Sega to delist bad Sonic titles

[ROJM]

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/41217/Sub-sta ... -de-listed

Sega retires titles with average Metacritic scores to increase brand value and avoid franchise fatigue

Poor or average Sonic The Hedgehog games can no longer be bought new at retail.

Sega has de-listed certain Sonic titles in order to ‘increase the value of the brand’ and avoid confusing the consumer.

The firm plans to launch three new Sonic games this Christmas – Sonic Colours and Sonic Free Riders at retail, plus the episodic Sonic 4 via XBLA, PSN and WiiWare.

“Any Sonic game with an average Metacritic has been de-listed,” explained Sega’s SVP of EMEA Jurgen Post.

“We have to do this and increase the value of the brand. This will be very important when more big Sonic releases arrive in the future

 

“We could make a lot of money on back-catalogue Sonic titles, but let’s keep the number of Sonic games available under control. Otherwise you can have cannibalisation. If there are ten Sonic games on the shelves, with people seeing Sonic Rush DS or Sonic Rush Adventure, this may not help our overall strategy.”

Sonic’s fanbase ranges from young gamers to core fans who played the games back in the early ‘90s. Sega is targeting both audiences with its multiple titles this Christmas.

“Colours will play well to our younger Sonic fanbase, but should also appeal to the older fans once they realise there are no unwanted surprises,” added brand director David Corless.

“It’s the first console title for a while that’s clearly influenced by Sonic’s platform past but also keeps the series moving forward with new ideas and innovations that complement that legacy. Sonic 4 on the other hand is old school and primarily for those core fans who remember the originals. But there are also a number of younger gamers who’ve recently discovered the classics on the iPhone or XBLA, PSN and WiiWare so it’ll appeal to them as well.”

Maybe they should also stop a SONIC game in development when its obviously a bad title to play.

[Sharky]

Shame they didnt list the ones they want to delist.
Can start with Sonic 06 and Black Knight.

Shame they are currently DEVELOPING one that is bound to be tripe, Sonic Riders for Kenect.

[STORM!]

Good! Nice move! First time I seen a company doing this with a major franchise in my life. Sega is finally worried about the bad reputation Sonic got around the world. Even in Brazil people bad-mouth him now.

 Bad for the huge fans, like me, who would not be able to buy some games of Sonic new at the store. Since I love Sonic and still being a Sega games collector, I always end buying most everything they release in the market ;p

 Now I understand why Sonic '06 for the PS3 in Japan its now overpriced! Its hard to find it new.

 Need to buy Sonic Chronicle before it turns into a rare piece XD

[ROJM]

Well i don't think SONIC CHRONICLES was a bad game. I wonder if they really mean bad sonic titles or Sonic titles that didn't sell that well on the market.

[STORM!]

I thought most of Sonic games released sold more than 1 million worldwide?

 Man, Sonic is Sega's saviour :mrgreen:

[Orta]

I wonder what they mean by average. This industry has a bad habit of calling a 7 average. It's good to see they're acknowledging the excuses of a game they've been releasing for nearly ten years.

[fluffymoochicken]

I wonder what they mean by average. This industry has a bad habit of calling a 7 average.

That's what I'm thinking. It's too soon to put Unleashed up on that shelf yet.

Also, I love this image that was on the article. ^___^

[cube_b3]

Maybe they should also stop a SONIC game in development when its obviously a bad title to play.

But kids then won't be able to force their parents to buy games they won't play after the 1st time.

[George]

These games are gone most likely:
- Sonic Chronicles
- Sonic and the Black Knight
- Sonic 2006

Questionable:
- Sonic Unleashed

[Barry the Nomad]

I think Unleashed (PS3/360) deserves to stay on shelves at least until the 20th anniversary game arrives. The game is worth a buy at $15 to $20.

[SOUP]

I really liked Unleashed .

[CrazyT]

Just accept SEGA is finally taking things more serious lately. They earn tons of money, but they need to get their reputation back, and sonic as their mascot influences the image of SEGA the most.

I guess if from now all sonic games become actually good, than I stand behind this decision.

[Barry the Nomad]

Well, Unleashed is still up at the XBLA Marketplace despite '06 being pulled. So hopefully it will be there to stay. Unleashed has a near 4/5 star rating whereas '06 had a 3/5. I know Unleashed is a flawed game, but I think it's important to keep the last game of the series alive in retail until the next game releases. Also, Spagonia is a great stage to show off to people who have never seen it.

[max_cady]

Also, I love this image that was on the article. ^___^

That's is probably the weirdest and most random picture I've ever seen about Sonic.

I can't wait for the Devaintart artist who did this piece to file a complaint against MCV UK.

[crackdude]

Also, I love this image that was on the article. ^___^

Why are they blushing? Two males blushing never ends well on the internet.