A French video hosting website has posted a trailer of what appears to be the third Sonic title exclusive Nintendo. It’s based off the new CG cartoon series Sonic Boom.
Confirmed characters are Sonic, Knuckles, Amy and Tails, all showing off their new looks. From watching the trailer it has a very Sonic Heroes feel – each character has their own unique abilities, however segments show all characters on screen in the level at once.
The game is not being made by Sonic Team, but instead being co-developed by Sanzaru (Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time) and Big Red Button Entertainment (former developers of Naughty Dog).
UPDATES
Edit 3:03PM EST: Our friendly neighborhood Carbo has spotted a couple of interesting things.
1) A certain man named Chris Senn is at Big Red Button, who fans may recognize as a key player from Sonic X-Treme’s development team before its cancellation.
http://board.sonicstadium.org/topic/17839-sonic-boom-announced-wii-u3ds/page-3#entry829385
2) The game seems to run on CryEngine 3, as Crytek sneaked in a few seconds of environmental footage in their CE3 demo during Big Red Button’s segment at the very beginning (Edit 10:09PM EST: I cut and rehosted the clip as its own video for easy viewing):
http://board.sonicstadium.org/topic/17839-sonic-boom-announced-wii-u3ds/page-4#entry829419
Edit 3:12PM EST: The official announcement from Sega:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0a7-1wdDuw
For more than two decades, Sonic the Hedgehog has been one of the world’s biggest gaming icons, with over 70 video game titles, four animated series, and an extensive global merchandising line to his name. This year, SEGA is excited to introduce a new branch of the Sonic universe, entitled Sonic Boom, that will debut a new look for Sonic and friends and launch their first-ever CG animated television series, new video games for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS, and a new toy line. The creative driving forces behind these projects are working together with SEGA to kick-start a global campaign for Sonic Boom that will excite and engage new and existing fans across a variety of platforms.
Sonic Boom’s visual identity includes character designs inspired by the abilities and unique personalities of each of the characters, while still maintaining the core identity and values of the Sonic brand. The rich worlds of the TV series and videogame will share a common narrative and a number of location and stylistic similarities reflecting full collaboration between videogame, TV series partners and SEGA from the outset.
The Sonic Boom television series, co-produced by SEGA of America Inc. and OuiDO! Productions, will debut on Cartoon Network in the U.S. and on CANAL J and GULLI in France during the 2014/2015 season. The series is an ensemble comedy consisting of 52 x 11-minute standalone episodes packed full of high-adrenaline action. Every episode starts from a small character-driven story and explodes into an epic tale of saving the world, robot battles and more.
Serving as a prequel to the stories revealed in the TV series, the Sonic Boom video game will deliver a totally different experience to previous Sonic games with collaborative gameplay at its core. Developed in the U.S by California-based Big Red Button Entertainment (Wii U) and Sanzaru Games (Nintendo 3DS) in collaboration with Sonic Team, this is the third title to be released as part of an exclusive deal with Nintendo. Sonic Boom will take advantage of the innovative hardware of both the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS, with traditional elements of Sonic games, such as speed, also featured. The videogame will also introduce exploration, combat and a new Enerbeam tether mechanic that will allow the Sonic Boom world to be discovered in totally unique ways.
Sonic Boom will be supported by a robust global licensing and merchandising program, anchored by new master toy partner TOMY. TOMY’s line will showcase the new character looks, stressing interaction between core characters, and will feature new play patterns based on both the new game and TV series. TOMY will develop a comprehensive toy range across a broad number of categories including plush, action figures, RC, role play, vehicles and novelty. Sonic fans can expect a high-quality, collectible toy line fueled by TOMY innovation and energized with speed, lights, sounds, motion-activation and action-performance. SEGA will launch a broad licensing program across multiple categories including toys, apparel, publishing, accessories, food and beverage, health and more – making this one of the biggest license initiatives SEGA has undertaken in recent years. The company will enlist many of its current partners who have had tremendous success with Sonic over the past years while seeking new licensees to join this exciting new Sonic licensing program.
“We want to ensure that the Sonic brand continues to evolve and appeal to new generations of Sonic fans and this different look introduces a fresh approach that will be at once both familiar and new to consumers,” said John Cheng, President & COO, SEGA of America. “We are committed to supporting this initiative to provide great entertainment to fans for all aspects of their lives.”
Sonic the Hedgehog first appeared as a videogame character in June 1991 and instantly became an icon for a generation of gamers. Defined by his super-fast speed and cool attitude, in the years since he first raced on to videogame consoles Sonic has become a true global phenomenon with over 140 million videogames sold or downloaded worldwide across consoles, PC’s, mobile phones and tablets. SEGA’s iconic blue blur has also gone on to enjoy incredible success in many licensed areas, such as toys, apparel, comics and animation.
The Sonic Boom TV series is a co-production between SEGA of America, Inc. and OuiDO! Productions. Executive producers on the show are Evan Baily, Donna Friedman Meir and Jane McGregor on behalf of SEGA, and Sandrine Nguyen and Boris Hertzog from OuiDO!. Other partners involved in the TV series include Lagardère Entertainment Rights for distribution and Lagardère Active TV Licensing & New Business for licensing and merchandise in France.
Oh My God!!!! I’m So Excited Right Now 😀
Hm, I’d make a Sonic Cycle remark but it occurs to me that Sonic Team isn’t making this one. And it’s about as far away from it’s roots as possible(redesign akin to Crash Bandicoot in Crash of the Titans).
Hm, does the Sonic Cycle apply to games not made by Sonic Team? And do they still exist after the trainwreck that was Sonic Lost World?
Well at this point, maybe giving this over to another developer is best. I had some hope for Sonic Team when Colors and Generations got a lot right, got good reviews and actually sold well but it seems like Sega threw all that out the window with Sonic Lost World. Old school fans wanted more games like Colors and Generations. Adventure fans wanted SA3 and Lost World pleased neither side. Since we have a studio with some platforming game veterans on it, this gives us hope. Then again remember when we had hope about Bioware and Sonic Chronicles?
I for one enjoyed Sonic Chronicles to a great extent, and the game definitely deserves a sequel. Darn you Penders!
YES, YES THIS IS GOOD. THIS IS VERY VERY GOOD.
As a game, this doesnt look bad.
Im glad the sonic advance crew is back together again.
I just wish sonic wasnt so…..lanky. And the music in the trailer was grating
YEAH, SONIC ADVANCE! 😉 That music is awful though, thankfully it’s just trailer music.
HYPE HYPE HYPE
Urghhhhhhh whyyyyyy i want more xD
BigRedButton was founded in 2008 and is operated by former Naughty Dog staff, which explains the huge Jak & Daxter vibe I got from that trailer.
Glad to hear I wasn’t the only one who thought “Jak & Daxter” when I saw the new designs.
Looks interesting. The first thing I point to is how similar this is to when Crash of the Titans released. Characters redesigned, complete rehaul of gameplay (or looks a little like it anyway). Reminds me of that alot. I look forward to seeing more, including Eggman’s design. He’s gotta be in it, clearly.
Looks interesting. The first thing I point to is how similar this is to when Crash of the Titans released. Characters redesigned, complete rehaul of gameplay (or looks a little like it anyway). Reminds me of that alot. I look forward to seeing more, including Eggman’s design. He’s gotta be in it, clearly.
WTF, it looks good but what, is this a reboot or… Also what does this mean for other characters like shadow, rouge, silver, blaze etc
No. Just, no. It’s not a reboot until SEGA says so.
They may show up later as Sega established these 4 are the mains. The leader (Sonic), the Brains (Tails), the muscle (Knuckles) and the token chick/love interest (Amy). They could easy world Shadow and others into the show when the plot calls for it but it’s pointless to have characters in there just to be there.
Looks great and I’m glad they’re including other playable characters with their own gameplay gimmicks but I’d rather this and the TV show be it’s own continuity and not the main canon.
Ratchet & Clank All 4 One as you truly imagined it.
you can see a statue of an echidna at one point, bet you ken penders will be trying to sue the hell out of ’em… again…
WHY NO PS4 or vita or PS3 why sega
Um because they have the nintendo partnership
2015 then ok i shall be fine
I think it’ll be 2014
No, that poster said 2015, no matter what Parker says.
I’m thinking, a perfected sonic adventure,
and let me just say, my head exploded when I saw them all back to back
I’m pretty sure sonic, tails and knuckles have the same voices but we don’t here amys at all in the trailer, I really hope they changed it cause her old one suuucked
What’d you say? Not Sonic Team? This is a joke thread huh?
Still looks better than Lost World
Rock, meet hard place.
I like what I see in terms of gameplay, but I can’t stand the ass character designs. I don’t mind “Sonic Boom” becoming the new status quo in terms of world or gameplay, but please for the love of everything holy, scrap these POS character designs.
The game character design looks kinda like an old 3D sonic game. Their mouths are in the middle… not on the side.
The game looks good, the character design is lame and the music is horrible!!…
I hope Sonic Team is making a Sonic game with the SONIC continuity we love while another studio is working on SONIC BOOM!!…
The music is Bangarang by Skrillex, it’s just trailer music and probably won’t be in the actual game. (Like how they used MCR in Sonic Generations.)
Also, Big Red Button is developing this game, not Sonic Team. (Big Red Button are ex-Naughty Dog employees who worked on Jak and Daxter.)
Sonic Team are probably working on Next Gen Sonic game right now..
A game for the 9th gen? Don’t you think that’s a bit early?
Oh, unless you’re talking about current gen (which is number 8), of which Wii U and 3DS are a part of, making this and Sonic Lost World before it a “Next Gen Sonic game” (in your words).
You probably mean that they’ll be working on a game for PS4 and/or Xbox One, which I would agree with you on of course. Though that one will most likely be released on Wii U as well, since we had that little slip at Nuremberg Toy Fair (which was debunked by SEGA, but let’s be honest here, of course they wouldn’t say “Oh yeah, that ones coming” right now), and knowing SEGA’s track record with keeping things secret (Sonic 4, Sonic Generations), I wouldn’t be too surprised if there was some truth in that, especially since we have now found our big Sonic title for the year 2014 that was missing from that list (also makes sense to already have that 2015 information if Sonic Team is already working on that (since they aren’t working on this one too much)).
I’m actually quite excited! The gameplay looks fun….And….
It seems this is the first time since 06 that Tails, Knuckles, and Amy are playable.
And I hope this isn’t canon to the main series, I don’t really want these designs in the mainstream games. But I don’t think they will be since the game isn’t developed by Sonic Team.
Designs have created so many conflicting emotions, but for the most part, they’re…ok-ish.
The game play looks fun, but the actual in-game models look awful D:
Well it is still in develpment
Yeah, but other than sheer polish, the characters won’t change much since they are supposed to match the show which is probably at a point where they can’t completely redesign the models back to the old style.
I think at best, the negative reaction makes them go back to the old style with the follow up game, but Sonic Boom is not going to get new character designs.
Oh dear jesus, what is Tails doing with a laser blaster?
I can’t help but think that gameplay-wise it’ll take a Sonic Adventure 1 or 2 approach. Not trying to piss off fans of those games, but I would rather it stay speed/platforming focused. As for character designs… if this and the cartoon are a separate continuity I’m not too bothered. But if this is some reboot and being adopted as the new canon then… I don’t know.
The game itself is looking pretty sweet at first glance but the character models are just awful. Especially Sonic’s.
A complete reboot? A new gameplay formula that mix togheter Sonic Adventure, Mario 3D World and Ratchet & Clank? Multiple playable characters (About freaking time, SEGA!)?
…Fair enough, SEGA! You have my attention now.
I’m horribly conflicted right now… That game looks awesome! But… I’m not quite sure it looks… Sonic. I don’t know. Guess we’ll have to wait and see.
Of course it doesn’t look Sonic, it looks Sonic+Tails+Knuckles+Amy simultaneously, which means they can’t have it as speed based as a game with just Sonic. You are right though, we will have to wait and see. Maybe there will be side levels with only one playable character, and the Sonic ones will be more to your liking?
Holy crap, actually…I’m REALLY excited! The voice acting (for all we heard) has is already better than the three previous games combined, it looks like Adventure style gameplay with a little bit of Unleashed, perhaps 4 player co-op?, and I actually like Tails and Amy’s new designs.
My biggest complaint is centre mouth but, other than that, I’m excited.
Also, I sincerely hope that this reboot doesn’t retcon all the characters we’ve grown to love (Blaze, Cream, Espio, Vector) and begrudgingly accept (Charmy, Big, Silver). If not then I hope some of them will be added in future.
As long as this doesn’t use the craptacular gameplay from lost world I think I will be ok with it. If it does… then I won’t buy it.
…
…I don’t know what to think.
This is about the game. Trailer for the cartoon wasn’t there yet. Watching it now…
Huh. Actually looks better than I thought. Liking the writing and voice acting. Still a bit iffy about the designs, though.
….I don’t know what to think either…it looks unlike anything I had ever seen in a Sonic game, and you can easily tell that Sonic Team did not work on this, but it is stunningly impressive. But as interesting as the characters’ designs look in art form, they look a bit….strange in rendered gameplay. Still…it looks…interesting. I honestly don’t know what to expect. I just hope that it isn’t a disappointment like Lost World was, and that it actually is much better than it looks. And yeah, I’m also getting a Crash Banditcoot and Jack & Daxter kind of vibe from this game…and I never played either of those franchises. Still……we have the final game announced for the Nintendo partnership. After this is said and done, I can’t wait to see what we have in store for next gen consoles!
And did they HAVE to use Skrillix in this trailer? I don’t care how popular he is, crappy dubstep does NOT belong in anything, especially not in a Sonic game. I probably would have been more hyped if they picked another pop song like Tenderoni and Cinema, but the awkward nature of the dubstep just makes my feelings for this game more confusing.
P.S. – If it turns out that this WASN’T Skrillix, DO NOT bother correcting me or bitching me about it, I don’t even care.
Remember to not expect it to be like any previous game, I did that with Sonic Lost World and I thought that game was awesome.
Gameplay has potential and I kind of like their new looks save for Knuckles. They do look kind of weird in the trailer though, hopefully they’ll fix it
i saw the TV show trailer well it looks good beside the lame dialogue and sonic’s face design it looks good apart from that
Looks interesting. Although they f***ed up the eyes, that’s my least favourite thing about it.
Why does Sonic have blue arms now?
I rather like Sonic’s new look. The neckerchief and wraps around his hands and shoes make him look like a drifter, which of course he is. Not a fan of blue arms though…
Tails looks great. The toolbelt and goggles suit him perfectly. And if the cartoon trailer is any indication, he also gets a badass electro-whip!
Knuckles is kinda bleh… I know he’s supposed to be the new porcupine on the block with the buff chest, out the wilderness with the ruggedness, but he looks too bulky. I hope he doesn’t get dumbed down as well…
But the best out of them is Amy. She’s gone from pinkie girl to badass! Look at the way she lands at 0:36! She’s not just a fangirl anymore!
Also, after all these years, we finally get to play as someone other than Sonic! And without stupid gimmicks like mechs and treasure hunts!
Overall, really looking forward to this!
How come she lands on her feet when Tails can fly and Knuckles can (or is supposed to) glide? Bit disappointed that Knuckles landed on his face, it looks like they are trying to make him the dumb muscle, but other than that and a few minor details I am pumped.
What happens if this becomes more popular than the “canon” Sonic games?
Whut…
I so wannt this game, but, the Wii U.
I’m always amazed at how unsympathetic Sega fans are when it comes to Nintendo and all the fits about Lost World and Sonic Boom being exclusives. My God if the WiiU was made by Sega and called the Dreamcast 2, you wouldn’t be complaining, you would’ve bought one already and don’t tell me that “Sega doesn’t make gimmicky stuff.” Sega CD, 32x, a TV add on for the Game Gear and as I recall they made a game toilet in Japan.
Hey you all wanted friends to be playable again. You got your wish and it actually looks like they heard requests and are making them play similarly to Sonic and in a co-op similar to Mario 3D World. I am still torn on these redesigns though.
Finally, after eight years, multiple distinct playable characters are back! Please have that in your 2015 release SEGA…
I like what Kate Baily said. I may have said similar, just not in so many words. But I do hope the game is good. The last three were good. Colors was good, Generations was also good, and Lost World was good to a point. Let’s not try the Sonic Galaxy play style again please.
Oh my god now Sonic Boom is on Nintendo Wii U and 3DS looks pretty good and sound effect are amazing and the game doesn’t drop the theme at all! And Knuckles The Echidna doesn’t have master Emerald or hunting the master Emerald pieces to do in Sonic Adventure or Sonic Adventure 2 was terrible but I like Knuckles the Echidna in this game of adventure classic games like Sonic 3 or Sonic Heroes, and Sonic Advance 1, 2 or ,3!
Wow… that trailer was… .lolz hilarious. omg. Cool gameplay and graphics tho.
The game looks amazing, I admit, and really screams the vibes of Ratchet and Clank/Jak and Dexter. This is coming from someone who hasn’t even PLAYED those games, but I’m not opposed to it. The world looks like a lot of fun though!
The game models, though…Sonic is far too lanky, even for him, and the models themselves aren’t polished. Now I realize this is likely beta and it is far more important to get gameplay and physics down first before models/complete animations, but still, it’s a bit troubling they appear that off in the first place. Time will tell, but I certainly wouldn’t ditch the game because of that little issue. This is something to keep an eye on.
Sonic is dead.
You sure about that loner? Not many agree with you. 😐
Sonic 2006 didn’t kill Sonic. Sonic rivals didn’t kill Sonic. Black knight didn’t kill Sonic. What makes you think this is going to kill Sonic?
So this is what they meant a few years back when they said they were planning a Sonic reboot of sorts? Not gonna lie, I like what I see.
Is it just me, or did that look an awful lot like a mechanical Iblis phase 2 / Iblis Worm? Probably just a coincidence, but the whole thing looks epic!
Sonic Heroes 2?
Wow. I finally understand Webber’s words of excitement now. I couldn’t agree with him more! 😀
I want a Ascot Sonic plushie so bad right now. XDDD
Hopefully they’re great quality like the GE ones and not like the derpy Jazwares nightmares…
I’m a long time Sonic fan since I was 5 years old. I just want to say, I’m so so so happy for Sonic. This… I’ve never been so happy for Sonic. This is one of the best days I’ve ever had for him. God, I’m almost crying tears of joy. It’s crazy! I’m proud to support the Sonic franchise! :’)
Um… Anyways, let’s hope this is good. Lol
I don’t know about you guys…
But that part with Sonic Running on the water like that..
It gives me feelings of joy.
I won’t know what’s it like until I see the episodes and try the game. LIKE: the overall design of the land and Amy’s design… And that’s it (for now) . I hate what they done to Knuckes… He looks like a buff up Storm in Sonic Rider. He need to be tone down a bit and he has FINGERS NOoooooo. If he plays out well I may forgive them for these atrocities. Sonic, I’m fine with, I can live with the messy quills and scarf around his neck. Tails looks super cute, nice touch with the goggles, but I saw a screenshot of him flying and OMG…WTF… It looks totally weird… What’s with his arms it’s as long as a orangutan monkey, they really need to fix that. Eggman he reminds me of Gru from Despicable Me. I think it’s the head. One note about Sonic & Co they all seem to be wrap up in white stripes around the feet and hands (sorta reminds me of Tikal a bit… I hope they won’t be wrap up as mummies). Be that’s my biff about for now. I’ll wait til I see it and give a full report on whether I like it or loathe it.
So, does anyone else think it’s possible that this could lead to a mini series of game (like the rush series, or storybook series) of games to be made during the run of the show?
and if the show follows a different continuity than the main games, like Sonic X, could we perhaps see an episode/game that is based on Sonic adventure?
That would be an HD reimagining of Adventure.
That being said, I am in full support of Sonic Boom, in the same way I support the recent star trek reboot. They have free range to reintroduce the stories and characters we know and love in new and exciting ways. Then, we can return back to the universe we’re familiar with when sega releases their 2015 title for all three big systems.
And, is it outside the realm of possibilities that we get both a main Sonic title and new Sonic boom game in 2016 for the 25th anniversary?
HOLY SHMOLY SO MANY THOUGHTS!!! XDDD
I myself think that the designs look horrible! THAT IS NOT SONIC!! Please SEGA dont do this to me i hate the new desings ALOT! But the gameplay does look kinda cool…
Hmmm… the “Enerbeam” tether mechanic sounds pretty similar to Knuckles’ Chaotix.