Sonic Head Explains Why Support For Older Hardware Is Still Happening For His Games

This month, anticipation builds for the approaching release of Sonic X Shadow Generations. While the original game shipped in 2010, the new title plans to revisit the fan-favorite with an entirely new campaign for Shadow the Hedgehog. The decision coincides with the ongoing ‘Year of Shadow’ campaign that launched this year.

Part of the buildup for Sonic X Shadow Generations is the content surrounding the title. Recently, the firm revealed a new Movie Pack DLC is coming featuring Keanu Reeves portrayal of the Ultimate Lifeform from the live-action film. Additionally, Sonic X Shadow Generations: Dark Beginnings prequel animated series also went live as well ahead of the game.

Now with the PlayStation 5 Pro also on the way, IGN spoke with Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka about support for the new console. He instead elaborated on his drive to bring as much to the prior generation hardware where most consumers still remain currently.

As a market, we have the high-end machines, high-end consoles. Coming out with those consoles, we feel that we can make newer Sonic games that can express the speed of Sonic and with much better gaming UI as well. However, we want to support the lower spec constants as well. So even though the PS5 Pro is coming out, or new innovations or technology are coming out, we feel that it is important to support with the lower spec consoles and let many of the users keep playing Sonic.

Iizuka explained that he’d prefer to see “as many people as possible to play” his titles although hardware continues to progress. “We’d love to make it in time for launch, but we’re very much in the middle of the process of deciding how that’s going to look,” Iizuka added. And it’s not to say the decision holds backs titles with Sonic Frontiers featuring 60hz options alongside last-generation machines when it launched.

For the PlayStation 5 Pro, the system itself stands to be an enhancement from the base console. Collectively bridging quality & performance modes bringing a premium experience to players, the support to come will be evident. Already, it was confirmed over 50 titles will face PlayStation 5 Pro enhancements upon release in November. You can read the full report by heading here.

Are you in favor of Iizuka’s reasoning?

Source: IGN