Well, we all saw this one coming. Another one of the biggest turning points in the Sonic franchise. Don't know what to say except, on with the story.
Disclaimer: I do not own Sonic The Hedgehog or any of the characters, they are owned by Sega and Sonic Team.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Dreamcast, the Dreamcast is owned and trademarked by Sega.
December 30th 2000.
Filming for Sonic Adventure 2 had finally come to an end.
Over the course of that time, Shadow and Knuckles had recovered and returned to film their remaining scenes, with precautions taken by the crew of course.
It seemed like Sega was going to have another hit on their hands, and they would, but with a few alterations.
Bunnie had invited Sonic out for a drink, saying it was merely just to catch up and hang out.
She had hoped he would take the news well.
"Bunnie, are you alright?" Sonic asked.
Bunnie looked at him, eye to eye, wondering why it was so difficult to tell him.
She had told the staff and the rest of the cast and yet Sonic seemed to be a challenge.
Maybe it was because he basically put them on the map or maybe it was because he was Sega's icon, like you couldn't have one without the other.
But she knew he would find out eventually, so better now than later.
"I'm fine, it's just that, we've had a recent development at Sega." Bunnie started.
"Development?" Sonic asked.
"Yes, you see, over these last few years we've been in financial trouble and despite the Dreamcast line's success, we haven't been able to recoup our losses." Bunnie explained.
"Well… there's always next year, we've got Sonic Adventure 2 coming out in the summer, I bet we'll make enough then." Sonic told her, unaware of how much more complicated the issue was.
"Sonic, I'm afraid that, we don't have enough funding to make it through the year on our own." Bunnie told him.
"What are you saying?" Sonic questioned.
"I'm saying, we can't keep going on like we have, we're selling the company." Bunnie told him, saying it as simple as possible, as it all sounded wrong in her head.
"What?!" Sonic said, in surprise.
"Don't worry, we'll still be making different movies and we'll still be in control, but, we'll be making them for the other studios." Bunnie explained.
Sonic sighed, the words Bunnie spoke still not fully registering with him.
So many years of working for Sega and their campaigns mocking the competition, oh the irony.
Sonic took a slow sip of his drink, looked at his reflection in the glass for a second and then looked at Bunnie.
"This'll save everyone's jobs and keep all the films going?" Sonic asked.
Bunnie didn't answer for a moment, looking elsewhere while resting her right arm on the booth table.
After a little more time, Bunnie answered yes.
"Well then, it may seem strange but, if it'll keep everyone going, then I guess it's for the best." Sonic said.
January 31st 2001.
After months of rumor and speculation, Bunnie had called a press conference to set the record straight on where Sega stood and what their plans were.
"Thank you all for coming, as many of you know, recently at Sega we've been undergoing changes." Bunnie began.
"These changes have brought on innovation and new ideas for future projects, and with that potential there must also come some new approaches." Bunnie stated.
"After much negotiation and deliberation, I am here to announce today that Sega will no longer be a major studio." Bunnie announced.
At this announcement, the press went into an uproar, shocked gasps and a million different questions were all that was heard, until they were quieted down.
"Yes, Sega will be becoming a third party studio, we will continue to create and distribute our films along with a main distributor and certain franchises will go to certain studios." Bunnie explained.
"Thanks to this new funding, we will be able to release the remaining films of the Dreamcast line throughout the rest of the year, however, we will be officially closing the doors on Dreamcast development, this March." Bunnie continued.
"All in all, this will be a new beginning for Sega and will bring in a whole new audience." Bunnie said.
When all was said and done, the conference ended, the news was out.
The dream was over.