Peter and the Wolf

From Sega Retro

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Peter and the Wolf
System(s): Sega Mega-CD[1]
Development timeframe: 199x
State before cancellation: Early in development

Peter and the Wolf was a proposed Sega CD graphic audiobook of the classic 1936 story of the same name. Conceptualized by Sega Multimedia Studio audio head David Javelosa sometime around 1993 or 1994, the project was an attempt to expand the platform's multimedia efforts by leveraging Javelosa's previous experience at the Voyager Company with a David Bowie celebrity tie-in. However, when the head of the Studio (likely Tom Reuterdahl) later proposed that the character of Peter be replaced with Sonic the Hedgehog in an attempt to create synergy with the Sonic brand, Javelosa was so thoroughly turned off that he cancelled the entire project at the conclusion of the meeting.[1]

History

Development

When I first got on staff, I had been working in classical music CD-ROM [with the Voyager Company] and I thought, y’know, wouldn't it be fun to do an educational or edutainment classical CD-ROM for the Genesis of something like Peter and the Wolf. We can license the David Bowie version, because David Bowie had narrated a Peter and the Wolf LP.


We could license those assets featured as a David Bowie celebrity tie in. And we would basically have an illustrated video game of Peter and the Wolf. And, The manager of the Studio at the time, he shot right back to me and says, “This is a great idea, but could we make it Sonic and the Wolf?”


Well at the time… first of all, I said, “No way.” Prokofiev would be spinning in his grave. And I don't think David Bowie would do it.

David Javelosa[1]


Sometime around 1993 or 1994, Sega Multimedia Studio audio head David Javelosa planned to use his experience in creating multimedia CD-ROM experiences to bring something similar to the upcoming Sega CD. Having both a history in as an accomplished musician and access to a well-maintained network of friends and connections through the industry, Javelosa aimed to bring a recognizable celebrity to Sega's new platform through Multimedia Studio.[1]

After some initial planning and consideration on Javelosa's part, Javelosa had an encounter with the manager of Sega Multimedia Studio (likely Tom Reuterdahl) where he was able to present the game for potential development. While reception to the project was positive, Sega of America was undergoing a company-wide attempt to utilize Sonic characters in a Disney-like fashion, and it was instead proposed that the character of Peter be replaced with that of Sonic - suggesting the name Sonic and the Wolf. Javelosa was so turned off by this suggestion that he reportedly cancelled the project at the conclusion of the meeting. "It lasted two feet away from my desk. The moment my manager left my office, I just shelved it. I thought, oh well."[1] How this rebranding would have been accomplished without rerecording or otherwise scrapping Bowie's original reading of the story is unknown.

Production credits

Source:
Uncredited


References