Sega recently announced the release of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, a racing game that revives the franchise’s competitive spirit. This game appears to draw influences from prior marketing that characterized the rivalry with Nintendo, particularly with its slogan from the 1990s: “Sega does what Nintendon’t.” Over the years, the relationship between the two companies has softened, allowing characters from Sonic games to appear on Nintendo consoles.
The marketing for CrossWorlds has sparked questions about whether Sega is rekindling its rivalry with Nintendo. Potentially indicative of this angle, the game’s promotional material resembles a 1992 advertisement that asserted Sega’s superiority. Despite this, Takashi Iizuka, head of Sonic Team, clarified that no specific titles were targeted in their messaging, implying a broader competitive landscape.
Industry analysts, such as Chris Dring from The Games Business, suggest that Sega’s intent may be more playful than serious, highlighting that CrossWorlds is likely to perform well on Nintendo’s Switch, which could enable a significant sales advantage. The adoption of contemporary gaming strategies, including regular updates and new characters, aims to maintain player interest over the long term.
In recent years, video game companies have heavily leaned on remakes of classic titles, prompting hopes among fans for a revival of the Sonic Adventure series. Nevertheless, Iizuka has indicated that the current focus is on developing new gaming experiences rather than revisiting old titles.
In an evolving gaming landscape defined by “live service” models, Sega’s strategy will include attention to character variety and consistent content delivery. As the gaming industry continues to change, the approach taken by Sega aligns with a goal to remain relevant while encouraging new players to engage with established franchises like Sonic.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy8ry1vn097o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss