Takashi Iizuka

Sonic Team’s Takashi Iizuka wants to do a Sonic Adventure Remake

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In a new article in Retro Gamer looks back at Sonic Adventure, goes into details about how Sonic the Hedgehog transition from 2D to 3D and the making of Sonic Adventure. After this whole reminisce and looking back at the work Sonic Team did with the first Sonic Adventure, Takashi Iizuka says:

“It was the first high-speed 3D action game that also featured scenario highlighted with six different stories, the A-life Chao, six unique styles of gameplay – it is a unique offering even 20 years after its release… However, it was the very first 3D game that we worked on and looking at it now I can see the rough edges it has, which really makes me want to remake it again.”

While on the other hand Kazuyuki Hoshino said he would like to continue the series with a new game. But what would you rather have? A new Sonic Adventure 3 or a remake of Sonic Adventure? I wouldn’t be shocked if Sonic Team tries going back to the Sonic Adventure brand considering fan demand is high and that Sonic Mania was a highly successful experiment that was pushed to its success by its enthusiastic fans, its not hard to see SEGA wanting to try capturing that lighting in a bottle another time with Sonic Adventure-type remake.

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Sonic Mania Plus developer diary part two features Takashi Iizuka and Christian Whitehead

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SEGA has released the second Sonic Mania Plus developer diary, in a series of two, this time featuring Sonic Team’s Takashi Iizuka and the Taxman himself Christian Whitehead. The video is a lively discussion about the genesis of Sonic Mania and the recently released Sonic Mania Plus, as well as a breakdown of the new modes and characters. You can check out the first part here.

If you have yet to pick up Sonic Mania Plus, you can order the game today for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One via Amazon.

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SDCC Sonic the Hedgehog’s Way Past Cool Panel promises surprise announcements

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The IDW comic book team will have a big Sonic the Hedgehog panel at San Diego Comic-Con which is being titled Sonic the Hedgehog’s Way Past Cool Panel. The panel is set to take place on July 19 from 2:00pm to 3:00pm. Here is the panel description by Comic-Con 2018’s event page:

Sonic The Hedgehog has raced back into comics, bringing old enemies and new friends along for the ride. IDW editors Joe Hughes and David Mariotte, artist Evan Stanley, Sega licensing specialist Michael Cisneros, director of product development Austin Keys, and head of Sonic team Takashi Iizuka discuss comics and upcoming games, make some surprise announcements, and more!

I think its pretty interesting that Takashi Iizuka will be at the event and that they will be discussing upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog games and not only comics. Will the IDW Sonic the Hedgehog game announce a storyline to tie into the upcoming Team Sonic Racing? According to the tags there will also be ‘action figures’ and ‘toys’ at the event. Like always, if you miss the panel you can check back here and we will have a post with all the new announcements! See you on July 19th! What do you think the surprises will be?

[Via: Comic-Con event page]

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Live Performance by Belly & Crush 40 at Nice Kicks LA on June 13th

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UPDATE: Jun Senuoe on Twitter said that the performance may start at 6PM.
If you are a Sonic the Hedgehog fan attending E3 next week or just happen to scroll around downtown L.A., you are in luck as Belly and Crush 40 will be performing live at Nice Kicks LA on June 13th celebrating the launch of the Sonic the Hedgehog X PUMA shoe lineup. Not only there will be a live performance, Takashi Iizuka, head of Sonic Team, will be there as a special guest for a meet and greet. The live performance will be located at 862 S. Main St. Los Angeles, CA. The scheduled time is unknown at the moment but we will keep you guys updated on any further details that comes by.

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Takashi Iizuka says Sonic Mania Plus physical release is ‘everything we could do for the Sonic Mania Project’

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Sonic Mania was a hit for the indie developers behind the project which included Christian Whitehead, Stealth from Headcannon and PagodaWest Games. It made a lot of older fans come back to the Sonic the Hedgehog brand with delight and soon we will be getting Sonic Mania Plus with added Ray and Mighty.

One thing a lot of hardcore fans want to know, will we see a sequel to Sonic Mania?

“Maybe the next one will be Sonic Mania’ (Dash) then [laughs]. Jokes aside, with the release of the physical version in Sonic Mania Plus, it feels like we did everything we could for the Sonic Mania project.” – Takashi Iizuka

You can check out the fully translated Famitsu interview over at Siliconera, where he even talks about how Ray and Mighty are ‘sealed’ characters that where never mean’t to be in a future game. Interesting?

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Sonic the Hedgehog panel returns to SXSW this year

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Last year SEGA held the first “Gotta Go Fast: The Official Sonic the Hedgehog Panel” at SXSW, a Austin, Texas based convention. This year? They will be back and will be calling the panel the same exact name! The Official Sonic the Hedgehog panel will take place on March 16, 2018 from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM featuring Takashi Iizuka, Austin Keys, Aaron “Meme Lord” Webber, and Tyson Hesse.

According to the SXSW event description:

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SEGA Confirms No DLC Planned for Sonic Mania

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SonicManiaDLCNoThe Sonic Mania fever is spreading online and now that fans have finished the game they want more. I would assume that this is a good sign, you always want gamers that complete your game to want more. Its the sign of a fun, well put together package. While some Sonic Mania fans have been asking for DLC, Sonic Team’s Takashi Iizuka finally came out and confirmed that there isn’t any plans for it. That’s right, Sonic Mania is leaving the potential of DLC cash on the table to deliver a complete package for only $19.99. While some might say, if they really want to be like the olden days, why not a physical release? I’m there with you. I hope Sonic Mania is successful enough digitally (which it looks like it might be) to get a physical release. I mean if Shovel Knight, Rocket League and other smaller published games can do it, so can SEGA.

As for as Sonic Mania DLC, if it where to happen, what would you want the developers to add? Personally sold on the idea of having a playable Metal Sonic, what about you guys? Let us know in the comments below.

[Via: GoNintendo]

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New Sonic Mania & Forces info from Famitsu Interview with Takashi Iizuka

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In the latest issue of Famitsu, an interview was featured with Sonic series producer & director, Takashi Iizuka, explaining what to expect from Sonic Mania and Sonic Forces with new info on gameplay elements, suprises and many more. With special thanks to translators, Woun and Source Gaming from the Sonic community, here’s what we should expect from both games. Hit the jump to see the translated information.

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SEGA Japanese developers talk Nintendo Switch

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SEGADevelopersSwitchSeeing as we are big SEGA fanboys, it is safe to say we care about what their developers think about a upcoming console. This month on Famitsu, SEGA Japanese developers talk Nintendo Switch and their thoughts on the big reveal presentation. The original news piece, posted by Nintendo Everything, also had other top Japanese developers. So check that out if you want to learn what other top Japanese talent from other publishing companies thought about the Nintendo Switch. So what SEGA Japanese developers talk Nintendo Switch? We have Takashi Iizuka (Sonic the Hedgehog series), Toshihiro Nagoshi (Yakuza series) and Mizuki Hosoyamada (Puyo Puyo series).

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New Sonic the Hedgehog game confirmed for 2017

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SonicTeamSonicGame2017The Sonic the Hedgehog 25th Anniversary event took place over in Tokyo, Japan yesterday and Sonic Team time lord Takashi Iizuka was there. At the event Takashi Iizuka finally announced ‘officially’ that a ‘new Sonic the Hedgehog game’ will be coming out next year.

While people are freaking out over not having a Sonic Team developed Sonic the Hedgehog game this year, I do want to stress that everyone wait for July 22nd, when the game will be shown off at the Sonic the Hedgehog 25th Anniversary party in San Diego, California. We will be there covering the event live and there will be a lot of surprises that will please fans of the blue blur. I guarantee it. I have seen some crazy conclusions fans have come up, so just relax it will all be shown in less than a month!

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Takashi Iizuka returns to America

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Director of the Sonic series since Sonic Adventure up to Sonic the Hedgehog (2006), Takashi Iizuka has served diligently as vice president of product development over in Japan since Sonic Team USA’s closure in 2008. However, he seems to now be leading a charge of some sort at SEGA America, a quote provided from Gamasuta attributed to Tatsuyuki Miyazaki states: “Plus, the Sonic business team, with Ivo’s strong leadership and the addition of renowned Sonic Team creator Iizuka in the Los Angeles office, SEGA of America is in the best position yet to diversify and grow its business. SEGA of America is entering new age of publishing[sic], and going back to the road to prosperity.” This news coincides with SEGA finalizing their acquisition of Atlus USA, whose CEO, Naoto Hiraoka, seems very excited to be working with the company.

It’s likely no coincidence that these two events happen alongside each other. Nor is it a coincidence that Iizuka returns to America at the new Los Angeles office just as things start rolling for Sonic’s 25th anniversary. There’s very little to speculate on what it could all mean, however. The press release is vague about exactly what Iizuka’s plans are; strengthening the ‘global brand’ is something brought up a couple times, but that’s about it. It could just as well mean he’s back in the US to oversee the 25th Anniversary project, or perhaps get directly involved. He could also just be stopping by to appear at events, many of which are in the coming months, both official and fan-sponsored. Whatever the case, we’ll keep you all posted on any news bits surrounding Iizuka or Sonic that appear.

(Img. from Aaraon Webber)

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SEGA News Bits: Sonic 25th Anniversary SXSW Panel Discussion

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Come get nerdy with me and Barry as we talk about the Sonic 25th Anniversary SXSW Panel and our thoughts on the secret announcement. The panel was moderated by Aaron Webber (Sonic community manager), featured the ex-Sonic Team developer Yuji Naka, current head of Sonic Team Takashi Iizuka, current voice actors Roger Craig Smith (Sonic the Hedgehog), and Mike Pollock (Dr. Eggman). This will be one of the many Sonic 25th Anniversary events SEGA has plan for this year, so expect more coverage on the site!

If you want to see the panel yourself, we have it up here. What did you think of the Sonic 25th Anniversary panel? Tell us in the comments below.

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SEGA Announces Sonic 25th Anniversary Party in July during San Diego Comic Con

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Sonic25thAnniversaryPartyDuring SEGA’s SxSW panel, which was filled with Sonic the Hedgehog alumni including series developers Yuji Naka and Takashi Iizuka. SEGA announced that they will be having a Sonic 25th Anniversary Party on July . The party will be held in San Diego and tickets are already on sale! Tickets cost $25 dollars and can be purchased online at Universe.com/Sonic25.

This was the announcement that Sonic the Hedgehog teased for the event, even if Sonic fans want it to be the Sonic 25th Anniversary game instead. Who knows, maybe that’s what will be shown at the Sonic 25th Anniversary party?

After the break, read the full event description.

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Rumor: Takashi Iizuka says Sonic Team not developing rumored ‘Sonic Mach 2’ game

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Oh boy, it seems the rumors posted about a new Sonic game in development being titled ‘Sonic Mach 2‘ are coming true. The Sonic Mach 2 rumors started when Orbot’s German voice actor listed the unannounced project on his online portfolio. Since the Sonic fanbase its an excited bunch, instead of waiting for its eventual reveal, Sonic Stadium forum members started messaging Takashi Iizuka on his personal Facebook account. Here is the conversation he had with one user:

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Thanks for spilling some of the beans Mr. Iizuka, I’m sure your going to get a stern talking to (unless he is trolling users of course). So let’s say the game does exist but isn’t being developed by Sonic Team. What does that mean? Probably means its not the next big Sonic the Hedgehog game. It might even be a new game developed by SEGA’s newly acquired mobile developer Demiurge Studios or even another mobile title by Hardlight. But is it a little too early for another Sonic mobile game, seeing as Sonic Runners hasn’t even been released world wide?

What do you guys think? Tell us in the comments, you think Iizuka is trolling?

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Summer of Sonic 2013 – Takashi Iizuka Interview

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Over the past few years the Sonic series has hit a bit of a renaissance, with Colours and Generations achieving relative success critically as well as commercially. Typically, just as this turnaround is achieved, the newest game shows signs of radical change to the 3D Sonic formula that had finally gained acceptance. Sonic Lost World’s new design is the kind of decision that means it’s always interesting to chat to Takashi Iizuka, the man at the top of Sonic Team today and the public face of the team. He’s always cheery and approachable, but you can never quite predict the answers you’ll get from him. Read on to find out Iizuka’s take on the limitations of Sonic’s previous 3D outings, what inspired the new design of Sonic Lost World and his view of differences between working in the USA and Japan!

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