Sega Regrets Announcing Anticipated Game Too Soon
Sega could have done better for fans with this upcoming game.
This article is more than 2 years old
Sega, a Japanese multinational video game developer, acknowledged that its vague reveal of the new Sonic the Hedgehog game, scheduled for release in 2022, was a bit premature, as the scarcity of details upset the fans of the Blue Blur. Sonic Team lead, Takashi Iizuka, issued the statement about the premature reveal of Sonic 2022 (not an official title) and the reasons behind the company’s actions.
According to GamesRadar+, Sega has conceded that it announced the new Sonic the Hedgehog game a bit too early. The game was revealed earlier this year when Sega released a new teaser trailer that was as blurry with details as Sonic himself when he speeds by. The fans got to see the titular hero dashing through a forest before a mysterious symbol, which is seemingly important for the upcoming title, appeared on the screen, ending the trailer. Needless to say, the scarcity of details angered the fandom, as it failed to satisfy their hunger for a new Sonic game.
But game developers and publishers release cryptic and often very short game teasers all the time, so why is this one any different? Takashi Iizuka, the head of Sonic Team, which is in charge of developing Sonic the Hedgehog games, offered some insight into Sega’s decision to reveal the trailer early. According to him, the franchise fans were worried that the development studio in charge of the gaming franchise hadn’t announced a new title since 2017’s Sonic Forces video game, prompting the company to reveal a developing title on Sonic’s 30th anniversary.
However, instead of happy thoughts and joy, the teaser trailer caused commotion and dissatisfaction among the fandom, considering that the big reveal on Sonic’s 30th birthday offered so little. The fans were simply expecting more from the announcement reveal, especially since they were already aware of multiple Sonic the Hedgehog games in development, including the upcoming remaster of 2010’s Sonic Colors. The remaster, named Sonic Colors: Ultimate, brings a ton of visual upgrades, new gameplay modes, and quality of life improvements, and Sega is purposefully re-working the game to commemorate its mascot’s 30th anniversary.
Unfortunately, Sonic’s running capabilities are the only thing this trailer reveals, apart from the mysterious symbol at the end. Takashi Iizuka commented on the mysterious symbol, stating that it’s something symbolic that appears in the game, but its meaning is still a secret. He added that the symbol isn’t something that the fandom would figure out through its own deduction and that Sega will reveal more details, eventually.
Nearly all Sonic the Hedgehog games were acclaimed and listed among the greatest video games of all time, with Sega’s Sonic touted as a faster and more intriguing alternative to Nintendo’s Mario character. The iconic media franchise from the ’90s spawned several dozen video game releases, countless spin-offs, printed media, animations, and a 2020 feature film, which is about to receive a sequel. Unfortunately, as far as the new, prematurely announced Sonic the Hedgehog game goes, the teaser trailer offers next to nothing. Hopefully, it won’t meet the same fate as Cyberpunk 2077 has.
