Difference between revisions of "Sonic! Software Planning"

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(Added information regarding Sega's merger of Sonic into Nextech)
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'''Sonic Co., Ltd''', trading as '''Sonic! Software Planning''', was a development studio established in 1991 by former [[Enix]] producer [[Hiroyuki Takahashi (Camelot)|Hiroyuki Takahashi]] with an investment from Sega, and took its name from [[Sonic the Hedgehog]] prior to the release of [[Sonic the Hedgehog (Mega Drive)]] in order to promote the brand. For most of its existence, Sonic handled programming and design internally, while sound and graphics were outsourced to other companies such as [[Rit's]], [[R.I.S]], and [[Camelot Software Planning]]. Under Sega's direction, the company was responsible for the ''[[:Category:Shining|Shining]]'' franchise for its entire existence.
 
'''Sonic Co., Ltd''', trading as '''Sonic! Software Planning''', was a development studio established in 1991 by former [[Enix]] producer [[Hiroyuki Takahashi (Camelot)|Hiroyuki Takahashi]] with an investment from Sega, and took its name from [[Sonic the Hedgehog]] prior to the release of [[Sonic the Hedgehog (Mega Drive)]] in order to promote the brand. For most of its existence, Sonic handled programming and design internally, while sound and graphics were outsourced to other companies such as [[Rit's]], [[R.I.S]], and [[Camelot Software Planning]]. Under Sega's direction, the company was responsible for the ''[[:Category:Shining|Shining]]'' franchise for its entire existence.
  
It is unknown when Sonic ceased operations or what became of the company. The company was credited as a developer on all three ''Shining Force III'' scenarios, the last of which released in 1998, but was no longer listed as a Sega subsidiary as of their 1997 Annual Report.{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000609133520/http://www.sega.co.jp/sega_e/corp/gyouseki/annual97/data18.html}} Takahashi would move to his brother Shugo Takahashi's company, Camelot, in the role of president.
+
At some point after the release of ''[[Shining the Holy Ark]]'', Sega closed the company, and it was no longer listed as a subsidiary on Sega's 1997 Annual Report. In April 1998, Sega merged Sonic's assets into another of its subsidiaries, Nextech. Despite being defunct throughout the development of all three scenarios of  ''Shining Force III'', the company is credited as a developer after Camelot.{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20000609133520/http://www.sega.co.jp/sega_e/corp/gyouseki/annual97/data18.html}}{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20120205120326/http://www.nex-ent.co.jp/company/record.html}}
  
 
==Softography==
 
==Softography==

Revision as of 23:35, 1 January 2024

https://segaretro.org/images/2/25/Sonic%21_Software_Planning.png

Sonic! Software Planning.png
Sonic! Software Planning
Founded: 1991-06-12[1]
Defunct: 1998
T-series code: T-331
Headquarters:
Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Sonic Co., Ltd, trading as Sonic! Software Planning, was a development studio established in 1991 by former Enix producer Hiroyuki Takahashi with an investment from Sega, and took its name from Sonic the Hedgehog prior to the release of Sonic the Hedgehog (Mega Drive) in order to promote the brand. For most of its existence, Sonic handled programming and design internally, while sound and graphics were outsourced to other companies such as Rit's, R.I.S, and Camelot Software Planning. Under Sega's direction, the company was responsible for the Shining franchise for its entire existence.

At some point after the release of Shining the Holy Ark, Sega closed the company, and it was no longer listed as a subsidiary on Sega's 1997 Annual Report. In April 1998, Sega merged Sonic's assets into another of its subsidiaries, Nextech. Despite being defunct throughout the development of all three scenarios of Shining Force III, the company is credited as a developer after Camelot.[2][3]

Softography

Magazine articles

Main article: Sonic! Software Planning/Magazine articles.

References