Exciting news, guys. I have been approached by the Australian Center for the Moving Image (ACMI) in Melbourne, AU for permission to take movie footage of The Sonic Stadium. This website will then be profiled in a Sonic the Hedgehog exhibit they plan to launch in late June in their dedicated “Games Lab”.
Naturally, I’ve agreed. The ACMI’s Games Lab is a section of the Center dedicated to discussing Video Game Culture – basically, the fan culture phenomenon behind some of the biggest game characters. And obviously, because Sonic is such a loved game character, with thousands of fan material and sites on the web, the ACMI would like to highlight the culture behind the character.
They approached TSS because it encaptures all the aspects of online Sonic fandom, from games reporting to news, to fangames and to artwork and fan creation – and of course, discussion. At the exhibit you can expect a video of footage of The Sonic Stadium, with some voiceovers and information about the site, and how the fan community express themselves through Sonic (i.e. fangames, online radio). Expect TSS, SEGASonic Radio, the Sonic Site Awards and other minisites to be included in the footage.
Accompanying the video will be a text panel discussing fan culture for Sonic in general. I’ve read what they have and it’s very good indeed. Also at the event will be playable pods of Sonic 1, Sonic 2 and Sonic Spinball on Mega Drive, and Sonic 3, Sonic & Knuckles, Sonic R, Sonic Adventure DX and Sonic Heroes playable on PCs.
AND, I learn this event is supported by SEGA Europe and THQ. I’ve been contacting guys from SEGA Europe about this (to go slightly off-topic, I got an email from SEGA Europe saying they couldn’t secure me a high quality video of next-gen Sonic as they don’t plan to release it publically at all). I’m pretty sure approaching TSS for profiling in the exhibit was the Center’s idea, but nonetheless it’s all cool stuff.
The show is the second show ever in the Games Lab space, and will run from 22nd June to 2nd October – I’ve contacted a few people who happen to live in Australia, but none appear to live close enough to Melbourne to attend on behalf of The Sonic Stadium. Is anyone here living near or in Melbourne so they can attend the event and take some pictures and help cover the event? Seeings as I live on the other side of the world and all… unless I speak to SEGA Europe… (doubtful though) =X
For more information on the event, click here:
http://www.acmi.net.au/C05162580ABF43169E18B88DD54F54D9.jsp
Love Sonic? Love The Sonic Stadium, and the ACMI. XD