Posts tagged Hardlight
Shadow models and textures found in new Sonic Dash update
May 15th
Sonic Dash recently received a huge patch for iOS which added a whole load of new content, including new power-ups and missions. What it didn’t openly mention is that it also added Shadow’s textures and model to the game.
That mess of colours above? Yep, that’s a crop of a texture map for Shadow. Discovered by Woun over at Russian fansite Sonic Scene, the files were found in the iPad 3 & 4 hi-res texture pack. Although currently unplayable, an upcoming patch from Hardlight to unveil the character is almost certain.
If you haven’t already played Sonic Dash, the game recently went free to play and comes well recommended from us. How do you think Shadow will play differently to Sonic?
[Source: tssznews]
Review: Sonic Dash (iOS)
Mar 18th
Putting Sonic the Hedgehog in an “endless runner” game is probably the most logical idea to arrive on the smart phone marketplace. Running at break-neck speeds for over 2 decades, it almost feels like Sonic has been going through endless runner games since the Genesis days. Sonic Dash, however, does some things differently from the other endless runners, and copies some ideas where it should. Do these ideas fare well with the game overall? Or should you just go back to Temple Run? Hit that spring jump to find out. More >
Sonic Dash appears to be another hedgehog inspired success on iOS
Mar 13th
Hardlight’s latest iOS offering, Sonic Dash, has hit the ground running and peaked at the #2 top selling paid app on both the iPhone and iPad charts. Taking into account just how how much competition there is these days on the App Store and with games and apps being released daily, that’s a pretty impressive number. Also, when you look at the similar chart numbers for Sonic CD’s and Sonic Jump’s initial release, it’s pretty clear that the Sonic license is still quite powerful for Sega.
With Sonic’s success on mobile platforms, it’s pretty clear that Sega will probably continue to pimp the license out. They’ve covered the Doodle Jump clone and endless runner genre so what type of game would you like to see them do next on the platform? It probably won’t happen but a mobile Sonic-themed RPG would make me very happy? As long as it’s better than Sonic Chronicles…
[Source: TSSZNews]
Endless runner Sonic Dash heading to Android devices
Mar 11th
According to Sega’s official website, Hardlight’s iOS endless runner, Sonic Dash, appears to be heading to the Android Marketplace after its initial launch on Apple’s App Store. No official date is given but I wouldn’t expect it to be too long of a wait and the game will likely be at the same $1.99 price point as Sonic Dash on iOS.
I’ve been playing Sonic Dash almost daily since its release and would rank it as one of the best games Sega has released for mobile devices. The 3D Sonic perspective looks and works great as an endless runner on touchscreen devices and it’s nice to see them building a game from the ground up for mobile gaming rather than porting old games that don’t hold up so well without tactile buttons. I’m really looking forward to seeing what Hardlight does next.
Anyone else playing Sonic Dash or are you waiting for the Android release? Did you like Hardlight’s previous game Sonic Jump?
[Source: Sonic Stadium]
Sonic Dash is out today
Mar 7th
The game was just officially announced three days ago, and already it’s out on iPhone, iPad, and iPod! I suppose it’s appropriate for a quick character like Sonic to have such a speedy turnaround. By now you may or may not have seen that Sonic Dash is part of the “endless runner” genre, which is similar to games such as Temple Run. The game operates with just swipes, no tilting of the your actual idevice, and also has playable characters Amy, Tails, Knuckles (which from what I understand must be purchased, or perhaps unlocked). Sonic Dash retails for $1.99 and is available now. Who’s grabbing it?
[Source: IGN]
Sega confirms new mobile title Sonic Dash
Feb 28th
Following UK-based Hardlight’s mishap in revealing they had been working on a title called Sonic Dash in their LinkedIn joblistings, Sega has confirmed the title is in development. The studio is known for their previous mobile title, Sonic Jump, though this game looks to make use of when Sonic is most comfortable: when he’s running.
It is rumoured that the game will be an endless runner capitalising on the growing success of titles like Temple Run. Although the studio was slow to release Sonic Jump on Android, the team has a lot of talent behind it and this could be as strong as any other endless runner game on the market.
Do you think Sega is wrong to jump on the bandwagon or is this a perfect opportunity for Sonic?
[Source: Kotaku]
Hardlight Studios still a thing, being led by former Codemasters execs
Sep 30th
Before this year’s apocalyptic groundswell of depressing news, Sega seemed to be opening new doors left and right. Amidst this cavalcade of exciting prospects was the brand new Hardlight Studios, a smaller European Sega-driven developer that would be working on a new action adventure for the Vita. Some of us wondered if the closure of Sega Europe would leave this fertile ground unseeded, but luckily it looks like that assumption was wrong.
The Solihull-based studio is still alive and well, and will be headed up by none other than former Codemasters executives Sion Lenton and Chris Southall, the latter a former CTO of Sega Europe. Known primarily for the controversial Game Genie, Codemasters have also brought us classics like Micro Machines on the Genesis, as well as modern titles like Operation Flashpoint and the Colin McRae Rally series.
While the intriguing Vita adventure title has been put on hold for the time being, Lenton has revealed that Hardlight will develop digital releases for modern handheld devices, using both original IPs and Sega’s expansive library of classic franchises.
Lenton had this to say about the studio’s exciting potential:
“We have no plans to limit ourselves to one genre, our ethos is more exploration of ideas and finding mechanics that we feel will stimulate and excite our users.”
“We have a huge box of toys to play with and we’ve only just begun to play with them, we are starting fairly small, leveraging Sega IP and as former console developers, learning about making games in the digital space. As you see our roadmap develop, you’ll see some more surprising & delighting uses of Sega IP, as well as original IP.”
Now that things are once again looking up for Sega, it’s nice to see that some of their more fringe legs have managed to emerge from the settling dust relatively unscathed. Considering how well the handheld market has been doing, Hardlight’s focus is hardly surprising, and while I will always prefer home gaming to handheld devices, I have to say I’m very intrigued to see what this studio can churn out.
[Source: Develop]
Hardlights first project put on hold
Jun 8th
Looks like Rimmer's gonna have to wait a while to touch things.
So whilst no news has been made about Hardlight since the the internet discovered it’s existence, it seems that the game they were working on in this time has stealthily been put on hold. According to employee Tom Jubert’s CV the game is ‘on hold’ until further notice.
Obviously we don’t know anything about the game so it’s hard to judge anything based on this ‘on hold’ status. But hey at least the company name gave me a chance to use a Red Dwarf image on the site. So that’s cool. If anything else happens in the meantime we’ll update you as the story progresses.
[Source: Sega Bits]
Sega recruiting for new European studio, PS Vita game
Jan 23rd
Rumors have been floating around for a little while now, but based on the “Help Wanted” listings and newly registered trademarks, it’s probably safe to call it official–Sega’s new European Studio is being called “Hardlight”. This brand new team, founded by former members of Sega’s racing studio, has already announced their first project–a “unique action-adventure” game developed exclusively for release on the Playstation Vita later this year.
While there’s no official confirmation on the game’s title, the general belief now is that it shares the same name as its developer, though the only evidence that seems to support this is the recent filing of a trademark for the logo you see above. Since developer logos apparently don’t get that kind of protection, everyone is assuming that Hardlight is at least the game’s tentative title.
Sounds interesting, to say the least. The concept of a brand new action adventure title is nothing to scoff at, especially since the job listing on Sega’s site promises that this studio will be focusing on “the cutting edge of developments in technology, middleware and game expiences.” That could mean something truly original…Or just another load of trumped-up PR speak.
[Source: Sega Portal]
