37 replies to this topic

[TRiPPY]

"Hello,



Quick intro, I’m the producer of Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing over at Sumo – and as such the recipient of a sudden spate of NiGHTS mail J



I’d been wondering why (more so our network administrators too!) and it seems I have to thank your forum regulars!



First, emailing us won’t change any decision on the characters that will or won’t appear in the game. We’ve had the list locked down solid for a while now, as with all games, they take a while to make and to animate. That’s before we get into approvals J



Second, and I’m sure you’ve seen the reply I sent to one of your forumites (especially since I’ve seen it in the thread encouraging mailing us!), we absolutely can’t talk about who will or won’t be in the game. This is part of our agreement with Sega, as they’ve got a carefully planned marketing and PR campaign set up – and I’d literally be stealing their thunder and dropping myself into a world of trouble as a result.



We do appreciate the interest in the game – and yes, we’re also fans of all things Sega. As you know we featured both NiGHTS and Reala in Sega Superstars Tennis, as well as a court based on the game. We worked closely with NiGHTS original director on those - Iizuka-san – who offered us fantastic help, even recording new character VO especially for us. That included the Reala line that seems to have hit such a chord ‘There is no NiGHTS!’.



But we have to keep our lips sealed on if NiGHTS characters or stages will appear in ASR. So sadly, no matter how many emails we receive, or how much you attempt to get the information out of me at Summer Of Sonic, we simply cannot confirm or deny anything at this point.



As with all feedback we receive, I’ll make sure Sega are aware of the demand, but if you can please stop sending us emails!



I’ve enjoyed reading them – and it’s nice to see such passion for a classic Sega character – but whilst I try to reply to all feedback – I think it would swiftly become a full time job, when really, I’m supposed to be focusing on getting the game done



I look forward to bumping into anyone who is at Summer of Sonic – and feel free to post this up to your forums if it stops the flood J



Best,



Steve L (S0L)



Executive Producer – Sumo Digital Ltd."



Don't send them any more emails guys, we've got our point across methinks. Disregard any requests to send them mail and just wait till the game comes out.
Sorry Sumo!

[EZEKiAL]

Well, no NiGHTS. =P Maybe he'll be in Sega Superstars Croquet or Sega Superstars Badmitton.

[TRiPPY]

He didn't say yes or no, so there's still some hope

[sapphire]

Oops. I just sent them one about an hour ago...

[TRiPPY]

I'm so dead on Saturday XD;;; I'll just hide behind DiGi.

[EZEKiAL]

Yeah, but he told DiGi (I think), "While I can't assure you that NiGHTS and Reala have made their way in, there's a cast of fan pleasers..." It seems they're just avoiding telling us that he's not in. I was a huge follower of Brawl, and there were plenty of e-mails like this.

[S0L]

Fancy sending us all those emails. Our server almost melted!

I've replied to as many as I've had today - sorry if some are cut and paste, but I'd have been here till midnight answering them all otherwise! From tomorrow it's likely to turn into a stock response, as it's raised a few eyebrows with us receiving such a big batch of mail in such a short time!

As you've probably seen above, as much as I'd love to talk about the character roster, we've an agreement with Sega not to do so. We take this quite seriously as we're big Sega fans and we'd like to continue working on games for them

I've packed up all the mails and sent them down to the team we work with at Sega Europe, so they'll they can see the passion for NiGHTS that you've all got.

I'm down at Summer of Sonic this weekend, along with ASR and SST's Lead Designer. Feel free to say hello, but be warned we'll be dodging roster questions still, especially whilst we'll have the eagle eyes of Sega's PR folk making sure we do

Anyway, I thought I'd pop by and say hello - and say no hard feelings. Just please stop emailing us

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S0L
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[TRiPPY]

Thanks S0L Nobody can ever say the NiGHTS fanbase wont share their opinions >_>

[viperxmns]

This is awesome XD Thanks for the input Sumo!

He calls NiGHTS a classic character, so here's hoping he was important enough to make their list. Again, as usual hopefully he's just one of those characters they're hiding for now. Because Sega has an annual quota of hairs they make NiGHTS fans tear out of their own heads.

[DiGi Valentine]

You've won my respect, good sir. Thank you for having the decency to come directly here and talk to us yourself, it is appreciated.

As for NiGHTS, and why you were bombed with emails. To put it simply, we've gotten used to having NiGHTS appear in SEGA games all the time regardless if we asked for it or not. So seeing as how he has not been named for AllStars Racing yet, naturally the fanbase kinda went "...huh?" and took notice that while characters like Billy Hatcher have been popping up, someone of NiGHTS' status has not.
In that respect, naturally we're going to contact you about it, really ;;

Just because this fanbase goes quiet from time to time does not mean we no longer want NiGHTS in our games.

Anyways, thanks for coming here.
Stop by again. I'll have tea and biscuits ready for you
~
DiGi

p.s See you on Saturday

[Noctourne Wonderland]

Well, no NiGHTS. =P Maybe he'll be in Sega Superstars Croquet or Sega Superstars Badmitton.

I can totally see NiGHTS playing croquet. Jackle with a mallet is scary, though!

I'm surprised that the emails were so overwhelming! Thank you very much, S0L, for responding- not many companies are that condiserate.

[KatKitoshi]

I just saw the e-mails now ^^ sucks our input won't change much, but I'm glad they still read the e-mails and are well aware of our existence lol.

Lol Badminton...

[Andre Nesman]

While looking at the response of Sumo Digital, also decided to send more emails asking for the inclusion of Nights at ASR.

I hope that, even in ASR and the next games, consider everything we Nights continue to be remembered and included.

Fan Brazilian Nights!!!

[DiGi Valentine]

Yeah, stop emailing them now. We got our point across. If anybody continues emailing them now it's on your own hands on a personal level, not a community one. We did what we set out to do. He was kind enough to address us personaly so let's leave it there, shall we.

I

[StarsOfCASSiOPEiA]

Well, here's to hoping that all of our efforts worked!

[Andre Nesman]

Not want to give false hope, but at Gamespot, there is a list of characters for the game and Nights is included in the list.

I just think that is not true because of the date of posting, and so far not commented further on the official list.

http://www.gamespot....;union_id=13137

[DiGi Valentine]

Well, i got to meet the guys from Sumo today at Summer of Sonic convention, especialy Steve. He was the guy who was replying to us and is the main head dude in charge at Sumo.

I will say this - they're are a great bunch of lads, real friendly and they honestly know what they're doing.
I got to play AllStars Racing and i can tell you that my worries about the 'drifting' system are no longer worries. The vehicles drift BEAUTIFULY!! I honestly had so much fun playing the game and i think you all will too.

As for NiGHTS, lol. We had a great laugh about the whole ordeal on the fanbase email-bombing Sumo. Steve was very forgiving, lol. I forgot to buy him a Kit Kat tho XD;
He still did not confirm NiGHTS' appearance in the game and that is fair enough, however we joked and laughed and i'm now sure these guys know what they're doing. I have full faith in them and i've not had full faith in a games company for a while, so this is saying something.

I know technically this should go in the AllStars Racing topic but i feel people are checking this topic more right now.

So in closing, i have no confirmation if NiGHTS is in but i want to believe these boys at Sumo will pull through for us because they treated us (personaly and as a fanbase) great today and really restored my faith in the gaming industry.

So, to Steve and everyone at Sumo Digital, here's to you. Thanks for a great day

Now...make that Sega AllStars fighting game that someone suggested, lol XD

[TRiPPY]

ohman today was hilarious XD Sumo Digital memoaning the NiGHTS fanbase on stage hahahahahaha!

[DiGi Valentine]

They certainly won't forget the NiGHTS fanbase any time soon, lol. Ah, they were a great bunch, Sumo. Really glad i met them

[viperxmns]

Audio interview posted here- http://forums.sega.c...ad.php?t=295631

"NiGHTS Community forum.. NiGHTS community forum.."

-tee hee-

I'm not done listening yet, but apparently this is getting around? - http://www.tssznews....firmed-for-asr/

And I love that all our top requests have reached Sumo's ears.

[EZEKiAL]

Jackle Jackle Jackle Jackle Jackle Jackle Jackle Jackle Jackle Jackle Jackle Jackle JACKLE JACKLE JACKLE JACKLE JACKLE JACKLE!!!!!!!!

I'm hoping SO hard.

[Noctourne Wonderland]

We're famous!

(Just ignore that it's for almost frying SUMO's computers, ok?)

[DiGi Valentine]

Oh wow! They recorded the interview?? I didn't know that, lol! XD *listening now*

I dunno why there's piano music through the beginning but it stops half way through so keep listening

The part where he says "i know where you live", he was actually pointing at me when he said that XD

And when you hear a cheer in the background when he says "the NiGHTS community forum", that would be me, TRiP and Jof yelling our lungs out, lol.

Seriously, great studio making a great game. I'm sold.

[TRiPPY]

The only racing games I've ever really enjoyed playing was Project Gotham and Daytona, but i reckon this game is brilliant. It actually does seem a lot of fun now that i've seen it in action. The graphics are lovely. Expect me to ramble on fully about it soon.

[S0L]

The piano music was the guys screensaver kicking in on the machine they were recording it on. I popped up to grab something just after the Q+A and they were having a slight meltdown over it

I will say thanks again for the kind words and support - and it was good to meet DiGi, TRiPPY and Jof. Even if taking the mick did result in *some* people thinking we've confirmed any characters - which we most certainly did not!

We had a great time, now we've just got to finish the game so we can get back out and see what people think to that

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S0L
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[DiGi Valentine]

I will say thanks again for the kind words and support - and it was good to meet DiGi, TRiPPY and Jof. Even if taking the mick did result in *some* people thinking we've confirmed any characters - which we most certainly did not!

Lol, i'm guessing this is how rumours start! XD You're lucky i didn't start speaking to you about Ryo Hazuki instead or else this rumour would have flown places! XD

Just out of curiosity, since we called off the "attack" (lol) have you received any more emails from this fanbase or is it nice and calm now?

[S0L]

Well... we had a few more NiGHTS ones, but today has seen the attack of Sonic fans requesting we revert the VO actor to Ryan Drummond...

Looks like you've given folk ideas! I've just been up to turn the aircon up in the server room to stop the email server melting...

Actually, just kidding, luckily this new bunch haven't managed to break 10 mails yet - not to mention they're proving slightly more tricky to find forum wise then you guys

I think I've found them - but they're being way more tardy approving my forum account than you and TRiPPY!

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S0L
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[EZEKiAL]

You'd need Sonic Team's approval to hire a new voice actor for their main character, right? I think he sounds fine, anyway.

[Kamui]

I don't see what's wrong with Sonic's voice actor. People need to chill. :/

[Noctourne Wonderland]

I don't see what's wrong with Sonic's voice actor. People need to chill. :/

I found the change in VA's a wee bit jarring at first, but now I'm fine with it. After playing Sonic Riders a gazillion times, the voices grew on me, though I can see why people less used to the voices could be taken aback.

[Nemoide]

Maybe I should start an email campaign to get Jaleel White to voice Sonic. I'm sure the folks at Sumo will love me for it. :P

[viperxmns]

Are there any Japanese voices? I like Kanemaru best for Sonic.

[Noctourne Wonderland]

Nemoide, should should suggest they have a Sonic Underground-type cast and just have Jaleel White voice everyone! Muahahahahaha! >:]

[Kamui]

Jaleel White? Wasn't he the one who did Sonic's voice in AOSTH?

[Noctourne Wonderland]

Jaleel White? Wasn't he the one who did Sonic's voice in AOSTH?

He was Sonic in AoStH and SatAM, as well as being Sonic, his brother Manic, and his sister Sonia in Sonic Underground. White is best know for his role as Steve Urkel, though.

[Kamui]

He was Sonic in AoStH and SatAM, as well as being Sonic, his brother Manic, and his sister Sonia in Sonic Underground. White is best know for his role as Steve Urkel, though.

I thought that name seemed familiar. I tried watching AOSTH a month ago, just for memory's sake. I couldn't stand that voice for one more minute. XD And that Sonic Says about molestation...oh boy. I couldn't stop cracking up, and I couldn't take it seriously because of that voice. XD I feel Sonic's more grown up now, with that Jason guy. >_>;

[Noctourne Wonderland]

I thought that name seemed familiar. I tried watching AOSTH a month ago, just for memory's sake. I couldn't stand that voice for one more minute. XD And that Sonic Says about molestation...oh boy. I couldn't stop cracking up, and I couldn't take it seriously because of that voice. XD I feel Sonic's more grown up now, with that Jason guy. >_>;

I love AoStH. The Sonic Says segements and weird animation just add to bizarre feeling of the whole thing.

I agree about Sonic seeming more grown up. His model looks more sleek and adult, too.

[S0L]

Maybe I should start an email campaign to get Jaleel White to voice Sonic. I'm sure the folks at Sumo will love me for it.

Please don't

At the rate I keep having to add new forums to my daily end of day trawl, I'll get home ten minutes before I leave to come back to work

I did track the guys down in the end too, they're over in the Save Sonic forum. Nice bunch of people, just like here

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S0L
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