Takashi Iizuka
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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.
Sonic Team head on where the franchise will be in another 35 years — 'Iizuka-san does not think he's…
Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka expressed pride in the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise's current strong position and the team's dedication to creating new experiences. While he doesn't expect to be alive for the franchise's 70th anniversary, he anticipates playing future games developed by the talented Sonic Team.
SEGA will host an official session at Cannes Lions for Sonic’s 35th anniversary
SEGA will host a special session at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2026 to discuss the evolution of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise as part of its 35th anniversary campaign. The session will feature Shuji Utsumi and Takashi Iizuka.
Sonic The Hedgehog 35th anniversary interview - the persistence of an icon
Sega's Takashi Iizuka and Ivo Gerscovich discuss the enduring appeal of Sonic The Hedgehog on its 35th anniversary. They highlight the character's core identity of freedom and speed, the importance of balancing legacy with innovation, and the franchise's expansion into various media like movies, comics, and audio dramas. The interview also touches on future game development, potential spin-offs for supporting characters, and the strategy behind successful brand collaborations.
'It would be a lie to say there's no pressure taking on this great IP from this massive corporation' — Pico Park president says working with a huge company like Sega for its Sonic crossover was 'a little risky'
Pico Park president Shintarou Shimazu discussed the challenges and risks involved in collaborating with Sega for the upcoming Sonic Pico Park crossover. He highlighted the pressure of working with a major IP and a large corporation, but also noted that the shared childhood experiences with Sonic and the guidance from Sega's Takashi Iizuka made the development process smoother.
10 years ago, Sega said "we're done with Sonic," and it was up to Takashi Iizuka to save the series:…
Sega's Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka revealed that the company was once prepared to abandon the Sonic franchise entirely. He was tasked 10 years ago with revitalizing the series during a period of significant decline, marked by poorly received titles like Sonic the Hedgehog (2006) and Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric. Iizuka credits the dedicated fanbase and successful media like the Sonic Boom cartoon and movies for helping to restore the character's reputation.
'You don't need to be super hardcore to be good at this one' — Pico Park president on bringing Sonic to a whole new audience with upcoming crossover game
Sonic Pico Park, an upcoming crossover game combining Pico Park's puzzle mechanics with Sonic the Hedgehog's platforming, aims to attract a wider audience, including non-gamers. Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka and Pico Park president Shintarou Shimazu discussed the collaboration, emphasizing the game's accessibility and potential to appeal to fans who experience Sonic through other media like movies and shows. The game is designed for up to eight players and is expected to release later this year.
'I've been making Sonic games and been with Sonic longer than I've been with my own children' — Sonic Team head looks back on the franchise for its 35th anniversary
Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka reflects on his long career with the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise as it celebrates its 35th anniversary. He expresses pride in the series' broad appeal across generations and his commitment to continuing its development, acknowledging the pressure to meet fan expectations.
