Sega's product manager Jim Dyer recently spoke to Twinfinite about the topic of Sonic games, considering Sonic Mania and Sonic Forces are in the pipeline, and Dyer said that Sega are definitely aware of the shortcomings of Sonic games in the past.
"At the end of the day, Sega is a business and there is a strategy behind everything. Every publisher has their niche, and one of our biggest niches is our community. People who love Sega, love Sega. Our model has changed drastically over the past decade. We went from a [Japanese] franchise into evolving into a PC, RTS powerhouse. This was great for our business model, but our fans who love our original titles are still there and we need to speak to that audience."
"Sonic is a franchise that we've tried to evolve but it hasn't necessarily worked - I can openly say that. Generations and Colors were huge successes within the modern Sonic world, but it is about taking modern Sonic and making it something more."
He then talks about how Mania and Forces fit into this. "Sonic Mania is for the fans. The plan with Sonic Forces, bringing Forces out soon after, is that it is a Sonic game for everyone," he said. "Sonic Mania is one for fans, either because of nostalgia or for people who just love the brand, or for kids that recognise the character."
Do you think Sonic Forces can turn things around?