Sega: "We made too many Sonic games"

By Johnny Minkley Published 23 June, 2011

Publisher says future vision is "brilliant".

As Sonic celebrates his 20th anniversary, Sega West boss Mike Hayes has admitted to "making too many Sonic games", promising: "The development teams now know what they need to do" with future titles.

Insisting that the icon remained "right at the heartbeat of [the publisher's] business," Hayes claimed that this year's key release, Sonic Generations, would deliver, "an experience that people have been waiting for for a long time".

The low point for the inconsistent series, which debuted on Mega Drive two decades ago today, is widely seen as the disastrous 2006 PS3 and Xbox 360 release, Sonic The Hedgehog.

"[That] was probably the worst Metacritic that we've got," Hayes told Eurogamer. "We kind of didn't really know where to put it and we probably tripped up a bit. The thing we've subsequently found – and it's not rocket science – is that we have two very distinct audiences for Sonic.

"We've got us lot sitting around the table that's the original fanbase, which is huge, and then we've got a younger audience that just sees Sonic as a good icon but they want a game that's relevant to them," he added.

Hayes blamed "confusion" over the target audience for the series' weakest offerings. "I do acknowledge that the quality of some of the earlier games was certainly not where we would have liked to have been," he conceded.

"Now the development teams are very clear where they need to try and craft their games going forward. And actually now they've got the bit between their teeth, it's quite a single-minded process for them to try and improve on that."

After the success of Sonic 4: Episode 1 and Sonic Colours, and with a playable demo of Sonic Generations released this week, the publisher believes it's back on track. "I think Generations, for the loyal fanbase, is going to be highly regarded," Hayes predicted.

On the decision to release the demo months before the game's release, Sonic brand director David Corless insisted that the publisher didn't need to indulge in the "usual smoke and mirrors tactics in our industry," since it "knew how good this game is".

Ahead of Generations this Christmas, Sonic's next outing will be in Mario & Sonic at the London Olympic Games, the latest addition to a series that has already shifted over 19 million copies.

"I do think that over the last few years there's been a real uplift," said Corless. "I think we're in a very strong position knowing what's coming next with Generations and Mario & Sonic London. The vision we've got for Sonic beyond is brilliant."

Picture of Johnny.

About Johnny Minkley

Johnny Minkley is a veteran games writer and broadcaster, former editor of Eurogamer TV, VP of gaming charity SpecialEffect, and hopeless social media addict.

Read more articles from Johnny by visiting the Johnny Minkley archive page.

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Comments (44) Latest comment 11 months ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Jimjamyaha #1 11 months ago

    Bringing back Classic Sonic would be nice.

  • harzo #2 11 months ago

    As Sonic celebrates his 20th anniversary, Sega West boss Mike Hayes has admitted to "making too many shit* Sonic games"

    *corrected

  • chrisjm #3 11 months ago

    you cant have too much of a good thing, the key being it has to actually be good.

  • el_pollo_diablo #4 11 months ago

    I could have told them not to make any more about 20 years ago.

  • PixelPirate #5 11 months ago

    knowing what's coming next with Generations and Mario & Sonic London. The vision we've got for Sonic beyond is brilliant."

    really? Mario & Sonic?

    so more of the same then.

  • JoeGBallad #6 11 months ago

    Still no mention of Sonic 4 episode 2. I thought episodic gaming was meant to mean getting new install ants more often? Valve and Sega seem to be sharing a lot in common while Telltale get it right.

  • coolbritannia #7 11 months ago

    This headline next to the sonic generations story, I lol'd.

  • steve1979 #8 11 months ago

    How about, instead of pissing about with Sonic all the time, you do somehting with the incredible properties you've not touched in years i.e Steets of Rage, or screwed up e.g Shining Force.

  • nickthegun #9 11 months ago

    "Too many games" isnt the same as "Too many crap games".

    Mario has probably popped up in as many games as sonic, probably more and I cant really think of a single bad one.

  • nuanimal #10 11 months ago

    No. You made too many BAD Sonic games.

    Fixed.

  • CallousB #11 11 months ago

    Their strategy seems a bit odd to be honest...they put Generations on 360/PS3 and 3DS..but not Wii....the platform where Sonic games have sold best this gen.

    Not that i'll be buying it anyway. I have yet to be impressed with the gameplay of any Sonic game... from Megadrive onwards.

    He has always controlled like shit IMO. I'd sooner see him control with the precision of Mario for the platforming segments...and then have a speed-up button for when needed.

  • captain_Carl #12 11 months ago

    "We realise we're making too many Sonic games"

    "Here are more Sonic games"

  • GamesProgrammer Verified Games Team Programmer, Eutechnyx Ltd. #13 11 months ago

    That video looks genuinley interesting but also leaves me confused,

    is that Sonic4 Episode 1, or is that yet another new sonic game, or is a remake of a sonic game in the sonic 4 engine?

    I also thought sonic generations was just a compilation pack of all sonic games is that wrong?

    Where the hell is Sonic 4 Episode 2 and how the hell did they manage to squeeze out another sonic game between episodes, when they just said they realised there making too many sonic games?

  • WinterSnowblind #14 11 months ago

    Was going to give them credit for at least realizing what they've done wrong and how they need to fix the series until I got to "After the success of Sonic 4..". It was nice that they tried to throw a bone to the classic Sonic fans, but that game was just a complete disaster.

    The demo for Generations was impressive, it's exactly what Sonic 4 needed to be.. but it doesn't let you play any of the modern stuff, which is what I'm worried about. The videos make it look more on-rails than the average Kinect game.

  • eltonpr0n #15 11 months ago

    "We made too many Sonic games...here are our new Sonic games don't worry they will be good. promise."

  • Mister-Wario #16 11 months ago

    It's not so much that they made too many Sonic games: it's that the ideas were poorly implemented or too far from the feel of the series. Sonic Riders was too finicky and difficult and its "rotate the controller to charge your board" actually broke one of my PS2 controllers. Shadow the Hedgehog was a wonderful idea but its long loading times, poor animation and sloppy movement killed it. Sonic Unleashed had some solid daytime stages but it needs to have as few on-rails sections (like going around loops) as possible. And the werehog...what was the point of that?

    That said, my favourite Sonic game is most likely Sonic Heroes. It isn't perfect by any stretch, but it was the first Sonic game I ever bought (since it debuted on PS2) and I loved the different character types and basic RPG elements. It's a little finicky in terms of controls but not unplayable, and there's something incredibly satisfying about wearing an enemy down by force rather than finishing him in one blow or by spotting a weak spot in a sequence.

    I'm quite glad that they thought outside the box but the fact that we haven't had a truly brilliant Sonic game in years means I'm most likely never going to buy one again. I'd honestly much prefer a new Sonic game with Sonic 2 graphics, original physics and new levels, with the original three characters playable. Because really, Sega don't seem to deliver a good Sonic game any other way on home consoles now.
    Edited by Mister-Wario at 23/06/11 @ 17:35

  • MiniAmin #17 11 months ago

    I adored Sonic Adventure when I was younger. I wish there'd been a proper, decent sequel for that game.

  • smelly #18 11 months ago

    "After the success of sonic colours"..

    I wouldnt call that heap of shit a success.. i paid good money for that stinker!

  • OrangesJoel #19 11 months ago

    "Hayes blamed "confusion" over the target audience for the series' weakest offerings."

    Which is why he's currently promoting a game which alienates both groups in equal measure? I mean, if you don't like post 2006 Sonic, that's 50% of Generations you're definitely going to hate. And vice versa.

  • silversun #20 11 months ago

    Just tried the demo out on ps 3 , while not quiet the feel of the first 3, it's already looking good to play and i can bounce off targets without uncurling.
    Will be looking to buy it when it comes out and hoping theres some other great soundtrack and levels from old sonic games.

  • Cronan #21 11 months ago

    As Sonic celebrates his 20th anniversary, Sega West boss Mike Hayes has admitted to "making too many Sonic games", promising: "The development teams now know what they need to do" with future titles.

    No they don't.

  • Freek #22 11 months ago

    "an experience that people have been waiting for for a long time"

    Oh sure, like you've been saying every year, for the past 15 years.

    "No seriously guys, for realzzz, the next Sonic game is gonna be awsum, seriously you guys, just you wait!"

  • natureboy #23 11 months ago

    I have never really been a fan of Sonic in them days -occasionally played Mario. I do agree that they screwed it up after Sonic three just as they screwed up their hardware

  • bikmate #24 11 months ago

    Sonic 2 HD Remix and Sonic Fan Remix. SEGA, since you forgot how to make a proper Sonic game, try copying those fan projects.

  • zubnut #25 11 months ago

    A new panzer dragoon is what most sega diehards have been waiting for, not another balls sonic game.

  • dllord #26 11 months ago

    Shenmue 3 please SEGA!

  • Architect_z #27 11 months ago

    YES YOU HAVE, It's about time Streets of Rage 4 was made!!!

  • megastar #28 11 months ago

    where the fuck is episode 2??? I paid for this bastard game months and months ago - where is it??

  • alcides #29 11 months ago

    All the stars, they're in my favour, something's bound to give in
    It's gonna happen
    Happen Sometime
    Maybe this time
    Maybe this tiiiiiiiiiime
    I'll
    Make a good Sonic
    gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaameeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!

  • BBIAJ #30 11 months ago

    @MiniAmin:

    Sonic Adventure 2 much?

  • Nithron #31 11 months ago

    Sega. Just make a full-length game using the platforming style from the Sonic and Shadow levels in Sonic Adventure 2. Those were good, therefore making some more of them would also be good.

    Yours sincerely, A Very Frustrated Sonic Fan

  • Xboxfanuk #32 11 months ago

    I am new to sonic being an American it was all about Mario. However Sonic can be the iconic platformer on the Xbox and it looks like Sonic Generations is that game. Personally I haven't played the PS2/Xbox/Game Cube generation platformers like Rachet, Crash and New Sonic. So if I can find a few really good 3D beat em up platformers for 360 in full HD win!

    Sonic & Sega all Star Racing was fantastic and even better then Mario Kart Wii in my opinion. I hope they follow that up soon with another game! Also support with some DLC please.

  • BonzoBanana #33 11 months ago

    Sonic Spinball is the only Sonic game I really liked. There may have been others that I would of enjoyed but the Sonic name became a reason to ignore the games for me. Not my cup of tea at all. Never understood their popularity.

  • MiniAmin #34 11 months ago

    @BBIAJ

    I said decent ;)

  • SEVQA #35 11 months ago

    Credit given when credit due, as I believe after playing Sonic 4 and the Generations demo that Sega have really listened to it’s oldshcool fan base and is starting to deliver the Sonic ethos on next gen consoles.

    I left the Sonic franchise from Sonic Adventure on the Dreamcast onwards until Sonic 4 ep1 was released.

    I must say the demo of Generations was well, pretty bloody good and recommend everyone give it a ago. The 20 day limit is nothing to get concerned about as it’s more than enough as you’ll rinse the level in 20 mins on repeat play! Which is a good thing as your left wanting more?

    Sega’ you can have my money on day one!
    Edited by SEVQA at 23/06/11 @ 23:33

  • Nevflinn #36 11 months ago

    I was impressed by Sonic Colours, and not just for a Sonic game. It was genuinely good, and I'm surprised Sega aren't bringing that up more.

  • DrStrangelove #37 11 months ago

    "We made too many Sonic games, so now we make more Sonic games"

    Did I tell you the definition of insanity...?

  • 32768Colours #38 11 months ago

    The demo of Generations is a bit glitchy, but its reassuring that the game isn't due to be released for a while yet so there's time to iron stuff out. Perhaps they've put the demo out so early so it acts as a bit of a beta; to get some feedback off players and such.

    I thought it was nice. It made me smile too here the old tunes remixed and generally - minor niggles aside - I thought it was good fun. At the very least its a step in the right direction.

  • SlackMaster #39 11 months ago

    *Edit: Sega, 'We make too many sh!t, Sonic games'.

    To be fair though Sonic Colours and Sonic 4 were both good games. Still love the original series of games on the Megadrive though.

  • PixelPirate #40 11 months ago

    Psst Sega, instead of another daft sonic game how about:

    PSN/XBL Road Rash HD with online play = megaton cash

  • Toothball #41 11 months ago

    I think at this stage nothing they release will appease the fans who basically just want to play the first Sonic game over and over. They've held onto this image of the original being the perfect experience for twenty years, so no amount of reality is going to change that even if they were to make a good one next.

    I was a Nintendo child, which while I cured myself of with a Dreamcast, the nostalgia factor doesn't really have much effect on me.

  • Ryze #42 11 months ago

    They're doing BETTER, but they're really only at 6-7/10 so far.

    They're nowhere near 1991-4's series of 8-9/10 games.

    Keep trying.

  • curtlikesmeat #43 11 months ago

    Sonic 4? Generations? Colours?

    I have no idea what is going on. Which is the new one? Haven't played since the early 90s (well, except for the demo of that one on the Dreamcast where a whale destroys a pier). Is it still hold right and press jump every now and again?

  • bloodflowers #44 11 months ago

    Wait till Metacritic gets a load of Generations. 30fps on a fast moving scrolling game? It's nearly unplayable due to the blur.

    Sonic Fan Remix is the only hope for the series, which isn't by Sega. How telling.
    Edited by bloodflowers at 24/06/11 @ 16:38