Fans. They're never happy with anything, are they? Sega announces Sonic the Hedghog 4, a 2D retro experience that people have been clamoring for since the move to 3D, and people still manage to find things to complain about. Some of the complaints I already addressed, but by far the most controversial issue seems to be the fact that Sonic himself doesn't look old school enough.
Internet justice to the rescue! Fans have set up a petition (470 sigs and counting) in a bid to make Sega change the current Sonic design to something more reminiscent of the Genesis era. Apparently, people aren't fans of the sleeker modern Hedgehog, and want the old pot-bellied guy back on their screens. Sega's bound to ignore the outcry, but it never hurts to try I suppose.
As possibly the biggest (or only) Sonic fan on Destructoid's staff, I personally have never had an issue with Sonic's current look. I might be in the minority, but I've always kind of liked the way he looks these days, and I don't think character design has ever been the guy's biggest problem. Still, if people are determined to find things to whine about before we've seen more than a teaser trailer, I guess this is as good a subject as any.
Bring the classic Sonic to Sonic the Hedgehog 4 [GoPetition via GoNintendo]
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Contest:
8:00 PM on 02.09.2010
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Do you think we can petition the "Sonic Fanbase" to be a little less bat-shit insane?
I kinda missed his Dreamcast look where he had fuller longer quills. (IIRC, it could have just been the Chao.)
...Chao need to be in this game. It wouldn't impede the gameplay getting Animals/Cores off of enemies and Chao were the first good thing to leave 3D Sonic games.
While I'd usually say Sega should take a hearty laugh at this (same fanbase complimented the HD Unleashed model, which this seems to be using to some extent) I'd love to see Sega be utter dicks about this and release a "classic Sonic" skin for $2.00 on DLC.
But then Sonic fans would never shut up, as if they even do now.
Fucking Bullshit. You called the current design of all Sonic characters awful in your Bargain Bin Laden of Sonic Advance (http://www.destructoid.com/bargain-bin-laden-30-sonic-advance-59215.phtml). Don't forget your own words, Sterling.
This is no more deserving of the name "Sonic 4" than any of those games.
And dear god, is it glorious.
But while we're on the topic of sonics looks, I've never understood how the whites of his eyes can extend all around his head. Seriously.. does he just have one enormous eyeball with two irises?
Sarcastic, hateful comments to the rescue! Jim scoured the internet to find this breaking story of fans hoping to voice a popular opinion with an intelligent statement. Apparently, and as we've learned over time, Jim isn't a fan of fans, regardless of what they say, and wants to make them all look like stupid children. Jim's bound to ignore this post, but it never hurts to be honest with yourself.
As possibly the biggest (or only) Jim Sterling of old fan in Destructoid's readership, I personally have never had too big an issue with Jim's in-your-face style of writing, until recently. I might be in the minority, but I kind of feel like Jim's obsession with fan-baiting, political barbarism, and, essentially, demeaning intolerance for opposing opinion is the guy's biggest problem. Still, if Jim Sterling is determined to find people who are whining to whine about before he's thought through more than his own opionons, I guess this is as good a subject as any.
Jim. Please. I know you like your influence/effect on people, but c'mon. Are you making positive ones? That ^^ stuff can be funny, but... that's basically all you've done for a really, really long time. Be clever again, actually clever (I do really like your ESRB posts and "Videogame Show..." vids. Hilarious stuff)
1. Get rid of the green in his eyes.
2. Make his spikes less floppy.
3. Reduce the amount that his eyes furrow.
As far as I can tell the changes in his design over the years were meant to make him look more "extreme" or something.
If they're going back to Sonic's roots in the gameplay why don't they fo back to his friendlier design too?
I'm not even that much of a Sonic fan and I can't be bothered signing a petition for this, I'm just stating my preference.
You think that petition is logical? Uh...
http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/3599/1204951804247.jpg
Did you go to the site and read the thing? Uh... How about you do that. It makes sense. I dunno how if you played the old ones back in the day, but that's what Sonic "was" to the people who grew up with him. This game is a throwback to those, hence the "4". For Mega Man 9/10, did/is Konami giving the main character one the new designs he's had for the last decade? No, he gets the "classic" design, because that's the point. Return to roots. This is, well, fairly similar
Of course this is just my opinion, and no one has to acknowledge it.
I agree with the article. That petition was totally whiny and full of ridiculous complaints and "outcry". Also, 500 people saying they don't like a character's design is totally worthy of commenting on. Also also, if someone creates a sequel to something you like, you should shut your whore mouth about suggestions and what you want to see or not see in it and be glad to get what you get!
...I'm really bored right now.
-His head is too big
-Why 2.5D? Why not just HD 2D graphics?
-Episodes? In a sonic game?
Only a few of many complaints that fans won't shut the hell up about but that are valid in their own right, but atleast Sega's trying. Eh, I'm still not convinced though as to whether or not Sega really knows how to do "Sonic the Hedgehog" anymore, cause back in the day Sonic wasn't a game solely based on holding right 'til you win the level, and I think this upcoming installment will be just that.
You mean Capcom, not Konami...
Don't get me wrong, I'd love it if they started calling him Robotnik again. But he HAS always been called Eggman, in Japan at least.
give 'em an inch, take a mile. They should just cancel the whole problem to teach us all an important lesson in thankfulness.
Relevant
Old Sonic = Awesome
i say the same about a lot of games that left the 2D sprites behind, like the "new super mario bros" and the "capcom vs" games... not to mention how beautiful i think some games like "Odin sphere" was...there's just something i love about that 2D animation.
There's a difference between whining and constructive criticism. On another note, I'm happy that you took the time to "whine" about this petition, because otherwise I wouldn't have heard of it, and I wouldn't be signing it right now.