Sonic the Hedgehog fans got a first look at a yet-to-be-announced mobile game inspired by Fall Guys, after a one-minute video was leaked on the internet.
The brief clip explored the vast gameplay options of Project Toys, a survival action game with unique Sonic-themed platforming and cosmetics.
The game advertised a range of challenges, point-driven modes, team modes, and elimination modes, with Buzz Bombers, Motobugs, and a Death Egg Robot.
Players will be able to purchase items using in-game currency, like rings and gems; and unlock various cosmetics and community elements, like special skins, emotes, pins, and training material.
What we know
As reported by Tails’ Channel in late February, multiple Sonic characters were seen navigating a suite of courses and boss battles, with an art expression described by SEGA as “toy-like, without losing the original Sonic charm.”
The character designs appeared to be similar to the style of the recent Sonic & Friends shorts, and the figures from Good Smile Company.
With support up to 32 players, Sonic Toys Party will include courses like Green Hill, Chemical Plant, and Lava Mountain; as well as Silent Forest, and Ocean Palace.
Documents obtained by Tails’ Channel detailed loot boxes, “battle pass” billing, new game modes, collaborations with other SEGA properties, and vigorous playtests between Japan and the United States in the past year.
It was also reported that the app was developed by a SEGA studio for around two years, backed by an aggressive monetization and retention strategy similar to the free-to-play, games-as-a-service value chain.
Meanwhile, fan-site Sonic Stadium understood that the Chao “are more than just cosmetic items, they also have helpful bonuses for players in the stages.”
The game was set for a summer release across iOS and Android, but SEGA has yet to issue an official announcement.
What else could happen?
The leak was on top of previous rumours, first reported by Midori on the site formerly known as Twitter, that claimed that the blue blur was to get a sports-related game for Apple Arcade, and a Chao-themed game for Netflix.
It could add up to SEGA’s desire to launch multiple mobile games; this time though, with Rovio’s Beacon technology, a devkit platform criticized for prioritizing revenue schemes at the expense of gameplay.
How did it leak?
The video was uploaded as part of a joint release between Tails’ Channel and fan-site The Sonic Stadium Monday afternoon, after an acknowledgement was reached with a source to release the video in full.
It was a reversal to Tails’ Channel’s initial editorial decision to withhold the public release of the video due to potential security concerns against the source.
The source, who spoke to Tails’ Channel on the condition of anonymity, agreed to publicly release the video after YouTube personality The Sonic Show uploaded a watermarked version late Sunday.
The watermarked version had since been taken down by SEGA Corporation. The company has yet to issue an official comment.
