Sega has some rather endearing plans for Sonic the Hedgehog, it’s flagship mascot. Along with a 2D platforming title in Sonic Mania, it will also release a 3D platformer Sonic Forces. However, product manager Jim Dyer says these efforts are being done to get the brand back to its formerly hallowed position.
Speaking to Twinfinite at Rezzed, Dyer said that, “Sonic is a franchise that we’ve tried to evolve but it hasn’t necessarily worked – I can openly say that.”
With regards to Sonic Forces, Dyer described it as “its own initiative. It is a broader game, a different sort of Sonic than what we’ve done before. It is about reinvigorating Sonic.
“I won’t say Forces is about making Sonic relevant again because I don’t think that is quite the right term, but we understand we have a flagship IP, this brand powerhouse that Sega wants to get back to what it should be.”
While Sega has branched out into other highly successful ventures like PC strategy titles (it owns Total War developer The Creative Assembly and Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War studio Relic Entertainment), it wants to cater once more to its hardcore Sonic fans.
“This was great for our business model, but our fans who love our original titles are still there and we need to speak to that audience.”
Sonic Mania is out in Q2/Q3 2017 while Sonic Forces is out in Q4 2017.
