"Time to reinvent Sonic" says Sega boss

Speaking about the recently unveiled Nintendo-Sega collaboration, Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games, Jeffery said that we won't see another Sonic title on a next-gen platform for quite a while.

"We are actually undergoing a fairly considerable refresh of Sonic as an intellectual property, as a character," he told Newsweek.

[Razzy]

its time to retire Sonic?

[LSDARBY]

too true, let it go imo. The good old days of sonic are gone.

[techie]

He should play side-scrolling...aka LBP. 3d but side-scrolling. All this 3d behind the character camera just doesn't work for Sonic.

[GamerMan]

The good ole sonic days was side scrolling with a 2d forward motion when in the special stage to get all the rings... I don't see why they can't do the side scrolling again with more challenges and better graphics... I like a good side scrolling game and think that is when sonic was at it's best... Every 3D version of sonic didn't work that well to me and either had frame issue or pure control issue.

Sonic isn't Mario... Sonic is supposed to be a fast paced game and that's how I always looked at the series when I play it on my genesis and game gear.

[ItsDubC]

The element of speed that made Sonic popular in the first place doesn't blend well with complete 3D movement. If I have to worry about not falling off the side of a bridge while I'm zooming across it, I'm not gonna wanna go fast. Secret Rings seems to be a step in the right direction. Keeping Sonic on rails'll allow the games to stay fast-paced.

[sajj316]

the element of speed was captured quite well in the original Sonic Adventure back on the Dreamcast (RIP). It wasn't perfect but I thought it did a good job. The last few Sonics have been about pushing the graphics without emphasing true Sonic gameplay. I think Secret Rings is a good start but speed as always been Sonic's identity.

[kewlkat007]

The thing is besides the frame rate issues, it is hard to control the lil bastard at full speeds in a 3D world. I don't know why developers are afraid of making a 2D next gen game. Viewtful Joe, was a good example, that 2-D gaming can still be fun and challenging. where is the next 2-D Casttlevania:Symphony of the night sequal...

Then again this is SEGA, they are a great Gaming company, so who knows..

[Rooted_Dust]

How exactly do you revitalize a speedy hedgehog???

[castdreams]

They need to just make on big side scrolling sonic game. Since side-scrolling would also be easier to program, they would be able to make the game huge for the same amount it's costing them to make games that are just 'pretty big'
I'll always hold onto the hope that sonic will one day be good again.
-sega fan

[BIadestarX]

The sad part about it, is that some games really need to die, at least for 10 years. I remember when Metal Gear for the PS1 was released after so many years silence. It was a huge! There are some IPs that eventhough we like them they need a rest (Mario, Zelda, Metroid, Metal Gear, Final Fantasy, Sonic, Halo, etc) Companies make them because they sell. These need to be put on hold for a while and make room for new IP. Games are a lot different than they used to be, and most of these IPs weren't made for this generation and therefore the gameplay may not be the best.

[Armyless]

Sonic would be back at home on top of the sales charts.

I can personally guarantee that!

[sajj316]

does that make sense to put Sonic back into 2D with next gen bells and whistles. I think they had a game for PS2 called Klonoa (sp?) by Namco which was 2.5D. Can it work, sure ... but why? I agree with Bladestar in that some franchises just need to be suspended a generation to make it fresh or just put to sleep. I put partial blame for the demise of Sonic on developers. I bet if you give the franchise over to Nintendo, they'd make it work. I say SEGA sells the Sonic franchise to Nintendo and use that money to good use for new IP.

Bladestar ... whenever I see your name I think of the old Capcom game StarGladiator. I don't know why.

[TheSadTruth]

make a new sonic platformer with that little big island game engine and that would be fuc*ing sweet.. only characters should be tails, sonic and knuckles, and every level should be fast paced

[GuardianEarth]

Too late nut head! The 360 was the revamp and it failed miserably! We don't need another pretty game that'll come out as trash! X(

I think Sega just needs to shut up, and on top of that stop trying to drag Mario down with him.

[HaKeRsCanRotINHEL]

sounds better! X_X

[lyricistsoldier]

Forget sonic. what a waste. we want keith courage back!