Sega Wants Input, but Only From What They Give You
In an interview from last week’s Electronic Entertainment Expo between Destructoid’s Jim Sterling and Sega’s Ken Balough, you get an added sense of how far under wraps the company wished Sonic 4 to be in its infancy–until a PartnerNET leak mucked the whole thing up.
“It’s unfortunate that such an early build of Sonic 4 was made more public than we liked,” Balough said in the piece published today. “It’s a shame such an early concept was viewed upon when the reality is that the game we have today is very different from that.”
Officially, last week marked the first time the game had been playable to members of the press and other attendees at E3. Previously, previews had been written by several outlets only remarking on playtime by Sega employees. Before that, all of about 20 screenshots and about 20 seconds of gameplay video were officially available for fans to review. But when a build of Sonic 4 first leaked to PartnerNET in February, details of the entire game’s had slowly made their way to the Internet and into the fans via video recordings–including the presence of a mine cart level in Lost Labyrinth, and the spoiler tease for a Metal Sonic appearance in Episode 2 at the end credits.
It is that build which many fans continue to base their opinions off of, and according to Balough, it is an unfair and unofficial hurdle for Sega when factoring in fan feedback:
We do want fan feedback and part of the extended development is to incorporate a lot of the feedback we’ve gotten. We do want to hear it a lot, but we want to hear the right feedback. A lot of fans saw a build that was so early on that we’ve moved well beyond it. It’s sort of like giving feedback on a concept car instead of the actual prototype, so while some of the criticism was relevant, a lot of it wasn’t anymore, which is unfortunate because we want to hear what fans have to say.
[....] More than anything we want to lay to rest fan concerns that the game isn’t polished or doesn’t have what it needs and I think a big part of that message was extending the development and making sure that fans feel like they’ve been heard because they have been.
In some community circles, Balough has been accused of blatant PR puppetry–misrepresenting both the level of fan feedback Sega has considered for Sonic 4 thus far, and the current state of the game itself. The “right” feedback may be what Sega releases on its own time, but many suspect that without the leaks, any hope of a delay would have been questionable at best.
Sterling’s article also references Mine Cart backlash as one of the reasons for development extension. We wonder where that’s been said before.
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(EDIT – Inflammatory -T)
YOU SPOILED THE ENDING FOR ME!
So we’re supposed to give feedback from a few teasers and screenshots?
Jakeiiii – If you didn’t know about it the nearly three months or so since it’s been leaked, it’s beyond my help. We’re not about keeping secrets here.
-T
If Sega want’s us to give us the “right” feedback on something other than the leaks then they need to give us more gameplay.
XD Sorry for the language!
I just assumed that you guys would know that not everyone has watched all the leaked videos, like me, who do not want the game spoiled for them.
Well, let’s just hope nothing else gets spoiled…
Same here Jakeiiii, I haven’t watched the leaks either, like the many others who haven’t. I want to play this game without knowing what’s to come – a fresh experience. I knew about the mine cart level obviously, I couldn’t avoid that, but the teaser at the end? I had no idea, I’m a tad upset that I know that now. I mean, this article could have faired well without laying out that information.
But it’s not a big deal, it’s just a game, no problem Tristan.
Since the levels are being redesigned I don’t think watching the leaks are really spoiling anything besides the zones which… Well you could see them coming from a mile away.
What the hell is this moron talking about?
As damaging as the leaks were, SEGA could learn a lot from those who watched, played and analyzed the leaked build. Otherwise, how can we possibly give constructive feedback on 30-second trailers and the odd screenshot?!
Ken Balough’s full of shit, anyway.
Exactly. Plus I’m sure saying the music sucks is feedback. I have never said that because I like the music but I know more people don’t than do.
If they want feedback so badly, they should release a physics test demo or something.
As far as the spoiler goes, that is pretty bad form. The standard accepted time is 1 year. For something that isn’t even out yet, you’re effectively into negative numbers.
The Mad Gear Zone is too slow and there are really too many slow parts but I’m sure that was only one act of it. The rest looks good and the music isn’t bad. This is only episode 1 remember that everyone.
Metal Sonic is in Episode 2. Awesome. Can’t wait.
“and the spoiler tease for a Metal Sonic appearance in Episode 2 at the end credits.”
… Really? That’s real considerate.
Yeah big thumbs down on that spoiler shit. Not cool, Tristan.
–I swear this is old news. We had this loud and clear when the videos leaked in April. And I’m confident a couple stories since have referenced it too.
Really? That many of you avoided them?
-T
Because the fanbrats do this they spoil the game.
Yeah, people like to avoid spoiling a game even when there are leaks. Just because there ARE leaks doesn’t mean everyone following the news will want to know about the ending. Some fans like to enjoy the game on their own without having to know every tiny piece of info about it before playing.
This actually spoiled it for me. :/ There’s no warning or anything on this post. Please, for the sake of others in our position, put a spoiler alert on this post.
Nice job spoiling it for those of us who DIDN’T watch the leaked videos. You really are an idiot.
There is hardly any story in this game. Therefore, the whole Metal Sonic thing isn’t much of a spoiler. Secondly, this site reveals what is supposed to be “secret” info on a regular basis. If you wish to have nly the kowledge of the average consumer, you simply shouldn’t visit this site. Instead, follow Sega on twitter or join them on facebook and they will advertize non-spoiler news to you, most of which people here at TSSZnews and other Sonic fansites would’ve known way before Sega officially announced it.
The music doesn’t have the same Sonic feel as the originals do. It’s not exactly terrible, but it’s just not Sonic. That’s all I have to say towards criticisms.
And I specifically did NOT watch the links to prevent things getting spoiled, but I’m not really too much upset about this. The way I see it, this is more like spoiling the beginning of Episode 2 rather then the end of Episode 1, which I’m really okay with. I mean, even if EVERYTHING were spoiled for Episode 1, the very nature of an episodic series prevents everything about everything from being spoiled.
I swear, people treat being spoiled like someone splashed boiling water on their faces…. chill out.
If you people don’t want the inside scoop then don’t come to this website. You immature people don’t have to put down and cuss at Mr. Oliver.
Welp…I don’t know how much of the game is left to spoil, but if so, I’d advise against it. A lot of folks (self included) go to a lot of trouble not have stuff shown to them. I personally wonder why people even put the leaks up to begin with? Isn’t half the fun of playing a game for the first time the surprises? I dunno, it’s like reading the script for a movie that isn’t out yet. Just seems dumb. Anyway, Spoiler tags for some articles aren’t a huge effort and would help folks out alot.
Wow thanks for spoiling that. I wasn’t expecting to see or hear about what the leaks actually contained in a news article about SEGA’s response. I personally avoided any leaks from the final stage to the end but I’m sure there are others who are trying to avoid any sort of spoiler, period.
Can’t be that much more dumb than the whining going on in here.
@DoctorEggman: Yeah, like everyone is following your opinion. To a lot of us, it’s a spoiler we avoided because not many people like being spoiled on endings, regardless of how simple it is.
I’ve seen the leaks, just as I’m sure a lot has, but you think we all decided to watch the ending too? I don’t mind this site on broadcasting leaks and stuff, but I just thought there’d be consideration in regards to the ending of the game. If I knew the site just threw spoilers out there like that, I’d be more hesitant at reading the news here.
Ok. Its cool Metal Sonic is in Episode 2 but It wouldve been nice with a bit of a heads up on the spoilers. The game may have been leaked but not everyone has looked at those leaks too avoid these kinds of spoilers.
Well, that sucks. I would’ve been quite excited about a surprise appearance of Metal Sonic.
no offence to anyone/managers at tssznews….
Like I possibily did on Campsonic by mistake…
THANK YOU FOR 100% RUINING THE ENDING FOR ME & EVERYONE ELSE!!! >:-(
Yeah, I nearly completed it but I didn`t know the ending!
and i`m actually suprized that the manager ruined our game 100%.. and about 7% of Episode 2….
Definitely didn’t know about the Metal Sonic thing…
yeah since we now know pratically 99.6% of Sonic 4 part 1, who wants to know the end boss? Just ask me and I`ll say..
@Zink120: neather did I :-/
Bogus PR jank to make us think they give a damn and the lazy folks at Dimps sure don’t I mean why would they waste two whole levels in a game called Sonic 4?
Also car analogy?? Don’t make me laugh!
Tristan, a little consideration, please? There are people who didn’t watch the leaks specifically because they didn’t want to be spoiled. A vague reference to the mine cart, that’s one thing, but mentioning the ending bears absolutely no relevance to the subject of the article, all it does is spoil the ending for those who didn’t know what it was. If you feel the need to reference the ending, surely you can do so without actually spelling out what was in it?
I agree with the other people. I didn’t watch the leaked videos, *because* I wanted to base my opinion on the game on what was made public by SEGA, and by *playing* it when it’s out.
Now, you guys totally (or at least partially) ruined that. It’s not like I play Sonic games for the story, but I didn’t know about the Metal Sonic thing until now, and now I regret having read this post.
Putting it in without a spoiler alert of sorts was disrespectful.
I had avoided spoilers and the leaks too man, come on.
Ho’ sheet, I knew about Metal Sonic though.
Seriously all – you KNOW Tssznews is NOT spoiler free in any way, it’s not Sonic Stadium and never was. You come here for any piece of info on a Sonic game, either leaked or not. That’s what I like about it – in my personal opinion.
I agree that Tristan should maybe have a spoiler banner on things like this.
But calling him names is a little…silly, for a few words.
Tristan, didn’t you have a poll not so long ago with a resulting majority that said they didn’t watch the leaks? So that shouldn’t have surprised you.
Anyway, according to Balough, the game’s been drastically changed, but I personally doubt the game has been changed that much. If it’s just physics tweaks and changes in level design, then that’s not exactly drastic. Nonetheless, the changes should be good.
Blue Emerald: That poll only had seventeen percent of respondents claiming they hadn’t seen the leaks.
An argument could be made that anything with the word “leak” in a headline may be fair game to avoid anyway, if you’re trying to miss spoilers. That aside, I swear this has been referenced in a previous story between April and now.
-T
Did earlier articles about the leaks only show the levels and specifically didn’t show the ending in TSSZ specifically because they felt that even that would be spoiling to much? (I could be wrong) Now it’s just casually mentioned like it’s no big deal. I watched some of the level leaks, but specifically avoided the ending because I wanted to keep at least something to surprise me. So much for that now.
Please note that I’m not mad, just a little annoyed and disappointed.
Ro9ge: We didn’t show the ending in video form (I indeed admitted I wasn’t comfortable with that), but we spelled out in good detail what was a part of it.
If this is the great Tristan issue for haters to latch on this month, I’m batting pretty well, I think.
-T
So what exactly is Metal’s role in the ending? I’ve watched it and I don’t remember that.
It seems like you go out of your way to try and piss people off.
Good job numnuts.
Errrr…. But, the E3 version was the same version of the leaks….
Sega, stop trying to fool us!
“Tristan haters”? You think the only people who are complaining are anti-TSSZ or something? You’re being ridiculous. I’m almost convinced you’re trolling now. If so, good game, but still a dick move.
The damage has been done but you could just change the sentence to “the spoiler tease for another character’s appearance in Episode 2 at the end credits” as specifically mentioning who you mentioned is completely unnecessary. However then you’re going to have to edit the comments as well.
“Jakeiiii – If you didn’t know about it the nearly three months or so since it’s been leaked, it’s beyond my help. We’re not about keeping secrets here”.
Ruin it for everyone, sure why not?
Take your head out of your backside and stop bleating such crap. Not everyone has seen the leaks – it’s a tiny fraction of the sonic fanbase who has seen the videos. Edit your article and give Sega a break – you’re only adding to the leaks now.
@ Dino
They said beforehand that the E3 build wouldn’t feature the bulk of the changes they have planned, so if you expected it to be monumentally different, I guess that’s what you get for missing the GameSpot pre-E3 “interview” thing.
WhyWhy!!!????? why did you spoil the ending why is it neccessary that you mention it ?? This is really not good for your reputation!! >:(
Ouch, ending teaser spoiled for me… I didn´t see that part at all because I didn´t want to know, although I thought it would be something like that.
Not a huge problem, but try not to put such a spoiler in a new like this. You know, there have been many leaks, not everybody have seen it all.
Thanks greatly for spoiling the game by assuming everyone has seen the leaks. Very proper journalistic style.
Tristan Oliver is the worst journalist ever