Hello, everyone! I am now speaking to you from a hotel in San Diego and am happy to tell you all that Jason and I will be bringing you some content from Comic Con this year.

If all goes well, we’ll be bringing you an exclusive video interview with Ken Penders on Saturday. Sadly, as reported by SEGAbits, SEGA won’t be attending the event, so we have no idea what else we’ll be able to get from the event from you guys.   Rest assured, we’ll be keeping an eye out!

This is a bit of news we have been sitting on for awhile. But now that we have received the invite, we can now officially confirm to you all that Sonic Stadium will be going to E3! What does this mean for you guys? Well, we’ll be bringing you hands on previews, photos, and videos directly from the show floor! In addition to that, we’ve also scored interviews with several SEGA developers, including Sonic Team. So be sure to tune in during E3 to catch all the latest, including the kind in depth analysis of the upcoming Sonic games that only a Sonic website on the show floor can provide!

Of course, that’s not all, as SEGABITS will be hosting content for the rest of the SEGA related parts of the show, including hands on previews and videos of games like Phantasy Star Portable 2, Vanquish, and The Conduit 2! Also be sure to check the website for impressions on 3DS, Move, and Natal, as well as any other console surprises from the big three!

We would like to send out a huge thanks to SEGA of America’s community team for inviting us to this event. Without them, a fan site like us would lack the credentials to go to E3 in any other capacity. Because of this, TSS can exclusively provide the kind of coverage that Sonic fans crave for games that have not yet been released.  We would also like to thank AAUK for getting us a slot with Sonic Team. It’s awesome when a big company like SEGA reaches out to it’s fans, and it shows just how much SEGA values it’s fanbase.

Though, one thing I do need to stress regarding this event: I will be the only member of TSS attending, as SEGA had no slots left for invites. I have never been to an E3 before, so some minor problems may arise regarding the coverage. For example, I have no idea whether or not SEGA will actually allow me to take off screen footage. I will do my best to serve you guys well, though!

As I prepare for TSS’ 10th Anniversary (24th October), it’s always nice to see other people celebrate the length of our existence too. Surprisingly enough, one of those outlets happened to be a major gaming website. The latest in 1UP’s Fan’s View series focused on long-standing gaming fansites, and yours truly was asked to represent the Sonic side of things.

Naturally, I jumped at the chance to answer questions about The Sonic Stadium, and you can read up on what I said – and look at other cool fansites for other franchises that have stood the test of time – by clicking here. And any new readers of TSS that has come directly from 1UP – let me be the first to welcome you to the site.

1UP’s article is a great showcase of the long-term dedication I and my Super Mario, Final Fantasy and Mega Man peers have made to what started off as little websites that could. And did. And websites like The Mushroom Kingdom or MegaManiacs may agree with me when I say that the strength of the fan community not only help our sites flourish, but is the best way in supporting the franchises you love.

Well, BIGNEWS is no more (but if you ever want to tickle yourself with feline reportage, all you have to do is click the link in the sidebar to the left) but that doesn’t mean the big lunk is going anywhere soon. As a special 2nd April treat, we’ve launched a new skin for The Sonic Stadium – Purple Catfish returns!

Now you can surf your favourite Sonic fansite with the power of Froggy. I’ve also taken the liberty of tidying up the site design a little bit – Site Bites remain on the sidebar, but upcoming games have gone because it wasn’t a dynamic thing and I kept forgetting to update it.

Affiliates have been moved to a more appropriate place in the footer, and the search bar’s nested cosily in the breadcrumb bar. Speaking of which, the breadcrumb’s now more noticeable as a result.

I’ve also fiddled around with the stylesheets a bit so it will make it easier for me to crack out more skins. Purple Catfish is the latest in a line of returning TSS skins in celebration of our 10th Anniversary, and more will come. Expect an Easter theme or two in the coming days.

Update: Happy Easter everyone! Now you get to play with a revival of the ‘Creamed’ skin from way back when. Don’t scoff too many eggs!