Interesting, Since Screenshots Directly Contradict Remark
Sega let brand manager Ken Balough out this week to speak freely about Sonic 4. If history is any indication, it tends to make for some amusing, if not offensive results.
This time is no different. As part of their reveal exclusive, Joystiq’s David Hinkle spoke to Balough while playing Casino Street Zone. While Balough believes the classics had a “casino-style zone,” in his words, he’s clear that while a tradition continues with Sonic 4, this one is different from the rest.
“Every single one of our traditional Sonic games on the Genesis, whether it be Sonic 1, 2, or 3, we’ve always had sort of a casino level,” Balough said. “So keeping with that theme, I think it’s kinda important that we continue that here. Casino Streets Zone isn’t inspired by any of the previous ones, it’s a casino-style zone and we definitely wanted to bring that to the consumers.”
The problem isn’t in the inspiration per se–it’s that in some areas, elements of Casino Street seen officially are direct descendants of the Casino Night Zone in Sonic 2. The area’s slots, bumpers, and even its formatting appear prevalent throughout the whole “new” level. Nowhere is that more evident than in the above screenshot, made by Sonic Retro wiki operator Black Squirrel. Side by side, you can see several elements shared between old and new–right down to a portion of a flower texture whose colors has changed, but spirit has not been forgotten in Sonic 4.
Balough had more to say, and you can read it at the link cited above.
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I think the difference with this new Casino Street Zone is that it features cards, and none of the stages in the classic Sonic games had that. However, inspiration isn’t a bad thing in the series, since inspiration happens all the time and that some Zones in Sonic games are similar to others (i.e. Sonic CD’s stages are similar to Sonic 1′s).
Ken Balloon is so full of shit it’s not even funny. He’s directly trolling us now.
1) SEGA needs to get their heads together on, apparently there isn’t enough internal communication/educating going on. Do the PR individuals not know enough about what they’re talking about?
2) For a project like this, I feel it’s necessary to cut and paste here and there for the first Episode so the developers can remember/learn why specific design choices were made. They’re already learning a lot from this project through fan feedback. Big chance Episode 2 will be great if they can at least make Episode 1 enjoyable. They’ve finally got their hands dirty with what the fans want, and don’t want, with Sonic.
The entire PR staff should be let go.
“wanted to bring that to the consumers.””
His choice of words here makes me sick, Sonic 4 isn’t some love letter to the fans it’s Sonic Consumer Product #74
Saying that zone isn’t inspired by previous ones is like saying the entire frickin’ game isn’t inspired by the older games.
I think it’s similar in design only.
*aneurysm*
Balough should seriously just keep slient for a while about Sonic 4. Seriously. I’ll still get this game and Colors, but he should just stop telling us these things. I think it’s kinda obvious that Casino Street borrowed some elements from Casino Night. That and not to mention the spring-loaded thrusters that launch you through parts of the level. If that’s not inspired from Casino Night, then call me a “purple-headed dragon with yellow belly and horns– Wait a minute.
!!! When SEGA officaly announce this hopefully soon very soon they said the release date & Price would be anounced! And i`ve heard sonics new voice, type in on youtube Sonic new voice and look for a one with Roger & Sonic on the screenshot… he sounds decint lol.
You’re getting two franchise redeeming games at once but you all deserve nothing more than a Shadow the Werehog where a machine-gun wielding Shadow has to save (and fall in love with via a dating minigame) a human princess in modern day chicago from zombies, playing as 20 never-before seen characters.
The run-up to a sonic game has become less about the actual games themselves and more like an election campaign, more about “who wins” between optimists and pessimists, each trying to rub in the faces of their opponents any evidence they can find to support their view, turning into nothing more than a little kid saying “I told you so” when IGN declares the winner.
Sonic 4 may not have been created by the original sonic team, and it may use a different physics engine, but regardless of this, it has already done enough to ensure a total re-invigoration of the franchise’s standing among general gamers- something I’ve witnessed first hand. It’s won them over already. Look at the XBL community rating ffs.
After Sonic 4, you won’t have to “defend” sonic games anymore.
I love the fact it says let him out, like he’s in a cage or something.
i don’t see what everyone is talking about o.o, apart from the flower card on the right hand side, the stages don’t look anything alike o.o, not structurally or evironmentally. but then again, this is one screen shot out of a 3 act stage soooo x.x
The really is no point to discussing this since there is barely anything to compare x.x
Obviously this guy wasn’t on the team that actually did the ARTWORK for the stages, or he would have known better.
So the guy keeps getting things wrong; just take what he says with a grain of salt and stop bashing him, because odds are, each of you has said something equally looney at one time or another. Or, in my case, off and on all my life. Why do you think I’m hiding behind a gosh-darn wierd psydonum like ZMB?
These are the kind of things that makes you understand why there´s so much contradiction with everything that Sega says.
There’s actually a better screen they could have used. One which has the descending ramp in almost the exact same spot!
Oh bother. Still looks good.
Man I don’t care I’m in love for SONIC4
I want it so bad!!! hehe
Why SEGA are lying so much???
@Zeh Mad Bloggah
Wisdom like yours is refreshing to see here.
@Dino
The question should rather be: Why is tssznews posting so much crap?
This is not news, it’s not even interesting. Do we really want to judge and analyze every unimportant statement that Iizuka or PR people like Balough make?
I certainly don’t.
@DirSeenith
I love how completely unprovoked and out of place that explosion was. Nobody here is even complaining about the re-used material or headbutting their optimism vs pessimism (both of which are apparently pre-release crimes now), we’re all just facepalming because the PR guy is making an ass of himself for the umpteenth time.
Personally, my opinion on Sonic games will always be based on whether *I* find them enjoyable. I don’t give two shits about what the “gaming public” or XBL community thinks, so if these two games don’t revitalize the franchise in MY eyes, then they have still failed to do anything noteworthy for me.
Not that I don’t think they will, mind you. I’m just pointing out how asinine of a comment you’re making by saying that we should be grateful the general gaming public approves of something, even if we don’t. That we somehow don’t deserve good games because we have specific definitions of what constitutes such or because we have the gall to actually criticize something.
I’ve never felt the need to “defend” Sonic games. Bad games are bad games, and they OUGHT to be attacked for being such.
I DO feel the need to defend people’s right to their opinions, and their rights to express criticism. In the case of any form of media or entertainment there will be people who find something to like about it and people who find something to complain about. This is natural. This is life. This magical playground you imagine where everyone holds hands and sings because a decent Sonic game is coming out, regardless of whatever obvious flaws it may have and of people’s individual tastes, is NEVER going to happen. And it SHOULD never happen.
This isn’t Robotropolis. People have a right to share their feelings on a god damn video game without elitists like you telling everyone who doesn’t share your paradigm to shut up, or that they don’t deserve the games that they’re getting because they have valid complaints about said game. Not everyone who bitches thinks the game will be an abysmal failure. And those who DO think that have every right to think so. I don’t care if the whole world praises Sonic 4 as the best video game in history – if someone doesn’t like it, for whatever reason they choose, that is THEIR decision and they are more than entitled to think so.
Just because we’re “getting the goods” this year doesn’t rob us of our right to keep asking for better. Sega is a company providing products for consumers like us. They are not benevolent benefactors making games for free. We don’t have to be “grateful” for anything if it isn’t up to our standards.
@ChaoticFox: Nice wall of text =P
ChaoticFox: Nice speech.
@Chaotic Fox: I love you for that……..lol
That’s hilarious. This is clearly inspired by EVERY CASINO ZONE EVER.
Eventuall they should combine Sonic 2′s and Sonic 3′s level to create Casino Carnival Zone.
Ken.
Please shut the hell up. You have no idea what you’re talking about. There’s nothing wrong with taking inspirations from Sonic 2 but to deny that it has anything borrowed from previous games is horse shit.
God.
@DrSeenith
Best. Comment. Ever.
Oh, and, guys. Kenny was talking on the spot, and he slipped up. It’s NORMAL.
When I saw this, Sonic Adventure’s casino’s sewer theme popped into my head.
I’m not sure whether to be happy or unhappy with this development. ^^;