Takashi Iizuka Discusses How A Change In Location And Approach Helped Save Sonic

Takashi Iizuka Discusses How A Change In Location And Approach Helped Save Sonic

From DualShockers (Written by Chris Melchin) on | OpenCritic

Right now, Sonic is riding high, but it was a rocky road to get him here.

Takashi Iizuka recently had an interview with Eurogamer where he discussed Sonic’s recent redemption arc, and how it took both a change in approach and in his physical location to make it happen.

Since then, the series went from one of its absolute worst showings, the infamous Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric, to the incredible Sonic X Shadow Generations, a remaster of one of the better 3D Sonic games attached to a new one that is easily one of the best in the series.

All it took was for Iizuka to move halfway around the world and fundamentally change how Sonic Team handled the franchise.

Moving From Tokyo To LA

It seems like a major catalyst for this change was Iizuka’s big move from Japan to the United States.

“Ten years ago, I moved from Tokyo to Burbank,” he says. “At that time, the Sonic brand was not in a very positive space. A lot of people were bashing on the brand. They weren’t happy with the things coming out.”

That would be right around the launch of Sonic Boom, but it wasn’t...

See full article at Dualshockers