Three Months Later they Follow Through, Watch it Inside
Those who weren’t seeking a refund for Sonic 4: Episode I may remember something positive out of Sega’s Community Team last Fall: the True Blue Initative, which sought to give shoutouts to whoever purchased multiple copies of the download only title.
With paper in tow, community manager Aaron Webber and digital brand manager Ken Balough did just that in a video post tonight on the Sega blogs. Some 50 people participated and they were all recognized, a pleasant surprised, even if all didn’t necessarily come through with well pronounced names. Those who did purchase all copies of the game were given thanks on a separate list, with more praise afforded to them. You’ll note some Spanish was used on a dare from the Sega forums, and a brief jab taken against this site, so no love lost there.
Take a look below. Thanks to AugieD who tipped us via Twitter of this video’s emergence. If you have news to share, be sure to share it with us by clicking News Tips at the top of every page.
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Didn’t catch the “jab.” Point out please?
@n00neimp0rtant
I guess it’s supposed to be the “First @ Sega Community, folks.” The whole “First@TSSZ” thing has become something of a meme for those who like to poke fun (and apparently can’t let go of headlines from our opening months almost three years ago).
Otherwise known as: People who wasted their money for no good reason.
Actually dat monezies is going straight to Episode II.
Well Episode 1 was a huge dissapointment for me and Sonic 3&K is my favourite game of all time:
-Low Quality short looped music (Excuse for retro while Sonic 3 pushed the hardware limit back in the day in the music departement)
-bad physics (needs to be as close to Sonic 3 as possible it was perfect)
-no more rehashed stuff(felt like a remake with the old enemies , bosses , levels and special stages)
-needs addittions not removing them(Sonic 3 had awesome between levels cutscenes what happend?)
Condolences to the 50 hope they know better next time.
Wow people actually brought 3 copies of the same exact game? That’s kinda sad.
@Jak: so true… i really dont like the music in sonic 4 um maybe the main theme and mad gear but i hate these fake-retro-esque-samples they used, and the arrangement was so poor and basic i mean c’mon the fans made much better music with classic arrangements and the jun senue’s remix of angel island zone was awesome.
the physics aren’t bad.. they are… weird… i was expecting something like sonic3&k but with all-new levels,good classic music,post-death egg story, and better “nowadays” graphics (i really dont mind if they use the old sonic model or the new cause i like both as well).
and sega…. “ESTE JUEGO NO TIENE NINGUN PROBLEMA” (the guy talking in spanish says that the game doesnt have any problems and its perfect)
el problema mas grande que tiene sonic 4 es LLAMARSE SONIC 4
the big problem with sonic 4 is its name.
i liked the game like an individual sonic game itself but for me its not “sonic 4″ its “sonic dlc” or something like that. for me sonic advance its the true sonic 4
Totally not getting the “Rita” reference at the end…?
@chibiknux
“and sega…. “ESTE JUEGO NO TIENE NINGUN PROBLEMA” (the guy talking in spanish says that the game doesnt have any problems and its perfect)”
Well, that pretty much completely erases any hope of future episodes being a true sequel or even remotely good.
I call for a boycott if Episode II doesn’t have any improvements. The whole reason why the True Blue Initiative was created was so that SEGA could recieve extra cash from foolish fans that would buy extra copies of the same damn game (not to mention that all versions had a relatively expensive cost). SEGA should have at least half a mind to do something if a significant portion of their consumers refuse to fill their filthy, bottomless pockets full of undeserved money.
Someone really needs to expose these two for the cons they are, if these guys were pulling this same shit a couple years ago the scene would have torn them apart instead of being their leashed sycophants.
Disgusting….
Solarisparadox!?!?!?! Ffs boy! I like you videos…
@Sonical
Those bastards!
They’re thanking people who bought multiple copies, and this just enrages you to no end, huh?
Love you Aaron (and I was pleased to find that Ben is as cool as you are bro), but man… if the initiatives Sega puts you through aren’t fucking pathetic. I feel sorry for you guys, I really do, having the job to put on smiles and say that “everything is alright” when it’s not. All you do is manage the community and get no further say in the game production… It disappoints, really.
Still, the name and shame game here was alright.
Aaron and Ken ftw… That is all
@Blippa – we go into a bit more detail about the “Rita” joke on the blog. I thought it was linked above, but on second glance it doesn’t appear to be – you can find it here: http://blogs.sega.com/usa/2011/01/13/sonic-4-true-blue-initiative-thank-you-video/
@Yamishi – When the caps lock arrives, we’ll know we’re doing something right!
@Chibiknux – That was a little bit of Ken’s humor. He’s quite aware that there are things that you guys (and likewise, many of us here at SEGA) would like to see improved up on in Ep2. : )
I bought Sonic Colors Wii and DS launch day, where’s my mention? Such fail Sega.
@Aaron Webber
Thanks for posting this video for true blue across the net and Ken thanking me on 2:15. I hope to this again and hope to see you in a convention again this year.
Great vid. Lovin’ the community love via the shoutouts. I’m in agreement with the ‘Sonic-4-had-problems’ bandwagon(when I’m normally the blacksheep when it comes to gaming expectations), though I’m still very much looking forward to Episode 2 and all the additions and updates it could potentially offer.
For those who don’t like the physics (like me) here is an video showing that:
@Yamishi
You people just don’t get it, you’re the same types that defend the horrible Star Wars prequels hell Sonic 4 even shares names with them (Episode 1,2, and 3)
Sonic 4′s secret subtitles
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode 1:The Physics Menace
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode 2:Attack of the Cloned Levels
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode 3:Revenge of the Rehash
@Aaron Webber
I’ve set up multiple keyword alerts that will inform me the second you and/or Ken lose your jobs.
http://i.imgur.com/aOqhz.png
You might be asking yourself “why is Sonic wearing a labcoat?” well it’s for the autopsy this franchise is dead.
i just don’t trust Aaron ever since he first got to SEGA it’s like he’s trying to be in charge of Sonic games (in to be honest it feels like he is) and i hate that about people who rise into the ranks just for more power and more power means. More Catering to the Retro Sonic Fanbase and in Aarons case rising into the ranks just for more power is his nick-name
@Sonical
That’s a New Year’s tux, fool. Quit being so negative all the time.
@krazeeKidd102
Yeah… like the last Sonic 4 boycott worked SOOOOOO well
@RaggtimeSonic
Well, unlike the last boycott, we’re not going to give SEGA money by buying one of their other games on release day.
believe this or not but my friend on LBP said his friend is good at leaking info and I was told this:
Sonic & Knuckles in Episode 2, I forgot the Episode 3 part, but Hyper Sonic for Episode 4 And Spindash & Items returning in Sonic anniversary…
he said hes not kidding & his pictures won’t send because of and error, So as useal…
I’LL BELIEAVE IT WHEN I SEE IT!!!!
@Arron Webber: speaking of Sonic, will his Spindash be returning in the next 3D Sonic game?
wow… truthfully with all the negative responses to Sonic nowadays, I see Sonic The Hedgehog, finally going to die this year
people boycotting Sonic 4 Ep 2 if physics aren’t sorted… Sonic anniversary getting “Meh not bothered” responses and more…
oh well… good things can’t last forever…
@Sonical
Yeah, idiots like me who enjoy things! God, I can’t stand people like me! People who like things regardless of popular opinion and nostalgia, ugh!
I enjoyed Sonic 4. I actually did. Why is that so wrong?
@Yamishi
It’s not. I enjoyed Sonic 4 myself. Just try to ignore the Classic Sonic fanatics.
@Kori-Maru Likewise, thanks to you! Hope to catch up with you again at a convention this year. : )
@Sonical – I get that you really enjoy the whole constant negativity thing, and seeing that you’re going to remain negative regardless, any response beyond agreeing to disagree will be a waste of time. I really appreciate the fact that you’ve done so much work to stay up to date on my life, though!
@Manic – Why do you feel that way? If you only read articles written on this site, I suppose it makes sense that you might see me through more of a negative light than an objective one, but I’ve noticed even that getting a little better recently here.
Reading your post, it sounds like you’re one of those who would label themselves a modern Sonic fan, and you’re a bit frustrated because you see me responding more to ‘classic fans’ comments, and I can understand where you’re coming from. But first and foremost, I think it’s important to state that it’s not about being ‘modern’ or ‘classic’. We’re all simply Sonic fans. What we hope to see beyond that is as diverse and unique as the many people out there who make up our fanbase. And that’s a good thing.
I’m seen often in the community light because that’s my job – but I’m not the one who gets to decide the direction of Sonic games. I don’t want power or to simply rise in the ranks. What I want is to be able to leave a positive mark on the Sonic franchise; a series that I care deeply about, and have grown up with since I was a kid.
To outsiders, I can understand how it may seem like rising in the ranks and gaining power is the best way to help guide something. The reality is, the higher up you go, the less direct involvement you actually get. I’ve found that right here, in the spot where I am now, I can still work with our teams to help make positive things happen. This video being just one such example of what I feel is the right direction for both Sonic and SEGA as a company. I’m very thankful to work alongside other people who feel the same way.
@Blueblur – don’t let a few negative posts get to you! (That’s just how the internet works.) This year is going to bring with it some amazing things for our little blue hedgehog. : )
Your friend is just making stuff up, by the way. Tell him you know this guy who knows a guy at SEGA who said he was wrong.
@Yamishi – The old saying “Misery loves company” comes to mind.
Btw, I remember you being big into Phantasy Star as well – if you want to play PSU sometime, drop me a line over on the SEGA boards!
@Aaron Webber
Don’t let the nostalgia freaks bring down your morale. There are some of us that actually do have high hopes for Sonic’s 20th anniversary. Good luck to everyone at Sega.
He is dead on with the Star Wars prequel comparison dead on.
@Aaron Webber
Going to keep this one simple and straight forward: What game are you talking about here?
“Speed is something that is not given; but rather earned through dedication. Speed is not found by simply pushing a boost button, but by building momentum. It is the reward for skill in the face of difficult challenges – this kind of speed is the most exhilarating, not only because it is fast, but because of the pure perfection such speed exemplifies. This is the truth of the original Sonic games – and this is the truth of Project Needlemouse.”
If it is Sonic the Hedgehog Episode 1 then please tell me why nothing in the final game resembles the above quote. How much of Sonic 4 did you see and/or play when you made that statement?
@Aaron Webber: wow! cool ^_^ I sort of knew that he was liying, he was going abit over the top like lol. Thanks for confraiming this that he was liying