SEGA’s April Fools Day video game, The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog, has become anything but a joke – with over one million players downloading the title since it launched on Steam on March 31. We feel like that has to be some kind of record, right? Well, if it isn’t, it’s still super impressive!

The news was announced by Sonic Social Media Manager Katie Chrzanowski, who also executive produced the light-hearted detective thriller. Chrzanowski also revealed that the game has been highly rated by those who have played it too, with ‘Murder’ currently sitting at #61 on highest-rated games on Steam of all time.

It’s an incredible milestone for a comical spinoff game made entirely by the US-based Sonic social media team. Of course, while the fact the game is free could go some way to explain its explosive popularity, it doesn’t discount the huge positive reception from all players who have tried it. It’s been warmly embraced by everyone who has taken the time to play it – it’s a great little detective story!

So it has been a great weekend for the Sonic social team – and all it took was killing off their company’s mascot! Congratulations, SEGA!