22 replies to this topic

[FUS News Robot]

Here is a news post about the fan community...Sonic 2 HD, an ambitious high definition Sonic 2 remake, has been canceled, just weeks after the Alpha release. For those of you who are not aware of this project, or its history, allow me to fill you in. The Sonic 2 HD project was started in early 2008, with a tech demo released later that year. Information poured out slowly for some time, with only some screenshots, a trailer, and some wallpaper being released over the years. March 27th of this year, however, saw the Alpha release of the game, a demo containing Emerald Hill zone. The game was initially well received, and the fans waited for more. However, the game was almost immediately cast into controversy. Right away, modders began to complain due to the restrictions in the code, prohibiting people from tinkering with the engine. As if that wasn't enough, anti-virus software began to target it as a threat, which led to the REAL controversy. In early April it was reported that a dangerous keylogger (A trojan) was in the game, and the internet became alive with warnings to delete the demo and double check all secure data on their computer. Needless to say, this wasn't good press for the Sonic 2 HD team. As it turned out, the keylogger wasn't dangerous at all, it was used to store data relating to the game. However, in light of all the bad press, the team began to lose members. Allegedly, one of the members even took the code of the game with him, refusing to share it with the remaining team. That leads us to today, where the team officially announced that they were closing down the project. It should be noted, however, that they do claim that this decision was made months ago. I's hard to deny, though, that this announcement could not have come at a worse time.

Four years, a lot of hype, and it ends in shambles. On a personal note, I hope that one day someone continues this project, and creates something truly wonderful. If you haven't checked out the demo, you can download it from their official site,  as well as viewing some screenshots and getting some wallpaper. http://s2hd.com/

So, what do you think about the project? Are you sad it ended? Do you hope that this one day gets finished? What did you think about the demo?

Tyler

[RedAuthar]

Not really worried. I mean...HD is cool and all...but I kinda like the old designs and stuffs.

[Ther2view]

Me too...but it had potential. Also, I forgot to mention, there WAS extra content planned. Like new stages, Knuckles...

[Teirusu]

Its sad for me. I like old graphics too, but could be awesome see another style of sonic 2 graphics, because I dont know if im the only, but I finish sonic2 a lot of times, and could be great finish again with some changes. Anyway we keep having the original sonic2 which still epic

[randomizer]

As it turned out, the keylogger wasn't dangerous at all, it was used to store data relating to the game.

Why do you need a keylogger for to do this?

Allegedly, one of the members even took the code of the game with him, refusing to share it with the remaining team

I can't see how this could even happen. Did they all remote into some guys's PC and do their work on it? Any modern version control system would make this impossible.

[Ther2view]

Sorry...I worded it wrong...he had it with him the whole time, and get booted from the project. So, he refused to give it to anyone else.

[RedAuthar]

Also, I don't recall SEGA ever approving this...so they may have shut it down eventually.

[Ther2view]

Maybe...though Sega tends to be supportive of the fan community. Hell, they used the Retro engine for the Sonic CD port...that was a FAN engine!

[RedAuthar]

Maybe.

[Teirusu]

In my opinion SEGA should made a remake years ago...Who doesn't like old Sonics? I think if they made a remake of all old games with HD graphics, all people have his "old" favorite game, for example mine is Sonic R, and if they made a remake, I bougth it yes or yes just for collection (being or not good, because is my game of my childhood). They made a lot of collections (Game Cube, PC etc etc..) but they didnt add any change...nah, they prefer the 2 years of crap games...See, they made a remake of old games (Sonic Generations) , and a lot of people love it and want another title like "Sonic Generations 2".

So my posture is same, SEGA should take care of this proyect, because in my opinion, they should made it years ago, and not the fans

[RedAuthar]

SEGA doesn't want to ruin it. Just because it is remade doesn't make it better. Anyone remember the Sonic the Hedgehong port on the GBA? SEGA is afraid of doing that again.

[Teirusu]

I understand, but anyway if they do the things well (for example if they have fear dont change anything, just the graphics) I think no one will be disappointed. What happened with Sonic 2006, I really dont know, but how the hell that bugs, that loading, that slow, the fail scripts, the change of 180º of camera and you must change up for down...there is not explanation of that holy crap. I really dont know how they release having a lot of fails. I think if they dont make big mistakes, they shouldnt have fear about fail. Another thing is....why...the..hell...they port to a console like GBA? Im still thinking they should make a remake with holy graphics for good consoles like PS3 or XBOX360....no one say generation is a fail, and personaly, Green hill zone graphics is awesome, really awesome, same with chemical plant...
If they make a remake, with the same graphics of Generations in other games like Sonic 2 or Sonic 3, I bougth it yes or yes.

[RedAuthar]

Well with Generations out they might. But before Generations not so much.

[Teirusu]

True, I dont know what crap they could create without knowing Generations graphics are ideal for create a remake.

[RedAuthar]

Sonic Rush.

[randomizer]

Sorry...I worded it wrong...he had it with him the whole time, and get booted from the project. So, he refused to give it to anyone else.

But that still doesn't help me understand why only one person had the code that more than one person was working on. How could the other developers not have their own copies? It's truly bizarre.

[RedAuthar]

They may have just not done it out of stupidity.

[Ther2view]

From what I understand, is that this guy created the engine...and was VERY paranoid. They apparently had a LOT of issues with him. He's the one that put up all the restrictions for modders.

[randomizer]

Sounds like the type of person you drop from the team early on

[RedAuthar]

Sounds like he wanted it one way specifically and wasn't going to accept any other changes so left.