Posts tagged Sumo Digital
Steve Lycett hints at a Sonic & All-Stars Racing/Mario Kart crossover
May 20th
Late last month, Sumo Digital Executive Producer Steve Lycett tantalized us all with a Twitter conversation regarding the future of Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing. Now that Nintendo and Sega are all buddy-buddy, one of Lycett’s more interesting tweets has taken on a whole new level of intrigue.
@BlazeHedgehog I’m thinking we could finally settle some arguments, Who’d really win a kart race…
When @BlazeHedgehog asked about the potential for a Pac-Man crossover, Lycett went on to clarify that he was thinking of “bigger rivals.”
Of course most of us are going to leap to the conclusion that Lycett would like to see a crossover with Mario Kart. Considering that Nintendo’s long-running franchise has needed a shot in the arm for years now, and since the fantastic Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed didn’t sell anywhere near as well as it deserved to, combining both games’ audience makes a lot of sense. Besides, Sumo did a great job of referencing just about every major moment in Sega’s console legacy, so why not make a game based on one of the greatest rivalries in the history of the medium?
[Source: The Sonic Stadium]
Sonic & All-Stars Racing: Transformed shipped nearly 1 Million copies
Feb 8th
I took this story just to use that stock image…
You can often tell how big a game is based on it’s prevalence on store shelves and if Sega’s new shipment figures are anything to go on, Sonic and All-Stars Racing: Transformed is very well known indeed. In their third quarter earnings report Sega noted that they had shipped 930,000 copies of the game across the US and Europe, on all platforms except the upcoming 3DS version. This was based on the figures taken during November through December so the number has bound to have shifted in the meantime.
When you compare this to Football Manager 2013 which shipped about 730,000 copies in the same regions since October and Yakuza 5‘s 580,000 copies in Japan from December, you can see that Sega had really put a lot of weight behind this project. Which is great news except for the fact that the game unfortunately isn’t selling as well as it deserves to. However with copies on shelves it’s not exactly hard to bag yourself a disc, which can’t hurt things for now. Will the game’s sales then pick up any time soon? Will I be able to use another vaguely related stock image for a header picture again? Stick with us and we’ll let you know when we find out more!
[Source: Siliconera]
Sumo Digital gets go-ahead for ‘specific character’ in All-Stars DLC
Jan 26th
You may remember last month, Sumo Digital were holding a poll in the Sega forums regarding future character DLC in All-Stars Racing Transformed. Well it’s been a while (at least in internet time) and we’ve finally got our first hint at future content for the game. In a recent update from Sumo representative Steve on the Sega forums he stated that the company had “approval for a specific character this morning.”
However don’t get too excited just yet as that’s all he was allowed to say on the topic. We can probably guess that it’ll be one of the poll topping crowd pleaser’s but as for now this is all the information we have. Although I am glad to hear that there is DLC for the game in the works. Who would you like to see? Is your favourite character in the game already, or are you just waiting for this mystery DLC to see if they might be now? Let me know in the comments!
[Source: Sega Bits]
Review: Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed (XBox 360)
Jan 1st
Also available on PS3, Wii U, and Vita
Kart racing games have invaded our home consoles since the 16-bit era, when Nintendo showed us how it should be done with Mario Kart. Each generation has seen sad attempts at copying Mario Kart’s formula, but also semi-successful games like Crash Team Racing and Sonic R (just kidding). However, not until Sonic & All-Stars Racing: Transformed has a game come along to question whether or not Nintendo should start taking notes from a different kart racer. Could it be? Has Sega started doing again what Nintendon’t anymore? Hit that jump button and deal with my awesome throwback.
Steve Lycett of Sumo Digital says Mario Kart could learn from Sonic ASASR Transformed
Dec 11th
This wouldn’t have happened if he could do a Transform Boost
Executive Producer of Sonic and Sega All-Stars Racing Transformed, Steve Lycett believes his game has pushed the kart racer genre a little further down the racetrack, and rightly so. Not at all being conceited, Lycett points out that he has a lot of respect for Nintendo’s kart racer, but feels something new could be added,
The land, air and sea play allow us to make tracks that are very dynamic. You’re not simply racing three laps with a few tweaks to the track as you go. Instead, you get a race that can completely change on every lap. It’s allowed us to work in elements such as racing through asteroids, through a volcano on lava, and on tracks where the players can actually change the route of the race too.
Lycett also believes that the cast of characters in Transformed allows for great creativity and variety with not just the racers, but the levels, and the game’s style in general,
Breaking out of just the Sonic universe has also meant we can really go to town with variety too. I’d actually love to play a “Super Smash Bros. Kart” and escape the Mushroom Kingdom.
Lycett even mentions how cool it would be to add even more characters to the roster outside of the Sega universe,
I think if we did expand outside of the world of SEGA, you’d have to look at characters who have that cross platform appeal. Maybe Bub and Bob from Bubble Bobble, or Arthur from Ghosts’n Goblins. Characters like Mega Man or Pac-Man are equally at home on many platforms. How cool would it be to have “SEGA Vs Everyone Else”?
So what do you think, addicts? Should Mario Kart take a page out of Transformed’s book? Should we have a crazy mash-up kart racer of everyone possible? We’ve been discussing similar ideas on the forums, but you can also let us know what you think in the comments below! And check out the full interview with Lycett here.
[Source: Nintendo Life]
All-Stars Racing Transformed DLC voting complete; Ryo Hazuki takes the top spot
Dec 2nd
After several days of fervent, excited voting, it appears that the polls have finally closed on Sumo Digital’s fan-pleasing DLC character voting challenge. When I last reported on this about a week ago, the indelible cult hero Segata Sanshiro seemed to have an unwavering Chuck Norris-like grasp on the top spot. But that ongoing furor of ever-vocal Shenmue fan support won’t be quelled: Ryo Hazuki has pulled out ahead, with over 3,295 votes under his belt.
Just behind him is Vocaloid sensation Hatsune Miku with 3,161, and Segata Sanshiro with 2,605. A handful of other characters passed that important 1,000-vote threshold, including Vectorman (1,217), Bayonetta (1,211), and Ristar (1,077). Unfortunately, Toejam & Earl just barely missed the finish line, with 993 votes, just seven votes shy of the required score. Now, keep in mind, none of these characters are guaranteed, but they will be at least presented to Sega as frontrunning possibilities.
Maybe this is being a bit dramatic, but seeing Ryo Hazuki snag the top spot makes me incredibly proud of the Sega community, and Shenmue fans specifically. I’ve seen those guys all over Twitter over the past week, gathering support just for this little milestone, and their hard work has really paid off. While I think Sega is already well aware of our desperate love for the franchise, this popular vote really sends the message home that fans are willing to do what it takes to get support.
Seeing Vectorman and Ristar up should also have retro fans very pleased. However it kills me that Toejam & Earl fell short by such a minuscule margin, as their role in Sega’s history is nothing short of essential. Personally, I’d trade out Hatsune Miku for Toejam & Earl’s vibrant, funky style any day of the week.
Hit the jump for the full voting tally.
Sega Addicts Podcast: Episode 112 – Sonic & All-Stars Racing: Transformed
Nov 30th
On this week’s episode we’re joined by racing game extraordinaire, Brett Hatfield, to discuss the recent release of Sonic & All-Stars Racing: Transformed. It’s a nice game. In addition, we discuss a little NiGHTS HD, Tom buys a copy of Rocket Knight Adventures and then we say goodbye.
Sumo Digital taking fan input on DLC characters for All-Stars Racing Transformed
Nov 24th
Segata Sanshiro: More desirable than Danica Patrick.
Perhaps the most important factor of any mash-up racer is the ever-so-controversial roster. With Sega’s vast library at their disposal, the folks behind Sonic All-Stars Racing Transformed certainly have their hands full when it comes to DLC possibilities. So in an awesome move that’s sure to please even the most hard-nosed of Sega fans, Sumo Digital’s Steve Lycett has announced to Sega’s official forums that the developer is leaving this daunting decision to the players:
I’ll set you a challenge: without any policing from the SUMO or SEGA crew, if you can all agree on three characters by the first of December and prove there is sufficient interest of at least 1000 unique people per character, I will present the result to SEGA.
I can’t promise anything will happen as a result, but since you’re starting it, let’s see if you can organise yourselves in the next few weeks to pull that off.
Despite our notorious reputation for conflict and debate, Sega fans have already banded together to create a really solid list of 26 potential characters from the company’s roster to be considered. This list includes mainstays like Toejam & Earl the Chu Chus; fan favorites like Ristar and Bayonetta; and intriguing niche characters like Kazuma Kiryu of Yakuza and Sketch Turner from Comix Zone.
As of this writing, camp classic Saturn mascot Segata Sanshiro is perched on top with a hefty 2,266 votes. Just below him are Shenmue‘s Ryo Hazuki with 2,153 votes, Hatsune Miku with 2,149 votes, Vectorman with 939 votes, and Bayonetta with 890 votes. Ristar and Toejam & Earl look like they might have a fighting chance of reaching the coveted 1,000 mark, but beyond them the numbers drop off rather noticeably.
Of course, none of these numbers guarantee anything, but I find it fascinating to see the Sega fan preferences splayed out like this. I suppose Hatsune Miku is a given considering her swollen fanbase out east, but I had no idea that Segata Sanshiro had such a lasting cult status. Ah, the power of nostalgia.
You can see the full list of prospective characters after the jump, or head on over to the Sega Forums to voice your choices by December 1st. Personally, I’m dying to see Ristar, Sketch Turner, and Vectorman. Who do you want to see racing down the All-Stars track?
[Source: IGN]
Details of Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed’s final version revealed
Nov 13th
A lucky individual who was able to buy a copy of Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed before it’s official release has posted screen shots and other details of the game across the internet. Due to an error on the retailer’s part both the Xbox 360 and PS3 version of the game are confirmed to already be on sale at Clarksville’s in Toys ‘R’ Us, at Louisville, KY
The details include a new, yet to be announced, racer as well as the track listing for each of the five grand prix. Steve Lycett of Sumo Digital has confirmed the legitimacy of the screens and details with the following statement made on the official Sega forums:
He is leaking things that are in the game, so watch for spoilers. He hasn’t done some of the tracks justice however, one of which is of course Graveyard Gig, personally I think you’ll love it.
He bought the game fair and square. Toys R’ Us shouldn’t have broke the date, but that’s a SEGA thing. Avoid the spoilers if you don’t want to know!
All the spoilers including the screen shots can be found after the jump!
[Source: TSSZ]
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed World Tour mode revealed
Oct 26th
Details of Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed‘s ‘World Tour’ mode, which makes up a large portion of the game’s single player content, have been revealed via French website Jeux Video.
According to a translation of their article, World Tour takes the form of a board game, where each square represents a race which is itself comprised of three challenges. To progress to the next square a bronze medal must be acquired for each of the three challenges. Acquiring silver and gold medals will unlock further characters as well as ‘boss fights’.
The article also describes how each character used in World Tour mode has an experience bar that fills not only by winning races, but tackling tricky corners successfully, avoiding collisions with other racers and more. Levelling up unlocks content including vehicle modification items.
That’s certainly a lot of information to chew on, but Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed‘s World Tour already looks set to surpass it’s predecessor’s Grand Prix mode. Further information can be found in the translated article after the jump.
