Does Sonic Team’s Head Still Not Get It?
As part of yesterday’s Sonic Generations reveal, Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka has made the rounds with several media outlets. There are a bevy of new interviews conducted with him, but we wanted to point out one, held with European website Game Reactor.
Translated, there are a fair bit of Iizuka-isms, as he speaks about what makes an ideal Sonic game in his mind, and in particular acknowledging a divided fan base:
When I looked at the market and the analysis, I often recognize, that people say, that they love the old Sonic-games and don’t like the new games – or the other way around. But when you really look at what they’re saying and what they’ve experienced, they haven’t played the other stuff. The more recent young audience haven’t actually played Sonic in the Mega Drive era, they don’t know what the 2D Gameplay is like. It’s an old game and they never played it. And the same goes for the classic fans. They haven’t actually picked up the kind of modern Sonic games. So this is what Sonic is all about now.
But what should really catch your attention is Iizuka’s response when asked what makes a Sonic game just that; Iizuka again cites speed and not platforming but “Sonic’s characteristics” as the two core components:
There are two key features, that makes a Sonic-game. One of them is Sonic’s characteristics and the other one is the speed, that gives the player a good gaming experience with the sense of speed and thrill that they get. These are the two things, that we have always in the games for 20 years and we will carry on to do so, no matter what genre we go into.
In the past, words like that have proven to be unsettling for many classic fans, the same fans who were elated at the sight of Sonic Generations yesterday, but before felt scorned at Iizuka’s steering of the franchise. Does this philosophy–and the frequency it pops up–concern you? Tell us below in the comments.
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Interesting. So long as he acknowledges that platforming is essential, then it’s all good.
Sonic’s always had speed as a defining quality. That’s what made him so much different from Mario.
In the past, TSSZ spamming silly “news” like this and the stock drop has indeed be unsettling for many classic and modern fans alike.
First, this is the English translation of a German transcript [quote: "Text: Martin Eiser (Gamereactor Germany)"] of an interview that was most likely conducted in Japanese. Babelfish, anyone?
Second, we all know that Iizuka has problems expressing himself clearly. What do you want us to do, analyze his every word whenever the man says something silly? Do you need the website traffic that much?
Hey, the fact they managed to reveal a game without it getting leaked is impressive enough to me.
You guys shouldn’t take his words so literally.
Remember when he said Colors was a game for kids?
The only thing that matters is he’s part of the reason why Sonic is recovering.
You know what I think Sonic is all about? You know what I think of when I look at Sonic The Hedgehog? I think of exciting storylines, thrilling cut-scenes, cool music, fights and rivalry, not knowing what will happen next, speed, new power ups (such as light dash), walking around in chao garden, and levels like no other.
Maybe he knows what he’s doing but he doesn’t know how to say it. Has it ever come to mind that he wants to say what everybody wants to hear but the words are just coming out wrong? It’s just a theory.
Why did you change you banner back? I like the Classic Sonic one…
woops, thats for pictures nvmind
@sonic52789,
So when you think Sonic you think Sonic Adventure? Wut?
When he’s referring to the two big things Sonic has to have, it’s in regards to what aspects need to remain consistent no matter what genre Sonic finds himself in, not just platforming. Say, if Sonic is going to be in, say, another RPG, it has to have some emphasis on speed and an emphasis on attitude. That’s how it’s been since the very first game and that’s what set him apart from all the other platformers on the market up to that point (especially Mario)…same should go for any spinoffs in any respective genre.
And if the gameplay vids are any indication, they DO get that platforming is important for Sonic Generations. You know, what with this being a Sonic PLATFORMER and not a spin-off into another genre.
@Sloth – lol, yeah. Sonic Adventure 2 to be exact. I will never forget the feeling I had when playing that game.
Excuse me Iizuka, but don’t tell me what games I’ve played and which ones I haven’t. I’ve grown with Sonic since the classic years, and LOVE the 90s games. I’ve also played every major modern release and although they have their redeeming qualities, nothing can really touch the perfection of S3&K. So stop alienating your Sonic audience by saying “they either like Classic or Modern because they haven’t played the other one” because that is simply untrue.
I’m so completely fed up with his interview comments, for years he’s done nothing but change up and sometimes completely negate Sega’s PR efforts, and I don’t know why we bother talking to him anymore.
Well, he’s right. The dude’s name means the “speed of sound” for a darn reason.
Sonic characteristics and speed ARE what make a Sonic game. Without those, he’s pretty much a rip-off of any and almost every other game in the Adventure Platformer genre.
Some people may disagree because they act like there’s no such thing as a genre. Sonic is in the Adventure Platformer genre. So we KNOW there is supposed to be platforming. But that’s not what MAKES Sonic. That’s like saying being on one of the videogame consoles is also what makes a Sonic game. Well it’s a GAME. Being on a console is a given.
But what is distinctively “Sonic” about this Platformer game? SPEED, folks. Saying this doesn’t mean that he is ruling out platforming. If that were the case then what’s up with SA1 and SA2? Just sayin. =P
I, for one, am just ready for this game! =D
People, you’re the Sonic fans. You have the tendency to look into what is said at SEGA, exploit and emphasiz e on a specific part of it as some kind of “news” and then attempt to suggest that it should be analyized allll before taking it completely the wrong way. It isn’t the first time. Sonic’s fanbase ALWAYS does this and they’ve ALWAYS been wrong and had to have someone at SEGA spell it out for them a week later and then again a week after THAT to make themselves clear as to what they mean. XD
I just hope people can stop nitpicking, taking things out of proportions, and just enjoy what good is actually in front of us. ^_^
Well, I’m going to stop dissing on this game. I’m giving it a chance. But I’m still not giving up hope for Sonic Adventure 3. I just know that SEGA will announce it this year.
@sonic52789
And you know it!
If there’s one thing that makes Sonic 1, 2, 3&K, SA1 and SA2 so great is that they all really capture Sonic’s world!
All the other games just feel like random one-shots. I mean, Sonic Unleashed is cool but isn’t it a bit hard to picture the idea of Space Colony Ark existing in Sonic Unleashed’s world? Or Angel Island existing in Sonic Colors’ world? Sonic Heroes doesn’t feel connected to any of the rest of the franchise to me, not even the classics despite attempting to be somewhat classic-Sonic styled. lol
Sonic Riders’ series feels like a totally different continuity almost.
In SA1 I can feel like Mystic Ruins and Station square are somewhere around just far away. In Station Square I can feel that Angel Island is somewhere floating across the sea. And with that, I can also feel South Island and Westside Island being somewhere. It’s like those 5 games (6 if you count S3 and S&K seperately) all as being part of the same continuity. =) But that’s just me. xD
AJBSONIC,
Iizuka isn’t saying that EVERYONE who played the classics has ignored the modern games, or that EVERYONE who has played the modern games hasn’t played the classics. He’s just saying that this is the case for many people. I don’t get where you come up with this.
There’s also some cases where fans may have played some of the classics but not all of them, while having played a grand majority of the modern games. Or visa-versa. This statement isn’t meant to apply to absolutely EVERYONE.
I really do hope that he did mean it in a different way, because taking what iNAUDiBLE said into account, it sounds fair that way.
The only thing that annoyed me is him saying that every fan has only played half of the games… he knows it’s not true!
@FoxBoy Sonic Colours took place in space. And also, while you can imagine classic Sonic places in Sonic Adventure, you can REALLY imaging classic places in Sonic Adventure 2? There’s no greenery, no underwater place, no Casino like zone, not a single resemblance. At least the gameplay of Sonic Colours matched the originals (although not exactly) and since it took place in space, when Sonic comes back to Earth on a GREEN FIELD, you can actually imagine classic stages there. Although, Sonic Colours and the opening of Sonic Unleashed practically destroy any possibility of the Ark existing anymore.
whoops meant to say can you rather than you can really imagine classic places in Sonic Adventure 2. I just realised how many mistakes I made. >_<
Well, it depends. I loved Sonic Unleashed (daytime), I loved Sonic Colours even more. I loved the Sonic Adventure games. I loved the classics, Sonic CD especially.
I’m not 100% bothered, due to the fact that I like most Sonic games (bar Sonic 06). Blistering speed or well designed platforming, I don’t care which one I get. I love both. But I know there are 2D and 3D purists out there which will hate the news, definately.
But the thing is, we’re all expecting Sonic 4: Episode II. A game which will most probably be centred around platforming, which is made even more true since SEGA said they were going to be adding some more momentum based physics. So Iizuka’s mind is clearly screwed over, pulling a sick joke on the 2D purists or he really means it.
Let’s just say this: we don’t know what is exactly in store for the next Sonic games. We don’t know what is coming. We just need to wait and see. That’s how I’ve looked at Sonic games, and it seemed to keep me happy.
O LAWD NOOOOOOOO
I was so hyped for this yesterday. But this quote backs up my suspicions.
SEGA just couldn’t help themselves. Did you notice, in the ‘classic’ sections? It’s still just FAR TOO FAST. I got so excited when IGN said it plays exactly like the classics. Well it damn well doesn’t! If you watch the announce trailer, and the gameplay from the interview, you can see classic’s acceleration is just wrong!
Don’t get me wrong, I’m gonna get this game, I’m gonna love this game, and I can’t wait, it’s going to be amazing. But WHY is it IMPOSSIBLE for SEGA to do what they’re trying to do! It’s just so infuriating!
This may turn out to be the most fun Sonic ever, but this is a little bit of a dampener for me, and I expect for many people who have been promised Genesis gameplay.
@somerandomguy
Sonic Colors taking place in space has nothing to do with what I was referring to. I said world, not planet. As in I know Sonic Colors took place in space but it felt like it was it’s own continuity where Angel Island didn’t exist. It felt like it was a Sonic game with it’s own elements seperate from the original series.
And yes I can imagine classsic Sonic places in SA2 because to me SA2 and SA1 feel like they’re merely in different areas of the same world. That and Green Hill Zone is IN the game. Radical Highway is even said to be the rebuilding of Speed Highway (hence being under construction) Not only that, but the Master Emerald actually makes an appearance which allows me to visualize Angel Island existing somewhere which connects with the classics.
What you’re not getting is it’s not the levels that I’m referring to it’s their universe and continuity. Sonic Unleashed and Sonic Colors feel like they’re part of a seperate continuity where South Island and Angel Island don’t exist. Just in their personalities it’s hard to picture them ever having memory of these places while the Adventure series actually felt like they could recall history of the previous games. Like to me the ending of Sonic Colors with them in a green field just doesn’t feel like it has any connection to the past to me. It feels like it’s just part of a new version of Sonic’s world.
I know it’s not, but I’m just stating what the classics and Adventure series have in common that the others don’t from my perspective. =P
I like both classic and modern games.
well no shit its about speed. Well at least that’s what the newer games have been about. Maybe that’s what Iizuka meant.
@UltimaHedgie: Except, he did say everyone. He didn’t say “some” classic fans haven’t picked up the modern games. He said, specifically, classic fans haven’t picked up modern games. His fault for not wording his shit right if he didn’t mean it that way.
Until he fixes his crap, he needs to learn most of the modern games were shit to us classic fans, period. I played a good handful of them, thanks.
@darkgomugomu You have a point. Either that or it’s a translation fail, or he actually meant it.
Iizuka is a complete, utter moron. No further comments needed.
FOX NEWS WE REPORT YOU DECIDE
Haven’t heard that one in a while =)
-T
Considering how well Colors turned out, I don’t think anyone should freak out over this statement. Iizuka’s record may be mixed, but he has shown that he knows how to make a good Sonic game (although not as consistently as we would prefer).
Iizuka making silly comments is part of the tradition for a new release. It has nothing to do with how the actual game will turn out. It’s like the necessary green bean casserole at your Holiday dinner. The feast will probably be great- we’re just not sure why this guy keeps bringing his crappy casserole to every party.
His teeth are a lie.
When I think Sonic, I think speed and platforming. More speed, though.
Tristan just got told pretty hard, haha.
And that´s the reason why 3D Sonic seems so good while 2D seems so bland. It´s just 2D Unleashed gameplay with a classic model
They should had improved that part of the gameplay.
Rumor: The new City Escape could be in Sonic Generations!
I mean the new version of the City Escape song
Rumor: Sonic Generations will feature platforming!
BREAKING: Sony and Microsoft have also begun working on the successors to their consoles; around the office, we’ve been calling these the “Playstation 4″ and “Xbox 720″, respectively. We believe this may be in a direct response to Nintendo’s forthcoming “Project Cafe” announcement, a story we first broke, right here. Our inside sources assure us that these new consoles will be “significantly more powerful than the current generation of consoles.”
del.icio.us
@Dan Your late by about 4 months
He dosen’t have a way of wording things, but he’s part of the reason there was a new classic formula game (sure, it fell short, but the criticism from it seems to have done Generations greatness), a step-up from Unleashed’s Sonic formula with a great gameplay add-on, and now this, so I could care less how he words things. Just as long as he keeps doing what he’s doing to bring Sonic back to glory.
*sigh*… Iizuka, we know you’re trying to be clever with this whole “Sonic’s target audience” thing, but it’s just coming off lame. Just say it’s an awesome game and stop incriminating yourself…
(In truth, I’m not particularly concerned by this)
Sonic Colors had lots of platforming, did it not? I was very satisfied with it, why should I think this game is any less of a platformer? I Actually believe this game will be quite superior.
Dan as much as you hate it the game will also include remake levels from SA and SA2 so yes city escape will be the one to pop up. And thats one of the good news for me
It look like he produced this game out of frustration to have the fans that didn’t play either two types of game plays from this game.
hey guys do you think that if sega called jeley w to do classic sonic voice and mr. r does modern sonic voice.
:I
I think Iizuka has got the right mindset here, he just needs to figure out how to execute it is all. I don’t think they he CAN’T make a good game, it’s just that he’s trying to be fresh at the same time. Classic fans only want games to be just like the classics cuz of their “childhood”. Grow up. I am a classic fan too and I can honestly say, we don’t need the games to be just like the classics in order to be good. Let’s IMPROVE a little.
I understand the new games can lack in quality but some are better than others and they’re not like “OMG F***ING SUCKS!*. Some of them suck, some are mediocre and some are good just with some flaws still. How can ppl bash those who want to see Adventure series style of games again saying it should be left in the past but not say the same about Sonic’s classic gameplay? Should IT be left in the past? Define “Bringing back his glory”. I don’t see how he can bring back glory by bringing back old gameplay if you hypocritically claim that would be “unoriginal”, or how they can bring it back with new ideas that are cool if “different = bad” to you guys. :/
The only problem I have with what Iizuka said is that the reasons for Classic fans disliking the modern games isn’t because they haven’t played it but rather because it’s too much of a change for them to handle.
Similarly, classic fans DO dislike the originals simply for not having played it or when they do it’s too different and downgraded.
Basically, Iizuka is KINDA right just not quite.
Rather than “Classic fans dislike modern games because they haven’t played them and Modern fans dislike classic games because they haven’t played them.”…
…it should be “Most Classic fans dislike the modern games because they played the classic games first and some Modern fans dislike the classic games because they played the modern games first.”
I say “most” in Classic fans cuz some classic fans DO like the modern games, like me. (As I was growing up and they started announcing Sonic Adventure, later Sonic Heroes and so on, I was always interested in what was about to come out next.)
I say “some” in Modern fans cuz MOST modern fans I know like the classics too or are actually classic fans who don’t dislike the modern games. XD
No c’mon!!! Sonic games are of course about speed, BUT NOT JUST SPEED! Sonic needs lots of nice platforming too! Platforming is VITAL for Sonic! If a game is just focused on Speed, its going to feel like a racing game -_- The drift move is already making Sonic feel like a racer. Sonic Unleashed daytime = Speed Speed Speed And lots of Speed! Sonic Colours = Speed and not the best platforming / Level design for platform sections, Sonic generations = (via trailer) Fat Sonic = Speed, nice looking platforming and good level design! Massive hands & feet Sonic = Speed Speed Speed Speed Speed… -_- with some air gliding dowards from ramps.
I hope from this Game & onwards Massive hands & feet Sonic better have good level design…
AND FOR GOD SAKES SEGA!!!
WHERE ARE ITEMS?????????? Sonic needs items man! Sheilds, Rings & invincibilitys! Even if the whole Boost kills the challenge for you is in a game! -_______-
Yes! Sonic seems to Spindash like on SU wii… good enough, BUT after the loop, he Spindash, NOT when he hit the booster, But As he approached the crab! 0.o A move? I hope.
Anyway Thanks SEGA for Sonic generations ^_^ EPIC lol
@blueblur
I think it’s like Emily said. Sonic IS about speed but is a platformer that is about speed. Iizuka DID say he was about Sonic elements and speed “nomatter what genre”. Like basically Sonic IS a platformer that is about speed! Get it? We don’t need to say he’s about platforming, or that his racing games are about racing, or that his games in general are about playing or that his shows are about watching. We know that because that’s what kinda product they are. But what that product is mainly about is speed.
Sonic isn’t about platforming. Sonic is about platforming FAST. See? And Sonic Unleashed I believe was meant to be like a Time Attack kinda level and maybe that’s why so many people found it fun. It was probably just it’s own one-time kinda gameplay but fans asked for more. So why ask for more if you don’t like it? Sonic Colors improved with gameplay as many fans have suggested.
Well I believe Generations is just using Unleashed AND Colors styled level designs. =p I hope anyways, for the same of the fanboys. lol