Well that’s just right around the corner.
I hope it looks better than Natals $150 price tag.
Not to be cynical, I mean we all knew it was aimed at the younger audience, but more so I have no idea what “source” this is of Tristan’s. Wait until we see more officially, since this doesn’t tell me anything about the game either of gameplay.
Where the heck are people getting the idea that it’s going to be point and click? Oh wow, I gotta point and click to do something. Holy heck, what a game breaker!
Sonic fans surprise me more and more every day.
@ChaoticFox
It’s already been confirmed that the Wii version will have a Sonic Unleashed style gameplay, with the 2D/3D shifts and everything down to the boost gauge.
Nobody said that that will be the whole game. I’m just saying that the pointer crap ruined Super Mario Galaxy, it ruins every wii game that I play.
By the way. Who is your source. It’s getting a little ridiculous having to go by unnamed sources all the time. I want proof before I can believe it.
@ edge
I’m his source. My dad works at Sega.
Um… seriously? Unnamed sources?
Exclusive: Sonic Colors – Lots of information
Psst.. we forgot to tell you its a rumor.
Its been confirmed a rumor, and now you guys are treating it like its a fact. Once it is proven, then you can post it as a true fact.
Crap, I knew it I freaking knew it!
@ Mike
From what AAUK said on the SSMB I have to believe that the storybook series isn’t dead
And AAUK is actually works for Sega.
Can I get away with information by saying my dad works for Sega too? =D
Why did I put is? Oh well.
AAUK is my dad.
Luke, I am your father.
The Sonic Storybook sub-franchise is dead?
That’s a spirit breaker…
So just more repackaged garbage.
At least we all know in advance it will not be good on Wii. Hopefully DIMPS figures something out to fix it on DS.
Sonic4: WiiWare/ Xboxlive/ PS network/Mac
Sonic Colour: Wii/Ds
Something says me, we gonna have another sonic game teaser trailer soon, from a game to (360-ps3) for the next year.
Ok, Mike. So AAUK is your dad?
Wtf
Um… didn’t he say it wasn’t dead. Yet, I’m hearing it is?
wut
Wait so what! SatBK was a kids game too. SEGA even said that!
But it was pretty bada** in its own respect!
Still optimistic about the game.
This piece of news changes nothing for me.
Considering Sega’s new “philosophy” on how Wii owners should be thought of, we lucked out with Sonic 4. Don’t expect anything else like it though….
I have to say, however…. it’s not only a disturbing trend, but a little insulting. If you want to avoid such a stigma, then stop adding to it.
@ Manny
He’s just saying it isn’t dead to soften the blow.
So, this quote: “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.”
Who claims the press were pleased? Was this the anonymous source, or is this from another source, one that is public, that I just missed?
Black Knight was meant for a younger audience also yet was brutally and unfairly difficult towards the end of the game.
I really hope they throw the mechanics and controls of those games out in favor of favor of something more in the vain of Adventure and Unleashed.
Sounds like the kind of shit anyone could have guessed… I call bullshit on your source.
Well, Mike, unless your under 10 years old, I doubt your AAUK’s son, AAUK is 27
And Mike, judging by your art style on your Deviantart account, I have to say that it does not look like a 10 year olds art, especially when you drew yourself, plus you say that your home is Tampa Florida, AAUK lives in England, as evidenced by the fact that he works for SEGA Europe
Woooooooooooow….
I bet your laughing at this aren’t you Tristan?
Come on. Why ELSE would it be a Wii exclusive? That was the first thing I thought when I heard about the game: “It’s a Wii exclusive for a reason. And probably not a good one conisdering what happened with the LAST Sonic Wii exclusives.”
Well yeah, I knew there would be some sort of thing that Sega would add to this that pisses on it, I guess I just didn’t expect them to be so honest about it. “Yep, Wii Sonic games are for the kids. Lol, sorry long time Sonic fans that own a Wii”
n00niemp0rtant: Just becuase it’s Wii exclusive doesn’t mean it’s kiddy. There are other games that are Wii exclusives(though not many) and are not kiddy.
Assuming thats what you are refering to…
Leakers are bastards! I wait for a official announcement of Sega.
Yay… a casual game… JUST LIKE THE REST OF THE SHITTY WII!
Seriously Sega! You make all this awesome info about a Sonic game, then flush it all down the toilet! AIM IT AT SONIC FANS!
“Oh no, the game won’t have a steep learning curve and appeals to younger players! God forbid they rip out the angsty adult themes we’ve all come to know and love throughout the years! How DARE they!”
There’s nothing suggesting this, and you know it. With Sega’s track record, they’re doing anything but ripping out the angst and adult themes.
You guys are ignorant. Bashing a game we know little about. I bet the Sonic 4 trolls are here as well. -_-
Can we all stop assuming things with no real basis to stand on? Thanks. As for the Wisps, they sound more like power-ups than the kind of gimmickry we’ve learned to hate in games like Shadow or Black Knight, so I wouldn’t be so quick to judge that aspect of it yet.
But we’ll see. Right now, we have next to nothing to go on.
I hate this news. But, still hoping for the big nextgen sonic title. Do they at sega realize that sonic is 20 next year??!
Younger audiences?! Black Knight division?!! POINT AND CLICK?!!! OH NOEZ!!! SONIC IZ DEAD!!!
… Whatever. The only thing that has me worried is that it’s being done by the same people who did “Secret Rings”. That said, though, I loved Black Knight, so I’ll wait and see which end of the spectrum Colours will end up in.
Yes, that was a pun. =P
What I find even more interesting than this news is that some of you are staying up until four in the morning chatting about it.
As for the information…much as I like TSSZ, I’m just going to wait things out. If it shows at E3 and it’s a load, then Tristan has the right to parade around my living room and sing “I told you so!”
Until then, I’m just going to sit back and watch what happens. I mean, what else can we do?
@Hypo Prower: Time Zones, mate.
Sounds cool.
Honestly, I’m glad. Kids deserve good games, and more kids into Sonic is always good.
My main hope is that the developers realise what so many fans don’t: that ‘for kids’ does not mean ‘lack of quality’. Or even ‘no appeal for adults at all’.
ok…
this type of information seems like… suspicious…
I dunno it’s hard to believe this.
I’ll wait.
@Edge: I’ve seen little 11 year olds who draw like ARTISTS and I watch a 13 year old who started drawing like a pro at 9…
so…how can drawings prove age?
What Mike can do is have AAUK say so himself? or is there is family tree information about him or whatever?
I’ll be very happy if they include pointer functionality in the actual gameplay in a meaningful way. I’m really not sure why anyone would be down on the Wii pointer for 2D games.
It worked amazingly well in 2D sidescrollers like NyxQuest and Lost Winds…..if any of the gameplay from them was combined with Sonic I’d be delighted.
“Hurrrr durrrrrrrr, don’t make assumptions”
“By the way, THIS SOUNDS LIKE IT’LL BE LIKE THIS OR THAT!”
Again…. talk about the pot calling the kettle black.
Ohh…right. Didn’t think bout that, Kit’s.
My bad.