Webber’s First Interview as ABM
Many of you wrote in over the weekend to tell us about a new Sonic Generations interview that crept up on Gamespot. It was part of the website’s Daily Demo series, and newly minted associate brand manager Aaron Webber participated in the Q&A.
We waited until now to tell you about it because, frankly, there wasn’t a whole lot of new material to come out of it. The demo was the same Green Hill setup we’ve known about for a few weeks now. Truth be told, a lot of the interview was dedicated to the upcoming Sonic Boom event in Los Angeles in a couple of weeks.
Still, courtesy of Woun‘s conversion to Youtube, you can watch it below. Thanks to everyone who sent this in via the News Tips system.
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That is a really nice hoody. Do they sell those anywhere?
That guy is a huge dick! “This guy who is too tall and is not sonic, this alien sonic, my goodness hold it in until the camera is off, dont make the associate manager say something he doent have to on his first game on a new job!
Aaron did a great job in this, his first interview. He really kept his cool and stayed positive when the interviewer started trying to badmouth Modern Sonic.
yeah dude, you dont do that right after giving props to his new job! Ill bet that guy hasnt picked up more than 1 new sonic game, and just does what the reviewer tells him to think. I mean, if Aaron agreed to his opinion that would start a bad topic spiral. You should just THINK and not ask questions like that and be a damn professional.
You are getting info out of the show, not opinions of something thats not even out yet.
Seriously, that guy interviewing Aaron frustrated the heck out of me. I don’t usually care about stuff like this, but he’s supposed to be professional, and he didn’t just say he preferend Classic Sonic but in-directly insulted modern Sonic on camera where nothing could be done about it as if he spoke for everyone. And even then the perspective he bases his opinion on are ridiculous.
Looks not like Sonic? I’m sorry but is he implying that if there was a person who never saw Modern Sonic before that he wouldn’t be able to tell Modern Sonic was “Sonic The Hedgehog”? BECAUSE EVERYONE ELSE I KNOW SEEMS TO RECOGNIZE HIM. lol
Seriously, it’s gotten to the point where people are brainwashed into thinking “If it’s not from 1996 or prior, it sucks, nomatter”, and now it’s like “Modern Sonic is ugly cuz it’s not classic.” >.> Somebody slap him. lol
THANK YOU FOR THE NEWS. :U
@Foxboy, thewafflefactory
Not to sound like a brown noser but i totally agree with you. he was insulting modern sonic and praising classic sonic. It drove me nuts! to me i don’t care what he looks like Sonic is sonic i like both classic and modern why must there be this large gap between modern and classic fans?
but i agree with you he’s a major classic fan.
“Olympian Sonic” BOO BOO GET OFF THE STAGE!!!!
@FoxBoy
Yeah fuck him for having a actual opinion instead of just being a mindless PR tool that speaks only in service to the game being presented.
Here’s the deal Classic Sonic was in some of the most popular and quality games of the times his worst games like Sonic Blast and Labyrinth are obscure to the gaming audience at large.
Modern Sonic has been in games games that ranged from great to mediocre to even worst of the year caliber, the failures of recent games like Sonic06, Shadow, and the Werehog bits of Unleashed have been widespread and have made the series a laughing stock to the press and fans and gamers that don’t feel compiled to play every game in the series. Sonic’s modern design has the unfortunate luck of being in these awful games it’s no surprise that he is looked down upon so such. Even beyond that the classic design has deniable cuteness and charm to it.
Frankly I think you’ve been brainwashed into a “EVERYTHING IS GREAT SHUT UP ” mentality and it’s just as worse as “EVERYTHING IS SHIT SONICCYCLE.JPG”
The unleashed gameplay gets old fast… SA gameplay at least lets you set the pace and direction you’re running in.
@Sonical: Yes. This.
What’s wrong with the guy having an opinion, everyone else? Helped keep the interview interesting and amusing in my humble opinion. Also, Aaron is an adult and can look after himself.
I mean geez, chill out guys… I like Sonic, but he doesn’t need worshipping/idolising/defending.
You guys saying that it was unprofessional, do try to remember that this is game journalism. Being light-hearted is at its core, and that doesn’t make it unprofessional.
Also, @Ee: I agree.
Unlike the Adventure games, the more modern levels just have little to know sense of exploration. It’s less like a level, and more like a racetrack without other racers. Even once it switches to 3D, it’s still pretty flat in that you can only really go forwards. You can find different ways to do it, sure, but it’s so lacking compared to the Dreamcast era. In fact, I would go so far as to say that that’s something that the Werehog levels did better than the daytime levels. The level design was VASTLY more interesting, with more secret areas and hidden items.
What disappoints me most is that neither Classic, nor Modern Sonic will be able to do justice to the Adventure levels. Their control schemes simply aren’t suited to it.
inb4hatersgonnahate, I will say that I like Generations, it’s a good improvement and a continuation of an upwards trend, but it’s still far from perfect. Anyone saying otherwise, you are obviously entitled to your opinions, but I do think you’re deliberately ignoring things due to your love of Sonic.
The Gamespot Cycle:
1. They call in a SEGA rep to show the game off
2. They act all nice without actually saying anything nasty in front of them
3. They then act like they actually enjoy the game
4. They then slam the game with negative reviews despite the reception they gave earlier.
5. Rinse and repeat
They did it with Unleashed, they did it with Free Riders… now I’m expecting Generations to get between a 3.5 and 7.0 from these guys.
Sonical- Why must you always start sh*t… and it always seems to be with Foxboy.
Like really? No.. this guy isnt just “expressing his oppinion” hes taking his oppinion to the extreme, as in hes trying to push for classic sonic”. Big EFFIN whoop! Sonic’s design changed, who gives a f***?! Its a design…. designs change, get over it. Look at Mario, his orriginal design changed, you dont see people begging for that to come back. There are actually people who enjoy modern Sonic, and no, they arent a “mindless PR tool”. Thats just your excuse everytime someone backlashes your ideas. Grow up. K thanks, bye.
I doubt he was being serious about modern Sonic not being Sonic, he was most likely just making fun of the controversies fans have had about him.
@Zink120
“Unlike the Adventure games, the more modern levels just have little to know sense of exploration.”
lol. WHAT sense of exploration? In my opinion…….no, scratch that. It is purely fact that the Adventure games (Sonic stages), in a sense, shares the same gameplay premise as the Unleashed daytime stages: Running on a pre-determined path in a stage from Point A to Point B. The only difference was that the Adventure games had more wide open spaces on the sidelines of the linearity, where they would put a few rings and maybe a 1-up. Booooooooooriiiiiing.
Granted, I would prefer to be given a sense of exploration and a steady pace (with a good camera as well), but it just kind of bothers me when people say that anything that plays like SA is superior to the daytime stages based on a miniscule amount of wider spaces and the ABILITY to explore….and I capitalize “ability” because there’s LITTLE TO NOTHING worth exploring for.
For instance, Super Mario 64 has huge levels that are worth exploring. Sonic Adventure does not. Running around collecting eight red coins across the level to get a power star? Cool. Running around collecting 100 coins for a secret power star? Cool. Running around and completing a completely different mission than the mission the game told you to do? Awesome………Being forced to hunt for Emerald shards for the sake of story? Bad. Exploring high and low in miniscule amounts of wide open spaces for something worthwhile (like an alternate route or something) just to realize that I completely wasted my time and was better off holding forward on a predetermined path for the sake of a better score or rank. LAME.
Like I said, I would prefer a sense of a steady pace and exploration, but if the level design is just like the SA games, then it’s no different from playing the Unleashed daytime stages.
LOVE this game
@sonical
well how do you know it’s far from perfect. the game hasn’t came out and from what i’ve heard is this is a beta pretty much. now yes the unleashed gameplay could be getting overused but lets not say it’s a great game or bad game until it’s release or until e3 when people actually get to try it out. this again is the first level. the next few could be more like the adventure series giving more emphasis on platforming or adventure gameplay over boosting.
oh sorry it’s directed @zink120 not sonical. sorry.
@zink120
“Anyone saying otherwise, you are obviously entitled to your opinions, but I do think you’re deliberately ignoring things due to your love of Sonic.”
um i know colors and unleashed had problems (same goes with past sonic titles) and i’m also aware of this game using unleashed gameplay but i’m not going to assume the game will go one way or another yet. so i’m not ignoring the problems some modern sonic games i hate and some i love. this game could in fact implement some sa gameplay into the unleashed formula.(colors sorta did) also i think if everyone ignored problems of sonic games then we would all be loving sonic 4.
@krazeeKidd102: Yo.
Can I just start by saying I like your post, because you actually back up your claims with evidence and examples. Cool stuff
I’m not sure how recently you’ve played both games for a point of comparison, but my housemate and I have been replaying them this semester so it’ll all fresh in my mind. It could be you’ve just played it too and be have different standards, but I’m guessing it’s been a while? Apologies if that sounds patronising.
I certainly agree that the stages are build on the same premise A -> B style. I would also agree that SM64 has superior level design, particularly with regards to exploration. But I do think that you may be doing the SA levels an injustice with your description. There was far more than rings and one-ups back in the day. 2 different shields, speed boots, extra optional items for abilities, animals, mystic melody warps. I’m not saying those are all amazing, but there’s certainly more than what you mentioned. Also, I’m referring to these levels in contrast to Unleashed and Colours.
I’m not really sure what you’re disagreeing with though, to be honest. Looking at your argument, I *think* (and please correct me if I’m wrong) that you agree that the SA levels are better than the SU ones, but not by much?
@sonicdudefan1996: Well I mean that’s all just a question of perspective isn’t it? For example, I’d say I’ve never played a perfect game (though I appreciate that’s not really the point here, haha). But rather I mean everyone wants different things for the game. For example, it bothers me when Classic Sonic uncurls when he wouldn’t in the originals, or just how on-rails Modern Sonic is, or the even the smaller problems like the camera not showing ahead of you enough when you travel at top speeds.
I should reiterate that I do like this game, I’m just answering your question as to why it’s not perfect. As I said before, it’s a matter of opinion.
Please let me know if I’ve missed anything.
I saw that hoodie at Hot Topic.
“inb4hatersgonnahate, I will say that I like Generations, it’s a good improvement and a continuation of an upwards trend, but it’s still far from perfect. Anyone saying otherwise, you are obviously entitled to your opinions, but I do think you’re deliberately ignoring things due to your love of Sonic.”
…or, it could just be because it offers more of what I like in a Sonic game. I don’t wish to get into an argument, but for the sake of brevity, I just find the Classics and Unleashed-style titles to be more fun (overall) than the Adventure-style titles.
I bet crush 40 is @ sonic boom
@Komodin: Heheh, don’t worry, I’m not the argumentative type. More… Discursive lol
But that’s absolutely fair play, glad you like them. I prefer the Classics too, though I’m not sure just how much of this is down to nostalgia… :/
I feel I should clarify, because re-reading what you’ve quoted it’s not exactly what I meant to say. Rephrased, I was trying to say “Those who think this game is almost perfect are perhaps overlooking some of its flaws, just because they love Sonic so much”. Which I think we’re all guilty of from time to time! :]
@Sonical
for having an… did you CHOOSE to only read what I said in a bad way? It’s like you didn’t even readon what I said.
Hi, he INSULTED Modern Sonic.
“I don’t usually care about stuff like this”
That means I’m not the kind of person to get upset over someone merely having a different opinion. -facepalms*
“he didn’t just say he preferend Classic Sonic”
“insulted modern Sonic”
“as if he spoke for everyone”
Does that paint a clearer picture for you? (and everyone else who mistakenly thinks we’re bashing his actual opinion) :I
Thanks for the comments, guys. : )
For the hoodie – you can find it at Hot Topic, Spencer’s and other specialty owned stores sprinkled throughout the US!
SEGA…
MAKE MODERN SONIC CURL INTO A BALL INSTEAD OF SLIDING!!!
please…
And give MODERN SONIC items for crying out loud! So what if he’s boosting??? SONIC RUSH still had items..
PS: more modern platforming please. far to linar…
>people actually thinking Mario’s design has ‘changed’
lol
But no, the guy interviewing was a little snarky.
@Ee
Wow I thought i was the only one cause , I really don’t like the boost button at all.
I don’t like that guy, but I love the way Aaron handled him.
@zink120
yeah i respect your opinion and all but my point i was trying to make mainly was that modern sonic in this game might not be on rails. what i mean is they might take aspects of colors and adventure and add that to generations. i wouldn’t be surprised if a adventure or 06 level had more platforming and pathways than boosting. it could still use the boosting but just not as much. this first stage won’t tell what the whole game will bring. I think that the platforming and engagement in this game will advance later on in the games. while i can understand you thinking why the game will be on rails i think we should wait until the next stage or two.
I’d be mad, but then i remembered its gamespot. Like they can rate games worth a shit.
Nothing exciting for me till I see some level from the DC era If they ever show it because I’m sick of it being just Green Hill Zone.
@FoxBoy
Do you think anything that Yahtzee says on Zero Punctuation is invalid because he insults the game? An insult is still a opinion regardless if it offends you or not.
He never said he was speaking for anyone you are just thinking that because you seemed to have developed a persecution complex about Sonic, you got angry because people laughed at Sonic riding a horse in the new Mario and Sonic game. You getting angry or at the very least mildly irradiated at anyone that speaks negatively of Sonic is a common trend here, chill out.
@RaggtimeSonic
This isn’t a Gamespot thing this happens with every preview in the industry. It comes down to journalists not wanting to slam a incomplete game and/or stir up a bunch of shit with publishers. Publishers are less likely to preview a game if the publication/site is going to tear it apart.
The game looks cool, but the guy who was interviewing Aaron ticks me off. He showed WAY TOO MUCH favoritism! “And we got the… non – Sonic” “We got… This guy” “So we got Classic Sonic and we got… Tall oylmpian Sonic”. Also, he said “And here’s the classic Sonic that we all grew up with” But he is WRONG! Maybe the older Sonic fans grew up with Classic Sonic. But the NEWER Sonic fans grew up with Modern Sonic! Maybe our first game wasn’t Sonic 1991, maybe it was SA2!
*Takes a deep breath* I’m sorry you guys. Just, that guy irritates me by trying to tell SEGA he ONLY likes Classic Sonic.
I’m a Modern fan, but I’m not saying I think Classic stages aren’t fun! I’d just prefer Modern/Cool Sonic than Classic/Chubby Sonic.
@Knuckles Chaotics – You and me both.
That guy is a DiCK! Wait to go Mr.Webber, u rlly kept ur cool in front of that fool!
@Sonic52789 & @Knuckles Chaotix I completely agree with u guys!