How can Sonic sell better?

[blackherox]

]

To be honest, at this rate, SEGA might not last another 20 years, but Sonic can if, AND ONLY IF, Nintendo buys it off of SEGA.

Which will NEVER happen, for numerous reasons.

Is this thought justified? To an extent yes. For the past 6 years, Sega has had movie licenses with Marvel and several other studios, making low quality games which are not very good. Virtua Tennis games have also come under fire for having numerous bugs and issues, the brown world of Golden Axe Beast Rider and least we forget, the PS3 version of Bayonetta which should have been delayed as apposed to released in the state it was. Even the recent ports of classic games all have some major problems with them.

Add onto that howlers like Sonic 06, the werehog sections in unleashed, Shadows game and the kiddy bore fest that is Mario & Sonic.... Segas image is not that great.

On the other hand you have... Valkyria Chronicles, Yakuza, Binary Domain, Virtua Fighter, the Dreamcast titles, Sonic Generations and Sonic Colours.

While I semi-agree with your overall post about company image. I do not believe it as a significant as factors such as the type of Market, advertising and the console in regards to Sonic. I mean can someone point me in the direction of a platformer that has limited brand awareness that is selling the amount that people would like Sonic to sell?

[Winston]

Which will NEVER happen, for numerous reasons.

You never know, Sonic is a major franchise. Nintendo owning BOTH Mario & Sonic, two of gamings biggest icons, they'd be making TONS of money.

[Johnny Boy]

You never know, Sonic is a major franchise. Nintendo owning BOTH Mario & Sonic, two of gamings biggest icons, they'd be making TONS of money.

This, on so many levels. And since reviewers often worship Nintendo just think of their attitude towards sonic if he's owned by them. Nah, I'm probably getting ahead of myself now.

[Aero]

Slap the name Call of Duty on the cover and call it a day.

...Just kidding, of course.

I honestly don't like shooting games. The only gun I'll ever pick up is an Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device.

[---]

If Nintendo got Call of Duty AND Sonic they would monopolize the gaming industry. However they're too busy with hardware gimmicks at the moment :V

[Alice Twilight]

Reusing the same graphics over and over doesn't give something 'visual consistancy'. They could keep the overall style, but each game with its own look. You know, when I buy a new game I expect a new game, not a game reusing 90% of things from the previous.

But if that happened, no one would like it because people are afraid of change in a Sonic game if it doesn't end up looking like Nostalgia 3 and Knuckles

Generations and Unleashed are fine games, they kept to something that's enjoyable.

Now I just wonder what's going to happen next gameplay wise for Sonic.

If Nintendo got Call of Duty AND Sonic they would monopolize the gaming industry. However they're too busy with hardware gimmicks at the moment :V

They change their hardware alot to have new things and designs we've never seen before yet their games seem to stay the same.

[Lobotomy]

Other than the obvious making consistently good games for a few years bit, SEGA needs to do a FUCKTON of marketing. They seem to be doing it with Nike right now, which is good, but the name has to be out there far more than it's been. If SEGA can afford another TV show (Maybe CG with SEGA VE Studio/Marza animating? I'd roll it), they need to do it, and they need to do it well. The only two directions they could go are SEGASonic or Archie Sonic canon, because that's what's selling. Archie Sonic has reached an all time sales high recently, and bringing that to the TV screen would make serious bank if done correctly.

Marketing aside, they need to continue pushing the envelope technologically with Sonic. From a tech standpoint Generations was a step down from Unleashed, but I digress. Sonic is the ideal guinea pig for tech advancements (NOT GAMEPLAY "ENHANCEMENTS") because of how simple the gameplay is. Hedgehog Engine proves this well, and SEGA would be foolish not to continue experimenting on Sonic games from a technological end. Perhaps the next generation of Hedgehog Engine will include DirectX11 support, who knows, but it would be worth an attempt.

Edited June 2, 2012 by Lobotomy

[batson]

If SEGA can afford another TV show (Maybe CG with SEGA VE Studio/Marza animating? I'd roll it), they need to do it

Edited June 2, 2012 by batson

[Boostitude]

If they want to make Sonic games sell better or better in general, they just need to actually start using the fundamentals of their past successes instead of the superficial imagery of Sonic that Sega somehow is convinced makes Sonic $. They got away with it in Episode 1 and other titles. Episode 2 epitomizes the dumbing down of gimmicks and level design. Seriously, whoever allowed for both episodes to come to life need to leave Sega or not have any say in what Sonic game should be released. This isn't Sonic The Hedgehog 4, this is Sonic The Whorehog 4 and he's just here to exchange your money for a "good time."

To put it simply, it's really time for another Sonic Unleashed where the gameplay is void of bad gimmicks for the sole purpose of increasing the playtime, full of a solid Sonic daytime/modern-like gameplay, and a story (which I honestly didn't care for) doesn't try to overextend itself, but isn't too superficial.

It's really a shame now that in the DC era and even in the Genesis era to some extent, 2D Sonic games were good and the 3D games were at best average to outright terrible. Nowadays the 3D games are solid, and the 2D games just add insult to injury not only to what the past 2D games brought, but even where the 3D games have succeeded. Sega may take their earnings from their largest IP "seriously", but when it comes to what makes Sonic for someone other than themselves, it's just a joke.

[Law]

Include porn in it. Furries would buy that in a heartbeat.

[Doubled32]

Include a free chao with every Sonic game

On a serious note, if they do want to get people more into Sonic, then I do agree with a tv show, BUT, we don't need an Archie based series. No offense to anyone who likes that series, but I think that if we made a CGI style show with just game canon characters (although have a different story over all), then that would give people the same feel the games have, something fast paced and entertaining. Besides that, we won't have people whining about characters like Sally or Chris hogging the spotlight

Other than that though, have Sonic appear in more commercials like the Progressive ad. Get merchandise selling (Not Skylanders style, I mean like real merch), make Sonic style shoes, etc. If we want our hero to sell better, we just need to appeal to the very saving grace of any video game franchise: Children. Not solely for children, mind you, but when I think about it, I think that's why so many kids got into games like Digimon, Pokemon, or Yugioh: Cartoons (or anime) and merch go well for things like this, and Sonic could work too.

Other than that, I think that while making Sonic games playable on more consoles can help, we should also have different titles available for different systems too. Different games means more merchandise, like we have with main games and side games. And if the gimmicks are fun enough (like say for a party game like the mini games in Secret Rings), we could have games for Kinect or Playstation Move/Wii or WiiU.

[Wittymations]

Marketing and gimmickry.

No, not gimmick like giving the hog a weapon or making Rouge porn games (though that WOULD sell well ) but do what Mario does. His series is the same basic controls but with some fun things added to it. Sunshine was cleaning, galaxy was Mario in space. And they were fun.

What Sonic should do is take what they are able to do, what they do the best of, and mix crazy ideas in there. For instance, a Sonic game based around music would do wonderfully. No, not like a Rock Band or Guitar Hero deal. But imagine if Robotnik created about five or six robots, each with a particular color scheme and based on a genre of music.

For instance, a dark grey metal (as in genre) robot could fight to something like this, Can even imagine that robot being snakish in appearance.

Boss battles relied heavily on music. You can dodge attacks if you play it by ear, (and normally, for the kids who can't do that) and attack, too, based on pauses or music shifts.

They can add some comedy in there and witty dialouge. Each robot, based on their genre, can have a bit of a stereotypical attitude of the genre. Not too much, but a bit.

This basically would throw a lot of the ideas they had when concieving Sonic back into the music. Attitude filled speedy hedgehog who loved music like the teenager he was. Which would fix his image.

Sonic Team tends to always add great music to the Sonic games. Played on that and their marketing. Hype could be build back up.

My point is, I think Sega should try to focus on gimmicks (I hate using the term, because you think werehog and guns), and center their plots around what they do best.

My two cents.

[Milo]

Turn Sonic into a female fanservice character. Just paste his head on Rouge's body, rename her to Sonic the Bat, and make the next Sonic game full of pervy goodness. Then watch the money roll in. *awesomeface*

But seriously, am I the only one who thinks the recent marketing campaigns/ads/whatever for Sonic games have been, er, "dull?"

For example, take a look at this Sonic Unleashed ad:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwPR2X8zbwE

What I like about this ad is that it takes the main theme of the game and uses it to it's advantage that in the end makes the commercial come off as funny, and overall in the end become memorable to an extent. Since Sonic turns into a Werehog at night, you have the kid changing into a (teen?) werewolf. Then for some added humor you throw in the cat and have him chase it around and such.

Now let's look at this Generations ad:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1iN1OG80Ts&feature=related

The ad is quite straight to the point-play as two Sonics. End. Doesn't acknowledge the (many) differences between the two Sonics/gameplay/etc. or even acknowledge it as part of the 20th Anniversary milestone.

I think this was a huge missed opportunity of having a great ad marketing campaign that uses the nostalgia/old meets/vs. new/history themes/aspects of the game. Like some old vs. new comparisons (One ad in support of classic Sonic with some callbacks to the Genesis games and other popular things from the 90s, another in support of modern Sonic with some callbacks to more recent games and events from this day and age). Or remaking some of the previous ads for the older Sonic games, and adding a old meets new theme to it. The trailers did a decent representation of this old vs. new thing, so I was very disappointed to see the commercials downplay it a lot.

Edited April 13, 2015 by Gabe

[Voyant]

As much as I like Generations...it still didn't top any of the highs Unleashed had. Unleashed is strange game...when its awsome its REALLY awesome...when it sucks...it REAALLY sucks.

For example...I still to this day have much more fun playing Empire City than any of the City levels in Generations. Empire City had some Major highs...like running up the building segment. Generations nostagia fuel ran out for me quite fast. Not to say I don't love the game and consider it and overall improvement over Unleashed though...

But to me...I'm waiting for a game that still gives me the same feeling Unleashed gave me playing the daytime stages. There is just something about them that Generations didn't get....I think its the cinematic and camera shots.....maybe.

Its more apparent when you play Rooftop Run from both games back to back from one another...

Point: Personally if Unleashed lacked any of its major faults I believe the game simply the way it impacts the player when playing as Sonic would still be a more memorable game. I just think it has better game feel than any of the titles. Generations feels so arcadey...its like a game you throw a few quarters in to play a few levels....then you leave and come back maybe in a few days barely remembering what you exactly did (casual standpoint).

Edited June 5, 2012 by Voyant

[Alice Twilight]

As much as I like Generations...it still didn't top any of the highs Unleashed had. Unleashed is strange game...when its awsome its REALLY awesome...when it sucks...it REAALLY sucks.

For example...I still to this day have much more fun playing Empire City than any of the City levels in Generations. Empire City had some Major highs...like running up the building segment. Generations nostagia fuel ran out for me quite fast. Not to say I don't love the game and consider it and overall improvement over Unleashed though...

But to me...I'm waiting for a game that still gives me the same feeling Unleashed gave me playing the daytime stages. There is just something about them that Generations didn't get....I think its the cinematic and camera shots.....maybe.

Its more apparent when you play Rooftop Run from both games back to back from one another...

Point: Personally if Unleashed lacked any of its major faults I believe the game simply the way it impacts the player when playing as Sonic would still be a more memorable game. I just think it has better game feel than any of the titles. Generations feels so arcadey...its like a game you throw a few quarters in to play a few levels....then you leave and come back maybe in a few days barely remembering what you exactly did (casual standpoint).

You're right. I agree with you.

I've actually known people to get really bored of Generations I've done everything in it and some of the levels just get really boring. I'm not even motivated to speed run them.

Unleashed however, wow I have a blast playing it everytime.

Edited June 5, 2012 by Alice Twilight

[UltDevilDoom]

Sega would need to bring back certain characters. There are Sonic characters I never want to see again, but there are characters that I'd love to see come back.

The hard part is doing it well. More than a few fans only like the Genesis characters. They'd have to tread very carefully.

Oh, and they should ever do something like Heroes ever again.

Also: Fix certain gameplay elements.

Edited June 5, 2012 by UltDevilDoom

[tenchibr]

I think the problem with Generations is the lack of connection between the levels, I think the White Space speaks for itself. The areas are literally divided, something Sonic games are usually known for the opposite.

But, given the nature of the game (20 years' worth of games into 1), it's understandable and it could not have been avoided.

[BlueBlurMe]

I'm sorry, but no. Mario is Mario, and Sonic is Sonic. Sonic became an internationally known success originally by doing his own thing. The problem is that Sonic Team has devivated rather far from that to the point that Sonic is in the "mess" that he is in now. We even are at the point wondering and discussing how to have more Sonic games sold because of this via this actual topic.

I thought his intended purpose at the beginning was to be like Mario but better.:/

[media=]

It's sad to see this talk about the happy times with huge sales and hype.

If you don't want to watch the whole thing, I'll explain.

First off, Sonic was popular because he was his own thing, as Sonikku said. He was different from all the other platformers. Now he just seems..... not the same for some reason.

They change their hardware alot to have new things and designs we've never seen before yet their games seem to stay the same.

They've changed the gaming so much over the past 20 years, now it seems to be the same thing since they've stopped and kept it the gameplay the same. SA1 and 2 were way different Heroes and then ShTH that came after. That's why we played the games; It was different every time. Now we're all used to this style, and people are getting bored. Sure, with Sonic 1 and 2 they did the same thing, but Sonic was fresh and new back then. Or, I think it was Prince Solaris that said it, it's hard for people new to this genre to play it. They're not used to the high speed and the reflexes needed. So you lose people that way too.

I feel sad saying this, but i think Sonic will never have the high sales of the past. During the dark days(2002-2008, not counting handheld games) Sonic stopped being a big franchise in gaming because of people giving up caring. Because young kids didn't grow up with anyone introducing them to the series(Yes i know there are exceptions but not enough since the sales are low),the series does not have anyone left except us old fans. Even if they do reboot the series, it still won't matter because nobody cares anymore. It's kinda like Spyro: Yeah Skylanders was somewhat fun but nobody cares about Spyro anymore.

It's true. As Tanner on The Sonic Show said, "As kids, the Saturday morning cartoons told us what we liked and what we didn't." The kids don't know about Sonic. They have to be introduced at a young age, so nostalgia can be a part of what makes them buy the games. If it was in their life since they were a little toddler, do you think they would stop caring about this series? It's not something you can grow out of; Sonic is for everyone.

The others don't care, as you said. Sonic Team made a huge mistake and nobody cared after that. That's why kids need to be introduced to it with shows, as no one else would care to themselves. Then the kid would like it, buy the games and BAM! You just earned another customer. That keeps happening, and you get lifelong fans who will show Sonic to their kids and the kids after.

As much as I like Generations...it still didn't top any of the highs Unleashed had. Unleashed is strange game...when its awsome its REALLY awesome...when it sucks...it REAALLY sucks.

For example...I still to this day have much more fun playing Empire City than any of the City levels in Generations. Empire City had some Major highs...like running up the building segment. Generations nostagia fuel ran out for me quite fast. Not to say I don't love the game and consider it and overall improvement over Unleashed though...

But to me...I'm waiting for a game that still gives me the same feeling Unleashed gave me playing the daytime stages. There is just something about them that Generations didn't get....I think its the cinematic and camera shots.....maybe.

Its more apparent when you play Rooftop Run from both games back to back from one another...

Point: Personally if Unleashed lacked any of its major faults I believe the game simply the way it impacts the player when playing as Sonic would still be a more memorable game. I just think it has better game feel than any of the titles. Generations feels so arcadey...its like a game you throw a few quarters in to play a few levels....then you leave and come back maybe in a few days barely remembering what you exactly did (casual standpoint).

Maybe you were expecting Generations to make you feel nostalgic. I know I sure felt the same way. You know what the original stages were like, and these are new versions. Compared to your awesome experience as a kid, this just isn't the same. You feel that you can't get better than the original. Unleashed had different stages, therefore you felt like you were playing another new Sonic game as a kid.

Edited June 5, 2012 by BlueBlurMe

[Mangoaxe5]

Personally I think the days of Sonic games selling extremely well are over. Both Sonic Colors and Sonic Generations didn't do as well as everyone hoped they would.

Outside the fandom, mainstream video gamers are tired of Sonic. The last few Sonic games have gotten good reviews but people don't trust Sega anymore. A lot of people still think that the Sonic series needs to die. Getting people to trust Sega again will be very difficult.

[RidersDX]

Personally I think the days of Sonic games selling extremely well are over. Both Sonic Colors and Sonic Generations didn't do as well as everyone hoped they would.

Outside the fandom, mainstream video gamers are tired of Sonic. The last few Sonic games have gotten good reviews but people don't trust Sega anymore. A lot of people still think that the Sonic series needs to die. Getting people to trust Sega again will be very difficult.

I'd like to add that this generation of gamers aren't really into cartoony platformers anymore. I think gamers today are even getting a little tired of Mario. For Sonic to really gain attention, he'd have to do something extremely risky. A game that had as much hype as Unleashed did. Unleashed had the hype it did because it felt like a bit of a restart for Sonic. New and exciting. As the next generation starts, Sega should make a Sonic game that makes gamers take another look at it. In what way, I'm not sure, but I just want to be surprised because now I'm even getting bored of Sonic.

[sonfan1984]

Outside the fandom, mainstream video gamers are tired of Sonic. The last few Sonic games have gotten good reviews but people don't trust Sega anymore. A lot of people still think that the Sonic series needs to die. Getting people to trust Sega again will be very difficult.

I'd like to add that this generation of gamers aren't really into cartoony platformers anymore. I think gamers today are even getting a little tired of Mario.

Honestly if the Sonic series were to die then videogames and platformers in general is almost dead to me. It's bad enough that this generation of videogames is full of FPS's and dark gritty games that don't reallyinterest me in the slightest. I like my colorful cartoony platformers like Sonic, Kirby, Mario and even Rayman thank you very much.

Edited June 6, 2012 by sonfan1984

[AuroraRedwinters]

The only logical conclusion I can come up with is for SEGA to magically create a time machine and hop back to the early to mid 90's and relive the memories.

[---]

That History of an Icon video was beautiful.

[PerfectChaos]

Better adverts, nuff said. The Colours advert was a complete joke, and I never saw a Generations advert on TV.

[Gabz Girl]

SEGA definitely needs better advertising campaigns. I never saw posters for Sonic Generations and only once did I spot a tv advert which was simply meh. I don't think SEGA even advertised the game as being part of the 20th Anniversary!

What I also think need to do is actually start introducing more characters to the story bit by bit. Am I the only here who is getting sick and tired of just Sonic, Tails and Eggman? It's been like this since Sonic Unleashed and I'm starting to get pissed off that CLASSIC characters like Knuckles and Team Chaotix never appear or don't get enough screen time. Their appearance in Sonic Generations, together with the others, was merely for fan service! And don't get me started on characters like Blaze and Silver, where they've created such a huge plot hole concerning them that they try to ignore it and give no explanation. What the hell?

It's no wonder Sonic games aren't selling well. The storylines are becoming even less interesting than Mario, there's a big lack of characters and the gameplay is becoming too samey (well, besides The Wisps). I certainly hope the next game isn't going to be more of the same. =I