Love 'em or hate 'em, if it weren't for the Sonic the Hedgehog films, the blue blur might have been canned entirely, so says series boss Takashi Iizuka
I like Sonic. He charms me! But that doesn't mean I'm a fool. I know there are very few of his games that could actually be called "good," whatever that word might mean, I just don't care. Except making not good games, and having a reputation for doing so, will obviously result in waning returns financially. So it isn't a surprise to hear from Sonic boss Takashi Iizuka that, once upon a time, the…
Regardless of whether one loves or loathes the Sonic the Hedgehog films, it is clear that without them, the blue blur may have been entirely discontinued, according to Sonic series boss Takashi Iizuka. In an interview with One More Game, Iizuka revealed that during the franchise's lowest points, he was informed by higher-ups that the entire series should be cancelled.
Iizuka had to work within the organization to keep the franchise alive as long as possible. He attributed the franchise's survival to the first movie, which was a massive hit and significantly changed the course of the series. Iizuka expressed his gratitude for the movie's success, stating that it was the biggest milestone for him.
The first movie, released in 2020, faced negative reactions due to its uncharacteristic portrayal of Sonic, leading to a need for extensive rework. However, Sega is now committed to releasing some form of media annually, including anime, video games, and movies. The upcoming fourth film will feature Amy for the first time, set to release next year.
Iizuka also mentioned that he aims to create more story-focused games, given the emphasis on narrative in projects like the movies. As long as he can maintain his speed and deliver witty lines, Iizuka is satisfied with his role as Sonic the Hedgehog.
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