Get able to forge new frontiers and expertise Sonic the Hedgehog like by no means earlier than in Sonic Frontiers! Sonic’s upcoming open-zone, action-adventure platformer is ready to launch November 8 and marks a large leap ahead into the way forward for 3D motion Sonic video games.
With the return of fan-favorite characters like Sonic, Tails, and Amy, in addition to the introduction of the mysterious new character, Sage, one main query involves thoughts: How does Sonic Team create new characters within the Sonic universe with plans to suit them into the way forward for the franchise?
Sonic Frontiers Producer Sachiko Kawamura and Art Director Yoshitaka Miura answered a number of of our questions concerning the new characters and enemies we’ve seen from the extremely anticipated title thus far, shedding gentle on the design course of that goes into introducing new associates and foes to Sonic’s universe.
How does Sonic Team method creating brand-new characters that match into the long-running sequence?
Sonic Team: While Sonic has a really lengthy historical past, there are variations within the themes and worlds for every title, in addition to the picture we keep in mind for every character. From quite a lot of concepts, the crew chooses one of the best character design after sketching the sport’s world, ensuring the brand new character matches with the setting and the solid we want within the recreation. We additionally wish to be certain that we’re honoring the sequence’ historical past and core id.
How a lot does Sega think about previous character designs and kinds when creating new characters?
Sonic Team: The most important rule for creating new characters is to make sure the character design doesn’t really feel misplaced when it’s in the identical world as present characters – even when the design model is totally different for every title. It’s additionally essential to create a design that’s each easy and spectacular to our followers. We attempt to keep away from combining previous character facets collectively to be on par with our easy and simple character designs.
How does the open-zone nature of the sport affect character design?
Sonic Team: In previous video games, the place Sonic races by way of a timed, linear stage from begin to end, gamers would typically assault the enemies head-on, so we’d prioritize how they appear from the entrance. With the brand new enemies you see in Sonic Frontiers, we paid shut consideration to how every enemy, and their silhouettes, seemed from varied instructions because the participant can select which course they method the enemy from and see them from any angle.
In addition, with the brand new fight system, there at the moment are many enemies you’ll be able to’t defeat with only one homing assault. Given that it takes extra effort to struggle foes, we needed to revise the enemy designs many occasions to make every battle visually interesting however purposeful.
Can you dive deeper into new character design/mythology particulars on a single character?
Sonic Team: We can’t say a lot concerning the new character, Sage, as she is central to the mysterious story and setting. However, we did numerous trial and error with the design of her as a younger woman that was each mystical and mysterious, whereas adjusting her proportions to ensure she slot in to the world of Sonic. We paid consideration to how she can be perceived from her design and in cutscenes, as she is on the opposing aspect, attempting to not give her an excessive amount of of a legendary or non secular which means.
Sonic Frontiers is out there for pre-order now beginning at $59.99 on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 consoles.
