Yuji Naka: Sonic-Like Platformer On Hold

The creator of Sonic the Hedgehog told Gamasutra in 2008 that his new studio, Prope, was working on a Sonic-style game, but that project is now on hold. Speaking as part of a full feature-length interview published today on Gamasutra, Yuji Naka -- who walked away from Sega and Sonic team to found his own studio, Prope, in 2006 -- confirmed to Gamasutra that the Sonic-like platformer he'd discussed with Gamasutra in 2008 is no longer in active production. Naka is one of the original creators behind the Sonic the Hedgehog, which launched on the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive in 1991. Speaking about his latest title, Ivy the Kiwi?, which XSEED announced this week it will publish in the U.S. on the Nintendo DS and Wii systems, Naka said that it is not the platforming game we'd heard about before. "That's another title and not Ivy the Kiwi?. Unfortunately, we had to stop development for the time being for the 'Sonic-like platform game.' However, we are in the process of developing another action game right now." The character action genre of which Sonic was once an exemplar has fallen from favor in recent years, which could potentially lead to problems securing a deal for an original IP -- though Naka did not elaborate on the reasons behind the game's development hiatus in the interview. In fact, he'd love to return to work on a game like that, he said. "I personally think the character action game is the most fun genre, and I wish to keep at it, so that I can create an action game that makes everyone excited again." You can read the full, exclusive feature interview with Naka, which goes into depth on Ivy the Kiwi?, Prope, and some Sega history, now on Gamasutra.