Sonic 4: Ep 2 to Feature New Character Animations, Android Version Powered by NVIDIA® Tegra®

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJaRAUHWZig

SEGA has relayed the Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 announcement on their official blog, and with it we learn that this episode will feature all-new new character animations. SEGA’s also revealed that the Android version will be powered by NVIDIA® Tegra®, with plans to develop an enchanced version for NVIDIA’s Tegra 3.

You can read the full blog announcement below:

We’ve got a new year’s resolution that’s sure to please gamers worldwide: the iconic blue hedgehog will be making his 2D return in Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode II in 2012. Following the award-winning success of Episode I, which took the world by storm in 2010, Sonic will continue his journey through the epic Sonic 4 saga on XBLA, PSN, and mobile platforms including the App Store, Android Market and Xbox LIVE on Windows Phone 7.

Fans have been eagerly anticipating the next episode in Sonic’s new side-scrolling adventure, and SEGA has been listening closely to their feedback. Armed with all-new character animations and a completely reworked physics engine, Episode II will expand the Sonic 4 storyline with new areas to speed through and new challenges to face. For a sneak peek at what’s in store, including the arrival of a certain high-flying, twin-tailed pal who’s sure to be of assistance, check out the all-new teaser trailer!

“After twenty years in action, it’s clear that Sonic hasn’t slowed down one bit,” said Haruki Satomi, Senior Vice President of Digital Business at SEGA of America. “The first entry in the Sonic 4 saga was a major success. We’ve listened to the fans and been hard at work making sure we recapture that same spirit of fun in Episode II. We hope the fans will enjoy it.”

Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode 2 will support Android mobile devices powered by the NVIDIA® Tegra® mobile processor. It will be available on the Android Market and featured on the Tegra Zone app. In addition, SEGA and NVIDIA are working closely together to develop an even more enhanced version for Tegra 3, the world’s first quad-core mobile processor.

Source: SEGA Blog

Thanks to Blue Blood at the SSMB for the heads up!

The Sonic Stadium may link to retailers and earn a small commission on purchases made from users who click those links. These links will only appear in articles related to the product, in an unobtrusive manner, and do not influence our editorial decisions in any way.

24 Comments

  1. “We’ve got a new year’s resolution that’s sure to please gamers worldwide”

    Except for Wii players…

    1. So I don’t have any iDevices, nor am I going to buy a PS3 or Xbox this late in the generation cycle for a single game. I have a Wii and an old Nokia 5800. So SEGA – do you want my money or not?

      Not happy Ken!

    1. How do you know that???? They’re saying the sprites will look different and Sonic will be easier to control, but they never said anything about Sonic’s legs!!!

  2. What is the difference between character animations and physics? I don’t understand it. Aren’t they the same thing?

    1. Physics are the mathematics that determine the way characters and objects move in the game world and how they react to each other when colliding.

      For example, if Sonic got caught in a loop and then fell backwards, something has gone wrong with the -physics-.

      Character animations are purely aesthetic, but obviously are very important that they work with the physics to make an appealing and realistic feeling to the characters and objects as you play.

      For example, if Sonic went round the loop correctly, but for some reason he appeared to be walking around it, despite going at running speed, something has gone wrong with the -animation-.

      1. Oh! Thanks, I kinda still don’t understand it, but you helped me understand how it works! 😀 Thank you! 🙂

        1. the physics are just codes that determine how the character controls and how the characters and objects interact with each other.

          Touching a spring making you bounce is caused by the physics. How high you bounce, how fast and how much you can move in mid air during the bounce is also physics.

          Animations are merely what the characters and objects LOOK LIKE while doing it. Instead of you just bouncing off the spring, the spring has an animation that looks like it pushes in and springs out and when Sonic bounces his pose changes to an “upward dive” position. When he runs at full speed his animation changes to his feet swirling rather than just his legs moving fast.

          If the physics worked but there were NO animations on Sonic, Sonic’s body would be perfectly still like he was just standing the whole time while moving around through the stage. =) The animation just shows his body in different positions.

          1. @Axx – Thank you for clearing up my final confusion! 🙂 I now fully understand how animations and physics work, and the differences between them 😀

    1. Yeah the figure 8 is sort’ve pointless but ppl want it cuz it looks cool.

      I think maybe they’ll improve the spin legs like they did in Generations compared to Sonic 4. (Sonic 4’s was just him running with splotches of red spiralling on time to LOOK like spinny feet)

      1. Isn’t that what it was MEANT to be, though? When you think about it realistically, Sonic wouldn’t be using his legs like a windmill – he’d break ’em if he tried, especially at the speeds he’s going at these days!

  3. sweet I knew that I should have bought a tegra 2 phone (lg optimus 2x) thanks sega
    but sonic cd could have not run at2x speed sometimes

  4. Being a creative/art director in the advertising business, I have to say…
    I really hate these teasers. They are so lazy.

    And if these guys keep trying to please ALL the fans we will end with another mediocre game. In my opinion, 4 sold that well because fans were desperate for 2D and nostalgia. In a year after Generations, what could they possibly give us that will even compare to that gorgeous Green Hill? For me it’s not abou going back anymore, it’s about moving forward. And it’s not about listening to every single complain, it’s about capturing a feel, listening to your heart and making a fun epic game.

Comments are closed.