“We want Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds to represent all eras of Sonic.”
Takashi Iizuka, Sega’s chief creative officer for Sonic the Hedgehog, recently discussed post-launch strategies for the racing game Sonic CrossWorlds. He expressed a willingness to incorporate “deep cut” Sonic characters as future downloadable content.
Since its launch last September, Sonic CrossWorlds has consistently introduced both free and paid crossover characters. Notable additions include Hatsune Miku, Joker from Persona, Ichiban Kasuga from Like a Dragon, NiGHTS, Pac-Man, Minecraft, and SpongeBob SquarePants.
Masaru Kohayakawa, the game’s director, previously hinted at significant surprises for players this year. Now, Iizuka has provided additional clues regarding potential future content for players.
During an interview with MCV magazine, Iizuka was questioned about the possibility of more Sega All-Stars joining CrossWorlds as DLC, following characters like Ichiban Kasuga and NiGHTS.
Iizuka responded, “Sega has such a rich cast of characters, and Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is a great place to celebrate that legacy. The team is consistently considering who might be next, so players should anticipate further announcements as the season progresses.”
Subsequently, Iizuka was asked about the inclusion of ‘deeper cuts’ from the Sonic universe. This included characters from the 1993 animated TV series, the Netflix show Sonic Boom, or the IDW Sonic comic series.
Sega’s Sonic boss has discussed future DLC.
Iizuka stated, “There’s a lot of passion around the extended Sonic universe, and the team is open to including ‘deep cut’ characters if the opportunity feels right. The goal is for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds to represent all eras of Sonic.”
The designer and producer elaborated on the criteria for a suitable crossover character. Sega seeks “something fun and visually unique” that feels like “a natural extension of the Sonic universe and not just a marketing opportunity.”
Iizuka also disclosed that not all companies were eager to join the Sonic CrossWorlds roster.
He explained, “Discussions with partners began well before launch, and most showed great enthusiasm. These collaborations require careful planning and time to ensure they resonate with fans. Regarding companies that declined, specific names will not be disclosed, but future conversations remain a possibility.”
Earlier this month, Sega unveiled plans to celebrate Sonic the Hedgehog’s 35th anniversary this year. These plans include “digital content highlighting Sonic’s evolution across the decades,” fan meet-ups, brand and retail partnerships for limited merchandise, museum pop-ups and art exhibits, live concert celebrations, and “a brand-new narrative podcast.”
