The Sonic Cycle

I've been taking advantage of a long-term school research project to brush up on my history of the Sonic franchise. And not just the official history - what games were released when, who the developers were, stuff like that - but the history of public opinion towards Sonic. I've hunted down a great number of articles from magazines, newspapers, and (of course) internet sites, all reacting to a Sonic game in one way or another - either speculating in the buildup before a game's release, or reviewing the game after the fact.

I've learned a few things, to say the least.

For instance, Sonic Heroes was far more significant a game than I had ever believed. I've always brushed it off as an okay game with a minimalist structure, but this game was big freaking news when it was announced. This was the first core Sonic game since the Dreamcast era - the only bone Sonic fans had been thrown before then were Gamecube remakes of the Sonic Adventures. So when Sega announced a new Sonic game that featured team-based gameplay and minimal story, everyone got excited.

If one thing's obvious from my research, it's that Sonic is and has always been an incredible marketing force. Sega has a long history of using Sonic to push their hardware, ranging from the Sega CD to the Dreamcast. Point is, Sonic has a way of stirring up attention. Announcing a new Sonic game these days is a big freaking deal.

Of course, when something's extremely hyped up like that, there's always a bit of backlash. Sometimes it's small and sometimes it's violent, but there are always a few complaints after the hyped product doesn't lived up to its over-hyped expectations.

It's a process so familiar to the fanbase that there's an image going around about one aspect of it - I'm sure you've seen it - describing the so-called "Sonic Cycle."

Alternate version:
1) Discussion about a new Sonic game
2) Sonic Cycle is posted
3) Nobody cares

This infamous image is more a jab at specific trends in new Sonic games that the creator had a bias against. However, there's the tiniest grain of truth to this image. If you strip out the personal bias...

This cycle of hype and backlash is the one constant that has followed Sonic over the years. It always happens. Always. Sonic creates hype - that's just how it goes.

And there's just two things I want to say about that:

1. It's amazing that one character - one franchise - can create so much hype. Mario might be less controversial, but even he doesn't create this much attention when one of his new games is announced. (Mario Sports Mix? Where did that come from?) The fact that the Sonic franchise has this ability is a blessing on one side... even if it's a curse on the other.
2. The problem is, this cycle is still violent. If the hype backlash is strong enough (caused by, say, a particularly bad game), it can permanently scar a great number of fans, leaving the base divided against its own kin. Some people don't recover from those scars for a very long time, and they end up causing hurt and doubt throughout the base in the meantime.

As someone who wants to make a Sonic game someday, this is important knowledge to have. Research like this is always worthwhile, and I'm trying to make a habit of it as I continue to learn how to design games.