A mere theory I have for the series and what infulences the games and a look at Sonic fandom in general. Vey long explanations on what determines the Sonic series and how and why.
First let's get something simple and straight here.
Sonic fan = a person who likes Sonic and buys the games, or comics, or shows, and etc he stars in non-casually (as in, doesn't just pick the game for the sheer hell of it, but picks the game because it is a part of Sonic series). That's about it.
Sonic Team...the head honchos that brought us the Sonic games...now I wonder...I see a lot of hatred on Sonic these days and I don't blame them since it's their opinion and they should voice it. But...why? Really the games this generation weren't games...they were more like fun experiments...let me explain.
As far as the new games they're comin out with, I see it as an age of experiementation. The Adventure saga opening up a sense of an RPG-Action thingy with variable character abilities. The Advance saga brought up a reincarnation of the classic 2D style but a hint of modern times.
Shadow the Hedgehog: Experimentation with one of the more popular gaming genre; being able to shoot and wack stuff with lots a choices.
Sonic Heroes:
Experimenting with the ability to control up to 3 different characters in an action base game.
Sonic Rush: Putting to use of 2D classic platforming with 3D models and upgraded music quality as well as a "what if" story with different dimensions.
Sonic Riders:Racing experiment. "Sonic R worked, but could've been so much better, why not try somethin new instead of go-carts and motorbikes?"
It's all in how ya look at it. Sure to some it may not be the greatest thing, but a lil experimenting only hurts if your left to die.
I kinda find it hypocritic and annoying when people ask what they want but complain aboutit when they get it. You think Sega and Sonic Team listen to their fans? Will people they do! The Sonic series are currently experimenting to see the type of Sonic game everyone wants, for it has been proven time and time again that SEGA in fact does listen to there fandom, that's how Sonic Heroes (3d game like the 2d's which it was but just hated on afterwards), Sonic Rush (2d sonic), and Shadow The Hedgehog (people asking for guns since well we've seen Gamma at least only for thme to hate them for it) came to be. I've enjoyed everyone to a certian extent, and from what I have played of Sonic Riders, it is no different. Also, I love the aspect of 4-Player Sonic.
So really....they do listen to their fans...only to be hated? Kinda stupid if you ask me. Sonic Team's doing their best to fulfill their fans wishes as well. You can't satisfy everyone though. The thing with Shadow is that regardless of Yuji Naka's words, kids are still asking for Sonic to have a gun. Therefore, being loyal to their fans, they decided to make Shadow the Hedgehog, at the same time keeping the spirit of Sonic up in a spin off game which by the way is supposed to be different from the normla formula such as Knuckles Chaotix, Tails GG games and possible future ones as well.
Not everyone has been acquainted with Sonic the hedgehog in the exact same way or through the exact same media or at the exact same time...
For example, some people became acquainted with him through the introduction of the Sega Genesis console in 1991, while some other people (like me) became acquainted with him throught the saturday morning cartoon series which was introduced in 1993, and many other people were acquainted through either Archie, or Fleetway, or Sonic Underground, Adventures of Sonic The Hedgehog, or perhaps even the latest Sonic X series.
So, in response to the quesion of "what does it mean to be a sonic fan?" my answer is: it means that you should have a certain degree of flexibility in order to accept multiple flavours of the same product...you know how people can prefer to eat more than one flavour of ice cream, or more than one flavour of potato chips?
They just want to test new features for the Sonic seires and see if they're good or not. There's nothing wrong with trying something new as I was taught in life. If they give up how can they improve if they give up on their dream franchise they worked so hard on so far? I mean I learned that you should never give up and I'm sure they can make a Sonic game where they can appeal to a majority mass. I mean sure the majority hates a game but what about the people that like it? They have got to find a way to include them too.
This is the main problem really. What does it mean anymore? Going off on rants on how games 10 years and older are the best things on earth? All I see is a bunch of hate in the sonic world of fans... What fans? fans who despise almost every aspect of sonic other than Sonic Tails Knuckles and the Chaotix... no wait I take that back.... Sonic is the only one that seems to get any respect anymore, if you say anything about anyone like Shadow. You better duck and cover. I have never seen a fan base decline so much in hatred, so what does it mean to be a sonic fan anymore? To get trashed for expressing your opinion? Or get hated for liking anything thats come out since sonic and knuckles?
I don't think I've ever seen this in a Mario fan base, So SoA messed up the voice actors, I don't think that is any reason to dislike sonic or anything, so some games aren't selling too well, Mario's had his suffers in sales, but not recently.
I personally see it that some fans are so deluded by how wonderful Sonic "Used" to be in the "Golden ages" of the early 90's that they fail to see the wonders of more recent Sonic games or things. It's a game people! It's for fun! Sonic wasn't really a game that had extremely precise gameplay mechanics say, in the vein of a precise shoot em up so don't judge it as such. My thoughts are put across in exact detail in that excerpt up there.
It was a blue hedgehog game aimed at children but some people are so dead set at comparing it to something else. Not to say my point is all knowing and that stuff but Sonic rush was the epitome of 2D Sonic and if i'm wrong and Sonic 3 and Knuckles was, you can't DENY that Rush was absolutely ace and a step in the right direction but people are still slagging it off in some places.
Here's the problem with Sonic fandom, there's too many varying opinions. Common examples I've seen....
"No, the old Sonic games is where it is, the 3d games suck!"
"Sonic Adventure was awsome, Sonic Adventure 2 was okay, and Sonic Heroes sucked! Bring back the adventure fields!"
"Sonic Adventure 2 was the greatest Sonic game ever, it started declining at Sonic Heroes."
"Sonic Heroes goes back to the roots, it may not have too much storyline, but the gameplay makes up for that!"
"Shadow The Hedgehog was awsome, it has elements that really add depth to the game, the levels were unique, and great storyline!"
"Shadow sucks!"
There's too many opinions that are too different from one another, so SEGA tries to make a game to fit everyone's wants and needs, that's why they've been trying new things recently.
No, varying opinions is a good thing, but it's how they handle the other games.
Instead of people saying, "Well, Shadow may not be my type of game", they say, "Shadow sux, and this other Sonic game is better!", you see, if people would handle there opinions better, mabye we wouldn't have this problem.
At another forum this is what happens. I like the Shadow game. And all that happens to me is I end up in an argument. I don't like it for the guns. I only use them if I need to. I tell them even that. Yet they still hate me. I am a true sonic fan. I will play anything related to sonic. Buy sonic stuff. watch all of his shows if I could get them.
People need to learn that other people have other opinions. Instead of yelling at people they need to talk peacefully about the subject without yelling at each other. I mean it's one thing to make a reasonable defensive on what you belive and another to scream at someone. A lot of fans these days scream at people whether on the internet or face to face and try and tell them their wrong. Their is no wrong or write just opinons and on a personal note I thought The Shadow game was okay. Not best but a helluva lot better then Heroes.
Sonic is not going on a decline. Sure, the series has its shortcomings, but that is to be expected for such a long running series. Not all series are constant brilliance. Besides, Sonic still has good games, and Sonic Rush is proof of this. Even if Sonic was on a decline, that does not mean the series will suck for the rest of eternity. Eventually the series will have a new line of quality titles.
Want to know what else I like about Sonic? Where most series kick the bucket after meeting their first major shortcoming, Sonic manages to stay in the playing field after all he's been through. In contrast with characters like Bubsy or Earthworm Jim, one would be amazed how Sonic manages to continue standing up and deliever a quality title from time to time.
That's all I wanted to say. I may be a classic Sonic fan but why do you think I will be buying the PS3 (and Revloution)? For Sonic Next Gen, that's why. I try to get every Sonic related game which is released. And when it is finally released all I hear is how crap the game was because it's graphics were poor, or the gameplay sucked. I've even heard one person saying that the Story line was terrible. I mean come on, we should be enjoying the game, not pointing out everything crappy about it.
The main reason why I play the games is to enjoy it. Sure Sonic Heroes wasn't one of the best games, but enjoyed it to a certain extent. The gameplay was different, and the story kicked *** IMO (Come on! It was good to see a Sonic 1 like story sort of in a 3-D game...okay story wasn't good but nontheless an experiment). I play the games to enjoy, not to complain. I mean every game isn't perfect.
I do point out things that would have made the games better, but I don't say the games sucks because it lacked what I said. I still think the games were good and as long as I enjoy playing Sonic games, I won't have any problems. And lets face it everyone of us has enjoyed more than one Sonic game in the past.
The old games were fun, but they cant keep a series afloat with the same mechanics and no evolution whatsoever and you people know that! Plus, the Adventure series were my favorite games in the series. Not just for gameplay but for STORY and MUSIC. The old music was ok, but nothing I found myself digging for in sound test to listen to, and they left out story sequences, when they could have had something like the Megaman games, no cut scenes, but at least quote boxes and all. This is just me voicing my opinion.
Actually Sonic is losing some old fans but gaining new fans....... I am not saying that's a good thing or a bad thing..more of a neutral thing ...but that just means the fan base is still strong.
Fan base doesnt just mean game wise. I mean Sonic has like a millions or even more sites dedicated to him. It seems like everyday I discover 10 new ones. So much Sonic fan fictions , fan games , fan comics , fan sites , fan movies, fan song remixes, much more and dont make me mention the 5 cartoons, 2 comics, toys, clothing and other stuff. Heck I didn't even meet Sonic one of my idols till I watched one of the older cartoons. Sonic The Hedgehog (You know the one with Mobius and Sally and the more serious Robotnik) and the Adventures of Sonic The Hedgehog (Slap stick comedy series involving Sonic and Tails against Robotnik, and his three robot goons only to be failed in some sort of comical way). After that iIdecided to try the old school games and loved them.
Before you say the cartoon sucks ! Or the comics stink!
It doesnt matter what you say because there are people that enjoy them and they like Sonic because of it so they are considered Sonic fans. On another forum this is basically how things goes...usually.
It's DIFFICULT to become a new Sonic fan if you didn't start with stuff frrom the Genesis. If you first played Sonic on a Nintendo system, prepare to be assualted by nostalgia boys who hate Shadow, all things 3D, can't accept the Genesis is dead.
If you happen to like ANY Sonic game or character introduced from 2001 (This is counting the remakes of SA 1 & 2) & up, you're roughly opening yourself to being called "stupid Nintendo kiddie who never touched a Genesis." comments.
I think to be a Sonic fan in general, you have to keep up with the times and changes with Sonic and not care. Sure I like the 2D games more but I like the newer ones a lot too. You have to like the good and the bad of Sonic and not give up on the games and the creators. That's what I think it means to be a Sonic Fan. However I see this a lot in a lot of Sonic sites...
"My opinion may not be fact but your's is wrong!"
Yep. Anyway someone once said - I don't remember who - that a true fan is kinda like a good friend. You can meet them in so many different ways. You have fun together, grow to trust each other and are willing to forgive - and learn from - mistakes. You don't - and probably won't - agree on everything. All good friends will have their fights, eventually. The moments where they feel like disowning each other and whatnot. But that's a normal part of testing the limits and finding your own identity. Stuff like that can usually be worked out, in time. In the end, good friends are the ones that are willing to stick with you and stand up for you and who honestly just want you to be happy and healthy.
So if you're a Sonic fan... Then you probably get upset when you see a fanfic that drags him way OOC for no reason, cause it's like the author has insulted a friend. And you might not always agree with SEGA - or 4Kids or Archie or any of the other companies with Sonicverse licences - but you tolerate them anyway cause they're testing their limits and, hopefully, learning from their mistakes. You don't go about bashing characters or games or voice actors too excessively. You don't consider yourself superior to other fans just because they have different opinions and experiences. You just want to hang out, have fun and let the characters be themselves, so to speak, without completely taking them apart for analysis or anything.
And if you happen to read that online article about the pending Next Gen game, Sonic 2006, where Mr. Yuji says that he would really like for Sonic to be the ONLY playable character in the game... Then even if your favorite character IS one of the others, you shrug it off and find something positive to say about it. Like hey - if they only have Sonic to render then maybe the game developers will be able to concentrate more on story depth or new attacks or a new type of game level design. *shrugs* Maybe the other characters will be in the background or in cut scenes or there as unlockables.
Weird. One of the many things that make Sonic such a popular franchise is the freedom to play as your favorite character... unless your favorite character is Eggman and you're not playing SA2, Sonic R, Sonic Drift 1 and 2, etc.
Now for characters..ah yes...they're aren't' that many...think about it. Sonic Team only acknowledges this group as their main cast and no more.
Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Cream, Shadow, Rouge, and Eggman. Eight characters? That's not really too much considering casts of other game series. What about those other characters you say? They're purpose was for the storyline of that game and no more! Too overcrowded egh? Well guess what? Know they're only for that game and that game only! Like Blaze was only for Sonic Rush (At least so far...). But then again...too much is kinda bad too. Considering Heroes and all..hey i didn't say it was best now did I?
Now, I understand a lot of people hate this game because of the guns, vehicles, and "racism". Here is my rant on the subject...
ZOMGZORZ!!!111!1GUNZ N CARZ? IT R TEH RUIN TEH SONIC GAEM!11!11!!!!
Who ever said it was a Sonic game? Do you see Sonic on the box art? No. Do you see the word Sonic on the box? Again, no. IT IS NOT A SONIC GAME. IT IS A SHADOW GAME! It, like Heroes, is sort of an experiment. Sonic Team wanted to try something new. If you despise it so much, then go play your beloved S3&K.
Now, on the topic of guns, the fact that people are complaining about them boggles teh mind. Why is it that people complain about the guns in this game, but not SA and SA2? In SA, Gamma used a gun. People didn't complain. In SA2, Eggman and Tails rode vehicles that used guns in their stages, and GUN robots used guns. People didn't complain. In SH, Omega used guns. Again, people didn't complain. Now, In ShTH, Shadow uses a gun. OH NOES! People complain like hell. So then, what is it that makes people hate this game because it has guns, yet they don't hate SA, SA2, and SH, despite the fact that guns were used in those games, too? Besides, it's not like you MUST use guns....
As for vehicles, people don't hate these as much as guns, but nonetheless, people hate them. Again, let's look at SA, SA2, and SH. SA had kart racing. Nobody complained. In SA2, Tails and Eggman ride vehicles. SA2 also had kart racing and driving stages. No complaints here, either. In SH, you would occasionally come across trolleys to ride. Again, no complaints. In ShTH, you use various vehicles. z0mg! People complain. Why hate this game because it has vehicles, yet not hate SA, SA2, and SH? They had vehicles.
Z0MG!!111!11!!DIS GAEM R RACIST N IT SWARES!1!!1!TEH APOCALYPSEZORZ!!1!!!
As for the swearing, yes, Shadow does say damn a lot, but hey, saying damn is addicting. But seriously, damn is a word that 99.99% of people learn when they're in first grade. Same with hell. DEAL WITH IT.
All in all...So yeah... It's interesting to be a fan when the official companies are willing to listen to your input. The Sonic fandom is not alone in that -there are a handful of other fandoms where the fans can influence the official series - but.... I dunno. I've never seen another company so willing to bend over backwards for the fans sake. Kind of a double-edged sword... could turn out good for some...could turn out bad for others...thus my theory about how Sonic fandom and their influence works right now ends.
And with that I'm done with this.
First let's get something simple and straight here.
Sonic fan = a person who likes Sonic and buys the games, or comics, or shows, and etc he stars in non-casually (as in, doesn't just pick the game for the sheer hell of it, but picks the game because it is a part of Sonic series). That's about it.
Sonic Team...the head honchos that brought us the Sonic games...now I wonder...I see a lot of hatred on Sonic these days and I don't blame them since it's their opinion and they should voice it. But...why? Really the games this generation weren't games...they were more like fun experiments...let me explain.
As far as the new games they're comin out with, I see it as an age of experiementation. The Adventure saga opening up a sense of an RPG-Action thingy with variable character abilities. The Advance saga brought up a reincarnation of the classic 2D style but a hint of modern times.
Shadow the Hedgehog: Experimentation with one of the more popular gaming genre; being able to shoot and wack stuff with lots a choices.
Sonic Heroes:
Experimenting with the ability to control up to 3 different characters in an action base game.
Sonic Rush: Putting to use of 2D classic platforming with 3D models and upgraded music quality as well as a "what if" story with different dimensions.
Sonic Riders:Racing experiment. "Sonic R worked, but could've been so much better, why not try somethin new instead of go-carts and motorbikes?"
It's all in how ya look at it. Sure to some it may not be the greatest thing, but a lil experimenting only hurts if your left to die.
I kinda find it hypocritic and annoying when people ask what they want but complain aboutit when they get it. You think Sega and Sonic Team listen to their fans? Will people they do! The Sonic series are currently experimenting to see the type of Sonic game everyone wants, for it has been proven time and time again that SEGA in fact does listen to there fandom, that's how Sonic Heroes (3d game like the 2d's which it was but just hated on afterwards), Sonic Rush (2d sonic), and Shadow The Hedgehog (people asking for guns since well we've seen Gamma at least only for thme to hate them for it) came to be. I've enjoyed everyone to a certian extent, and from what I have played of Sonic Riders, it is no different. Also, I love the aspect of 4-Player Sonic.
So really....they do listen to their fans...only to be hated? Kinda stupid if you ask me. Sonic Team's doing their best to fulfill their fans wishes as well. You can't satisfy everyone though. The thing with Shadow is that regardless of Yuji Naka's words, kids are still asking for Sonic to have a gun. Therefore, being loyal to their fans, they decided to make Shadow the Hedgehog, at the same time keeping the spirit of Sonic up in a spin off game which by the way is supposed to be different from the normla formula such as Knuckles Chaotix, Tails GG games and possible future ones as well.
Not everyone has been acquainted with Sonic the hedgehog in the exact same way or through the exact same media or at the exact same time...
For example, some people became acquainted with him through the introduction of the Sega Genesis console in 1991, while some other people (like me) became acquainted with him throught the saturday morning cartoon series which was introduced in 1993, and many other people were acquainted through either Archie, or Fleetway, or Sonic Underground, Adventures of Sonic The Hedgehog, or perhaps even the latest Sonic X series.
So, in response to the quesion of "what does it mean to be a sonic fan?" my answer is: it means that you should have a certain degree of flexibility in order to accept multiple flavours of the same product...you know how people can prefer to eat more than one flavour of ice cream, or more than one flavour of potato chips?
They just want to test new features for the Sonic seires and see if they're good or not. There's nothing wrong with trying something new as I was taught in life. If they give up how can they improve if they give up on their dream franchise they worked so hard on so far? I mean I learned that you should never give up and I'm sure they can make a Sonic game where they can appeal to a majority mass. I mean sure the majority hates a game but what about the people that like it? They have got to find a way to include them too.
This is the main problem really. What does it mean anymore? Going off on rants on how games 10 years and older are the best things on earth? All I see is a bunch of hate in the sonic world of fans... What fans? fans who despise almost every aspect of sonic other than Sonic Tails Knuckles and the Chaotix... no wait I take that back.... Sonic is the only one that seems to get any respect anymore, if you say anything about anyone like Shadow. You better duck and cover. I have never seen a fan base decline so much in hatred, so what does it mean to be a sonic fan anymore? To get trashed for expressing your opinion? Or get hated for liking anything thats come out since sonic and knuckles?
I don't think I've ever seen this in a Mario fan base, So SoA messed up the voice actors, I don't think that is any reason to dislike sonic or anything, so some games aren't selling too well, Mario's had his suffers in sales, but not recently.
I personally see it that some fans are so deluded by how wonderful Sonic "Used" to be in the "Golden ages" of the early 90's that they fail to see the wonders of more recent Sonic games or things. It's a game people! It's for fun! Sonic wasn't really a game that had extremely precise gameplay mechanics say, in the vein of a precise shoot em up so don't judge it as such. My thoughts are put across in exact detail in that excerpt up there.
It was a blue hedgehog game aimed at children but some people are so dead set at comparing it to something else. Not to say my point is all knowing and that stuff but Sonic rush was the epitome of 2D Sonic and if i'm wrong and Sonic 3 and Knuckles was, you can't DENY that Rush was absolutely ace and a step in the right direction but people are still slagging it off in some places.
Here's the problem with Sonic fandom, there's too many varying opinions. Common examples I've seen....
"No, the old Sonic games is where it is, the 3d games suck!"
"Sonic Adventure was awsome, Sonic Adventure 2 was okay, and Sonic Heroes sucked! Bring back the adventure fields!"
"Sonic Adventure 2 was the greatest Sonic game ever, it started declining at Sonic Heroes."
"Sonic Heroes goes back to the roots, it may not have too much storyline, but the gameplay makes up for that!"
"Shadow The Hedgehog was awsome, it has elements that really add depth to the game, the levels were unique, and great storyline!"
"Shadow sucks!"
There's too many opinions that are too different from one another, so SEGA tries to make a game to fit everyone's wants and needs, that's why they've been trying new things recently.
No, varying opinions is a good thing, but it's how they handle the other games.
Instead of people saying, "Well, Shadow may not be my type of game", they say, "Shadow sux, and this other Sonic game is better!", you see, if people would handle there opinions better, mabye we wouldn't have this problem.
At another forum this is what happens. I like the Shadow game. And all that happens to me is I end up in an argument. I don't like it for the guns. I only use them if I need to. I tell them even that. Yet they still hate me. I am a true sonic fan. I will play anything related to sonic. Buy sonic stuff. watch all of his shows if I could get them.
People need to learn that other people have other opinions. Instead of yelling at people they need to talk peacefully about the subject without yelling at each other. I mean it's one thing to make a reasonable defensive on what you belive and another to scream at someone. A lot of fans these days scream at people whether on the internet or face to face and try and tell them their wrong. Their is no wrong or write just opinons and on a personal note I thought The Shadow game was okay. Not best but a helluva lot better then Heroes.
Sonic is not going on a decline. Sure, the series has its shortcomings, but that is to be expected for such a long running series. Not all series are constant brilliance. Besides, Sonic still has good games, and Sonic Rush is proof of this. Even if Sonic was on a decline, that does not mean the series will suck for the rest of eternity. Eventually the series will have a new line of quality titles.
Want to know what else I like about Sonic? Where most series kick the bucket after meeting their first major shortcoming, Sonic manages to stay in the playing field after all he's been through. In contrast with characters like Bubsy or Earthworm Jim, one would be amazed how Sonic manages to continue standing up and deliever a quality title from time to time.
That's all I wanted to say. I may be a classic Sonic fan but why do you think I will be buying the PS3 (and Revloution)? For Sonic Next Gen, that's why. I try to get every Sonic related game which is released. And when it is finally released all I hear is how crap the game was because it's graphics were poor, or the gameplay sucked. I've even heard one person saying that the Story line was terrible. I mean come on, we should be enjoying the game, not pointing out everything crappy about it.
The main reason why I play the games is to enjoy it. Sure Sonic Heroes wasn't one of the best games, but enjoyed it to a certain extent. The gameplay was different, and the story kicked *** IMO (Come on! It was good to see a Sonic 1 like story sort of in a 3-D game...okay story wasn't good but nontheless an experiment). I play the games to enjoy, not to complain. I mean every game isn't perfect.
I do point out things that would have made the games better, but I don't say the games sucks because it lacked what I said. I still think the games were good and as long as I enjoy playing Sonic games, I won't have any problems. And lets face it everyone of us has enjoyed more than one Sonic game in the past.
The old games were fun, but they cant keep a series afloat with the same mechanics and no evolution whatsoever and you people know that! Plus, the Adventure series were my favorite games in the series. Not just for gameplay but for STORY and MUSIC. The old music was ok, but nothing I found myself digging for in sound test to listen to, and they left out story sequences, when they could have had something like the Megaman games, no cut scenes, but at least quote boxes and all. This is just me voicing my opinion.
Actually Sonic is losing some old fans but gaining new fans....... I am not saying that's a good thing or a bad thing..more of a neutral thing ...but that just means the fan base is still strong.
Fan base doesnt just mean game wise. I mean Sonic has like a millions or even more sites dedicated to him. It seems like everyday I discover 10 new ones. So much Sonic fan fictions , fan games , fan comics , fan sites , fan movies, fan song remixes, much more and dont make me mention the 5 cartoons, 2 comics, toys, clothing and other stuff. Heck I didn't even meet Sonic one of my idols till I watched one of the older cartoons. Sonic The Hedgehog (You know the one with Mobius and Sally and the more serious Robotnik) and the Adventures of Sonic The Hedgehog (Slap stick comedy series involving Sonic and Tails against Robotnik, and his three robot goons only to be failed in some sort of comical way). After that iIdecided to try the old school games and loved them.
Before you say the cartoon sucks ! Or the comics stink!
It doesnt matter what you say because there are people that enjoy them and they like Sonic because of it so they are considered Sonic fans. On another forum this is basically how things goes...usually.
It's DIFFICULT to become a new Sonic fan if you didn't start with stuff frrom the Genesis. If you first played Sonic on a Nintendo system, prepare to be assualted by nostalgia boys who hate Shadow, all things 3D, can't accept the Genesis is dead.
If you happen to like ANY Sonic game or character introduced from 2001 (This is counting the remakes of SA 1 & 2) & up, you're roughly opening yourself to being called "stupid Nintendo kiddie who never touched a Genesis." comments.
I think to be a Sonic fan in general, you have to keep up with the times and changes with Sonic and not care. Sure I like the 2D games more but I like the newer ones a lot too. You have to like the good and the bad of Sonic and not give up on the games and the creators. That's what I think it means to be a Sonic Fan. However I see this a lot in a lot of Sonic sites...
"My opinion may not be fact but your's is wrong!"
Yep. Anyway someone once said - I don't remember who - that a true fan is kinda like a good friend. You can meet them in so many different ways. You have fun together, grow to trust each other and are willing to forgive - and learn from - mistakes. You don't - and probably won't - agree on everything. All good friends will have their fights, eventually. The moments where they feel like disowning each other and whatnot. But that's a normal part of testing the limits and finding your own identity. Stuff like that can usually be worked out, in time. In the end, good friends are the ones that are willing to stick with you and stand up for you and who honestly just want you to be happy and healthy.
So if you're a Sonic fan... Then you probably get upset when you see a fanfic that drags him way OOC for no reason, cause it's like the author has insulted a friend. And you might not always agree with SEGA - or 4Kids or Archie or any of the other companies with Sonicverse licences - but you tolerate them anyway cause they're testing their limits and, hopefully, learning from their mistakes. You don't go about bashing characters or games or voice actors too excessively. You don't consider yourself superior to other fans just because they have different opinions and experiences. You just want to hang out, have fun and let the characters be themselves, so to speak, without completely taking them apart for analysis or anything.
And if you happen to read that online article about the pending Next Gen game, Sonic 2006, where Mr. Yuji says that he would really like for Sonic to be the ONLY playable character in the game... Then even if your favorite character IS one of the others, you shrug it off and find something positive to say about it. Like hey - if they only have Sonic to render then maybe the game developers will be able to concentrate more on story depth or new attacks or a new type of game level design. *shrugs* Maybe the other characters will be in the background or in cut scenes or there as unlockables.
Weird. One of the many things that make Sonic such a popular franchise is the freedom to play as your favorite character... unless your favorite character is Eggman and you're not playing SA2, Sonic R, Sonic Drift 1 and 2, etc.
Now for characters..ah yes...they're aren't' that many...think about it. Sonic Team only acknowledges this group as their main cast and no more.
Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Cream, Shadow, Rouge, and Eggman. Eight characters? That's not really too much considering casts of other game series. What about those other characters you say? They're purpose was for the storyline of that game and no more! Too overcrowded egh? Well guess what? Know they're only for that game and that game only! Like Blaze was only for Sonic Rush (At least so far...). But then again...too much is kinda bad too. Considering Heroes and all..hey i didn't say it was best now did I?
Now, I understand a lot of people hate this game because of the guns, vehicles, and "racism". Here is my rant on the subject...
ZOMGZORZ!!!111!1GUNZ N CARZ? IT R TEH RUIN TEH SONIC GAEM!11!11!!!!
Who ever said it was a Sonic game? Do you see Sonic on the box art? No. Do you see the word Sonic on the box? Again, no. IT IS NOT A SONIC GAME. IT IS A SHADOW GAME! It, like Heroes, is sort of an experiment. Sonic Team wanted to try something new. If you despise it so much, then go play your beloved S3&K.
Now, on the topic of guns, the fact that people are complaining about them boggles teh mind. Why is it that people complain about the guns in this game, but not SA and SA2? In SA, Gamma used a gun. People didn't complain. In SA2, Eggman and Tails rode vehicles that used guns in their stages, and GUN robots used guns. People didn't complain. In SH, Omega used guns. Again, people didn't complain. Now, In ShTH, Shadow uses a gun. OH NOES! People complain like hell. So then, what is it that makes people hate this game because it has guns, yet they don't hate SA, SA2, and SH, despite the fact that guns were used in those games, too? Besides, it's not like you MUST use guns....
As for vehicles, people don't hate these as much as guns, but nonetheless, people hate them. Again, let's look at SA, SA2, and SH. SA had kart racing. Nobody complained. In SA2, Tails and Eggman ride vehicles. SA2 also had kart racing and driving stages. No complaints here, either. In SH, you would occasionally come across trolleys to ride. Again, no complaints. In ShTH, you use various vehicles. z0mg! People complain. Why hate this game because it has vehicles, yet not hate SA, SA2, and SH? They had vehicles.
Z0MG!!111!11!!DIS GAEM R RACIST N IT SWARES!1!!1!TEH APOCALYPSEZORZ!!1!!!
As for the swearing, yes, Shadow does say damn a lot, but hey, saying damn is addicting. But seriously, damn is a word that 99.99% of people learn when they're in first grade. Same with hell. DEAL WITH IT.
All in all...So yeah... It's interesting to be a fan when the official companies are willing to listen to your input. The Sonic fandom is not alone in that -there are a handful of other fandoms where the fans can influence the official series - but.... I dunno. I've never seen another company so willing to bend over backwards for the fans sake. Kind of a double-edged sword... could turn out good for some...could turn out bad for others...thus my theory about how Sonic fandom and their influence works right now ends.
And with that I'm done with this.
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Most you'll find are Mario spin-offs, which everyone's grown to pretty much either accept or ignore due to it being nothing new and something that's been occuring for years. Nintendo isn't jamming new Mario games every few months with different formulas.