Naka Squashes Rumors

The most recent issue of Next Generation features a short interview with four key members of Sonic Team: Yuji Naka (producer), Takashi Iizuka (director), Kazuyuki Hoshino (art director), and Tetsu Katano (lead programmer). The interview is short (just twelve questions), but the questions asked were all the right ones. Here are a few key tidbits, the first of which I find so important I'll quote directly:

NG: We heard the Sonic Team split into groups...
Yuji Naka: There are lots of rumors. Sometimes I go on the Internet, and find so many rumors, I really have to laugh. Players want to have a sequel to Sonic Adventure, Burning Rangers, and NiGHTS, so the rumor spreads on the Net that the Sonic Team split into three groups. I don't want to break people's dreams, but I am making none of these games! Rumors are very interesting...

NG: So what is next for the Sonic Team?
Yuji Naka: It's a big secret! [Laughs]

And there you have it, once again. Incase anyone missed it, I'll re-emphasize the statement: Sonic Team is NOT working on any sequels at this time. That means NO Sonic Adventure 2, NO Burning Rangers 2, and (pay attention now) NO NiGHTS 2; at least not in the foreseeable future. Furthermore, all these rumors about a Sonic Team split are also pure nonsense, as I always made them out to be. The Almighty has spoken, all who defy his words shall be tried for blasphemy and hanged. Or at least have their Drano rights taken away.

Now that these ludicrous rumors have hopefully been killed for good (if only), we know for sure that Sonic Team's next project is going to be something completely original. This is quite exciting news because, as far as I'm concerned, originality is what Sonic Team does best. (And I get to add a new section to NEO GHZ!) It's just a matter of waiting for the announcement. I've got my eyes hard on fall TGS...

Also of note, Hoshino-san explained Sonic's new look. Sonic's original look was brought back and amplified, in order to revive his true personality after years of marketing had "cutened" the character. Other details in the interview reveal that the Team has been researching the possibilities of online gaming, their thoughts on PlayStation 2, the possibility of any Sonic spin-offs starring other characters from the series (not a chance), and whether Sonic or Crash Bandicoot would win in a fight. They probably wouldn't appreciate it if I killed the whole interview right here, so pick up the issue if you want all the dirty details.

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