Takashi Iizuka
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Sonic Team boss: “Trying something new with Sonic can result in a completely unique game”
Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka stated that the company will continue to experiment with the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. He believes that trying new and different approaches with the blue blur can lead to completely unique games.
Evening Reading - September 3, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading covers a variety of topics including reviews for NHL 27 and Halloween: The Game, news on Guild Wars 3 and Final Fantasy 7 Revelation's DLC and release date, and NVIDIA's acquisition of Hugging Face. It also touches on Sonic Team's lead Takashi Iizuka's comments regarding Fortnite's Sonic and the White House posting propaganda games.
Sonic Creative Officer Takashi Iizuka Explains How Sega Found a Loophole to Let Sonic Shoot Enemies in Fortnite
Sega's Sonic Franchise Creative Officer Takashi Iizuka explained to IGN's Jeffrey Vega the challenges in bringing Sonic the Hedgehog to Fortnite. He detailed how Sega found a way to allow Sonic to be playable and engage in combat within the popular battle royale game.
Sonic Team lead Takashi Iizuka says Fortnite's Sonic is allowed to shoot you because he's a robot
Sonic Team lead Takashi Iizuka clarified that the Sonic character featured in Fortnite is not the real Sonic, but an android replica. This distinction allows the character to be depicted with firearms, a behavior Iizuka states the true Sonic would never engage in.
Sonic Team open to Sonic Mania sequel with original developers
Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka has expressed openness to a sequel for the critically acclaimed Sonic Mania. He stated that the team remains in close contact with the original developers and there is a mutual desire to collaborate again.
Sonic Team head talks possibility of Sonic Mania 2
Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka has indicated that while Sonic Mania 2 is not currently in development, the possibility remains open. SEGA maintains a strong relationship with the original developers, and Iizuka expressed a desire to work with them again in the future.
Fortnite Override Season Brings Sonic, Mega Man, Tetris, Pac-Man and More | Invision Game Community
Epic Games has launched the Fortnite Override season, introducing a significant amount of crossover content featuring iconic gaming characters and elements. This season includes Sonic the Hedgehog, Mega Man, Tetris, and Pac-Man, with gameplay-altering items like Sonic Power Sneakers and the Mega Buster. The season also celebrates Sonic's 35th anniversary and promises further collaborations throughout its run.
Sonic Team boss says Sonic may not have succeeded without leap to 3D in Sonic Adventure
Takashi Iizuka, head of Sonic Team, stated in an interview that the Sonic franchise might not have achieved its current success without the pivotal 3D transition brought about by Sonic Adventure. This game marked Sonic's first major foray into three-dimensional gameplay for Sega.
Sonic boss Takashi Iizuka says some "surprises will need to remain secret for a little longer," but there's more to come to celebrate the blue blur's 35th anniversary
Takashi Iizuka, head of Sonic Team at Sega, has stated that more surprises are planned to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Sonic the Hedgehog. While specific details remain secret, Iizuka indicated that the celebrations will encompass games, music, events, collaborations, and merchandise, aiming to appeal to fans across all eras of the franchise. This follows the release of Sonic Frontiers and the more recent Sonic Superstars.
Sonic Team boss says more “surprises” are yet to come for Sonic 35th anniversary
Takashi Iizuka, head of Sonic Team, stated that more surprises are planned for the 35th anniversary of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. While SEGA has made some announcements, additional reveals may occur at Gamescom.
Sonic Team head talks Sonic remakes
Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka discussed the considerations for creating game remakes, emphasizing the need to update controls and level design for modern platforms alongside visual style. The team pays close attention to these elements when deciding on remake projects.
Sonic Team head talks about how SEGA wanted to beat Disney with Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka revealed that SEGA's original ambition for Sonic the Hedgehog was to surpass Disney in content and popularity. He stated that this competitive spirit drove the development team in the early 1990s and remains a long-term aspiration for the company. Iizuka also referenced Shigeru Miyamoto's past comments about Nintendo being compared to Disney.
Sonic Team boss will continue to deliver content that “stays true to the Sonic universe”
Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka stated in an interview that the studio is committed to developing new projects that remain true to the Sonic universe. He highlighted the ongoing content for Sonic Racing CrossWorlds as an example of this commitment.
Sonic boss admits "keeping momentum in such a competitive market is always a challenge," but teases more "in store" across the series' "different pillars"
Takashi Iizuka, head of Sonic Team, acknowledges the challenge of maintaining momentum in the competitive market for the Sonic series. He teased future content across the franchise's various pillars, including ongoing support for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds and potential follow-ups to Sonic Frontiers.
Sonic Pico Park dev talks starting at Sega & partnering with Sonic's creator
Game Director Shimazu Shintaro, a former Sega employee, discusses how his company Tecopark partnered with Sega for the upcoming Sonic Pico Park. He explains his journey from Sega to founding Tecopark and how the collaboration came about. Sonic Team producer Takashi Iizuka was also involved in the discussion about bringing Pico Park and Sonic together.
"Is this gonna be a Sonic game?": Even Takashi Iizuka wasn't sure about Sonic Pico Park at first, but Sega's learned a lot from its indie collaborators
Sega is collaborating with indie developer Tecopark on Sonic Pico Park, a co-op puzzle platformer that integrates Sonic the Hedgehog elements into the existing Pico Park gameplay. Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka initially questioned the concept but gained confidence from previous indie collaborations like Sonic Mania. The partnership highlights Sega's evolving strategy of working with indie studios to leverage their rapid development cycles and creative ideas.
The best Los Angeles events for the week of June 29 - July 5 — MP3s & NPCs
This article highlights various events happening in Los Angeles from June 29 to July 5, including improv shows at Pack Theater and Dynasty Typewriter, and the Anime Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center. It also features performances at UCB Theatre and other local gatherings.
Sonic Team knew it had to “create the absolute best possible game” when it came to Sonic Adventure
Sonic Team boss Takashi Iizuka discussed the development of Sonic Adventure for the Dreamcast, stating the team's goal was to create the best possible game during a challenging period for SEGA. He also mentioned the previous Sonic Jam title for the Sega Saturn.
Sonic’s New Chaos Hunt Game Includes Some Fine Print You Shouldn’t Skip
Sega's new Alternate Reality Game, Chaos Hunt, celebrating Sonic the Hedgehog's 35th anniversary, includes terms of service that require players to agree to AI model training and data sharing with third-party vendors. The game involves a hunt for Chaos Emeralds, with prizes including a trip to Club Chaos in New York City. Sega is also releasing anniversary merchandise and collaborating with other franchises for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds.
Despite Sega's Mario Kart World shade, rival racer Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds has "fallen short" of expectations, and compared to Nintendo's sales I can see why
Sega has reported that Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds has fallen short of sales expectations, despite receiving good reviews. The game has sold around one million copies, significantly less than other recent Sonic titles and even the niche Kirby Air Riders. Sega had previously made lighthearted jabs at Nintendo's Mario Kart World ahead of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds' release.
