Author Topic: Sonic RPG? From BioWare? On DS? (Read 17437 times)

Jonnyboy117 · « **on:** June 21, 2007, 04:54:20 AM »

Welcome to the strangest news of the week, or maybe of the year.
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=13678

SEGA ANNOUNCES BIOWARE WILL CREATE SONIC ROLE PLAYING GAME FOR THE NINTENDO DS

SAN FRANCISCO & LONDON (June 21, 2007) -- SEGA® of America, Inc., SEGA® Europe, Ltd., and Canada-based developer studio BioWare® Corp. today announced a partnership to create a new video game based on the classic SEGA flagship icon Sonic The Hedgehog. The exact name of the game is undetermined, and it will ship in 2008.

"BioWare is one of the hottest names in RPG development in the world," said Simon Jeffery, President and COO, SEGA of America, Inc. "Everyone at SEGA has huge confidence that Sonic is in the safest of hands, and that BioWare can create the ultimate handheld RPG experience for gamers of all ages."

BioWare is the award-winning independent developer that has created some of the world's best-selling titles including the Baldur's Gate and Neverwinter Nights series, the 2003 Game of the Year, Star Wars®: Knights of the Old Republic and the 2005 RPG of the Year, Jade Empire. BioWare is currently developing one of the most anticipated next-generation titles of 2007, Mass Effect.

"We're thrilled to be working with SEGA on Sonic, one of the industry's most enduring and compelling icons," said Greg Zeschuk, president of BioWare. "As huge fans of Sonic ourselves, we're committed to delivering a truly amazing story-driven experience within the Sonic universe, focusing on capturing the character's broad appeal and placing him in a completely original adventure," added Ray Muzyka, chief executive officer of BioWare.

The relationship with BioWare reinforces SEGA's increased emphasis on Western content development for Western audiences. In the past few years SEGA has announced partnerships with developers Bizarre Creations, Gas Powered Games, Monolith Productions, Obsidian Entertainment, Planet Moon Studios, Pseudo Interactive and Silicon Knights. SEGA has also acquired development studios The Creative Assembly, Secret Level and Sports Interactive.

Ceric · « **Reply #1 on:** June 21, 2007, 04:57:31 AM »

This could be really good, Mario RPG, or really really bad, about any other mascots foray into totally different genre.

Pale · « **Reply #2 on:** June 21, 2007, 05:04:51 AM »

I'd be really interested to know which division of Sega brokered this deal. It seems very close to what Sega of America is hoping to start doing, and if they are the one that started it, it's interesting that Sega Japan allowed them to use Sonic in such a different way.

Caliban · « **Reply #3 on:** June 21, 2007, 05:11:49 AM »

Right company, wrong ip, they should have chosen the Skies of Arcadia ip.

Pale · « **Reply #4 on:** June 21, 2007, 05:21:05 AM »

Nah, Skies needs to stick with a Japanese rpg developer.

Jonnyboy117 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 21, 2007, 05:23:55 AM »

BioWare is a great studio, but I just don't see how Sonic can be made into an interesting RPG. Racing battles, maybe? But the story is still a huge problem.

Caliban · « **Reply #6 on:** June 21, 2007, 05:25:20 AM »

I agree, but with a name like Bioware behind the Skies of Arcadia brand it would surely make it more popular, and Sonic does not need such success.

Athrun Zala · « **Reply #7 on:** June 21, 2007, 05:38:37 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Caliban
Right company, wrong ip, they should have chosen the Skies of Arcadia ip.

agreed, SoA needs a sequel, like NAO (although it will probably never happen... I've waiting for one almost 7 years...)

Caliban · « **Reply #8 on:** June 21, 2007, 05:41:54 AM »

And Bioware could probably revamp the Phantasy Star series while they're at it, might as well.

NWR_Lindy · « **Reply #9 on:** June 21, 2007, 06:14:07 AM »

No idea what to make of this one. On the one hand, hearing the words "BioWare RPG on DS" makes me smile. On the other hand, hearing the words "Sonic RPG" makes me cringe. This is the equivalent of a Far Cry RPG...it just doesn't need to be done, and I wish the entire series would dry up and blow away.

NinGurl69 *huggles · « **Reply #10 on:** June 21, 2007, 06:44:31 AM »

BioWare must be desperate for wurk.

BlackNMild2k1 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 21, 2007, 06:48:39 AM »

Does Sonic have enough of an engaging world and supporting characters to even suggest that an RPG could be possible?
The only Sonic games I've played were on the Genesis so I don't really know much about the Sonic universe or any of the supporting characters other that Tails, Knuckles and Dr. Robotnik, but I've seen the other character from the Sonic Adventure games getting slammed left and right. Makes me think that a Sonic RPG is not the wise decision here.

NinGurl69 *huggles · « **Reply #12 on:** June 21, 2007, 07:18:03 AM »

UltimatePartyBear · « **Reply #13 on:** June 21, 2007, 07:21:13 AM »

Good job, Mr. Metts. That headline made me do a triple take. This is one of the least likely things that could have happened.

TrueNerd · « **Reply #14 on:** June 21, 2007, 09:16:20 AM »

As long as the game doesn't even think about taking itself seriously, it should be alright. I'll be keeping an eye.

Bill Aurion · « **Reply #15 on:** June 21, 2007, 09:43:49 AM »

"But the story is still a huge problem."

Do you mean making a story, period, or making a GOOD story?

"...it just doesn't need to be done, and I wish the entire series would dry up and blow away."

Were you paying attention to the gaming crowd when Super Mario RPG was announced? The hardcore Mario fans pretty much acted the same way...Not to say that this game will definitely end up amazing like the Mario RPG/Paper Mario series has, but still, there's the chance...

Ceric · « **Reply #16 on:** June 21, 2007, 09:49:04 AM »

I'm sorry but Sonic barely has enough universe for itself. Hence why Secret Rings is set in a book.

Ian Sane · « **Reply #17 on:** June 21, 2007, 10:05:08 AM »

"Were you paying attention to the gaming crowd when Super Mario RPG was announced? The hardcore Mario fans pretty much acted the same way"

I wasn't on the internet at the time so I don't know what was up there but among the people I knew discussion was as follows:

"They're making a Mario RPG and Square is the one doing it! And it will have rendered graphics like Donkey Kong Country!"
"COOL!!!"

I think Mario has worked better at expanding beyond the main series because the world is a little more creative. Sonic's worlds are designed for you to run through at a million miles an hour. Who cares what a Sonic Zone is like as long as it has loops? Mario has a slower pace so you need areas that are a little bit more interesting to stop and look at. Not that Square didn't have to make up a whole bunch of new stuff with Mario RPG. The enemies in Mario are also more interesting since more of the focus is on jumping on them while in Sonic they're annoying distractions that get in the way of running fast.

Personally I think Sonic's world reaks of generic 90s platformers. The level design was good in that the game was much more fun that Bubsy or Aero the Acrobat but the enemies and characters were just there. Sonic's hip, cool attitude also comes across as extremely dated so it's harder to connect with him beyond nostalgia and the fact that his old games are still fun to play. Though Mario may have a more popular cast of baddies just because Super Mario Bros was so huge so everyone knows who Bowser and the Koopas are.

pyrokamileon · « **Reply #18 on:** June 21, 2007, 10:12:59 AM »

sonic rpg... on ds... imitating Joe Swanson from Family Guy: "Bring it aawwnn!!!"

Crimm · « **Reply #19 on:** June 21, 2007, 11:45:43 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Ceric
This...really ...really really bad...

fixed.

Has a Sonic game ever not had an insipid story?
Good characters?
Pleasing voice work?

No
HELL NO
JESUS CHRIST NO!

No, the source material is all wrong for an RPG.

SixthAngel · « **Reply #20 on:** June 21, 2007, 12:25:52 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Crimm
Quote
Originally posted by: Ceric
This...really ...really really bad...

fixed.

Has a Sonic game ever not had an insipid story?
Good characters?
Pleasing voice work?

No
HELL NO
JESUS CHRIST NO!

No, the source material is all wrong for an RPG.

You act like Mario games had a good story or pleasing voice work before the rpg. Mario stories were all just saving the princess. Square changed it and added what they wanted to make it work.

The Sonic world has plenty to work with for an rpg. It has quite a few main characters and you act like they can't invent new characters or enemies. Mario RPG brought in an entirely new villain and one of the first characters you got on your team was a totally new guy named Mallow. You all are showing how you never really liked Sonic/Sega or played the games. Especially when Bioware is behind it (I would be with you if it was the current Sonic team) you have to have some faith, Bioware has a great record.

Arbok · « **Reply #21 on:** June 21, 2007, 12:46:21 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: SixthAngel
You act like Mario games had a good story or pleasing voice work before the rpg.

Mario games had no voice work at all when Super Mario RPG came out... unless you are talking about Hotel Mario.

Bill Aurion · « **Reply #22 on:** June 21, 2007, 02:01:35 PM »

"I'm sorry but Sonic barely has enough universe for itself. Hence why Secret Rings is set in a book."
"I think Mario has worked better at expanding beyond the main series because the world is a little more creative."

Bollocks! The stages in the Genesis games were almost as unique and colorful as any Mario stage...It all narrows down to SEGA'S TALENT, which they no longer have...

stevey · « **Reply #23 on:** June 21, 2007, 02:28:10 PM »

Finnaly a new Sonic game that might be really really good! Sega not ruining it and there (probably/hopefuly) wont be any voice overs

Mario · « **Reply #24 on:** June 21, 2007, 02:34:51 PM »

WOW, now there are people saying there aren't ENOUGH crappy Sonic side characters? If this game wasn't by such a "serious" dev, i'd be interested. So far its a recipe for generic angst.

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Author Topic: Sonic RPG? From BioWare? On DS? (Read 17437 times)