SEGA on why Dr. Robotnik started to be called Eggman
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 30 Comments
Depending on who you ask, Sonic’s main antagonist goes by one of two names. We’re referring to Dr. Robotnik, who is also known as Eggman.
Game Informer caught up with Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka and asked why everyone began to call Dr. Robotnik as his other name “Eggman”. His explanation is as follows:
When the game was originally developed in Japan, they called the character Eggman. That was the name of the character, but when the game got localized and ported into the Sonic the Hedgehog that we know in the West, they decided to, without confirming with the development team, change his name to Ivo Robotnik or just Robotnik. That’s kind of when everyone first learned about the character. Of course, this was without consulting the people who made the game. They just kind of went off and did it. It became super popular and everyone in the West kind of learned about the character as Robotnik. That went on through the “classic” series in the Genesis/Mega Drive era, but as far as the developers are concerned – the ones who made the character and the leaders of what this character is doing next – we really didn’t want to have anyone in the universe with two names. To us, he’s Eggman, but in the rest of the world he’s called Robotnik. We wanted to unify that into one name moving forward. This is something I actually did in the Sonic Adventure series. I made it so that we understand the character’s name is Robotnik, but his nickname is Eggman, and as far as everyone is concerned in the world now, we’re just going to call him Eggman as his official name.
New video celebrates Sonic the Hedgehog’s 25th anniversary
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, Videos | 14 Comments
Sonic the Hedgehog’s 25th anniversary is today. Of course, SEGA hasn’t forgotten, and they’ve prepared a new video in honor of the occasion.
Here it is:
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Yes, Sonic Team is developing a new Sonic game
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 57 Comments
SEGA has dropped plenty of not-so-subtle hints that a new Sonic game is in the works. As if any other confirmation was needed, Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka told Famitsu this week outright that “a completely new game” is happening. That’s in addition to a new movie from Sony and the ongoing Sonic Boom show.
Iizuka’s words in full:
We at Sonic Team – are developing a completely new game, as well as developing a full movie, actively done by Sony Pictures, and animation on Sonic Boom. We are also ready to improve sponsor ties. The most important thing is not the fact the series survived for 25 years, but how many games was developed. Our goal – add something new and overcome any potential hardships.
Many are anticipating that the new Sonic game will be unveiled during a 25th anniversary party on July 22.
More: interview, SEGA, Sonic the Hedgehog, Takashi Iizuka
SEGA says Sonic is “a perfect fit for theme park partnerships”, will have an E3 presence
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 4 Comments
Global License’s May issue has an article dedicated to Sonic. Chief brand officer Ivo Gerscovich along with SEGA of America’s Kisten B. Zimmer had plenty to share about the character.
One topic discussed is SEGA’s interest in bringing Sonic into theme parks. Specifically, there’s a quote from Gerscovich in which he states, “The [Sonic] brand is a perfect fit for theme park partnerships.” There have been other recent hints about this before, so it seems quite possible that it’ll happen at some point.
Global License also indicates that Sonic will have a presence at E3 next month. The article states that “SEGA has a lineup of events planned for the Beloved Blur Blur’s anniversary that started with a Twitch panel at SXSW and will be followed by events at PAX, E3, San Diego Comic-Con, New York Comic-Con and a 25th anniversary party at the House of Blues in San Diego.” Much of this we knew about previously, but the E3 part does appear to be new.
Other than that, Global License’s article talks about merchandise, YouTube, and Twitch plans. There’s nothing in there about a new Sonic game, but any news on that front would come from a big event like the 25th anniversary party, which will have “surprise announcements”.
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Video: Sonic creators share memories about working on the series
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, Videos | 11 Comments
IGN spoke with Sonic creators Yakashi Iizuka and Yuji Naka about some of their memories when working on the series at SXSW a couple of weeks ago. See what they had to say in the video below.
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Yuji Naka on initial Mario & Sonic conversations with Nintendo, Sonic in Smash Bros.
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, DS, GameCube, General Nintendo, News, Wii | 2 Comments
During the 25th anniversary Sonic panel at SXSW earlier today, attendees were treated to a history lesson of sorts. The session looked back upon some of the franchise’s more notable installments as well as the Blue Blur’s appearance in other games – including the Mario & Sonic series.
Here’s what Yuji Naka, one of the creators of Sonic, had to say about those initial conversations with Nintendo:
“So yes it is true. Back in the day I did go to Kyoto to visit Nintendo and wanted to have a meeting with Mr. Miyamoto and figure out could we make a game maybe with Mario and Sonic together. Although those original conversations happened about three years before the Olympics game came out, we weren’t able to really make a game that featured Sonic and Mario back from that original conversation, but because we had those conversations, it kind of kicked off future conversations with Nintendo which afterwards led to the Olympic game coming out.”
After these comments, SEGA’s Aaron Webber asked if it’s because of Naka that we have Sonic in Smash. In response, Naka noted the following, as relayed by his translator:
“The original Sonic becoming a part of the Smash Bros. game was also part of that conversation. During the GameCube development for Smash Bros., he really wanted to get Sonic into that game, but it was just too late in the development process and couldn’t get it in for GameCube, but they did move forward and put Sonic in for the Wii version.”
Sonic 25th Anniversary party happening in July, will have “very special announcements”
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 5 Comments
A panel just wrapped up at SXSW for Sonic’s 25th anniversary. You may recall that a “special reveal” was planned for the event. There were a few announcements such as the final release date for Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice. In addition to that, a Sonic 25th Anniversary party is now confirmed.
SEGA’s big event is set to take place on July 22 in San Diego. Tickets can now be purchased here.
July 22nd! Sonic 25th Anniversary party in San Diego! Buy tickets now: https://t.co/oO9EJpDkGe #sxsw #historyofsonic
— Sonic the Hedgehog (@sonic_hedgehog) March 19, 2016
Here’s what fans can expect from the event:
If you’re a Sonic fan, this should be the party to go to. The event will have “very special announcements,” and SEGA’s Aaron Webber also teased: “… if you are looking forward to a game announcement, I’m not saying there’s going to be a game announcement at this party, but you should totally come to this party.”
Celebrate 25 years of Sonic the Hedgehog at our official party at the House of Blues, during San Diego Comic-con! Special guests, musical performances by Crush 40 and Hyper Potions, exclusive 25th Anniversary merchandise and more await!
Food is provided by the venue, and your ticket price also covers limited edition merchandise we’ll be giving away at the show.
Join us as we celebrate the past, and give you the exclusive first look at the future of Sonic!
More: SEGA, Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic’s 25th anniversary SXSW panel will include a “special reveal”
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 11 Comments
It was confirmed last week that Sonic the Hedgehog will be having its own panel at SXSW later this month. An additional blurb from the expo teases “a special reveal” that will be made for the series’ 25th anniversary.
Here’s what it states:
“Yuji Naka (Sonic Original Creator), Takashi Iizuka (Head of Sonic Team), Roger Smith (Voice of Sonic the Hedgehog), Mike Pollock (Voice of Dr. Eggman), Austin Keys (Sega), Aaron Webber (Sega)
25 years had to go fast, and here we are today wondering where it all went. Join the original creator of Sonic the Hedgehog, along with the amazing production heads responsible for bringing the franchise to life, for an in-depth analysis of where Sonic came from and where he’s heading going forward. A special reveal will be made as part of the celebration for this anniversary milestone.”
TSSZ News actually says that the reveal won’t be a new game. If it’s something else, I’m not quite sure what it could be!
More: SEGA, Sonic the Hedgehog, SXSW
Sonic creator, Sonic Team head appearing at series’ SXSW 25th anniversary panel
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 1 Comment
SEGA is celebrating Sonic’s 25th anniversary with a panel at SXSW panel on March 19. Original Sonic creator Yuji Naka and Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka will be in attendance, as well as other guests such as Roger Smith (Sonic voice actor) and Mike Pollock (Dr. Eggman voice actor).
Here’s an overview of the event:
“Sonic the Hedgehog is turning 25! After racing to the scene in 1991 on the “SEGA Genesis,” the little blue blur has seen it all: the great evolution of gaming – including the rise of online and mobile – international expansion, multiple TV series, and an ascension that’s made him an icon and veritable mascot of gaming itself. This panel will take an in-depth look at his Sonic’s rich history across gaming, TV, merchandise and more, giving fans an inside glimpse directly from key figures in Sonic’s history. Join us as we celebrate the past and look to the future!”
The Sonic the Hedgehog: 25 Year Anniversary panel will take place from 3:30 PM to 4:15 PM.
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Sonic the Hedgehog movie gets 2018 release window
Posted on 8 years ago by Jake in News | 20 Comments
In an interview with The Worldfolio, Hajime Satomi, President and CEO of Sega Sammy Holdings Inc., stated that the previously announced Sonic the Hedgehog movie would release in 2018. First announced in 2014, the movie is being made by Sony Pictures and is planned to be a live-action/animation hybrid. This release window is the first statement about the film since its original announcement.
