Be warned, there are spoilers ahead for/from/of Star Trek XI, Sonic Generations, and the Sonic Genesis Story Arc by Archie Comics..

I should probably start of with a bit of info for Star Trek XI or just simply “Star Trek” according to the movie’s actual title (I don’t care what J.J. Abrams calls it, it will always be Star Trek XI to me!).  Star Trek as a franchise had a very complex time line spanning just over 4 decades of television shows and movies (officially only things appearing on screen were considered canon however there were elements written by official Star Trek people such as books, comics, dictionaries, encyclopedias, map books, etc.,etc., that fall into kind of a gray area).  This time line just kept expanding and becoming more complex from 1966-2008 and over course over this 42 year period there were many inconsistencies and continuity errors.  This plus the failure of the prequel TV series “Enterprise” lead to Paramount to only one option, reboot.  But how do you reboot a franchise with a enormous cult following without pissing of f most of the fans and retconning 40+ years of material.  Well that’s easy, time travel.

That’s right kids time travel is the easiest solution in retconning any franchise without pissing many people off.  It also helps to have a really good writing staff.  See in Star Trek 11 it is mentioned that a massive supernova destroyed planet Romulas after Spock incorrectly calculated when this would take place (in other words they didn’t have enough time to evacuate because Spock is getting old and missplaced a decimal somewhere).  This then pisses off a group of surviving Romulans who were on a mining colony or something so they try to kill Spock who meanwhile has a ship that is capable of destroying this supernova before this super nova destroys the galaxy, that’s right the entire galaxy.  Well unfortunately for the pissed off Romulans and Spock they attack Spock’s ship while he was saving the day and caused them to go back in time (once again Spock must have misplaced a decimal, I guess even Vulcans can get Alzheimer’s).   So now instead of being in the “present” (present as it Star Trek’s present of 2387) they are stuck in the “past” (past as in Star Trek’ s past of 2233) though the pissed off Romulans at first don’t believe it and start blowing shit up and killing people in probably the most epic Star Trek movie opening ever.  You know what just go and rent the movie from Netflix or something.  I’ll wait.  I promise this blog will still be here when you get back.

Welcome back

Did you enjoy the movie?

Good.

So to make a long story short they did the whole travel through time retcon thing the right way (just wish they went back to before “Enterprise” and eliminated Scott Bakula from the Star Trek time line he was great for Quatum Leap but crappy for Star Trek except for the last Season and a half of Enterprise but it still got canceled so not many share my feelings on that I guess).

Now you must be asking yourself what does this rambling on Star Trek have to do with the Sonic Franchise?  Easy it’s called Generations and Genesis.

Let’s start with Sonic Generations first as it’s only been recently announced and there’s not information on it…yet.  All we really know from the plot of this game is that an unknown enemy (probably Eggman…or pissed off Romulans) has created time holes causing Sonic and friends to go through time and meet Sonic from 1991 in Green Hill for some reason.  I hate to break it to you guys but the only thing filled with more continuity errors and time line inconsistencies than a science fiction series that spans 42 years, 11 movies, and 5 TV series is a video game series that spans 20 years, 24 main games, 30 spin offs, and 4 arcade games.  Yikes.

Just like Star Trek was before it’s reboot, Sonic has faced a lot of negative reviews and though the last game and half of the game before that were good (just like the last season and a half of Enterprise were good) it’s time to reboot the Sonic game continuity and the best way to do that *drum roll* time travel!  Depending how you want to look at time travel if Sonic travels back in time because of these “time holes” any events that occur after his arrival will alter his future (just like in Star Trek 11, the Romulans altered the past thus altering the futures of the Enterprise crew).  This is of course if we ignore predestination paradoxes and the many worlds theory, for arguments sake we will.  So just like the ending of Sonic ’06 none of what you played [possibly] never happened (now if only Sonic ’06 never happened).

Basically because Sonic goes back in time a whole new time line has formed and Sonic Team/Sega/whoever else wants to make a Sonic game basically have a clean palate to paint on (except for bio-ware because they did the opposite they brought us to the future saying Chronicles takes 2 years after the final battle with Eggman taking place in a game that hasn’t been/probably will never be released).

Still don’t believe me about the whole time travel retconning the entire time line thing?  Then let me present to you the most damning piece of evidence yet: Archie Comics!

Ok maybe not so much Archie Comics as a whole but their Sonic Comic publication.  I’m sure by now many of you have at least heard of the upcoming Genesis Saga in Archie’s Sonic.  From what I’ve gathered from the spoilers I’ve read online they’re not quite doing the time travel thing.  I guess Eggman has rebuilt the Death Egg to reshape Mobius to his liking which in the process totally alters the past lives, events, etc., of all the characters putting Sonic where?  That’s right Green Hill Zone doing what he was doing in Sonic 1.  And it seems as though it will just be Sonic 1 because even though part 2 of Genesis is an awesome rehash of the Sonic 2 Box art it apparently starts off in Labyrinth Zone.   All I know is that Sonic better be on Westside Island before he arrives on Angel Island in Part 3 where Knuckles has been tricked for the umpteenth time…or I guess in this case it would be the first?

What is real interesting to note about the Genesis saga is that it will end in October which is followed by November which is most likely when Generations will be released which really gives Ian Flynn and his team of awesomness an opportunity continue with their new story line.  See the way I figure it because Ken Penders has been a pain in their asses since he left Archie when Ian Flynn and the other Sonic Archie Team peoples found out Sega was doing Generations (because we all know that Sega tells Archie what their upcoming plans for games are so their artists and writers can do an adaption so more games can be sold) they probably figured “Hmm Ken Penders keeps saying we stole his story lines, characters, and what not so why don’t we take Sega’s game idea one step furthers and give the fans one hell of a retconning Sonic 20 anniversary birthday bash!”  All I can say is that when Ian Flynn leaves Archie I just hope he doesn’t pull a Ken Penders and the Archieverse Sonic time line has to be totally retconned again because even though everythings being down awesomely by amazing writers I am starting to get tired of all of my favorite franchises retconning their entire existence so I hope you’re reading this Straczynski!

Now I just would like to remind everyone that Sonic Generations and Sonic Genesis are still a few months away so it’s possible that some or all I have said here does not come true because really at this point everything is just speculation.  We will just have to wait until November to see.

Happy 20th Anniversary Sonic!

Berlin Refers to Sonic 4 Episode 2

From what I’ve seen most people seem to agree on that “Berlin” refers to “The Hedgehog and the Fox” by Isaiah Berlin I’m sure I’ll get flame mail for stating that but screw you.  Sonic 4 Episode 1 LEVEL WISE was basically a revamp of Sonic 1 (Splash Hill=Green Hill, Lost Labyrinth=Labyrinth) and Sonic 2 (Casino Street=Casino Night, Mad Gear=Metropolis, Egg Station=Death Egg).  From this we can assume that Episode 2 will be a revamp of Sonic 2 & 3 Levels and what did Sonic have in 2 & 3?  Oh yeah a sidekick!  Who was this sidekick?  Miles “Tails” Prower.  Who is a what?  Two tailed fox!  Especially that now in Episode 2 Sonic has a second threat to Eggman *SPOILER ALERT* Metal Sonic!  who else to bring in but his sidekick?  It also seems they’re going for a nostalgia feel.  So Episode 1 (Needlemouse remember that?  yet another reason to think Berlin is Episode 2) is just Sonic, Episode 2 will probably have Tails, and Episode 3 will probably have Knuckles.  It’s a safe bet they’ll do 4 Episodes, the 4th being the climax or they’ll add in Shadow or someone else.

Berlin Refers to Sonic Anniversary

Remember all of you flamers that’s a tentative title.  If you don’t know what tentative means don’t even bother flaming me as I’ll just refer you to your local book store where you can by a dictionary that is of course if you know how to read.  With that said and insults behind, it is possible that Berlin and thus “The Hedgehog and the Fox” refers to this upcoming title.  Sonic Team seems to do something interesting with it’s storylines:

Sonic 1-4: Sonic 1 start of the storyline loose connection with rest of story, Sonic 2 begins main storyline, Sonic 3 direct sequel to previous game, Sonic & Knuckles direct sequel to the direct sequel and seemingly ends the storyline, Sonic 4 loosely based on preceding storyline serves more as a follow up.

Sonic Adventure-Sonic The Hedgehog : Sonic Adventure start of the storyline loose connection with rest of story, Sonic Adventure 2 begins main storyline, Sonic Heroes direct sequel to previous game, Shadow the Hedgehog direct sequel to the direct sequel and seemingly ends the storyline, Sonic The Hedgehog loosely based on preceding storyline serves more as a follow up.

This would mean that Sonic Unleashed, Sonic Colors, and Sonic Anniversary are the next batch of storlyines for us.  Really you can kind of see the Sonic 1 and Sonic 2 connection with Unleashed and Colors.  Unleashed was kind of the experiment like Sonic 1 was while Sonic 2 is the game.  Now I’m not comparing Unleashed to Sonic 1 or saying they are on part with each other IN MY OPINION (opinion is another word flamers and trolls need to look up) Sonic 1 is way better than Unleashed but I also think Sonic 2 is way better than Sonic 1 which I see the comparison with Unleashed and Colors (this is a possible future blog the storyline connections).

In the main series we haven’t been able to play as Tails since I Sonic The Hedgehog.  Though he was present in Unleashed and Colors he wasn’t playable.  Now it is possible that in Anniversary they’re going to bring back this option to play as Tails (or with Tails) as seen in Sonic 2, but it’s also possible they’re going to give us this option in Sonic 4 Episode 2.

Green Eyes is Back Refers to Sonic 4 Episode 2

Seeing as this was mentioned very soon after Berlin it is highly possible that they are related and thus referring to the same game. 

Green Eyes is Back Refers to Sonic Anniversary

It’s been a rough couple years for Sonic Games.  Only speaking of the main/console series they really haven’t been getting that good reviews since Sonic Adventure 2.  The handhelds are another story but the console games have been pretty negative:

Sonic Adventure 2 81% B-
Sonic Heroes 69% D+
Sonic The Hedgehog 45% F-
Sonic Unleashed 62% D-
Sonic 4 Episode 1 76% C
Sonic Colors 79% C+
(I arrived at these ratings by averaging all of the Metacritic reviews of each version of each above game)

So we have a good game in 2001 followed by crap for 8 years then all of a sudden 2010 hits and we get 2 average games.  All right average is an improvement from below average (Unleashed & Heroes) and Failure (Unleashed).  We can now take this “Green Eyes is back” comment as just meaning “oh hey sorry for the bad games we just gave you 2 better ones now this year you’re getting a better one” que Sonic Anniverary.

Or at least we hope Sonic Anniversary is a good game.

Berlin and Green Eyes Refer to Something Totally Different

Leave it to Sonic Team to shatter our dreams.  Berlin could be a new character or Sonic goes fight the Nazis or something in an upcoming game.  As for Green Eyes I wouldn’t put it past Sonic Team to give Amy or Jet their own games this year.  I guess we’ll just have to wait but hey SIRF and ASSC Studios will keep you updating so check them every so often only at www.asscstudios.net

I’m just going to go through what Mr. Penders said and what I did not like about each statement.  I will just leave the statements I personally disliked.

“…neither Mike Pellerito or Ian really know what to do with either the characters or the stories beyond regurgitating what came before.”

Uh excuse me but you may be forgetting this is a comic series about a character not created by Archie.  The whole premise of this series is about “regurgitating” what Sega and DiC created before.  While Ken Penders was with the comic he used many elements from both Sega and DiC granted this was unavoidable but don’t make a comment like this when you basically said the same.  Plus when Penders started there were only 10 issues to go by when Ian Flynn started he had 160 issues of material to work with.  Yes it makes perfect sense to totally reboot a series that has been going for 160 issues because the writer left and his ideas should be removed.  Great idea.

“…I get e-mail all the time asking me about this character or that storyline, and it leaves me scratching my head wondering if Ian has ever attempted going beyond what any of us did, if he’s created a character like a Julie-Su or a Geoffrey St John…”

I’m pretty sure one of the main upsets Sonic fans have in general is the thirty billion characters that keep being added in all continuities.  Don’t get me wrong I like Geoffrey and Julie-Su I just hate how there’s so many other characters that I don’t get to see my favorite ones as often or how they always seem to take the spot light away from who the comic is about, Sonic.  And besides Ian Flynn did create a pretty in depth character, Regina Ferrum.  Though I’m sure people are going to get into specifics how the Iron Queen was created under Penders’ watch (though designed by writer/artist Frank Storm) and say he “regurgitated” the character but don’t forget in issue #71 they said the Iron Queen was a badger not an overlander.  Flynn mader her an Overlander and gave her a back story and gave her lackies who too have back stories.  This Iron Queen is not the same Iron Queen from #60.

“…or if he’s written something like an ENDGAME or THE DARK LEGION that people are still talking about years later…”

I’m sorry maybe you haven’t heard of the Iron Dominion Saga?  It may be no Endgame saga (which I must say Ken Penders did an excellent job on, I will NEVER knock the Endgame saga is was fantastic) but I’m sure it will be talked about years after.  Also Ian Flynn brought us Bold New Moebius of course the Eggman Empire Saga which almost rivals endgame.

“…The fact is I never relied on any other Archie-Sonic writer’s material for any of my stories…”

I’m sure if I had the time and effort I could go through my collection and prove this statement false.  And as I said earlier he’s writing a comic based on an idea he didn’t create.  I could understand if Ken Penders created Sonic but he did not and since he’s no longer working for Archie he really has no say how the stories go.

“…A thorough check of my work will show I never used a Karl-created character until I used Mina in SONIC #150, due more to a conversation with Mike P when working out the plot. Likewise, Athair may have appeared with the Ancient Walkers in the TAILS mini-series written by Mike Gallagher, but I had serious input with regards to Athair’s development before Mike G wrote that story, as I had with the young Knuckles story that appeared in SONIC SUPER SPECIAL #9, wherein I was handed a copy of the script and told to make whatever changes necessary in order for it to fit continuity as I saw it at the time…”

Pretty sure some of the stuff he says here contradicts the last quote I had.

“…I pretty much engaged in serious world building to keep the series interesting in the long run…”

Unfortunately a lot of those stories got dry (Mobius 25 Years Later anyone?)  And eventually you became too full of yourself for that exact reason and you took the Knuckles comics/storyline way too seriously and involved yourself way too much into it.

“…I didn’t hesitate to push for killing off Robotnik…”

True.  This lead to Endgame which was amazing..

“…and fighting to keep him dead, thus allowing Sonic to find new adversaries and new adventures…”

Wait, what?  You were fighting to keep Robotnik dead?  It’s like saying the head writer for Superman is gong to fight to keep Lex Luther dead.  You can’t permanently kill off the hero’s primary villain.  As a reminder most of the Sonic games where Eggman isn’t the main villain are pretty bad and Ian Flynn’s current storyline with the Iron Queen as the main villain is becoming stale and I am anticipating the true return of Dr. Ivo Robotnik.  It’s just not Sonic without him fighting the old egg belly.

“The map of Mobius I designed for SONIC SUPER SPECIAL #2 was so I’d always have a jumping off point for Sonic to have some new adventure or a new threat to engage him.”

Yeah because you used that map oh so much.  What for a year or two?  In my opinion Ian Flynn has been getting more use out of your map than you ever have.

“…In fact, many of the stories that appeared in issues #160 through #175 were based off an outline I submitted to Mike Pellerito around the time I turned in the script to SONIC #157…”

Touche.  Though I’m sure a quick search of the internet could point out the differences between your initial storylines and Ian’s.  Plus you have to remember that Ian grew up with Sonic and you didn’t.  These are most likely stories hes had in the back of his head ever since playing the Genesis or watching the cartoon on ABC’s old Saturday morning cartoon line up.  Hell you should be honored he’s doing this you gave him the inspiration.  Ian is a true Sonic fan and it must’ve killed him to read these remarks from you.

“…I didn’t pay attention until I caught the issue where Antoine married Bunnie, which was either the exact issue I slated the story for or off just by an issue or two in the outline I submitted…”

And I’m sure you were also upset when Ian made Sonic run really fast in that one issue too.  It was just kind of obvious this is how it was going to end up.  I’m sure if he didn’t have these two get hitched you would complain about something to do with bad handling of anti-Antoine being returned to Moebius or how the repercussions for Antonie prime should’ve been more severe something stupid like that.

“…All I had was an outline that could be claimed by some to be written after the fact, resulting in a pointless flame war because some would claim I was jealous or resentful…”

So why mention it all then?  You’ve created exactly what you claim you wanted to avoid.  I’m beginning to think Ken Penders is jealous of Ian Flynn’s success with his new stories and wants back into Archie.  I’m pretty sure a Penders-Flynn tag team of Archie stories would be every fanboys’ dream (especially mine).

“…The fact is I’m extremely happy where my life has led to these days. Not everyone gets the experience I do directing a film in Hollywood with real stars and trying to sell it to the studios and networks. My tenure on SONIC alone has given me serious street credit in this town and opened some very unexpected doors…”

I am actually very glad to hear this.  Ken Penders deserve this after the awesome he job with what he did with Sonic.

I have nothing to be resentful over and much to be grateful for.

“…So from where I sit, all Mike and Ian are doing is living off the work done by others that came before them instead of allowing SONIC to grow and evolve in a similar organic manner when I was on the book…”

See all of my above comments for my response to this.  It’s not your story any more.  How can you expect new writiers to take the reigns of a story with 160 main issues, 35 spinoff issues, 16 Mini Series Issues, and 23 special issues.  Yes let’s just reboot the entire series because one writer left, makes perfect sense.

“…I especially don’t consider anything either does with any of the echidna characters…”

Oh god here it comes,

“…– especially Locke – to be canon as neither created the characters nor established them in stories as the viable fan favorites they’ve become…”

and here it is.  The obsession with Knuckles.  If I remember correctly weren’t the Knuckles comics canceled after 32 issues due to poor sales?

“…No matter what Ian writes, he can never alter the fact that in MY universe…”

You mean Archie’s universe right?  Pretty sure earlier in your statements you acknowledged other writers.  Basically what I gather here on your stories count.  So nothing Karl Bollers or Mike Gallagher count either then?  That’s how I read that statement.

“…the events of Locke’s passing as depicted in SONIC #143 is canon…”

I don’t think anyone here will argue with that.  However I’m pretty sure in one of the off panels it said that the Mobius 25 Years Later saga might be an alternate universe/zone.  Plus Ian established that after Sonic fixed the timeline or whatever from your arc of this saga the timeline changed anyone.  Another instance of “oops the writer changed.”

“…Anything he writes can easily be counter-written by a better story with an alternative solution…”

And I’m sure that’s exactly what will happen once Ian Flynn leaves the series.

I hope I wasn’t too hard on Ken Penders.  Like I keep stating I have nothing against him just what he said.  The story no longer is being written by him and as much he complains he can’t do anything about it unless he reapplies at Archie which he probably won’t.  So please Mr. Penders do yourself a favor and stop complaining about things you can not control .  I’m sure the writers before you felt the same way as did the ones that were around the same time as you.  At least now there seems to be only one flat storyline not the jumbled mess of confusing storylines and intersecting arcs you and the other writers that wrote during your stay on the series seemed to have.  Oh well.  Just give Ian Flynn a chances think of where you were at with 50 issues under your belt.  You had Endgame he has Eggman Empire.  In my opinion he is just where you were at issue 60.  But still you gave us some good issues and now the torch has been passed and now Ian Flynn has been giving us some good issues as well.  It’s his story now not yours and you’re just going to have deal with it and accept that what he writes is canon no matter what you think because he still works for Archie and you don’t.

On October 1, 2009 I figured there would be a 67% this would be a Sonic game and it was.  A point for this game to be good.

Game Will Be Good: 1
Game Will Suck: 0

On October 16, 2009 I guessed there would be a 63% this game would be developed by Sonic Team.  It has since been revealed I was wrong and that good ol’ Dimps will be the developer.  Another point for this game not going to suck because let’s face it all of the Advance series were great, as was Sonic Rush (minus the jumps and physics at times), Unleashed for the Wii was better/easier than the 360 version, and Pocket Adventure shows they do indeed have a great respect for the past games.

Game Will Be Good: 2
Game Will Suck: 0

On November 16, 2009 I gave it a 50/50 tie for the game to be 2D or not and strangely enough I was right sort of.  Sonic 4 is using some sort of design where there’s 3D rendering over 2D sprites making them 3D sprites almost like how they do 2.5D almost.  Now some people hate all 3D Sonic games and automatically hate anything 3D Sonic and will say this game sucks because it’s not 2D.  On the other hand we have to think that if the technology is there and since this is being released on HD and SD consoles we might as well use it.  And let’s just face it graphically 3D/2.5D/3D designs overlaying 2D sprites look a lot better than 16-bit sprites.  You know it does, don’t deny that this Sonic looks better than this Sonic .

So I’m actually going to give this point to not sucking.

Game Will Be Good: 3
Game Will Suck: 0

Finally on January 11, 2010 I said there was a 23% chance of this game to be released on the 360 and Ps3 now though technically this is true this game will be downloadable via XBLA, PSN, and WiiWare of which I gave only an 8% chance of happening so thus I was wrong.  This is where I’m giving a point to suckage.  Sonic has always been released as a physical game let it be cartridge or disc the games have been something you could hold.  Downloadable unless it’s for past games is crap.  That really tells you what our favorite hedgehog has come to.  I just hope that after all the episodes are over with they release all of them together on a multiplatform release on a disc.

Game Will Be Good: 3
Game Will Suck: 1

So in conclusion I give this game a 75% chance of not sucking but there’s still a 25% chance that it will.  I guess we’re going to have to wait until July to find out.  You know my first impressions will be up the day after the release date.  In the mean time stay tuned for more information.  Keep coming to SIRF/ASSC Studios only at www.asscstuidos.net for the latest Sonic 4 information as long as my computer keeps working.  Until next time.

So I’m sure the real question on everyone’s mind (besides is this game going to be another disappointing Sonic Title) is where will it be released on?  We find ourselves in the middle of another council war one that may be just as if not more intense than the one seen in the 1990s between Nintendo, Sega, and later on Sony.

Point #1: There is an emphasis on HD graphics for this game.

HD graphics?  That should be easy enough to end the argument right there.  Only the 360 and PS3 offer HD graphics on their home systems and as we’ve seen with Sonic 06 we shouldn’t put it past Sega to release it on these two systems over the Wii and just give us another random spin off title (or Story Book Title) on Nintendo’s system.  Also during my original research on what was known of this game and the rumors that went with it was that on I stumbled across an article from the Official Nintendo Magazine that basically said that Nintendo was unsure of where Needlemouse was going to be played on and to me at least reading between the lines seemed to indicate a 360/PS3 release.

However there is good ol’ Gamespy and another website I found called Siliconera who both listed this game as a Wii title.  Perhaps they know something we (and apparently Sega) doesn’t even know?  Now though the Wii is SD (Super Definition) it is not HD however it is possible that the trailer is talking about the game somehow interacting with fancy new HD TVs.  Though possible this is highly unlikely and would probably be very costly for Sega to do.  The hand held systems also are not in HD neither are most of the downloadable games from Xbox Live, PSN, and Wii Ware.  Points awarded to PS3/360 release.

360/PS3/Wii/DS/PSP:
360/PS3/Wii:
360/PS3: 1
DS/PSP:
360:
PS3:
PSP:
Wii:
DS:
Downloadable:

Point #2: Emphasis on 2D

The PS3 and 360 are great systems and most of their games have amazing graphics it would be a shame to release a 2D games on these systems.  Thought he HD 16-bit graphics would be amazing it’s kind of a waste for the type of power these systems have.  Unless of course it’s only going to be on the PSN or Xbox Live as downloadable content then that would make sense.  This is a big possibility as Capcom did the same thing with the release of Mega Man 9 and released them on the 3 consoles’ downloadable content areas.   It would probably be cheaper for Sega to do this and would not have to worry about over or under production.

Speaking of precedents, there’s also what Nintendo did with the new Super Mario Game.  Say it’s 2D, but make it a 3D platfromer, you know kind of what Sega attempted to do with Unleashed and failed miserably at?

Of course there are always the hand held consoles.  These games have many 2D and 2.5D titles so it’s possible that this a a release for one of these two systems each of which have their own Sonic series already on them (Rush series on the DS and the Rivals series on the PSP).  But let us not forget these series are in 2.5D so and how the “main” series’ games are usually released on a home console.  We can bring this point one step more forward and say that because most of the main games are released on the main consoles and not as downloads this game will probably be no different.  Also let us not forget what they did with Unleashed released an HD game for the PS3/360 and an SD game for the Wii.  Point to the big 3.

360/PS3/Wii/DS/PSP:
360/PS3/Wii: 1
360/PS3: 1
DS/PSP:
360:
PS3:
PSP:
Wii:
DS:
Downloadable:

Point #3: More Sonic games on Nintendo Systems.

This is very true.  Since the collapse of Sega as a system maker and going only to the developer category more Sonic games have been released for the Nintendo consoles.  Hell, we even saw a rerelease of the Sonic Adventure Series on the Gamecube.  Sega has kindly given Nintendo the Storybook, Rush, Chronicle, Advance, Battle, and Olympic game series and basically gave an industry “FU” to Sony and Microsoft.  (More so Microsoft because Sony got the rival series as well as the multiple system releases).  Also because of this emphasis on 2D it would make more sense for this to come out for the Wii or a hand held system (in this case the DS).

However now we must go back to the whole HD argument and how the only true HD consoles are the 360 and PS3 and let us not forget that Sonic 06 was never released for the Wii and probably never will be (Nintendo dodged that bullet).  But we can take this one step further and say this game may be a PS3 exclusive because of the leaked memo in the fall over how the PSN was going to start releasing the old Sonic Dreamcast titles.

This is kind of a tough one to award a point to however because and only because of the HD emphasis I am going to award the point to a PS3/360 release.  Sonic 06 should teach us this is totally possible and it will give Sega an excuse to create another game that will be only sold for the Wii.

360/PS3/Wii/DS/PSP:
360/PS3/Wii: 1
360/PS3: 2
DS/PSP:
360:
PS3:
PSP:
Wii:
DS:
Downloadable:

Now I don’t want to award 0 points to the others as there is always the possibility of one of these situations arising so I’m adding +1 to all.

360/PS3/Wii/DS/PSP: 1
360/PS3/Wii: 2
360/PS3: 3
DS/PSP: 1
360: 1
PS3: 1
PSP: 1
Wii: 1
DS: 1
Downloadable: 1

So this now gives us a total of 13 points with the following percentages:

360/PS3/Wii/DS/PSP: 8%
360/PS3/Wii: 15%
360/PS3: 23%
DS/PSP: 8%
360: 8%
PS3: 8%
PSP: 8%
Wii: 8%
DS: 8%
Downloadable: 8%

Now that we are fairly certain that Sonic Team will be behind the development of this game we must ask ourselves if it’s going to be a 3D title or a 2D title.  Once again I will go over my original points from September and give a score for 2D and 3D.

Point #1: The Trailer States this game will be a 2D Adventure

Figured I’d make this point first so I could rile up all you trolls even more because I know you all kept reading after I told you to stop.  The trailer comes out and says that this game is going to be a brand new 2d adventure or something like that.  If it says it in the trailer it must be true.

But of course Sonic Team/Sega has lied to us so many times like saying that the next main/core/whatever Sonic game is going to be good (I still have nightmares about playing Sonic 06).  Not to mention that Sonic Unleashed was supposed to be “2D” as well and it wasn’t, a point which I should hopefully touch upon later on in this post.

Well we really can’t deny the fact that the trailer said it is 2d (though this still won’t make you trolls happy).  Since the trailer says it’s 2D this point goes to 2D.
Is a 2D Game: 1
Is not a 2D Game: 0

Point #2: Fan out cry in recent years to return to 2D

Before I even touch upon this I want to remind everyone that since Sonic Adventure there has been 4 2D games (I only count Pocket and all 3 Advance games because everything else is 2.5D and Battle was some sort of weird combo of 2 and 2.5, 2.25d perhaps?).  So really I don’t know why people keep complaining about not having 2D games, it’s only been 5 years since the last one.

Now back to what we were talking about.  Fans keep complaining that there hasn’t been any 2D games and that Sonic is only good in 2D (yet they fail to remember some of the old Game Gear games).  If a company wants to keep making a profit and wants to get people to buy the product they make they need to listen to their customers.  Sega and Sonic Team have both under gone staff changes since not only Sonic Heroes and Sonic 06 but as recently as Unleashed.  We can only hope that these new business people (because they are in it as a business to make profit as much as we the fans may want to believe otherwise) will listen to the majority of the fans (or it may even be the loudest of the fans) and make a 2D game.

Well that’s all fine and dandy but we should expect the worse from Sonic Team.  Didn’t they also promise us that Sonic 06 was going to be a reinvention of the original Sonic 1 for Genesis or some BS like that?  Plus there’s also that rumor going around that Sonic Team is actually being purposely making crappy games so Sega can give them a rest on Sonic for a while (which tell you the truth as much of a die-hard fan I am of the Blue Blur that’s probably best in all seriousness he’s second to Mario as the whore of video games).  If Sonic Team wants to give Sonic a rest as much as this rumor says they do they’ll most likely produce another crappy game.  But that’s not what we’re talking about.  We’re talking about it being 2D or 3D and there have in fact been good 3D games (Sonic Adventure 2 as much as no one wants to admit it any more because of SA2B).  But you do have to realize as well I am talking about Sega lying to us about Sonic games too.  Since they have lied to us in the past I must give this point to 3D mainly due that they said Unleashed was going to be 2D but was not.

Is a 2D Game: 1
Is not a 2D Game: 1

Point #3: Sonic Unleashed Claimed to be 2D

Finally I come to it.  Ok trolls you’re going to have to do some research which I know you hate doing but go surf the intertubes and find old posts about Sonic Unleashed where press releases made it sound like the game was going to be in 2D.  Sonic Unleashed was done rather well in the graphics department and the Hedgehog levels were great BASED upon 2D platforming at points sometimes switching over to 3D gameplay but still giving us linear paths as we saw in the Genesis games.  If Sonic Team learned anything from Unleashed (which I’m sure they didn’t) they’ll probably take this lead and program it with 3D graphics but make it seem like a 2D platformer in-game play and hopefully without any Werehogs too.

It has been 5 years since Sonic Advance 3 the last real true 2D Sonic game, at least in my opinion.  So maybe it really is time to go back to 2D?  Mega man did it so why not Sonic?

The real kicker to awarding this point to 2D once again goes back to what it said in the trailer.  For now we’ll just assume the trailer is telling the truth and they will not take the Sonic Unleashed path.  However when the game comes out and it’s in 3D don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Is a 2D Game: 2
Is not a 2D Game: 1

Point #4: 2.5D anyone?

Ah yes 2.5D a way to have good graphics and still great platforming gameplay without introducing a werehog (let’s ignore the cellphone version of Unleashed for the moment).  If you’ve poured all of this money into graphics over the years this is the way to go.  You can make beautiful artwork but at the same time maintain your graphically intense characters.  Kind of a win win situation.  You can see what I mean in Sonic Rush…well sort of as sometimes the characters seemed out-of-place or too pixellated but it looks like Rivals got the hang of it though.  I can see them saying it’s 2D and releasing it as 2.5D especially since a lot of people refer to the Rush and Rival series as 2D as they are not true 3d like Unleashed and 06.

Once again the only real argument against this is that the trailer said it’s 2D not 2.5D but then again I doubt trailer would get that specific (why do I have a feeling some troll is going to send me a link to a YouTube video that’s a game trailer that says 2.5d in it?).  So I’m just going to award this to not 2D as most likely 2.5d would be the route Sonic Team will be going since they mentioned 2d in the trailer

Is a 2D Game: 2
Is not a 2D Game: 2

There we have it folks a 50/50 tie for this being a 2D game.  Now I’ll just await the hate comments to pour in like last time!

btw happy Sonic 2 Day, it’s been a great 17 years with that game!

Because of that news article posted last month we know SEGA is publishing the title.  If you think otherwise you should be slapped silly with a wet salmon.  The point of SEGA NOT publishing this title is moot so don’t even bother in sending me nasty emails with “proof” SEGA is not the publisher of this game in development.  If you do send such an email the next SIRF blog will just be me ridiculing and making fun of you and if I really have to I’ll FedEx you a wet salmon.

With that said let’s look at the possible developers of this game.  I will do this in a similar fashion I did the last blog by discussing the yay and nay from all my bullet points that I posted in September.  I will also have the running “score” throughout the post.

Point #1 : The trailer makes references to elements of the Sonic Series.

Sonic Team has been developing the elements of the Sonic series really since 1989 when the internal competition began to find Sega a new mascot.  Since 1991 when Sonic 1 for Genesis was first released Sonic Team (in which I count Sonic Team Japan, Sonic Team USA/STI/SegaStudio USA, Sonic Team International, and SOME UGA games) has developed 19 Sonic games (including compilations, spin offs, alternative releases, and re-releases) and has helped co-produce 17 other titles.  This means Sonic Team is responsible for 36 Sonic Titles of 62 meaning Sonic Team has been responsible for just under 60% of all Sonic Titles released in almost 20 years.  Sonic Team are the ones that have created the ring and speed elements and were the ones that created the original Sonic 1 title screen that seems to be shadowed in the Project Needlemouse Trailer.  Plus hey Wikipedia is showing that Project Needlemouse is part of the main Sonic Console Series and Sonic Team has been responsible for every main console series (if we chose to ignore Dimps’ involvement in the Wii/PS2 Version of Unleashed which I will for the sake of argument).  This is the internet so Wikipedia never lies.

Well that’s great that Sonic Team has been involved in 60% of Sonic games, the keyword being involved, but what of the other 40%?  Plus if we take out all the ones they’ve co-produced it’s really only about 30%.  Drops quite a bit there doesn’t it?  So yeah Sonic Team may have started the elements seen in the trailer but this leaves 70% of the series that they did not have total control over meaning a lot of what we have come to associate with the Sonic Series was really made from out side development companies (outside companies include other internal Sega Divisions).  Plus the Wikipedia thing may apply to the internet but to reality it doesn’t quite hold.    That’s why most college professors won’t allow their students to use a free, editable encyclopedia, that the whole world has access to.

From what the  numbers show there is a good chance that Sonic Team may not be involved in this project.  Wikipedia is really the only source claiming this to be the next console main Sonic Team.  Who is the say this is even a main game?  It could be a spin off.  And if it claims to be 2D (a discussion for another time) then it’s possible it could be a handheld game which Dimps usually [co]produces.

Produced by Sonic Team: 1
Not Produced by Sonic Team: 0

Point #2: There are similarties between the shadowed logo at the end and the original 16-bit Sonic 1 title Screen.

Sonic Team produced Sonic 1 for Genesis.  There is no doubting that if you do then you get FedExed the Wet Salmon.  Sonic 1 Created this title Screen and reused it for Sonic 2 only with Tails and later similar looking titles for CD, 3, and others.  Sonic Team likes reusing things just look at the similarities between the box art for Ristar and Sonic 3.  This shadow looks too similar to not be a game produced by Sonic Team.

Ok so Sonic Team has reused this title screen a few times, but guess what in Sonic Pocket Adventure the Sonic 1 title screen is used only with the updated Sonic from Sonic Adventure.  Dimps produced this game.  Oops.  Guess it’s not exclusive to Sonic Team only games after all now is it?  So what that four games have used this title screen?  How about all the other games that have not?  Plus let us not forget that the Sonic 1 Genesis title screen was really just a rip off of the Alex Kidd title screen.  The title screen means nothing.

Both good arguments but in a time of rip offs, parodies, and reboots the Sonic 1 title screen to the similarities of Project Needlemouse’s shadow means nothing.  Really in my opinion the most damning piece of evidence is the Alex Kidd argument.

Produced by Sonic Team: 2
Not Produced by Sonic Team: 0

Point #3: It is assumed this is the next in the main Sonic titles, Sonic Team/Sonic Team USA (formally STI) is usually responsible for the main Sonic titles.

This was all ready brought up.  All of the main Sonic games are produced by one of the many sub-divisions of Sonic Team.  Yes Wikipedia can be edited by anyone anywhere but their moderators are usually pretty good at checking facts, updates, and fixing any mistakes intentional or not.  Plus this was released with a Sega press release so it’s the next canon Sonic game.

The Wikipedia moderators are human (we think) and have biases too.  Plus on Wikipedia there is a coalition of Sonic Fans that “moderate” the Sonic posts day and night for truth.  Let’s face it the Sonic community is pretty divided over just about everything and most sides to any Sonic issue can’t get along so do you really expect us to believe this Wikipedia group can?  No.  Plus this group is not affiliated with Wikipedia in any way.  This group probably wants this to be the next canon Sonic game and the real Wikipedia moderators have no facts backing it up so for the time being they are keeping the things they are.

We can’t base this entire argument on Wikipedia.  Most likely this is the next canon/main console Sonic game as there has not been one in awhile and Sonic Team has produced all of these titles.  Point to Sonic Team.

Produced by Sonic Team: 2
Not Produced by Sonic Team: 1

Point #4: Game claims to be 2D.  Most 2D Sonic titles are made by Dimps.

The 2D argument really should be made another time so I’m just going to touch upon the developmental aspect of this nothing else.  The next SIRF blog will discussion the gameplay and if it will be 2D or not.

Sonic Team generally puts the best quality graphics wise in their games no matter the system.  As crappy as Sonic 2006 was the graphics were beautiful same thing with Sonic Unleashed.  Now when they don’t want to push themselves to far Dimps come in (Wii Unleashed, Advance, etc) and makes a less graphically pleasing game (hey Sonic Rush was great but the graphic were eh in my opinion).  So it makes no sense for the next console Sonic game developed by Sonic Team is going to be 2D if they did such a great job with the 3D renderings in Sonic Unleashed the last main console title.

Did you ever think that Sonic Team may be trying to go back to its roots?  The development team has gotten so much criticism the past couple years only focusing on graphics and ignoring plot, continuity, camera angle, etc, etc.  You really can’t mess most of that up with a 2D title.  Besides I’m sure the 2D graphics will look superb on a 360 or PS3.

Sonic Team doesn’t really have a good track record of making non-2D games since sprites went away.  Don’t forget Unleashed was claimed to be 2D as well and look what we got.  Sonic Team doesn’t get this point.

Produced by Sonic Team: 3
Not Produced by Sonic Team: 1

Point #5: Yuji Naka, former head of Sonic Team, runs PROPE another company that develops games for SEGA to publish.  PROPE has been developing a “secret game” since 2008.

What’s a true main Sonic series without the development of Sonic Team?  Sure Naka may have been there in the beginning but he’s gone now.  He’s out of Sonic Team so why would he want to start making new Sonic games since he left in 2006?  He got tired of the blue hedgehog so why go back to Sonic now that he founded his own company outside of Sonic Team?

Naka was one of the big 3 involved in the creation of Sonic.  He is usually credited as the “father” of the franchise.  So why not make a new Sonic game.  He may have left Sonic Team but he’s a businessman he wants profit and he got tons of it being head of Sonic Team for so long.  Besides he was working on Sonic games so long it may be what he knows best.  Even Let’s Tap has a lot of elements for Sonic Games in it.  He may be regretting leaving Sonic Team and he wants to go back to something he loved doing.

Now it is plausible that PROPE is working on Needlemouse however this argument is based just on one development company.  We just can’t have that so I am going to have award this point to Sonic Team on these grounds.

Produced by Sonic Team: 3
Not Produced by Sonic Team: 2

Point #6: There is no Sonic team logo present in the trailer.

So there’s no logo, so what?  Just because a developer did not put their log in the trailer it doesn’t prove anything.  It’s like saying there’s not console logo in the trailer so it won’t be playable on any console system.

There’s no logo so there for Sonic Team didn’t do it.  Does this really need anymore explanation?

The logo point really doesn’t seem to mean much.  The point is awarded to Sonic Team.

Produced by Sonic Team: 3
Not Produced by Sonic Team: 3

Point #7: Rumored to not to be published by Sonic Team.

This is a rumor so it really should carry no merit.

Rumors are usually started from some sort of truth.  Maybe another internal division?  Maybe Prope?

I’m going to have to side against the rumor as all rumors really should be looked at skeptically until proven true.  Point for Sonic Team.

Produced by Sonic Team: 4
Not Produced by Sonic Team: 3

Point: 8: Sega of America gave the interview assumed to be connected to the trailer not Sega of Japan.

That’s great SoA gave the interview and all but who is the big Sega publisher in the States?  Sonic Team USA or whatever their name is nowadays.  This should squash any PROPE rumors as well.

Who is even to say that a Sega division is publishing it?  Bioware is from Canada and they’ve made a Sonic Team.  Traveller’s Tales is out of England and they’ve made a few Sonic games.  Sega is a publisher their internal development divisions really have no say or control what Sega wants them to develop and Sega can very well hire an outside developer.

It really was never stated that a Sega developer was working this title.  However until we hear otherwise we have to assume that an internal Sega Developer is working on the title.  Point to Sonic Team.

Produced by Sonic Team: 5
Not Produced by Sonic Team: 3

There we have it 5 for Sonic Team 3 against.  Damn and I was really hoping for another Bioware title too.  Oh well but now from this blog it’s looking like a 63% that Sonic Team will be the developer of this game.

I am going to look at each point individually showing both why each point stated either point to or don’t point to Project Needlemouse being the next Sonic game.  Then I will do a quick write up of MY OPINION in what I think is right, tally it up, see what comes up on top of for or against and write a quick thing at the end about the “winning” results.  I will keep doing this each update until I go through all topics covered on the 25 or until new information arises.  Regardless though whenever I stop I will do one final blog detailing the results/”winnings” of each blog to determine how good this game will end up being.

Point #1:

Rings, Sonic Sound Effects, mention of speed, and a fast paced blue blur are all present in the trailer.

The sound effects in Sonic games really haven’t changed much since 1991.  Sure there’s been variation and improvement as time and technology progresses but for the most part power ups, rings, etc, have pretty much been recognizable since the first Sonic game.

These sound effects have been used in various Sega games over the years as well as any time Sonic has made a cameo, and let us not forget about Smash Bros. Brawl here.  Then of course there’s Shadow the Hedgehog that has all the elements of a Sonic game and is based on a Sonic character but doesn’t have Sonic as the main character.

The cases for the sound effects can apply to the usage of rings as well.

Sonic is known as the Blue Blur and can run at the speed of sound (faster as Super or Hyper Sonic) and there is a fast moving blue blur in the trailer.  This should make it more than obvious that this the next Sonic game and not a spin off game!

Well we shouldn’t forget that Metal Sonic has all the same capabilities as the true Blue Blur.  He’s become conscious and escaped Eggma’s clutches once before whose to say it won’t happen again?  Also even though the blur looked Blue it also looks similar to the color used on Silver when he does his telekinetic moves.  Though Silver is usually shown as being a slow character we mustn’t forget that he keeps changing the past thus changing his present meaning it’s possible during one of the time shifting paradoxes he created he (or an alternate version of him which would make a similar paradox to the one Blaze has) he ended up becoming fast.  Given that a game was developed based on Shadow and Silver and Metal Sonic have been more prevalent in recent games and on top of everything the polls the various Sega divisions have been having of favorite characters and/or which one you want to see in their own game it could be safe it has at least been considered in Sega meetings for Metal or Silver to have their own game.  Who is to say this isn’t that game?

Though the sound effects and rings have been a reoccurring theme through the Sonic series we can not forget cameos and spin offs.  Since we have Shadow the Hedgehog we can’t put it past Sega to publishing another spin off title so I am going to have to unfortunately issue this first point to not a Sonic Game.

Not A Sonic Game:1
Is A Sonic Game: 0

There are similarities between the shadowed image at the end of the trailer screen with that from the title screen of Sonic 1 for Genesis.

On the left is the end of the Project Needlemouse trailer and on the right is the Sonic 1 Title Screen.  Look how close they look.  If we shadow out the Sonic 1 title screen it gets even more obvious.

On top is the title screen from Sonic 1 and the bottom is from the trailer.  Clear cut don’t you think?  Or is?  Look closely at the image from the trailer.

If you notice here where the red would be in Sonic 1 there’s a different tone of black.  This does not occur later on where the circle Looney Tunes continues to his head.  Looks like his head is too round so it can’t be Sonic!  Oh no!

Then of course you do some fancy color changing and you notice yes in deed is separates and you can see the distinguishing characteristics of Sonic’s Spine from Sonic 1.  Looks like we have a point for this being a Sonic game or do we?

Take a quick look at this site: http://blogs.sega.com/usa/2009/09/10/fans-take-a-guess-at-project-needlemouse/#more-2722

Now that you’re back, we can probably quickly assume that Sally is out of the question and probably the trio of Silver, Shadow, and Big (at least we hope on that one).  Robotnik is a possibility seeing as we have gotten to play as him before.  I can also see Pikachu seeing Sega and Nintendo are all chummy now plus technically Pikachu and Sonic have been in a game together (Brawl).

Now it’s obvious all of these things are jokes.  But we must take into account that Shadow, Silver, Metal, and Amy are all hedgehogs (alright Metal’s a robot but he’s a robotic hedgehog).  And given what I said above about the whole color issues this point goes to not a Sonic game.

Not A Sonic Game: 2
Is A Sonic Game: 0

Mr. Needlemouse was the original name for a series of a rough concept art done by Naoto Oshima some time before 1990.  Mr. Needlemouse would become Mr. Hedgehog by 1990 when Oshima-san made a finalized concept sketch of a blue hedgehog with red shoes and fangs.  The concept art was submitted to Sega of America and altered to what we now know as Sonic the Hedgehog.

Well there’s really no arguing with this one.

Here’s all of the Mr. Needlemouses Oshima wrote drew on the napkin.  At least two of them look like what would become Mr. Hedgehog.

Here he is, Mr. Hedgehog.  We all know where it went from there then there was that alternation in 1998.  It’s doubtful that after 19 years Sega will be bringing back a concept character that would become one of the biggest video game characters of all time.  This point goes to pro Sonic game.

Not A Sonic Game: 2
Is A Sonic Game: 1

Several credible sources claim this to be a Sonic game.  In the same sense  credible sources have said this is not a Sonic game.  However in my research I have found more sites indicating yes to a Sonic game.  This point is hands down.

Not A Sonic Game: 2
Is A Sonic Game: 2

SEGA has stated they were going to publish a game similar to a classic SEGA title.  Though there are similarities to the classic Genesis Sonic Team Sega has been stating for quite some time for an interest to bring back the Alex Kidd series.  In the early 1990s after the release of Sonic 1 there was an idea to keep the Alex Kidd series going only Alex Kidd would be stuck within other Sega games, one of them being Sonic.

However I highly doubt that they’ve been clinging to this idea of having Alex Kidd run through Green Hill Zone for almost 20 years.  You know how much staff must have gone through Sega since they first conceived this idea?  Though it is likely Alex Kidd is going to return I doubt he’ll be collecting rings and Chaos Emeralds anytime soon unless you count the Sega All Star Series.  And for sake of argument let’s not.

Not A Sonic Game: 2
Is A Sonic Game: 3

It is speculation and assumed this is a Sonic game due to it being released along with an interview with the Sega of America president.  Gamespy is claiming this is Wii game along with a Sonic game however most other places claim it will be released for the 360 and or the PS3 as the game is supposed to be in High Def, the Wii is not a High Def system.  Wrong on the system could mean wrong on the title.

But getting the platform screwed up during a teaser trailer isn’t uncommon.  The fact that it is mentioned in the press release that this trailer is a Sonic game is probably the best evidence so far.  You really can’t argue otherwise after reading the press release.  Haven’t read well it’s located here: http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/projectneedlemouse/news.html?sid=6216990&mode=previews

If that still doesn’t convince you then I’m sorry but I’m going to have to call you stupid.

Not A Sonic Game: 2
Is A Sonic Game: 4

There you have it folks more points indicating that it is a Sonic game.  Mathematically this would give it a 67% that is a Sonic game.  So let’s keep our fingers crossed.  So until next time!

What we know from the trailer

• Sound effects from previous Sonic titles were used in the trailer
• The game is due out some time in 2010
• Sega is the Publisher
• The mysterious shadowed image loos SIMILAR to the title screen of Sonic 1 for Genesis.
• The game promotes speed and is supposed to be in 2D.

What we could probably safely assume from the trailer

• Judging by the sound effects, use of rings, shadowed tile, the call for speed, and the super fast blue blur bouncing around all over the place this is most likely a Sonic game.

Though there are many signs in the trailer that point to a 2D, fast paced, Sonic Game, most likely published by Sonic team there are many things we need to take into consideration for all of those.

Signs pointing to this being the Next Sonic Game

• As stated above the use of rings, Sonic Sound Effects, mention of speed, a fast paced blue blur bouncing around in the trailer.
• The similarities between the shadowed image at the end and the title screen from Sonic 1 for Sega Genesis.
• Mr. Needlemouse was the original name for a series of a rough concept art done by Naoto Oshima some time before 1990.  Mr. Needlemouse would become Mr. Hedgehog by 1990 when Oshima-san made a finalized concept sketch of a blue hedgehog with red shoes and fangs.  The concept art was submitted to Sega of America and altered to what we now know as Sonic the Hedgehog.
• Several credible sources claim this to be a Sonic game such as Nintendo, Gamespot, and IGN.

Signs pointing to this NOT being the Next Sonic Game

• The logo is shadowed.  Though it looks very similar to the title screen of Sonic 1 SEGA decided for whatever reason to hide the logo/character.
• The case has been made that the shadowed character does not look like Sonic.
• SEGA has stated they were going to publish a game similar to an classic SEGA title.  Though there are similarities to the classic Genesis Sonic Team Sega has be stating for quite some time for an interest to bring back the Alex Kidd series.  In the early 1990s after the release of Sonic 1 there was an idea to keep the Alex Kidd series going only Alex Kidd would be stuck within other Sega games, one of them being Sonic.
• It is speculation and assumed this is a Sonic game due to it being released along with an interview with the Sega of America president.  Gamespy is claiming this is Wii game along with a Sonic game however most other places claim it will be released for the 360 and or the PS3 as the game is supposed to be in High Def, the Wii is not a High Def system.  Wrong on the system could mean wrong on the title.

Signs pointing to Sonic Team is responsible for title

• References to Sonic series.
• Similarities with Sonic 1 title screen.
• It is assumed this is the next in the main Sonic titles, Sonic Team/Sonic Team USA (formally STI) is usually responsible for the main Sonic titles.

Signs pointing to Sonic Team NOT being responsible for title

• Game claims to be 2D.  Most 2D Sonic titles are made by Dimps.
• Yuji Naka, former head of Sonic Team, runs PROPE another company that develops games for SEGA to publish.  PROPE has been developing a “secret game” since 2008.
• There is no Sonic team logo present in the trailer.
• Rumored to not to be published by Sonic Team.
• Sega of America gave the interview assumed to be connected to the trailer not Sega of Japan.

Signs pointing to this game being in 2D

• The trailer states this game will be a 2D adventure.
• There has been outcry from Sonic fans for years for Sonic to return to 2D.  There has also be recent changes in the staff of Sonic Team and SEGA North America, Japan, and Europe leading to a possibility a new staff may listen to more of a fan input.

Signs pointing to this game NOT being in 2D

• Sonic Unleashed claimed to be in 2D.
• Most likely the game would be similar in fashion to Sonic Rush making it actually 2.5D (Sonic Rush series, Sonic Rival Series, Sonic Chronicles, Sonic 3D Blast, various special stages.  Note that if the game is similar to Sonic Chronicles style of sprites/characters/background it is possible Bioware could be the developer as the left Sonic Chronicles with a cliffhanger ending).

Signs pointing to this being released for a home console

• Gamespy placed this title in progress under the Wii section on their website.
• Nintendo seems to lean toward this game to be for the 360/PS3
• Emphasis on HD.  the 360 and PS3 are HD systems.  The PSP and DS are not HD.  Most titles found on Wii Ware, 360 Market Place, and the Playstation Network are not in HD.

Signs pointing to this NOT being released for a home console

• Emphasis on 2D.  Most games released for the Wii, 360, and PS3 are in 3D.
• 2D would imply if it is for a home console it may be downloadable such as Megaman 9.
• PSP and DS still have 2D titles, but mainly 2.5D.

Signs pointing to this being Nintendo exclusive.

• Sega has been publishing more Sonic titles for Nintendo than Microsoft and Sony since the end of the Dreamcast era.
• 2D game seems to indicate Wiiware or Nintendo DS
• The Storybook, Rush, Chronicle, Advance, Battle games/series are all Nintendo exclusive.

Signs pointing to this being Microsoft exclusive.

• Emphasis on HD.  The 360 is a true HD system.

Signs pointing to this being Sony exlusive.

• Emphasis on HD.  The PS3 is a true HD system.
• The recently leaked internal memo from Sega stating Sonic and Dreamcast title [re]releases on the PS3 and Playstation Network.
• The Sonic Rivals Series is Sony Exclusive.

Signs pointing to this being for the 360 and PS3 not the Wii

• Emphasis on HD.  The 360 and PS3 are both HD systems.
• Sonic the Hedgehog ’06 was never released for the Wii.

So this is the information I have come across so far.  As I find more I will make more updates similar to this.  In the mean time instead of Comics I will be working on blogs that go with each topic areas covered above.  Best we could do no matter what is just wait to see what 2010 has to offer us.