Sonic Superstars is an exciting return to the Blue Blur's 2D origins, but its new art style exists because its developers don't think the classic pixel art approach will be "viable" in future.
Speaking to GamesRadar+ at Gamescom 2023, Sonic Team head and Sonic Superstars producer Takashi Iizuka discussed (via a translator) the importance of having both 2D Sonic games, like Superstars, and 3D titles like last year's Sonic Frontiers.
This might be a good game but I certainly like the pixel style Shantae games, like the newest one that's being worked on again. I don't agree that it won't be viable in future. There are also AI pixel art generators to convert your images to pixel art style which I'm guessing will get even better soon.
These kind of comments and not doing Mania 2...it just feels like they are kind of hurt a team who did fan made games managed to make a better Sonic game than them.
Well yeah , pixel art/games is already an artistic choice and not the norm. I'm sure in 10 more years it will be considered a gimmick or some nostalgic throwback which it usually always is
if team sonic would get their Sonic 3D games right for a change, we wouldnt be asking for the 2D styled games.
Takashi Iizuka being wrong about something? Surprise, surprise.
Whether its the classic Sonic pentalogy of games on the Genesis / MegaDrive.
Retro-modern like Sonic Mania, fan games, or future official 2D Sonic games, there will always be a place in this industry for 2D pixel art (or HD sprite art) gaming.