Rationale Still Not What We Were Told, Though
“(Takashi) Iizuka didn’t actually state anything close to the iPhone being the reason for the delay,” said Sega of America community manager Aaron Webber yesterday, as part of a larger criticism on media coverage toward the Sonic Team director’s remarks from a London Q&A published earlier in the week.
Webber is referring to Iizuka’s preference to have seen similar copies of Sonic 4 across all developed platforms. After seeing the complete execution was not “the way the team imagined,” in Iizuka’s words, the iPhone version was kept closest to the game’s original animation. Console versions received changes, such as the revision to Lost Labyrinth Act 2.
It’s how much of the media interpreted Iizuka’s statements as a claim iPhone development is the sole reason for the delay that gave Webber cause to clarify.
“Anyone claiming ‘It was the iPhone!‘ either didn’t actually read the article or simply believed it because they’d like to jump on the negativity bandwagon,” Webber continued. He then explained in more detail the actual changes have taken up most of the time enabled through the delay, and cited the addition of a Classic mode, allowing linear progression as opposed to the use of a World Map navigation system–also believed to be among the changes:
The two new levels were the big focus of the delay, and they were both built from the ground up – something that does take time, no matter how fast some might claim that they can make fan levels using sprites and code from over a decade ago. It’s a lot of work and takes a lot of time to build, test, and then get final approvals for behind the scenes.
There were other changes in there too though, like making Sonic’s blurry running animation show up faster to better mimic the genesis games, updating his sprite, adding the new blur effects, balancing level difficulty, adding a new music track, adding a new Classic-style mode where you can play levels back-to-back in order, and more.
We’re doing the best we can to improve upon and enhance as much as possible so that everyone can enjoy the game. People love taking anything and everything out of context, but at least with that Iizuka-san comment, I do want to set the record straight here.
Unfortunately, Webber’s explanation and clarification still doesn’t match what we have on the record from a top member of Sega of America regarding the reason for Sonic 4‘s delay. In fact, what we know is closer in line with Iizuka’s original remarks than Webber’s clarification. So what is it? You’ll have to keep reading TSSZ News to find out, as we will tell you later this week. Thanks to luke4496 for sending this in via our News Tips system.
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Oh well. Delays happen. The game will be released, eventually. All we can do is to be patient about it.
“because they’d like to jump on the negativity bandwagon,”
Webber once again makes “sweeping generalizations” despite telling fans not to a week ago, what kind of community manager is this guy if he throws out lines like that? He is a couple steps away from using the “haters gonna hate” strawman to excuse things.
Cite your “Top member of SEGA of America” please, because your claims about having inside information are incorrect.
I’d love to hear just who it was and what they said.
Thanks Tristan!
lol when he meantion a classic mode i though you couldve played as classic sonic lol. nah but back to back is MUCH better… thanks SEGA ^_^
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Why, Aaron–so you can tell him not to talk to me anymore either?
This is pretty rich–you’re telling folks they’re taking articles out of context one minute, and pre-emptively judging a story of mine you haven’t read yet the next. Brilliant.
You’ll have to wait like everyone else. Aren’t announcements of announcements fun? Aaron? ;-D
-T
Well, this is all very interesting, but really, does it truly matter? So maybe there’s a chance the game was delayed for other reasons than what we were told–are people really surprised by this? Sure, Webber made some comments about company honesty and integrity, but we live on planet earth, people. Does that sound different than what anyone else from any other company before has ever said?
Personally, I want Sonic 4 to be the best it can possibly be; I know that these contradictions bring up concerns about the quality of the game and how much Sega may really care about what we fans want. But I think we know that no matter what, this isn’t gonna be the game we thought it would be 1 year ago. And as far as caring, well, Sega IS a company, like any other–Webber is doing a job for that company, so you mustn’t be surprised when things don’t seem to line up, cause it’s not always Aaron Webber the man talking, but Ruby Eclipse the Sega Employee. And besides, it’s not like Sega haven’t done anything that we the fans wanted. I say lean more towards patience and a little understanding than nipping the hand that feeds you, and (in this case) less concern about the cause (why Sonic 4 was delayed) than the effect (the changes to Sonic 4).
Of course, I’m not saying don’t address it at all–I find it interesting, just not that big of a deal: or a surprise.
Hi Tristan,
Actually, I’m really excited to read your upcoming article! I can’t wait to see what you’ll write.
The only difference is that I’m not pre-judging an unwritten article; I’m asking for you to cite a source when you claim to have an insider who is feeding you information that is entirely incorrect.
I look forward to a suspenseful and riveting article with a dramatic tagline about a hidden secret informant at SEGA!
(My job is so exciting.)
OK, Aaron, I’ll give you a hint–he’s a lot higher up than you in corporate hierarchy, I’d venture to guess he could be a boss or big boss of yours, and I’m sure he’ll appreciate your attempts to discredit him.
I find it very interesting how you continue to write this off when you have absolutely no idea what it is I’m about to publish.
-T
Hey Tristan, how does it feel to be such a worthless person? Do you wake up and smile in the morning?
Hi Tristan,
I love hints! I also love people who try to bully others by dropping the “Your boss won’t like this” card. It’s quite classy!
Whether or not you have a statement from someone higher up the chain means little to me. I’ve stated my piece about Iizuka’s comments, and I stand by them because they’re the truth.
As entertaining as saying the same thing a hundred-times over is, I feel like repeating myself further here is kind of like beating a dead horse – with a herring.
Once again, looking forward to your article!
Well, Aaron, I love different types of people. People who, for example, prank call other Sega employees at some ungodly hour claiming to be me when I have no involvement in such practices–another very classy way to keep relationships strong.
I also love people who, when inquired about such events, can’t give me a straight answer as to what happened, other than it was taken care of–despite it being my name, my reputation, and my site’s reputation on the line. Again, very classy.
Clearly, we have things to love about one another.
-T
“no matter how fast some might claim that they can make fan levels using sprites and code from over a decade ago.”
He mad
Um takashi iizuka is the leader of Sonic team at Japan.
their is no sonic team USA…
@Tristan: That’s it, I’ve just about had it with you Tristan! Bullying people like that =_=, why the hell did I ever sign up on your stupid site (Made with Freewebs.com, pathetic) that doesn’t even have anything good to play, it’s all crap >_< . Forget you, you mean jerk, you don’t deserve to have any friends, leave Aaron alone you creep, and I’ll just pretend we were never friends, I can’t believe you would go so low as to bully a Sega community manager, goodbye
@Aaron: Don’t worry Aaron, you’re cool with me XD, and don’t let this jerk get away with it, whatever he publishes is a piece of crap anyways. And also I can’t wait for Sonic 4 to be released
, it looks pretty fun and I like the return of Super Sonic 
.
Please clarify on the back to back classic mode, wtf is this, please tell me it will roll the levels through like sonic 3 and knuckles, back to back????????
Aw, look how cute the little children are
Why is (apparently) Tristian bullying Aaron webber? webbers cool ^_^
Don’t let the door hit ya Shadow