Yep, you read the title right. We won't be seeing Sonic for quite some time in the future. When talking about the recent announcement of the Nintendo-Sega collaboration, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, Sega president Simon Jeffery told Newsweek that they're planning to give their blue hedgehog a bit of a make-over, meaning no new Sonic titles in the near future.

We are actually undergoing a fairly considerable refresh of Sonic as an intellectual property, as a character. Sonic on the Wii is probably the first product that's come to market that reflects that. We're not going to be bringing another game out on the other platforms for quite some time, because we feel that it is time to reinvent Sonic, to make Sonic contemporary again. At the same time, even the recent 360 and PlayStation 3 games have sold extremely well.

Reinvent Sonic, eh? Wonder how that's going to end up. Well, they already have started going back to "the original Sonic" with Sonic and the Secret Rings. I say that's actually a good start. Of course, before you give someone some make-over, you'd have to revisit your roots first. It's going to be interesting to see how they will "make Sonic contemporary again" though.

We fished the picture above from a Neoseeker forums thread on Sonic art. Well, let's just hope that "Sonic In a Dress" remains as a fan's concept art, and not make it to the final drafts of Sega. (pink looks sooo good on blue though)

Our good ol' buddy Sonic has some new interesting treats for Xbox 360 players. Accordingly, there are three new available episodes ready for download over at Xbox Live Marketplace (XBLM) for Sonic the Hedgehog (360 and PS3).

These new content are available in every single Xbox Live region for 150 MS Points each. If you really want to know, that will cost you around US$ 1.87. Anyway, the first downloadable episode is called "Sonic Boss Attack." This download will let you play consecutive boss battle mode for Sonic. But in order to play all the stages in this one, be sure that you have completed the whole Sonic Episode first.

The next two, "Shadow Boss Attack" and "Silver Boss Attack", are the same as the first except that these are for, well, Shadow and Silver respectively. Like the first one, you have to finish the Silver and Shadow episodes to enjoy this download. Also, please take note that the item "Silver Boss Attack" will not have any refunds.

A couple of months ago, we also reported on another update for Sonic the Hedgehog that involves three new levels for the video game that costs 200 MS points each.

Fifteen years on and Sonic's still running around. Despite some harsh criticism from fans of the franchise, Yojiro Ogawa and the Sonic Team are still optimistic that the North American debut of Sonic and the Secret Rings will please fans, delivering that next-gen Sonic experience that'll satisfy their cravings.

Kikizo recently caught up with Yojiro Ogawa and asked him a few questions regarding his thoughts on the game. One of the more interesting things we read was the decision to base the game's story on "Arabian Nights". According to Ogawa, they though that they would like to "revolutionise Sonic as well" in a sort of nod to the Wii's "Revolution" codename. He went on to say that he "thought it would be very interesting to have Sonic go into a storybook, that would be a very new concept for a Sonic game."

Of course, Ogawa also addressed the fans' criticisms of Sonic's appearances on Xbox 360 and PS3, pointing towards time constraints as the main culprit. "We did want to launch the title around Christmas, and we had the PS3 launch coming up, but we had to develop for Microsoft's 360 at the same time and the team had an awful lot of pressure on them," he said. "It was very hard for the team to try and see how we were going to come out with both versions together with just the one team. It was a big challenge."

Fans of 2D Sonic may also be getting their wish. According to Ogawa, the possibility that they will be making a 2D Sonic game - a sequel to Sonic Rush, perhaps - still exists. They just "don't know when" and "don't have any details yet," but they just "might."

For the full interview, click on the "read" link below.

We recently found out that there are new contents for Viva Piñata and Sonic the Hedgehog at the Xbox Live Marketplace. So if you have some spare MS points, then read on. First off, Sega">Sonic the Hedgehog.

Sega recently announced that three new levels for the game could now be downloaded for 200 MS points. No details about the levels, but the report mentions that this one is suited for experienced players.

Now, what's the new stuff for Rare's Viva Piñata? If you're the type who dwells on the physical appearance of your darling piñata, then this might tickle your fancy. Well, for 90 MS points, you get a new accessory pack for the game. Basically, the pack will enable you to "design" your piñata with the mustache of Von Ghoul and the Conkerifique Helmet.

Buy: [Viva Piñata]
Buy: [Sonic the Hedgehog]

Are you guys familiar with the YTMND site? The acronym stands for "Your'e The Man Now Dog" and is basically a place for members to share toilet jokes and sometimes political humor. Furthermore, the members convey these messages through combining images, text, and (at times) sound effects.

YTMND recently hosted an image of Sonic the Hedgehog and his friends with an accompanying text message describing a sexual act. Sega of Europe, not in the mood for toilet jokes, recently issued a threat to the proprietors of the above mentioned site.

According to Sega of Europe, they want YTMND to cease and desist from displaying of these images. If not, they will have no option but to drag YTMND to court. Well, as it is, Sega has enough problems already concerning the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise (PSP, PS3, Wii, X360).

Instead of paying attention to these guys, maybe it would be wise for them to just spend their time and energy thinking of ways on how to bring back the lost glory days of our dear blue Sonic?

Sonic the Hedgehogis renowned for his speed. But what's this we're hearing (and will see through the vid below) that the game's loading time on the Xbox 360 is terribly slow?

Elchibo posted this vid over at YouTube, and it does appear to be a rather dismal display of Sonic's supposed speed. If at all, it's the complete antithesis to how the character's image is spawned. With ten minutes and a half worth of of footage, it clearly is nothing but a really, really long waiting game. And that's just for the game to load onto another scene.

What's worse is that it doesn't just happen once. Yeah, we've heard of unbelievably lengthy loading time for the internet, but for a next-gen game on a next-gen console? It's just ridiculous.

Anyway, check it out for yourself. If you're patient enough to finish the whole ten minutes, maybe you'll be rewarded, say, like having Sonic leap to life from your TV screens. Or something.

Sega has signed an exclusive advertising deal with Microsoft Digital Advertising Solutions to run a themed Sonic the Hedgehog viral (oh, Sonic, you poor hedgehog, you...) on Windows Live Messenger. The agreement is part of an integrated campaign to promote two new games, Sonic the Hedgehog on the Xbox 360, and Sonic Rivals on the PSP.

Amusing bit about this deal? We'll see ads for a Sony PSP game on a Microsoft service. Nothing groundbreaking, it's all business anyway. But it does lead one to imagine that some fanboys and their extreme loyalties will have a brain-breaking fit over this odd reality.

This is an example of those rare situations wherein press releases can possibly amuse you.

Dashing faster than a speeding Superman, guess who's hitting the retail shelves across North America? The, ahem, dashing blue-spiked, white-gloved, red-booted Sonic the Hedgehog himself is taking his 15th anniversary to the next-gen. Although the 360 version has now been shipped into stores, its PS3 version is set for a December release.

For the first time in Sonic history, he and his friends will enter the human world and interact with the locals of Soleanna to gather info, protect them from the vile robots of Dr. Eggman, and purchase new abilities from the various shops in the town. Aside from this setting, there will also be, of course, other stages full of high-octane adventuring as you dash through a scorching desert, an exotic jungle, a snowy hillside, even to futuristic city of metal and flames.

To hell with packing. This is one ride where luggage will slow you down. The ticket costs US$ 59.95, so better run fast before the stocks of the game outrun you.

Doncha wish yo' hedgehog were blue like mine?
Doncha wish yo' hedgehog had spikes like mine?
Doncha?
Doncha?!

This is probably the only instance when you'd be able to find Sonic standing still for more than five seconds. Frankly, that's because he doesn't have a choice. The great lords of gaming have stolen his soul and sealed it in this figurine! Ha. Kidding. But hey, if Samus had her own figurine, why not Sonic?

This 15th anniversary commemorative figurine is being distributed through GameStop/EBGames. You'd have to be quick though because it will only be available if you pre-order Sonic the Hedgehog for the 360 or PS3. You'll only have a limited time to get the figurine because once the games are out, they won't release the bust anymore.

Sonic. Bustin' out...

Controlling the fastest feet in the water city of Soleanna, do you think your thumbs and fingers can handle it? Dr. Eggman is, err, egging his evil plans on, but do you have what it takes to "pickle" them? Princess Elise, the Chaos Emeralds, plus some playable characters like Shadow and Silver... There's Tails, Knuckles, and other Amigos... How do they all fit in the greater scheme of things?

Now, we're not one to spoil the story for you guys, but from all of those elements alone, you can probably tell how epic it can get. Speeding its golden ringed way to the next-gen PS3 and 360 consoles, Sonic the Hedgehog - not to be confused with Sonic and the Secret of the Rings (Wii) - is set to break the sound barrier of gaming.

How does Sega's game achieve this goal? Just take. A look. At these. Screenshots! [takes a moment to stare] But graphics aside, the physics engine is as real as it can get. They're even going to incorporate an element of time; the sun will actually climb from east to west while you're playing, and mushrooms will grown on the trees, in-game.

Asking for more? Dash into the download link below to grab more of these screens! Quick, before the zoom away!

Download: [Sonic the Hedgehog pics]