Sega Placing "Huge Emphasis On Quality" With Future Sonic Titles

If this is true than that is a good start in restoring faith into the franchise. I wish them all the luck and hope that Sonic Boom: Fire and Ice is a good game at the very least

Let's hope they mean quality in the gameplay and not in the cutscenes and edgy character design.

How about taking a break from Sonic the Herdgeblorg for a year? Just an idea.

you know the concept of the Sonic Boom franchise was good but the execution was horrible

still Fire and Ice might be a lot better than Rise of Lyric (even though i did kinda enjoy Rise of Lyric, especially after it was patched, i think the problem was using Unreal Engine) EDIT: SORRY i meant cryengine NOT Unreal, no idea why i put that

@Piersen normally i would agree but it IS Sonic's 25th Anniversary this year, they should release something at least

Chief Brand Officer Ivo Gerscovich?! That's like Nintendo of America's Vice President of sales being Doug Bowser.

I'm not a Sonic fan but I feel sorry those who are, he has a special place in a lot of gamers hearts and they have not treated him well! Hopefully they can redeem themselves, and Sonic as a quality franchise.

After several years of terrible games, Sega's now just realizing that people won't just buy something because it has Sonic's face.

Hopefully. Sonic was so cool with beautiful art style and awesome physics...

@MJInnocent The main problem I think was this key fact: Mario's timeless in pop culture, sonic was simply an `80s "totally radical" version of him, and Sega's been trying to keep that temporal bubble for as long as possible.

Well they did revamp Sonic again for the "boom" franchise, so....Sonic Generations 2? Would Sonic like what he sees in his future?

I'm a huge Sonic fan, so it would be nice if this was true, but I'll wait and hear what ppl have to say about fire and ice before judging.

@NintendoFan4Lyf yeah it did my bad ^_^

The Sonic Advance titles were a lot of fun. That was the last time I really enjoyed playing Sonic. I hope Sega really tries to make something worth playing.

Yeah, I've been burned by Sonic games for 3 console gens.

I'm still waiting for IP's other than Sonic, SEGA.
Jet Set Radio, Nights?

EVERY SINGLE Sonic game was "let's take Sonic back to the good old days". That's what Sonic 2006 was. That's what Sonic 4 Episode 1 & 2 were. That's what Sonic Unleashed was. That's what Sonic Generations was.

It's never going to work out.

About dang time!

How about placing huge emphasis on quality publishing of games other than Sonic in Europe? Because that is something that needs improvement and fast.

Promises promises, I've heard it all before. Coulda swore I heard this for the 20th anniversary, too. Show me SEGA/Sonic Team... Stop TALKING a good Sonic game, MAKE one, and make one consistently. How hard can that be?

I'll believe it after seeing the next Sonic game's trailer.

I'll believe that when I see it.

I hope Sega can start making some money again from Sonic to hopefully infuse some of that cash back into making some of their other treasured franchises. I fear that without a console business any longer it makes it less a priority for Sega to make a diverse line up of games. Here is hoping that Phantasy Star Online gets released for NX and comes west!

Isn't that what they said for his 20th as well? I mean... At least we got Generations but the rest haven't been that great

@Tsurii Sonic CD had issues. Sonic 1, 2, and 3&K are basically perfect.

I'm not convinced Sega even knows how to make a good Sonic game that isn't a throwback, but I guess we'll see.

I don't believe in SEGA anymore.

It's so hilarious that they don't see they've kinda already failed as soon as they say there's another Sonic Boom. lol

That is not the Sonic game people want, especially the stupid looking characters that utterly crap all over the original, and imo still superior, designs.

And, for the record, if something like the exact characters designs wasn't hugely important then people wouldn't design characters, they'd just poop out shapes and call it a day. This stuff matters. I don't care about Sonic Boom because I hate the character designs—see.

That's good to hear. And Fire & Ice is looking good, too!

I actually enjoy 3D Sonic titles. While they could be a little better, I like the game play more than side scrolling sonic. Hopefully they'll make a decent 3D Sonic someday. Not that the platformers aren't good, I just prefer 3D.

Don't they say that every time a new Sonic game is in development?
Just find a formula that works and stick to it, jeez. Colors and Generations were decent. Just make more like those.

Sonic as a concept is not good to begin with in this day and age.

I would be happy to listen to such statement since I'm a big fan since my childhood. But I'm more likely to believe it when I play it!!

Maybe Sonic needs to be another revolution that amazes us all - in the size of the impact that happened in the 16-bit era!!

@Piersen They did.

@FullbringIchigo They used CryEngine. Not UE

@Kirk I don't get why they want to delay a sequel if the original itself was poor to begin with.

I'd rather they cancel it and use more resources for the new game instead.

@MeloMan They did make a good Sonic game in 2011

@Socar Yeah, personally I'd rather they made a different Sonic game that stuck more with the characters and stuff that people have already shown time and time again, rather than just changing and ruining the designs for no good reason.

@KO-Cub Yakuza, Miku, Valkieria Chronicles, Xenomorphs

@FullbringIchigo Hypothetically, they could still skip the 25th anniversary (aside from Fire and Ice), work on some of their other franchises and once everyone hasn't seen Sonic for some time, surprise everyone for the 30th anniversary with a really good game.

@SamirMalik yeah i know, it was a stupid mistake ^_^

I'll believe it when I see it, but I always have my fingers crossed for a true return to form for the blue blur.

Letting games have a decent amount of dev time is a good sign. I'd like to see them nail those 2D Sonic physics, that they've seemingly forgotten how to do.

Do you know what would be a great anniv game for the fans? The Original Sonic Trilogy & Knuckles (it should totally be called that) in HD, similar to the fan project of Sonic 2 HD - man, that was awesome. I can dream...

Sure sure... Quality, blah blah... Heard it all before. Just let Sonic die off already.

We're focusing on quality, started with the new entry I'm the much-beloved sonic boom series!

Yeah, I'll believe it when I see it, Sega.

Good luck to them,Because by heck there going to need it.

I'll believe it when I see it. However, they were on the right track when they delayed Fire & Ice to ensure top quality. I truly believe that they can restore Sonic to his former glory with the right amount of time put into each and every game, even if they have to keep the fans waiting. You can do it, SEGA. Make Sonic great again!!

Like we haven't been fed these lines before.

I'm not sure that Sega knows what quality is anymore.

You know, this is the first time in... ever, actually, that I have hope for Sonic. All of the Sonic games I like are severely flawed, and I can't really think of one that's actually very high quality.

Deepressing thoughts on this thread, this franchise had is ups and downs but i think anyone can agree that Sonic have potential as character and Sega knows that more than anybody else and that is why they are still making games.
If they are thinking of quality they should take look at some other successful franchises and what make people play those games, Pokémon, Zelda, Kingdom Hearts, Shin Megami Tensei are examples.
A in-depth aspect could be exactly what is missing in the recent Sonic games, also with such cute and dynamic characters multiplayer is important for the game to be addictive and fun as possible.

Heard this before, but if Sega thinks it can bring quality back to Sonic then go for it. Sonic Generations was pretty good, hopefully Sega can make a Sonic game like that again.

I hope this is true.

How good of them to do that! I could never have thought that developers would strive for quality in their games...

@Mookums You make me laugh

Talk is cheap.
I believe it when I see it.

There's no going back. They may make high quality games, but a lot of gamers are already done with Sonic. The damage has already been done.

But Sonic was never good. The concept has always been flawed and poorly executed. The transition to 3D just made things worse by adding horrible voice acting, script, animations, cheesy garage band music, and even more glitches.

Now, where's that popcorn?

Just make a sonic twitter account sim.

Also sega said a few years ago they'd focus on quality with sonic and then turned around and handed the series over to a couple 3rd parties and they made sonic boom.

Shoudn't that always be the focus? Whatever, still good to know!

The core problem here is they keep promising they'll make the next/future Sonic games better instead of actually LISTENING to their consumers and giving us the iconic game franchises (remastered or all-new installments, from Skies of Arcadia and old school Shining Force to a proper SRPG Valkyria Chronicles, NOT the hot mess Azure has turned out to be) we HAVE been asking for. I'd much rather see them focus on making Sega the industry-leading brand label it used to be...and that would mean returning to the MOUNTAIN of incredible IPs they've been sitting on (some, like the original offline, Algol-based Phantasy Star, for going on three decades now) NOT named Sonic.

And I STILL say that a partnership with Nintendo, perhaps in conjunction with other Japanese companies like Capcom, Konami, Tecmo, etc. to produce and support a console in a shared first-party role...the NX, anyone???...would restore their emphasis on what's been lost and cure what's been ailing them, namely the fantastic GAMES that side of the Pacific used to be known for. Whether or not they ever return to making consoles however, Sega will need far more than just Sonic to ever make their way back into the good graces of fans. Sonic's "attitude" shtick got old back in the 90s, and by now Sega may as well be trying to make fans nostalgic for Steamboat Willie; WAY too many gamers were born long after his heyday and have no clue just how awesome Sega used to be, and the thirty-somethings who do remember are sick and tired of seeing the leadership who ran the company (and Sonic) into the ground just keep doing so. Listen to US for a change, guys.

So Sega were previously not committed to bringing out quality Sonic games?

Am I alone in this perception?

It's HEAVILY hinted today on Sonic's twitter that the next Sonic game will be revealed on July 22nd in a convention at San Diego.

Should be interesting.

I'll believe it when I see it.

C'mon Sega time to break away from Sonic and give this guy a try:

sigh...sega said the same thing almost 5 years ago after black knight and unleashed released

Give me a freaking chao garden so I can give them all my love. ALL OF IT!

@JasonMD - No profanity, and that includes partially censored profanity. Thanks.

Dumping the annoying "attitude" version sonic being employed since the dreamcast needs ditching. He's the Poochie in itchy and scratchy to the sonic universe.

Best sonic games ever made?
Sonic 2
Sonic & Knuckles
Sonic CD

These should have expanded on in the Saturn and Dreamcast, but they lost everything that was good about sonic and focuses on trying to create a 3D game with Sonic shoe horned into it. I'm not saying don't do sonic in 3D, but they need to experiment and find a way of using sonic in 3D space that works and is fun, WITHOUT having to walk around hub worlds. Sonic spends more time walking in more contemporary games than anything else, Sonic Boom!? I think he barely runs. The music levels from Rayman Legends would work brilliantly with Sonic, especially with traditional sonic music like "Sonic Boom" from Sonic CD and the rock intro to Sonic Adventure, that genre of music fits Sonic perfectly

Subsequent sonic games have had odd elements of good ideas, but every one of them looks and feels like a complete departure from the franchise.

Sonic Boom is the worst design so far and needs to leave that alone as soon as possible.

Mario's design hasn't changed that much since Mario Bros 3, his look has evolved with technology and resolution. Sonic has been completely redesigned several times, and always looks worse. God knows what's driven sega to think his look is what will draw new crowds, it's more their inability to find quality designers and programmers (or give good ones unrealistic timeframes) that hinders their products.

Pick a project and WORK on it, rather than spending more time and money on focus groups and market research.

Haven't they said this before?

@NintendoFan4Lyf @Socar
There actually already was a Sonic Boom title that wasn't bad - Shattered Crystal for 3DS. Although I agree with @Kirk that the character designs are not an improvement, especially Knuckles, who was perfect just the way he was.

@The-Snarfer
What ones have you tried playing since the Advance titles? Sonic Rush, Rush Adventure, and Colors on the DS were all very good and similar to the ones on GBA. Colors was very good on Wii, too.

Personally, I also enjoyed Sonic Generations on 3DS and Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood on DS, an interesting RPG starring characters from the series.

Who's developing this new Sonic Boom? Looks to have potential, but what I'm really excited for is to learn more about the new Sonic Team game.

@Aerona
No actually, I don't think they have.

The president of Sega did make a statement a few month back about a new policy of quality first, and I think this is just a continuation of that.

Gba and ds sonic games were pretty good after that they went down hill (no pun intended) and please sega bring back the old knuckles the new one looks ridiculous

I wish Sega would make a new Golden Axe game, or if they make a new Sonic, at least have him make out with a chick or something!
Yeah, french kissin' the babes, you like that! I smacked that right off my table. Then I touched and licked them too.

Sega always says this, and on occasion they come out with a "good" game, but the next one is complete crap. And even the "good" games still suffer from the fundamental flaws set up in Sonic Adventure. I'd ask for a new game from one of their other dead IPs, but I'm afraid of how bad they'd screw that up too.

@Piersen that already happened last year and it is his anniversary this year

Believe this when I see it

every generation has one bad Sonic, one great Sonic and one ok Sonic and opinions are always devided and granted some Sonic games are nonse and broken some are just silly fun, My favorite sonic games past sonic CD are Sonic rush on DS and Generations on PC granted I missed out on the GBA ones that seemed to be quite fun and I have only played a brief moment of heroes felt ok but only had the demo
Sonic Adventure felt too off for me as a whole trying too hard to mario-ize the blue hedgehog. This being said I think most sonic games are more dissapointing than actually bad.

I have a good feeling this could be Sonics big comeback. Fire and Ice is already looking like a quality title. Now we just need SEGA to turn its attention to some of it's other dormant IPs.

People don't trust SEGA or Sonic Team to make good Sonic games anymore and for good reason.

They should just create a Mario Maker clone for 2D Sonic fans, call it Sonic Studio. Give it the ability to change camera angles and allow the ability to swap between sprites and rendered models, but keep movement 2D.

Let the community make their own games and a lot of them will play more and complain less.

So there's been no emphasis on quality up until now 🤔

How 'bout following Kirby's example? Planet Robobot kept Kirby's core copying ability and added a nice twist to it. The new tagline will be, "It's Sonic...with a twist!"

@Fandabidozi Well put.

@ollietaro That's such a good example! Kirby games have remained consistently good, usually adding on a unique playing style (Hypernova, Robobot) but overall the gameplay is familiar. But still amazing! I think Sonic Team need to follow HAL's philosophy in making games.

@SpykeKat I haven't even played a Sonic 3DS game yet b/c the reviews for them are middling. I'm not a fan of Sonic and I have nice choices for platformers with Donkey Kong, Super Mario, and Kirby on the 3DS.

@ollietaro I had a go at Lost World and believe me it's nothing special but to be honest, on 3DS, I gravitate towards the series I enjoy most. Sometimes, changing the fomula isn't completely required. :x

And then Forces happened.