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SEGA Lead Designer Tells Hardcore Fans: Buy Sonic 4, Not Sonic Colors
Were you excited about Sonic Colors for the Nintendo Wii and DS? Are you over the age of twelve? If you answered yes to both of those questions, forget about buying Sonic Colors. Apparently the game isn’t for you. Normally I love brutal honesty from developers, but I think lead designer Takashi Iizuka just created a bit of a PR disaster when he basically sent off some seriously mixed signals recently.
“We know there are sometimes opinions about control from core gamers, but we’re intending Sonic Colors to be played by children of probably between six and twelve years-old,” said Iizuka. So, with Sonic Colors we have aimed to make a game that everyone can control and have fun in. So, it’s not really a game for the core gamers. If you take the rail grind, it’s something that’s fast, not difficult but is fun to do and looks great. It’s about making a game that’s right for the core audience of the game.”
So, the game is for children but isn’t all at the same time. They’ve created a game that everyone can control and have fun in, but not unless you’re over the age of twelve…am I reading this right? Iizuka went on to also state:
“The other is the ones who have played 3D Sonic games and felt that the game was too difficult. Sonic Colors is the game for those types of players. It’s still a 3D Sonic game but the controls are more user-friendly; it’s an easy to pick up and play type of game. So through the two Sonic games I feel the needs of both of the two core groups of Sonic fans are being addressed.”
So if you’re a hardcore adult Sonic fan, you should skip Sonic Colors and grab Sonic 4. That game was designed for you. I have no idea how someone could imply that one Sonic game is more adult than the other, but maybe that’s just me. This perhaps also explains why the pre-order bonus was a Sonic hat complete with spikes, but as an adult I planned on getting it anyway. I can’t speak for everyone, but I really dislike it when a developer tells me that a game isn’t for me. Frankly, I think it’s a bit insulting.
I’ve enjoyed many “childish” games in the past, such as Super Mario Galaxy and other Nintendo games, and I’m not ashamed to admit it. When I first saw Sonic Colors I thought that it showed a lot of promise and even though I’m not their apparent target demographic, I still plan on getting the game. Iizuka mentioned that there are two types of Sonic fans (I had no idea that the Sonic fan base was split into two, that’s news to me): the fans that played since the MegaDrive and didn’t really play the 3D Sonic games that much, and the other being the fans who played the 3D Sonic games and felt as though they were too difficult.
I think Iizuka should probably go back and clarify a few things he said, unless he feels like pushing away a dedicated fan base.
[Source: CVG]
I didn't know Sonic had an age sector for any of their games. They're just all age-neutral arcade-y games, wow. Dude needs to keep quiet just a little bit more often.
I know. I have no idea what he was thinking. Design games, keep your yapper shut unless you can say something tactfully.
I think what he means by two types of sonic fans is the ones that liked the 3D offering and the ones that just want sonic back in his 2D roots. I remember reading another artical and he implied that both games were done to suit each of the types of sonic games. I think in terms of him talking about the game sbeing developed for a certain age group maybe he was just trying to get in first before the usual backlash from any negetive reviews on either game.
LOL. Yeah, I think this is definitely a case of foot-and-mouth disease. I wasn't planning on buying Sonic Colors, but it still seems like a stupid thing to say, at least before the game comes out… I do wonder if it is perhaps because he's expecting a lot of reviews to knock it for being too easy. :S
I look forword to Both games
sonic 4 will suck anyway since it wont play like the classics and it has the rush physics and stupid automated level design and the game is so low budget and i fukin hate Iizuka for saying he wants the classic series to be in DLC format sega fire this asshole arleady dammit >:O
Sonic Colors is looking better that Sonic 4 anyway, for me at least. I own Sonic Unleashed, and Sonic Colors looks to be Unleashed as it should have been–crazy fast levels with no werehogs in sight. Bring on the release, I don't have to be under twelve to enjoy it.
In that case…
Oh welp.
Sticking his foot in his mouth isn't going to help, rofl. I hate it when designers KNOW their games aren't all that great and try to apologize for them.
That's what Rebecca suggested, is that he was trying to get his say in first before the inevitable bad reviews…but that's just it. As a designer, shouldn't you be 100% behind your game? He should be trying to sell it to all of us that it isn't going to be like the other Sonics and we're all going to love it (even if we won't).
Exactly! Great comment. Bring on Sonic Colors, adults are going to be buy it regardless of what he says, if they were looking forward to it anyway.
In the case of Sonic The Hedgehog 2006, the controls of Sonic Riders Zero Gravity, and the overstuffing of the Werehog in Sonic Unleashed, we were overdue for an apology anyway. in the case of Sega's Lead Designer, and Sonic 4/Sonic Colors, ill forgive them for the horrible games after Shadow The Hedgehog.
At least they are one to accept public criticisms now.
I agree with you there. An apology for the last 10 years is nice, at the very least. An acknowledgement that those games weren't so good is also awesome, because it means that they are going to attempt to fix it. I'm glad they can take criticism, it'll make them better, and that's what we all want.
You know the more I see web sites put this news up about Sonic Colors, the more I realize how much theyre taking Iizuka's words and making it sound worse than what he really said. Nowhere in that paragraph did Iizuka say “hey there hardcore Sonic fan, don't buy Sonic Colors because its for kids and not for you” No he said “we're intending Sonic Colors to be played by children of probably between six and twelve years old.” and he also said “we have aimed to make a game that everyone can control and have fun in.” Basically he's telling the hardcore fans that if they're going to buy this game don't expect it to play like the megadrive games, leave that to Sonic 4. If you read the paragraph carefully all Iizuka is saying is that Sonic Colors is made for everyone, so hardcore gamers be aware of that, we intend that our game will mostly be played by children, and if you are strictly a “megadrive hardcore Sonic fan” and you aren't too fond of the 3d Sonic games, then this game is not for you, Sonic 4 however is the game we made exactly for you.
And also Iizuka isn't saying that the game is going to be easy, he's saying that the controls will be easier than other 3d Sonic titles, everyone cant pick up Sonic Heroes or Sonic Unleashed and hop right to it, some have to go through a tutorial and learn the controls before they play the game, and Iizuka is saying that this game wont be like that, its an “easy to pick-up and play” type of game.
I think Iizuka should have picked his words a lot more carefully, because I'm really not the only person who took slight offense to his statements. Regardless of what he meant, it wasn't said tactfully and what I'm suggesting is that he clarify what he said…because you noticed it too, a lot of people took what he said in a different manner than what it was intended to be. Foot in mouth.
” Iizuka mentioned that there are two types of Sonic fans (I had no idea that the Sonic fan base was split into two, that’s news to me): the fans that played since the MegaDrive and didn’t really play the 3D Sonic games that much, and the other being the fans who played the 3D Sonic games and felt as though they were too difficult.”
What about those who liked the Sonic Adventure games, and feel that they were a much bigger step in the right direction than Sonic Unleashed? What about people who want to play as Tails and Knuckles in a 3D game? What about people who want a game with a darker and more serious story?
Contrary to popular beliefs, we do exist. Not only that, but it was us who stuck by Sonic in its darkest hour,(Sonic '06) and without us, the series would die. Admittedly, hardly any of us liked Sonic 2006, but some of us do believe that, had SEGA and Sonic Team taken their time on it, instead of rushing themselves, it could have been a masterpeice.
Right now, Iizuka is catering to the Sonic 1 purists in Sonic 4, and kids under 12 in Sonic Colors.
Sonic 4 is more appealing than Sonic Colors to some of us, while some prefer to look forward to Sonic Colors to Sonic 4, but we still feel neglected by the direction Takashi Iizuka is taking the series.
If anyone from SEGA is reading this, then let me tell you what I know from reading a lot about the fanbase.
First of all, there are at least three types of core Sonic fans:(possibly more)
1 2D purists, who never really liked Sonic in 3D, and believe that it should stay at its roots. Some seem to like what they see from Sonic 4, but others believe that the level design, physics engine, or even the 3D models need improvement. Some of them hate the game, simply because it uses the more recent Sonic model. Sonic 4 was geared towards this group.
2 Early 3D crowd, who liked the Sonic adventure games, for the most part, but believe that Sonic Heroes, Shadow the Hedgehog, and Sonic 2006 were epic failures. They seem to have mixed feelings about Sonic Unleashed. Many of them dissagreed strongly with the choice to use the 4kids voicecast in the post-Shadow the Hedgehog era. Some also liked the chao garden feature, as it provided replay value. Some haven't bought any of the recent games simply because of the use of the 4kids voice actors, or because of the lack of a chao garden feature. But the ones who bought Shadow the Hedgehog and Sonic 2006 anyways, in hopes that they still had the potential to be good games, are the single reason that the Sonic the Hedgehog series is still alive.
3 “Sonic needs to be truely converted to 3D” crowd, who believe that the level design in every 3D Sonic game has been too linear, and needs to be more depthed, and allow for free movement in all directions, while keeping the element of speed. Because this group hasn't EVER been catered to, I don't know what kinds of odd complaints they have. Some of them like fangames, such as Sonic Robo Blast 2 better than any 3D Sonic game SEGA has ever made.
Ok…I see what you're saying now
You raise some interesting points! If you check out the source link, you'll see that Iizuka also said that it's impossible to please all Sonic fans…and I am inclined to agree with him. I wouldn't knock Colors too much, not until you try it. You might find that it was geared towards you. Or it might not be.
So…what part of a blue talking hedgehog wearing sneakers isn't kiddy?
Someone likes a Sega game and they have to bash it as “Incorrect”? They should be enjoying the other game, huh?
I would have liked the developer to be a little surprised by their audience's reactions rather than imposing that “this or that” will suite their taste. It just seems like the time for Sega to be open to player feedback is either over or it never began; these games might just be a fluke.
I don't have a Wii, otherwise, I might consider trying it. I'll read reviews of it, once it's released. I read somewhere that the story was “minimalistic” and was disappointed by that. I don't mind if the story doesn't take its self too seriously, I just like it when there's an interesting story. I actually have a feeling that the 20th anniversary game will cater to either one or both of the two groups of core gamers that Sonic 4 isn't being made for. (the early 3D era fan-base, and those who want more depth in 3D level design)
There's one more thing that I'm curious about. Will this game have special stages?
Hmm, not sure about the special stages yet, Agent. But it's probably wise that everyone wait to see the reviews before jumping onto the Sonic Colors bandwagon, as aesthetically pleasing as it is.
I hate when SEGA removes other playable characters, and doesn't add in anything else, like special stages, chao gardens, or other unlock-able features. That's part of the reason Sonic Unleashed wasn't as good as it could have been. (It would have probably been a huge hit, had there been no where-hog, but still…) It was supposed to be Sonic Adventure 3, in its earliest development stages, and as a result, was kind of a disappointment. If story isn't going to be the focus of a game, and the story is going to be relatively short, then I expect the game to have value after the story mode is completed. Both Sonic Adventure games had a huge focus on story, but were still enjoyable after they were beaten. If the chao garden wasn't a good source of replay value, then the games still had other things to make replaying it interesting. There were other playable characters, each with different game-play types.
While the fishing stages and the treasure hunting stages were tedious, It was fun to use glitches to put characters in levels that they weren't supposed to be in. Even then, there was an actual reason to replay the game for S ranks. If all emblems were collected, then the player could unlock levels, such as green hill, in Sonic Adventure 2, and Playable Characters, such as Metal Sonic in Sonic Adventure DX directors cut.
If SEGA truly wants to create a game that appeals exclusively to core gamers(like Sonic 4), then I would recommend that they interview their fans, and find out what they liked about Sonic 1, Sonic 2, Sonic 3 and Knuckles, Sonic CD, Tails Adventure(if I'm not mistaking, this one was more popular than most Sonic spin offs, as well as most game gear titles), the 3D world in Sonic Jam, Sonic Adventure, and Sonic Advance, some games that people have mixed feelings about, such as most of the Game Gear titles, Sonic Spin-ball, Knuckles Chaotix Sonic 3D Blast, Sonic R, Sonic the Fighters, Sonic Adventure 2, Sonic Advance 2, Sonic Advance 3, Sonic Heroes, the Sonic Rush games, the Sonic Riders games, Sonic and the Secret Rings, Sonic Chronicles: the Dark Brotherhood, Sonic Unleashed, and Sonic and Back Knight, and even the hated ones, such as Tails Sky Patrol, Sonic Labyrinth, Shadow the Hedgehog, and even Sonic the Hedgehog 2006. Then, ask about what was disliked about them, and they'll know exactly what to put into their next title, and what not to do.
Or they could finish Sonic X-treme. Maybe that's what they've got planned for Sonic's 20th anniversary. I'll bet it would be a success, just because people would finally get to see what Sonics first 3D title was supposed to be. If it were finished, and released, I'd buy whatever console it was made for in its final development stages, and I wouldn't be surprised if many others have the same reaction, should such a thing happen.
If SEGA expects to gear this game towards casual gamers, and still satisfy core gamers, then they better have something bigger and more interesting up their sleeves than a small, 2D download-able title.
target demographic should have nothing to do with it. just make a good game.Pixar is for kids but that doesn’t mean adults can’t enjoy it.
Is it was sooo difficult to make Sonic Adventure 3?
I wish…
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