The head of Sonic Team, Takashi Iizuka, has expressed a stance against the frequent development of game remakes and remasters, suggesting that the studio will prioritize creating new titles instead. Iizuka, who serves as general producer for the Sonic series, stated in an interview with Automaton that remakes essentially offer the same experience as the original games and do not represent a significant enough departure to warrant the investment.
Remakes and remasters are currently a prevalent trend in the gaming industry, often capitalizing on player nostalgia and offering a familiar experience. However, Iizuka contends that these projects are not always a cost-effective alternative to new game development. He noted that modernizing older games requires extensive work, including recreating graphics and updating gameplay to meet contemporary standards. "These days," Iizuka said, "remaking an old game requires about as many resources as creating a new title."
While acknowledging fan requests for remakes, such as ports of titles like Sonic Unleashed, Iizuka remains firm in his belief that the value proposition for remakes is limited. He did, however, offer a glimmer of hope for fans concerned about the accessibility of older Sonic titles. "Concerns about certain games being unplayable, so I'd like to ask you to please wait a little longer," he stated, hinting at potential future efforts to make more of the back catalog available on modern platforms.