This information comes from Chan Chin Shan (he signed my guestbook awhile back, and occasionally visits the SoJ english forum), who runs a popular Chinese Sega site. One of his sources who attended TGS a couple of weeks ago had the opportunity to speak with Yuji Naka himself. As it's looking, although the Team would like to incorporate 1.5 gameplay, it isn't likely to make the final cut. (Maybe in Sonic Adventure 2, neh?) But on an interesting note, Naka-sama ended with a smile, mentioning that network play might be an alternative. Hm... I guess we'll all know for sure come December 10...