Bioware reveal Sonic RPG for DS

A while back we posted about Bioware considering DS development, and while some disagreed with our post (yes boys, we saw it,) after just under a year of silence, Bioware has announced its game. Jade Empire? Kotor? Nope its a Sonic RPG for the Nintendo DS due for release in 2008. Were thrilled to be working with SEGA on Sonic, one of the industrys most enduring and compelling icons, said Greg Zeschuk, president of BioWare. As huge fans of Sonic ourselves, were committed to delivering a truly amazing story-driven experience within the Sonic universe, focusing on capturing the characters broad appeal and placing him in a completely original adventure, added Ray Muzyka, chief executive officer of BioWare.

No details about the game yet, but probably see something about it at E3.

LONDON & SAN FRANCISCO (Thurs 21st June 2007) – SEGA Europe, Ltd., SEGA of America, Inc. and Canada-based developer studio BioWare Corp. today announced a partnership to create a new video game based on the classic SEGA flagship icon, Sonic The Hedgehog. The exact name of the game is undetermined, but this new title developed exclusively for the Nintendo DS will ship in 2008.

BioWare is one of the hottest names in RPG development in the world, said Simon Jeffery, President and COO, SEGA of America, Inc. Everyone at SEGA has huge confidence that Sonic is in the safest of hands, and that BioWare can create the ultimate handheld RPG experience for gamers of all ages.

BioWare is the award-winning independent developer that has created some of the worlds best-selling titles including the Baldurs Gate and Neverwinter Nights series, the 2003 Game of the Year, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and the 2005 RPG of the Year, Jade Empire. BioWare is currently developing one of the most anticipated next-generation titles of 2007, Mass Effect.

Were thrilled to be working with SEGA on Sonic, one of the industrys most enduring and compelling icons, said Greg Zeschuk, president of BioWare. As huge fans of Sonic ourselves, were committed to delivering a truly amazing story-driven experience within the Sonic universe, focusing on capturing the characters broad appeal and placing him in a completely original adventure, added Ray Muzyka, chief executive officer of BioWare.

The relationship with BioWare reinforces SEGAs increased emphasis on Western content development for Western audiences. In the past few years SEGA has announced partnerships with developers Bizarre Creations, Gas Powered Games, Monolith Productions, Obsidian Entertainment, Planet Moon Studios, Pseudo Interactive and Silicon Knights. SEGA has also acquired development studios The Creative Assembly, Secret Level and Sports Interactive.