In a rare and honest moment, Sega of America's Vice President of Marketing Sean Ratcliffe admitted in an interview the criticism of Sonic since his 16-bit days is probably warranted. Remember why we all secretly love Sega again?

Full interview here; latest Sonic Unleashed trailer here.

In a new in-depth interview, Sega of America's Vice President of Marketing Sean Ratcliffe commented, "Some of that criticism is probably warranted. We definitely recognize that a franchise that has been going as long as Sonic, you really have to put a huge amount of effort in to make sure that you maintain that quality, and arguably a disproportionate amount of effort. However, I would say we recognize it, which is why you're seeing us this year taking the first steps in making sure the quality is right, and we're constantly looking at innovation. We can't just stand still with Sonic; we've got to be looking at different ways to develop the character, different genres, and so on."

He added, "So your point [about quality] is a fair one, and it's a challenge to Sega to make sure we're pushing and making sure the quality is there with Sonic. Do we get concerned about it? Yes, of course we're always concerned about how we're developing that franchise. And a lot of time and effort is spent discussing how we develop Sonic."
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  • 1
    McClubbin Aug 7, 08
    It's great that they've fessed up to their mistakes. Learning's all about a change in the way you think. Now that they've acknowledged what they've done wrong, they can move on to the next step and fix all their mistakes. Of course it won't be as easy as it sounds.
  • 1
    Demonfurby Aug 7, 08
    It's a little too late for that now. But oh wait, they have the absolute great games like Sonic Unleashed and Sonic and a horrible plot that involves a sword that will succeed just as much as Shadow the Hedgehog did. The only way to fix their mistakes is to make a brand new 16 bit Sonic game.
  • 2
    Storm Aug 7, 08
    Who didn't know that Sonic has sucked? Was Sega in denial all this time? Meh, let's hope they get Sonic back to the good ol' days soon...that 'sword' bit in the upcoming game isn't helping.
  • 2
    Tenken Aug 7, 08
    Not ALL Sonic games have sucked since the 16-bit era..I liked the Dreamcast games..
    • 1
      Final Blade Aug 8, 08
      I agree, although since I grew up with sonic and read the comics and the Animated TV series as a kid, I can't help but to continue liking sonic, even if the game is a little under par the quality as the past Genesis and dreamcast titles.

      Tbh, im impressed on the gameplay trailer for Sonic Unleashed, and anyone who says it sucks or going to suck is ignorant. First off you haven't played it so how do you know how it turns out?

      Regardless I'm still impressed with what I've seen from it, and continue hope it delivers.

      LOL at the picture attached to the article. Has Nintendo admitted to Mario becoming bad in the past years?
      Cause tbh, I haven't like Mario since the SMB days and the Super Mario RPG: LoSS.

      Best Mario's ever to this date.
  • 2
    Smiffers Aug 7, 08
    Sega, if you know Sonic has sucked, why didnt you do smething about it THEN?
    • 0
      chautemoc Aug 7, 08
      I think they tried and kinda hit and missed the mark, to different degrees.
  • 0
    DusktoDawn Aug 7, 08
    I miss the Old sonic already.
    • 1
      iLLmatic Aug 7, 08
      Already? I miss the old Sonic since yesteryear. The only Sonic worth the asking price since Genesis was Sonic Adventure on Dreamcast.
      • 0
        Fury Aug 7, 08
        Sonic Adventure Battle 2 is pretty good as well. It was probably my favorite game I had for the Gamecube. Every Sonic game they have made since then hasn't been as good though. I think there was one called Sonic Adventure DX or something that was alright, but I never got to completing it it.
        • 0
          Demonfurby Aug 7, 08
          Sonic Adventure DX? Shotty animations, horrible voiceacting, annoying cameras, Chao that aren't nearly as well done as Adventure 2: Battle. The only saving grace for it were that it had classic Sonic minigames.
      • 0
        chautemoc Aug 7, 08
        Hmm, what about Sonic Rush/Sonic Rush Adventure? I havent played them but they sound really cool and seemed to get great reviews.
      • 0
        Zeon I Aug 7, 08
        $10 is the asking Price, btw.
  • 0
    DragoniteBallZ Aug 7, 08
    It's not that the games themselves don't work as games. It's just become apparent that Sonic only was fun as a 2D game.Ever since it went 3D or even part-3D it just wasnt fun anymore.

    It's just one of those games where the fun stops at anything beyond old fashioned.
    • 1
      Raziel_326 Aug 8, 08
      I disagree. Like what Tenken said, I thought the Dreamcast Sonic games were very fun.
  • 0
    Zeon I Aug 9, 08
    The DC Controller was an ungodly piece of equipment, though. So damn big...
  • 0
    Zeta Aug 10, 08
    The Dreamcast Sonic games were pretty good.

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