Sega Discusses The Future Of Sonic And How To Fix His Hardcore Image

37 Comments Posted August 27, 2009 - By Patrick Klepek

Sega Discusses The Future Of Sonic And How To Fix His Hardcore Image

There was an enormous amount of discussion recently about a Kotaku article on the future of Sonic, with Sega president and COO Mike Hayes responding to fan backlash towards Sonic Unleashed. Hardcore Sonic fans didn't like the Werehog. Sega knows that. When I spoke with Hayes last week, we picked up where that conversation left off and talked about where Sonic goes from here.

"I think there are two core parts to the Sonic strategy," he said. "The big numbers do come from that big mass market, which is the [ages] 6-12, male-female playing audience. Many, perhaps, have no reference to the original Sonic apart from what their parents tell them and therefore Sonic's pretty cool to have in the household, so that's good. But then also the Sega fanbase and Sonic loyal base is so big, it's important that we also introduce product that we think's going to delight them, as well."

How does Sega do that?

The basic solution, which Sega admitted a few weeks back, is to stop producing Sonic games to try and appeal to everyone. Sonic Unleashed included 2.5D running sections for old school Sonic fans and parts -- like the infamous Werehog -- skewed at a different demographic. Clearly, the hardcore haven't given up on Sonic or they wouldn't be complaining again and again. But Sega has options.

"So whether it's simply retro or whether it's something where we kind of do retro plus-plus or even new ideas," he said, "I think we've gotta be very clear -- we can't put it all in one game, that's just impossible. Because all we're going to do is delight some, upset others and vice versa -- well, not upset, but not deliver on what people want it to be. So I think going forward over the next three to five years, you'll begin to see that strategy coming out."

Sega Discusses The Future Of Sonic And How To Fix His Hardcore Image

That's one thing to keep in mind. Whatever lessons Sega is taking away from Sonic Unleashed, it's not necessarily going to roll out in the next few months or even next year. While Hayes couldn't divulge specifics, Hayes three-to-five year timeline suggets other Sonic projects are already in the pipeline and the new direction wouldn't (couldn't) be implemented until those games have been finished and released. But he sounds very serious about change.

"I don't want to say that we're going to go for the mass market at the extent to the cost of our loyalists," he cautioned, "because we think that'd be highly inappropriate, but what we are gonna do is try and split out the style of game that we'll be developing. That doesn't mean we'll be bringing games out head-to-head, but it could be sort of…one holiday period it's gonna be something that's gonna go more for the traditionalist, and then the next it'll be a super-duper mass market, much more younger-oriented Sonic."

Sega Discusses The Future Of Sonic And How To Fix His Hardcore Image Hayes categorized Outrun Online Arcade for Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network -- which Sega considered a success, by the way -- as a "retro plus-plus" game. It's possible that Sonic could be part of a retro plus-plus game, too.

"Well, it's too early to say on Sonic, but we're kind of looking at all the options at the moment," he said.

The message is clear, though: Sonic is going to diversify.

"Let's not try to do everything in every game, we need to be far more specific," he said. "I think Sonic big enough and popular enough and famous enough to be able to do that as a company."

It might take a little time, but Hayes seems to have the right idea. What do you think?

[image credit: flickr / Pulp_Secret.com]

Tags: Nintendo DS, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Videogames, Wii, Xbox 360

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SlickyFats

SlickyFats's comment is abusive and has been removed.

Posted: August 27, 2009 8:07 AM | Reply | Report

+7 thumbs up thumbs down

7 Replies
babyscottback

I think that Sega is trying to grip onto something that is slipping away. I think that Sonic, much like Mario, has a different place in the hearts of older gamers than newer ones. They were the big things when I first started gaming, and while I love them to death, its just getting to be too much of the same thing. I have already given up on Sonic, and Mario is starting to go that way too. Kids today have other game icons to go with, such as Pikachu or Ratchet and Clank. Its hard to keep reinventing the same character over 20 years. They tried making Mega Man differently, but the old school style for Mega Man is still the most successful. But with Sonic, the old school style mainly just involves running forward and jumping. People are looking for more from their games nowadays.

Posted: August 27, 2009 8:10 AM | Reply | Report

+2 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
DreamingDarklyRobin

Sell the license to Bioware! Even if the games don't make as much money at least they'll be good (like Dark Brotherhood).

Posted: August 27, 2009 8:12 AM | Reply | Report

0 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
Xero_Wing

Repeat after me SEGA: "Sonic is built for high speed free Running"

Posted: August 27, 2009 8:16 AM | Reply | Report

+4 thumbs up thumbs down

1 Reply
babyscottback Show Hide(3 Replies)

Make it a racing game. No cars needed just Sonic and the gang.

Posted: August 27, 2009 8:21 AM | Reply | Report

-11 thumbs up thumbs down

3 Replies
IcemanMX

Just... stop. There is no point in milking a dead cow. In fact, there is no point in milking a dead cow's carcass that has been rotting and decomposing, buried ten feet underground for the past 10 years. Stop trying to bring the dead cow back to life; you're only going to end up with a Frankenstein of a game (see last five sonic console games).

Do you hear me SEGA? Make a zombie Frankenstein cow hunting game instead and call it "Night of the Living Bovine".

-M

Posted: August 27, 2009 8:33 AM | Reply | Report

+1 thumbs up thumbs down

2 Replies
justanothergamer300

I really don't know what Sega is talking about as long as you make fans out of kids they will buy anything so maybe if you bring the series back to 2.D they will buy just because sonic's on it and older players will be happy just because of the switch. So this problem really could of been solved if they just listened to the fans in the first place but now I really dont think there is hope for sonic there have too many crap games and when the creator of sonic leaves sonic team you only know the quality will only go downhill so maybe it's really time to put the shotgun clip to his head and create something new with the same feel of sonic

Posted: August 27, 2009 8:48 AM | Reply | Report

+1 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
Grizzablo

Wow, I do not really see any intelligent answers from any one above me and that is kinda disheartening. Yes given the last few years it has been quite evident that Sega has been trying to shove Sonic down EVERY ONES throat with each new release and seeing that I never see anyone liking the sections they create to appeal to the mass market they probably should have realized that sooner. But, this article is a good thing! Its finally saying "hey, we finally understand, some just want to run, others want more substance." So many people keep using the phrase 'milking a dead horse,' true or not Sonic holds an important enough place in my heart that I WANT to see their new vision manifest itself into a game created solely appealing to my traditional audience. Bring it on Sega, where you've torn down my faith in the last handful of games, you can just as easily restore it with one epic game.

Posted: August 27, 2009 9:11 AM | Reply | Report

+3 thumbs up thumbs down

1 Reply
darkchaos_1000

I think it might take sometime for another good sonic game to come out its hard to make a sonic game that satisfy the old gamers and the new gamers i mean i would love a good sonic game wit a great story but i dont think that a revamped sonic adventure game would sell with the new gamers even know the old gamers would eat it up so i think they shouldn't give up jus take the the dislikes out of the game and find a new 1 that all gamers would enjoy but it will take some time tho!!!

Posted: August 27, 2009 9:31 AM | Reply | Report

+1 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
HundredDollarBaby

Sonic was never really that great. I always got bored with sonic 1&2 after the first 3 or 4 levels(the only ones I've actually played for a decent amount of time). I guess when I was younger I did play a lot of 2 player on sonic 2. I thought the dreamcast one was ok but again I didn't play it outside of the demo. Every new sonic game I see released I think to myself "another sonic game? who plays these?"

Posted: August 27, 2009 9:34 AM | Reply | Report

-2 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
feralstokes

Sonic and his crew was born to run . . . so let them run Sonic team, Let them run. It's as simple as that.

Posted: August 27, 2009 9:40 AM | Reply | Report

+3 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
Wozman23

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Sonic doesn't need to change its game play for the original Sega games. Keep the same platforming style in a 2D environment and just make it look pretty in HD. And if you want to experiment with 3D, leave it for the cinematic rolling experiences so I don't have to worry about enemies. To me, one of the greatest features from the early sonic games was the level design. Each was unique, and kept you wondering what world you would explore next. Instead of trying to make the game play more advanced, and introducing so many gimmicks, focus on new and interesting level concepts. I'd be happy with that.

Posted: August 27, 2009 9:57 AM | Reply | Report

+2 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
Fiddytree

Not a bad strategy, but it's meaningless unless they implement is properly.

Posted: August 27, 2009 10:00 AM | Reply | Report

+1 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
nikki2178

Of all the Sonic games that have ever come out, the ones that were received the best were the ones on the sega genesis console. Know why? Two key words: Speed and Platforming. Sega mixed both of those elements together and created an almost perfect franchise with a character that could stand up to even the very king of platforming games, Mario. But everything went downhill after the introduction of Sonic Adventure and all that crap. Really, I did enjoy Unleashed on some levels, as it conveyed speed nicely. But the werehog levels brought it's score down many notches. My point is this: Really Sega, the very essence of a Sonic game is speed. If you can give us Sonic and just let him do what he does best on default, then you're moving in the right direction. Just let Sonic go fast and do cool spin attacks. It's what he was born to do.

Posted: August 27, 2009 10:13 AM | Reply | Report

+1 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
sub0chill

Wow what sega really needs to do is start working on a new system for the next gen after this current one and reinvent sonic for that system. We all know the best sonic games were on sega systems why not bring sega back to the hardware market. It might be difficult because of the software agreements and licenses that they have with the other platforms nowadays but by the time the next gen arrives those contracts probably will be over. They need to keep it under wraps and shock everyone in the next 4-5 years or whenever the next gens are gonna come out.

Posted: August 27, 2009 10:25 AM | Reply | Report

+1 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
paulthebest

Just kill Sonic. Please.

Posted: August 27, 2009 10:25 AM | Reply | Report

-4 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
Ieyke

Right now [Prototype] is a better Sonic The Hedgehog game than any of the Sonic games in the last few years.
You know.....minus the whole violent mass murder part....

Alex Mercer's wall running/Hulk leaping/air-dashing crazyness is just the type of mechanics a Sonic game needs to look into. Hell, even his flying kick is Sonic appropriate.

If you take out the mass violence and replace it with springs platforms, floating islands, speed boosters, rings and rocket boots I think you be well on your way to a badass Sonic game.

Posted: August 27, 2009 10:30 AM | Reply | Report

+2 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
Gunslinger47

"The big numbers do come from that big mass market, which is the [ages] 6-12, male-female playing audience."

76% of all gamers are 18 or older. The average game player is 35 years old and has been playing games since Sonic Adventure came out ('97-'98). (http://www.theesa.com/facts/i ndex.asp)

Pandering to little childern isn't going to fix Sonic's "hardcore image". Fixing his image is actually a fairly straight forward task. Stop releasing bad, incomplete games.

Posted: August 27, 2009 10:38 AM | Reply | Report

+2 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
komradkyle

here's an idea make a game that people from the genesis days will love stop reinventing it, you already had a good formula just update it and expand on it, don't reinvent it

Posted: August 27, 2009 11:16 AM | Reply | Report

+2 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
CamperHunter1

They should try going back to what they know works.

1) Getting rid of characters nobody cares about (essentially everything that appeared in Sonic Adventure 1 on)

2) Using characters people DO care about (a lot of old school characters never even got a shot in games but were wildly popular outside of them: The Freedom Fighters, use them!)

3) If they absolutely MUST have voice actors... at least use people who know how to do the job the right way.

4) Not building a game for a specific age group, the best games have a timeless appeal

5) The biggest one: Allow players to complete the levels as they want to... Sonic 1-3 & S&K, if you wanted to just speed through the level you could, you weren't forced to find a key, open a door, or kill x enemies. Exploration could lead to bonuses (Chaos Emeralds, etc).

People still do care about things Sonic related... there wouldn't be things like an ongoing comic from Archie EIGHTEEN YEARS later or fans still hoping for good games if they didn't.

Posted: August 27, 2009 11:20 AM | Reply | Report

+3 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies