Sonic Team Interview November 2005

Our newest interview with Sega's Sonic Team takes us to Akinori Nishiyama and Takashi Yuda, for discussion on everything from Sonic Rush to Riders and lots more Sega stuff besides.

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Kikizo: We've heard a very strong rumour about some secret characters in Sonic Riders, like NiGHTS and Billy Hatcher.

Yuda: I can't really say anything, other than yes, there will be secret characters, and it will be quite a surprise. As you go along the storyline, you'll encounter new characters.

Kikizo: How did you choose the base character line-up - did you look at things like Sonic X characters or characters like Cream the Rabbit? Could you include those for example?

Yuda: There's this storyline element to Sonic Riders, and they were just chosen in terms of the storyline... so, whoever is suitable for a particular part of the storyline is going to be in there.

Kikizo: What kind of user do you hope that Sonic Riders will appeal to?

Yuda: We made the game so that it would please the core Sonic fans. That's the most important thing. But we put lots of multiplayer games in as well, because we want as many people to enjoy the game as possible, and to really get into Sonic.

Kikizo: How many different departments there are inside Sonic Team right now? After Next-gen Sonic, we have Shadow the Hedgehog, PSU, things like Project Rub 2, and so on. It seems like a lot going on. Also, what's your opinion the team's other products, like Shadow?

Yuda: There aren't exactly different departments within Sonic Team - it's just one Sonic Team! But currently, we are working with [counts...] seven different titles! I think that Shadow was a really good idea. It's certainly a challenge for the team. There's actually one theory that Shadow might become more popular than Sonic.

Kikizo: Right. I also wondered about Yojiro Ogawa; he told us at TGS that he's on a secret new project... does he have any involvement in Riders? Have you been working with him on anything else?

Yuda: Well, Ogawa-san is now actually the manager, so he's involved in assigning people to projects - people management - so he's not really involved in a particular project more than any other, per-se.

Kikizo: Cool. How much input does [Yuji Naka] have with Sonic Riders - does he just let you get on with it?

Yuda: Well, there is no title in Sega that Naka-san is not involved with. He would never net a team get on with things with no supervision at all. With Sonic Riders, I can't remember exactly what bits he give advice for, but there definitely was some input from him in places and at the beginning.

Kikizo: Also, we understand that [Toshihiro Nagoshi] has been further promoted recently and now has even more responsibility overseeing all Sega software, while also maintaining his own team. So what's is happening with people like Yu Suzuki who have held similar roles previously?

Yuda: Well basically, both Nagoshi-san and Suzuki-san are reporting to Naka-san. Nagoshi-san is actually responsible for the whole New Entertainment department. And Suzuki-san, is in charge of his own stuff - in his own game development. So, basically Nagoshi-san is still working under Naka-san, but then again, Suzuki-san has his own authority as well.

Lots of exclusive Sonic Next-Gen media here.

Kikizo: That clears that up. So, there are a lot of different Sonic titles right now, what are your personal hopes for the future of the Sonic franchise? Will you be working on the Sonic the Hedgehog 15th Anniversary game?

Yuda: I'm not actually involved with the 15th Anniversary title. I'm involved in something quite big, so I can't really say what. As for the whole Sonic franchise's future, of course the regular Sonic action games will continue and have more sequels. Sonic Riders is also going to have some sequels, which will appear on next generation consoles. We don't know which ones yet. We're are also trying to see if we can come up with more Sonic franchises - not just racing games like Riders - but other ideas as well, something suitable for Sonic's fans. So, I don't think there will be a Sonic Golf for example; that's not going to work! But we do want to come up with new ideas.

Kikizo: Thank you both again for your time today and good luck with all your Sonic Team titles.

Sonic Rush is our now for Nintendo DS, and Sonic Riders will be released Q1 2006. Sonic the Hedgehog for PS3 and Xbox 360 is expected late next year.

Adam Doree, Kikizo.com
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