As a signboard character of SEGA, the “Sonic” series has ushered in its 30th anniversary. This time, Taiwan media interviewed Iizuka Takashi, the current person in charge of the “Sonic” brand, and asked him to talk about these 30 years.
Thoughts and ideas for the 30th anniversary
Q: Please briefly introduce yourself and explain your position in this work.
A: I am Takashi Iizuka. I joined SEGA in 1992. I started to participate in the production of “SONIC3”. I am now in SEGA’s Los Angeles branch, supervising the status of various works such as movies and animation. This time I am also in the position of supervising the entire quality of colorful colors.
Q: Please share your feelings and thoughts on the 30th anniversary of “Sonic”.
A: Time really flies. I have been involved in the production for 27 years. When I first joined the production, I didn’t expect to be able to do it for so long. Every time I make Sonic’s work, I hope I can do better. I didn’t expect it. It’s been so long, thanks to the fans’ support all the time, I hope everyone can continue to cheer for Sonic.
Q: What kind of event plan does “Sonic” have for the 30th anniversary? In addition, do you personally recommend any “must see” projects to fans?
A: There have been live events in the past 20th and 25th anniversary, but this year is special, so there is no way to do so. This time we held a virtual online concert and invited the symphony orchestra to perform, so that the whole world can enjoy it at the same time. Can undertake this advantage. We still have an unannounced project for the 30th anniversary, and hope to share it with fans by then.
Q: We have seen that Sonic has cooperated with many non-SEGA games on the 30th anniversary, such as “Fall guys” or “MineCraft”. How did you choose which games to cooperate with? Will there be new cooperation plans in the future?
A: In addition to the players who like Sonic, we also hope to cooperate with games with many players. In addition to “MineCraft”, we are also preparing to cooperate with other companies’ games. Please look forward to it.
Q: In the previous live broadcast conference, the official surprise announced the latest work of “Sonic” produced by SONIC TEAM. Is this work also produced by Mr. Iizuka himself? Are there any keywords that can be revealed a bit, or new information?
A: Of course, I also participated in the production. There is not much information that can be conveyed in this part. This new work should be longer than other works. This time it is not only an action game, but also made some new challenges, so it will take a long time. Time, I hope everyone can experience Sonic’s new fun by then.
Q: In the thirty years since Sonic was released, which game is the most fascinating, the hardest to make and the most memorable?
A: Sure enough, the most popular is the classic series from the 1st to 3rd generations in the MD period. In the past 30 years, many people have used other platforms to play. We will continue to let everyone play in the way of “Sonic Origins”. The most difficult one should be It’s DC’s “Sonic Adventure”. This is the first time I have figured out a way to present a 2D adventure in 3D. I tried many wrong ways and took a lot of experience to complete this game.
Sonic in the eyes of Takashi Iizuka
Q: Among the characters in the Sonic series, apart from the protagonist Sonic, who is your favorite character? Why?
A: My favorite is the role of “Shadow”. At that time, I was a producer, hoping to create a dark hero who is evenly matched with the protagonist, so I have a lot of affection for him.
Q: Do you personally prefer flat or 3D Sonic?
A: I have participated in the production on both sides, so I like them very much. I have also thought about whether current players still have traditional style needs? Later, “Sonic Mania” received a lot of praise, which made me really relieved, so I hope that in the future, 2D and 3D can be cultivated equally.
Q: What elements do you think the game of “Sonic” needs to have?
A: Of course, the necessary element is “speed”. Whether it is 2D, 3D or even a car, the sense of speed will be the most important point.
Q: During the 30 years of making the Sonic series of games, does the production team have any memories or experiences that you want to share with you?
A: This involves my personal affairs. When I made “Sonic Adventure”, I lived in the United States for a year and a half. This was my first long stay abroad, and later I went to the United States for “Sonic Adventure 2”. After 9 years, I have been to Los Angeles for the third time. I went to live in the United States three times for Sonic. This has changed a lot for me, whether it is meeting various people, various experiences, English and so on.
Q: Sonic series of games can be said to be the highest standard in platform games in terms of operation and mechanism design. How does the production team accomplish this?
A: The team changes its shortcomings step by step to improve its strengths, and the team does not feel that they are at the highest level. These are all gradually accumulated. After the work is released, we will carefully read the responses of fans, to make full use of the previous experience and make good revisions to the next work.
Q: In the terrain design of the Sonic series, many mechanisms will affect the movement speed and change the angle of jumping in the air. Many of them have elements similar to the pinball machine and the pachinko machine. May I ask whether this is considered in the initial design or Is it referring to such elements? Or did you have similar ideas and added them to the level later?
A: It was originally a level that appeared in the first generation of Sonic, so I thought of letting him collide like a marble. In “Sonic Adventure 2”, there was a more formal pinball machine. These elements We all slowly put it in each work as an interesting element.
Ideas and plans for various works of “Sonic”
Q: This time “Sonic Colorful Colors Ultimate Edition” can be said to be an upgraded version. What upgrades have been made in it?
A: This time is a remake, put it on a brand-new platform in a brand-new way. In addition to the improvement of image quality and FPS, we have also made various improvements.
Q: I would like to ask you the reason for the decision to release “Sonic Colorful Ultimate Edition” and when did you decide to remake it?
A: It is mainly started as part of the plan after the movie. I hope that new players who know Sonic from the movie will get to know Sonic and let them know that this series can also be played easily, so I decided to remake this work.
Q: What difficulties did you encounter when porting “Sonic Colorful” from the original Wii/NDS to the current Nintendo Switch/PS4/PC? How did you think about the newly added update and additional parts?
A: In the beginning, the most difficult part is that I am used to launching on multiple platforms, but at the time it was still a platform-to-platform. In order to port to other platforms, you need to delete all the elements of Wii and redo it. This part is more effortless.
Q: Will you consider launching a new game in the “Sonic Colors” game series in the future?
A: Currently there is no such plan.
Q: Over the years, Sonic’s gameplay has changed endlessly, including Brawl, racing, and platform games. What direction will the next Sonic sequel go? Will it be like “Sonic Colorful Colors”?
A: As mentioned earlier, Sonic’s new work in 2022 will be a brand new challenge and system. I hope you can look forward to it.
Q: Do other popular characters, such as Nacruz, have the chance to play their own exclusive games?
A: The rumor has only done Schattdecor’s works, but now I have tried my best to convey Sonic, so there is no way yet, but I hope it can.
Q: Will there be a chance to remake the highly popular “Sonic Adventure”?
A; Indeed, we know that some players want to remake this work, but this colorful color is the first remake challenge, so we will think about this possibility based on the reaction of colorful colors.
Q: Has the production team considered making an extended gameplay similar to racing?
A: We will challenge again if there is a chance in the future, but it is true that racing is the most popular way to play outside of the traditional mode.
Q: We saw the inclusion of “Sonic the Fighters” in “The Judgment”. Will there be a chance for a fighting game in the future?
A: Putting “Sonic the Fighters” into the “Death of Trial” is also one of the 30th anniversary plans, but launching an independent fighting game alone is still a bit difficult at this stage.
Q: From “Sonic Mania”, “Sonic Forces” to “Sonic Team Racing”, it can be seen that the Sonic IP can be applied to various types. Is there any type of game that Sonic Team has not tried, but is willing to make it?
A: If possible, I would like to challenge a game that players can play together, because most action games are based on one person playing.
Q: Apart from “Sonic Colorful Color Ultimate Edition”, will there be more remakes? Or will the development focus be on the original innovations of the series?
A: The focus now is of course the new work in 2022, as well as the porting of “Sonic Origins”.
Q: In terms of “Sonic” IP strategy, what is the official next plan? What kind of strategy will be used to promote the “Sonic” IP more?
A; I can’t say that the IP strategy is so formal, but I hope to use various media methods to let all ages know Sonic, so it includes series of movies, and NETFLIX animations in production, so that all kinds of players can know Sonic’s exist.
Q: Continuing, the Sonic movie has finally achieved great success, and the sequel has been confirmed. How does SEGA view this series of movies? How will multimedia beyond games be promoted in the future?
A: It has always been our hope to make him a Hollywood movie. Regardless of the sequel, it is a pleasant surprise for the first success of SEGA. If we can let more people know Sonic, we will be very positive.
Q: With the 30th anniversary of the series, what does the producer want to say to fans of the series?
A: I think about this question every anniversary. I really appreciate the support of the fans, otherwise this series will not be able to continue. In 2022, in addition to the movie sequel, Netflix animation will also be launched, and everyone will be able to use it. Ways to enjoy all kinds of Sonic fun. In terms of games, this year is “Sonic Colorful Color Ultimate Edition”, and next year it will be brand new and origin. Please support us.
.
