Free-to-Play Sonic Game Drops Controversial Features

In response to widespread criticism in Western markets, the upcoming Sonic Rumble will not include any pay-to-win or “gacha” mechanics. Announced by Sega and mobile developer Rovio Entertainment in May, Sonic Rumble is a Sonic the Hedgehog-themed multiplayer party game inspired by popular titles like Fall Guys. A closed beta test was conducted in June to gather player feedback.

A few months later, the game entered a pre-launch beta phase in select regions, including the Philippines, Peru, and Colombia, allowing players in those areas to experience a preview ahead of its full release scheduled for Winter 2024.

The game draws clear inspiration from Fall Guys, challenging players to race through vibrant obstacle courses as charming, toy-like versions of beloved Sonic characters. Unique Sonic elements, such as springs and loop-de-loops, are integrated into the levels, and up to 32 players can compete in races or scramble to gather the most Rings within a time limit.

Sonic Rumble will be free-to-play, and Sega has confirmed the inclusion of a Battle Pass that grants access to new character skins and emotes. However, director Makoto Tase and Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka have assured players that the new mobile title will steer clear of the increasingly controversial gacha mechanics often found in free-to-play games.

In a recent interview with Automaton, Tase emphasized that Sonic Rumble aims for a more casual approach, allowing players to purchase desired items quickly for a small, fixed price instead of relying on a gacha system with uncertain odds for obtaining specific items.

No Pay-to-Win Mechanics in Sonic Rumble

Tase also mentioned that while Sonic Rumble will feature a daily free draw system for unlocking new content, there will be no pay-to-win elements involved. All purchases will be purely cosmetic, and players will have various methods to obtain character skins and emotes without needing to spend real money. For instance, the game will include a Ring Shop where players can spend the Rings they collect in-game on a selection of cosmetics that will refresh daily.

Takashi Iizuka elaborated on the decision to omit pay-to-win features, noting the divisive nature of such mechanics in Western markets, particularly in the United States. He explained that while gacha mechanics are common and generally accepted in Japanese and Asian markets, where players often have no qualms about spending money on randomly selected items, these features have sparked significant backlash in other regions. As a result, Sega aims to sidestep potential controversy with the launch of Sonic Rumble later this year.