GAMER LOUNGE 20XX (NO CASUALS!!)

[Gwen]

And all I'm getting at is that it's enough for Sega to snoop around if they really want to, character art, art style, level design, game mechanics, the whole deal.
And ya'll blew it up into I supposedly want the game to die in a fiery death of litigation, and that I don't like genesis era Sonic when that is such a small, not important part of what I'm even talking about. I only said that because I can still have an opinion of the games themselves, and whether or not this game itself would really interest me. That has nothing to do with what I've been talking about, but you and Iceman zoned in on it as if it invalidates me somehow.
You're saying I don't have much of a background in genesis Sonic games, when I've said multiple times that I've played most of them. All I've been talking about is the similarities between each game, and you two called me shit like ignorant, dummy, said I have no knowledge on this subject when all I've fucking discussed was the similarities between each game. They're there, clear as day, the purple character I posted above in the trailer alone shows her running like Sonic, doing spin dashes and curling up into a ball like Sonic, they collect crystals instead of rings and the level design is obviously meant to bring Sonic to mind.
I'm not saying any of this is a bad thing, it may not interest me, but I'm not saying it's bad. All I've said is that Sega could take issue with it if they wanted to, which I've also added that I hope they don't.

All you are focusing on is that I don't really like the genesis Sonic games and you're tying that to what I'm talking about in the similarities, which has little to nothing to do with all I've talked about, like I think I've been pretty clear.

The fact that I don't think I'd like the game because it looks like and from gameplay plays similarly to genesis Sonic games is just my preference, I never said the genesis Sonic games are shit or anything, because they're not, I just don't really like playing them.

Can I be anymore clear?

[TomGuycott]

Okay, what the FUCK is with all this arguing over this bullshit? What's with all the ganging up on Gwen? Seriously, are you all so fucking delusional?

The point that I was getting the vibe for (forgive me if I'm wrong, I'm tired because I work for a living) is that the game has a lot of similarities to Sonic while providing different characters, story, gameplay tweaks, etc. That's fine! The game looks FUN to play too, at least to me.

But then there's all these posts about how there is NO similarity to Sonic or Sega whatsoever, how Sega can't sue, blah blah blah.


Are you serious? In the first thirty seconds of the trailer the character was running through loops, spinning into a ball, the scenery looks like oldschool Sonic fare with enhanced graphics, the opening scene looked like Ristar, a Sega IP that was supposed to (and failed) to succeed Sonic.

So what's the deal here? Seriously, explain this to me, WHAT IS THE PROBLEM? If you want to discuss this more I feel like you should just branch this off into an alternate Freedom Planet thread, because this is just unacceptable to me.

[Gwen]

1: It sounds as though you are deriding the game for its similarities to Sonic, which really is not a fair analysis. It feels a lot like you're trying to disregard it as a unique IP because of its inspirations, and that you're somehow above playing it.

2: You're attributing characteristics as unique to the Sonic franchise, characteristic which were inspired by and adapted from Mickey Mouse. You then refer to Freedom Planet as a Sonic knock-off, when it's just another anthro hero story, which we've had for nearly a century in popular culture.

3: You have taken a serious disinterest in discussing the nuances of the game mechanics and gone about discounting them as positive traits of Freedom Planet because, seemingly, those nuances don't appeal to you or because "general audiences" won't be able to recognize them. Gaming is entirely about nuances, and it is those that distinguish one game from the next. Overarching stereotype + nuances = game.

4: You took the phrase "rabid fan" too far from what I had intended (which was a lighthearted remark on my part because I've been a fan of Sonic games since my toddler years). You used it twice to disregard my points, which came off more ad-hom than actually analyzing the material.

1. I've never said I'm above playing the game, I'm just not really interested in it. That doesn't make me some elitist douchebag, I'm allowed to say, "hmm, ya know, I don't think I'd like that game based on all of what I've seen, I think I'll just play something else."
2. Considering they're still pretty different in style, I don't get what your point is with Sonic being inspired by Mickey? Everything is inspired by something, and Sonic's design is so instantly recognizable, that even with fan art and fan characters, you instantly know which fandom they belong to. And the artwork, sprites and all for this game are obviously supposed to look like the Sonic style, Which isn't a bad thing!!!
3. To you, gaming is entirely about nuances. Just like I'm part of a small minority that cares deeply about the quality of the music that I listen to, you are part of a small minority that feels this way, you are in no way the general populace. I don't even disagree, that gaming is entirely about nuances, but I still feel, based on the plenty of gameplay that I saw, that it's quite similar to Sonic, with a few added elements like expanded combat. And hey, nothing's wrong with that! Most people though switch between the latest shooters, racing, and sports games and don't have the time to care, or simply don't care.
4. Don't use such loaded wording as "rabid fan" if that's not what you meant. And don't blame me for running with it in making perfectly fine arguments when you called yourself one.

[Mutsukki]

Crappy Blue Luigi made the most reasonable and well thought post in favor of it and even there he said it was a Sonic fan game previously like jesus christ everyone. I think that saying that it's surprisng that Sega isn't suing them is pretty out there, but there's also no denying that if they wanted to be shitty enough they could do it and with pretty hard evidence.

-THIS IS NOT ABOUT THE QUALITY OF THE GAME-

[Gwen]

Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou.

[Vipershark]

Okay, what the FUCK is with all this arguing over this bullshit? What's with all the ganging up on Gwen? Seriously, are you all so fucking delusional?

The point that I was getting the vibe for (forgive me if I'm wrong, I'm tired because I work for a living) is that the game has a lot of similarities to Sonic while providing different characters, story, gameplay tweaks, etc. That's fine! The game looks FUN to play too, at least to me.

But then there's all these posts about how there is NO similarity to Sonic or Sega whatsoever, how Sega can't sue, blah blah blah.


Are you serious? In the first thirty seconds of the trailer the character was running through loops, spinning into a ball, the scenery looks like oldschool Sonic fare with enhanced graphics, the opening scene looked like Ristar, a Sega IP that was supposed to (and failed) to succeed Sonic.

So what's the deal here? Seriously, explain this to me, WHAT IS THE PROBLEM? If you want to discuss this more I feel like you should just branch this off into an alternate Freedom Planet thread, because this is just unacceptable to me.

Wowee man, there's no need for tempers to get that high over this.

I've been watching this thread for the past couple of hours to ensure that nothing flies off the handle and so far you guys have kept away from outright name calling and insults and stuff so I've let the debate keep going.
Honestly I'm not sure why the discussion is even happening since it's obvious that it's heavily inspired by Sonic (and many other games!!!) so why is there even questioning over it?

In other words,

[TomGuycott]

I'm more inclined to think that Sega wouldn't do anything, not that they couldn't. There's so much borrowed ideas from Sonic, Ristar and Nights that a competent lawyer could make a very valid argument. I just showed this to my sister and her friend and they thought it was a new Sonic game. It's a very grey area.

[Kriven]

4. Don't use such loaded wording as "rabid fan" if that's not what you meant. And don't blame me for running with it in making perfectly fine arguments when you called yourself one.

I didn't realize it was so loaded.
I was trying to be amusing.

[Gwen]

I think unless this game has some tsunami of success, it should fly under Sega's radar of caring, but what you said about showing it to your sister is exactly what I was getting at as to why Sega could sue if they felt the need to.

Edit: Kriven, I just don't get why you'd call yourself one if that's not what you meant, and then get put out when I run with it. How am I supposed to know you didn't mean it? The way you used it didn't imply any meaning of light heartedness. Just that you've been a big fan, which you still said you were since a young age..

[Kriven]

Well, I mean, I am a big fan.

But I feel like you were using it in kind of a prejudiced way? Reading your posts it felt like: "Well, what do you know, fucking fanboy?"

That's probably not what you meant at all, but that's how it came off to me.

Edit: Self-depricating humor is kind of the only humor I know.

[puggsoy]

I don't want to really get into the discussion but I figured this part of the FAQ is relevant:

Q: Isn't this just Sonic the Hedgehog with different graphics?
A: We were definitely inspired by Sonic when developing the characters and stages for Freedom Planet, but they are not exactly the same thing. Sonic is one of the most iconic franchises out there and not many developers in recent times have created games with similar styles and physics, so it is understandable that our game has been compared to it and it is something that we openly acknowledge. We hope that the similarities won't discourage you from playing and enjoying the game.
It should also be noted that Freedom Planet is not the first commercial game to be inspired by Sonic. During the 1990's, many other games tried to put their own spin on the concept, such as Bubsy, Aero the Acrobat, Socket: Time Dominator, Kid Chaos, Jazz Jackrabbit, and more.

So yeah, at least they acknowledge how similar it is to Sonic and that people might get confused.

I can't watch the video (this internet is weird) but from screenshots and what people are saying it seems interesting. I've never been big on Sonic games (for a number of reasons I won't explain) but I might give the demo a go once I can. In any case it looks like a very good effort to make an honest tribute to the Genesis while still putting an original spin on it.

[Koh]

Let's talk about something else now, shall we?

Midora has a very Zelda: Minish Cap/Four Swords/Adventures graphical style going on. Has recently been greenlit. Perhaps you'll like it.

[Kriven]

I'm liking this SNES/GEN/GBA indie influx.

[Koh]

Yes, it certainly is a breath of fresh air from all the NES/Atari/MSX/GameGear/WonderSwan/MasterSystem indies.

[puggsoy]

I feel inclined to say it looks a bit too similar to Minish Cap, but in all honestly I'm fine with that. MC seemed (at least to me) a bit under-appreciated and although Four Swords used the engine, I've always wanted another proper LoZ using the same (or similar) mechanics and items. Even though this isn't exactly it, I'm glad someone is finally doing something like this.

At the same time it looks extremely original and awesome in it's own right. Crafting? Fishing? Over 200 items? I'll definitely be following this.

I really really hope they have something like Kinstones, because those are the one thing I miss most from Minish Cap. They were so cool, I don't know why they weren't used in future games.