2014 is The Year Of Sonic "& Sports tape" *see post 1*

[Indigo Rush]

http://blogs.sega.com/2014/02/06/sega-launches-new-franchise-strategy-for-sonic-the-hedgehog-with-sonic-boom/

 

 

Thursday Feb 06, 2014

SEGA Launches New Franchise Strategy for Sonic the Hedgehog with Sonic Boom

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 forSonic 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.

 

 

[CrownSlayers Shadow]

 

Aaaaaaaand it's fix'd.

I actually liked Amy's outfit the way it was in the concept.  You can keep everything else...tho Knux is still weird from the front.

[Red Hot Jack]

So nobody is upset for this being an exclusive? Nothing personal, I just want it to sell and be successful, but the Wii-U doesn't seem the right fit.

[Ming Ming Hatsune]

[Tara]

 

I actually really love this design.  It has a nice bit of classic flair with a bit of the modern mixed in. X)

[SuperLink]

well, it doesn't look overly mario-y and it has textures and environments and it's being outsourced. It's a lot of things people wanted it to be.

 

I'm having a hard time getting excited because SLW, but I swear some people are never going to be happy with a Sonic game's presentation. The visuals really could be better though, weird.

[Sami]

I think they look great, minus the proportions. Tails' goggles and tool belt are swell, Amy looks lovely, and I've wanted Sonic to have a scarf for a while now anyway.

Knuckles will take a lot of time to get used to, if I do, and their legs seem a bit too long. Hope they change the proportions.

[Gabz Girl]

just noticed Indigo's post about possible juicy echidna backstory. Aw yea, I want some o that!

Guys, tell me if it's just me, but for those of you who are equally as weirded out of Buffles, look at him from this angle...

 

Hmmmm. You're right, he doesn't look too bad from that angle. I think it's because we don't see his face so his head doesn't look so awkward on the buff body.

[Sami]

well, it doesn't look overly mario-y and it has textures and environments and it's being outsourced. It's a lot of things people wanted it to be.

I'm having a hard time getting excited because SLW, but I swear some people are never going to be happy with a Sonic game's presentation. The visuals really could be better though, weird.

It looks more like Crash than Mario.

I'm okay with this. Still don't care, but I don't hate it this time. Huge improvement over Lost World, environment wise. The character models look ugly as hell.

[Spin Attaxx]

...Eggman's moustache isn't big enough 0/100 :U

 

Seriously though, this does show SOME promise, Eggman's robot designs look pretty interesting. Might give it a watch, but DAMN that Sonic model does not look good in motion.

[Willsy]

So what info did we get altogether? Was there a trailer for the TV series?

[SuperLink]

So I'm guessing SSMB is gonna be a battleground again.. for a very long time?

 

I;m honestly going to reserve judgement until release, but I have to say I'm happy it's being outsourced to devs with good history. Even if the gameplay looks generic so far, I'll try to keep an open mind.

[Phos]

Wow this is some shit.

[Marcello]

Damn, Eggman looks muscular. o.O Weird.

 

Sonic looks too lanky in the trailer. He animates really weird. The blue arms really look awkward, too.

[Tara]

... I really like the looks of this.  Like, REALLY.  It looks fun and cool!

/unpopular opinion?

[Autosaver]

Probably not unpopular. I also thought it looked good.

 

And honestly, 99% of CN is trash.

[8ther]

http://www.destructoid.com/sega-reveals-new-sonic-boom-sub-franchise-and-game-270111.phtml

Sega of America president and COO John Chen stressed that "Sonic Boom will not be replacing the original franchise."

I'll just leave this here.

[Octarine]

It probably says a lot that Sonic's regular design is the one Smash is using.

 

I'm getting big Despicable Me vibes from top-heavy Eggman. Gotta say, though, it's kind of fun to have another variant of him to line up next to all of the other weird cartoon Robotniks.

[Jix Hedgehog]

The last time Sega issued Sonic themed cocktails... this is what they decided to serve.

 

 

Chili-dog infused vodka, with a chili pepper rim, and a hotdog chunk floating in it. No party should be with one.

 

Been to all the Sega Comic-Con events over the past 3 years.. don't remember these.

[Ming Ming Hatsune]

 

Cover photo from Facebook.

[Maria-Robotnik]

I gotta admit... I really like this trailer. For the show, that is. Eggman looks a bit strange, tho.

 

Also... did they say it's a new "branch"? Does that mean the current designs will keep existing in another canon?

I feel less skeptic. : )

[The Egg WAH]

 

I actually really love this design.  It has a nice bit of classic flair with a bit of the modern mixed in. X)

 

His proportions look off... was the egg turned upside down?

 

He's got a nice butt though :3

[Phos]

Ewwwwww, Sonic has little dingle berry quills. I can't believe there are people on this forum who are ok with this.

[Nepenthe]

http://www.destructoid.com/sega-reveals-new-sonic-boom-sub-franchise-and-game-270111.phtml

I'll just leave this here.

 

Of course, this inevitably raises questions on how the rest of the series is to follow. Will it be sorta kinda more in line with Boom or will we continue going down a Lost World road?

[Tara]

This will not replace modern Sonic so you can all put your fears to rest.