http://kotaku.com/gaming/wtf%3F/bioware-and-sega-team-for-sonic-rpg-270998.php
So I am sitting here trying to figure out what to say about the press release I just received, and words are failing me completely. RPG gods BioWare are teaming up with Sega to create a Sonic RPG for the Nintendo DS. My excitement glands and cynicism glands just leapt out of my body and are sword fighting across the top of my desk. We'll see what Sega of America president Simon Jeffery has to say while I wrangle these suckers.
"BioWare is one of the hottest names in RPG development in the world," said Simon Jeffery, President and COO, SEGA of America, Inc. "Everyone at SEGA has huge confidence that Sonic is in the safest of hands, and that BioWare can create the ultimate handheld RPG experience for gamers of all ages."
So we have BioWare, who have never created anything I didn't love, working in the Sonic universe, which lately has been transformed into a giant farm where they only grow crap. A shitfarm, if you will. Can a story-driven game about a character who has always been about blindingly fast action even work?
If I think about this too much my head will explode, or I'll be torn into two separate beings with the evil side getting the goatee. Kind of fond of my goatee. Here, have a press release.
SEGA And BioWare Collaborate On New Sonic Role Playing Game For The Nintendo DS
LONDON & SAN FRANCISCO (Thurs 21st June 2007) - SEGA® Europe, Ltd., SEGA® of America, Inc. and Canada-based developer studio BioWare® Corp. today announced a partnership to create a new video game based on the classic SEGA flagship icon, Sonic The Hedgehog. The exact name of the game is undetermined, but this new title developed exclusively for the Nintendo DS will ship in 2008.
"BioWare is one of the hottest names in RPG development in the world," said Simon Jeffery, President and COO, SEGA of America, Inc. "Everyone at SEGA has huge confidence that Sonic is in the safest of hands, and that BioWare can create the ultimate handheld RPG experience for gamers of all ages."
BioWare is the award-winning independent developer that has created some of the world's best-selling titles including the Baldur's Gate™ and Neverwinter Nights™ series, the 2003 Game of the Year, Star Wars®: Knights of the Old Republic™ and the 2005 RPG of the Year, Jade Empire.™ BioWare is currently developing one of the most anticipated next-generation titles of 2007, Mass Effect.™
"We're thrilled to be working with SEGA on Sonic, one of the industry's most enduring and compelling icons," said Greg Zeschuk, president of BioWare. "As huge fans of Sonic ourselves, we're committed to delivering a truly amazing story-driven experience within the Sonic universe, focusing on capturing the character's broad appeal and placing him in a completely original adventure," added Ray Muzyka, chief executive officer of BioWare.
The relationship with BioWare reinforces SEGA's increased emphasis on Western content development for Western audiences. In the past few years SEGA has announced partnerships with developers Bizarre Creations, Gas Powered Games, Monolith Productions, Obsidian Entertainment, Planet Moon Studios, Pseudo Interactive and Silicon Knights. SEGA has also acquired development studios The Creative Assembly, Secret Level and Sports Interactive.
Wow, I love BioWare, if they do this right.... man I just can't wait. Anyone else really excited about the possibilities here? The last good Sonic game was Sonic Rush on DS, and that was one gem amongst quite a lot of crap. Is it wrong to hope that this will be amazing?
