Hello, my readers, this is Big Red reporting in with the third in-story update. 30 years old and not feeling younger since I've started this story originally 11 years ago. It's too soon for an update, but a series of life changing personal events had been preventing me from being proactive in continuing the story in addition to my current laptop showing its age. That's not on top of the gargantuan task of providing archives of the original story for the few disappointed fans that want to read it while it's gone. I have me reasons for wanting to do a rewrite as I want to better change to reflect the current landscape of gaming, but most of all Sega. I can understand the nostalgic attachment to my old work, but you will have ways to read it through the archives I send, or a whole other platform like AoOo (Archive of Our Own). That said, let's answer some pretty obvious new questions and readdress old ones more clearly.
Q: Can I promote my original character in the story?
A: As much as I hate to say it, I will have to decline this opportunity. I've addressed in my last Q how I want to flesh out the world with my own original characters that fit in with the rest of the story. I'd rather credit the original creator for any and all creations they make. That's going on top of how jealous or visceral fans will get if their own characters aren't a part of this epic tale. I will just have to restrict original characters ONLY to ones I personally make for good. Sorry.
Q: Can X series or character appear?
A: Remember thing this is a Sonic & SEGA All Stars fanfiction first and foremost, the characters owned by the Sega company will always get the most focus since this is their story. Universes and characters associated with certain universes (Mario and Sonic, Dead or Alive and Virtua Fighter, Devil May Cry and Bayonetta, etc) are a guarantee. I know we are all gamers with our own interests and tastes, but do not be upset if a certain series you like won't make an appearance at all since we want this story to be as focused as possible without being a jumbled mess. Some aspects of the original story will stay, but expect some changes or downsizes in this final rewrite.
Q: Will power scaling be accurate, what ceiling will you aim for in power levels?
A: Those of you familiar with how Marvel or anime works knows that the author will make any character as strong as they want. While I will try to be as accurate as possible to everyone's strength and canon feats, it'll only be unfair for the more grounded characters. For example, some like Virtua Fighter, Streets of Rage, and Yakuza/Like A Dragon cast will be outclassed and overshadowed if things were 100% accurate. Things will be too boring if Joker is the one to save the day all the time due to being stronger than everyone else. But at the same time, don't expect any too many off the wall gag feats for toonier universes like Wild Woody or Cuphead because we want this story to be treated as seriously as possible without their outlandishness distracting from it. A good story has a consistent tone that don't clash as much, which is why I have respect for works like One Piece and the like.
Q: Do you have anything against anime and cartoons?
A: No I do not. In fact, I am a long time fan of a variety of animated works throughout the world, whether it be Western or Japanese animation. That said, I will not be super biased and shoe-horn too much of it. For example, Shueisha is a large enough company with loads of memorable characters and locations to look into alone, and this is not taking into account the famous Weekly Shonen Jump. The same can be said for a media giant like Disney, which has a multitude of IPs outside the ones already featured in the Kingdom Hearts and Marvel vs Capcom series. That said, you will have to take into account if something fits or if the story have room for such things. Signed, an animation supporter.
Q: What is the difference between a fan giving suggestions and being a co-writer?
A: This is a big question that I will answer once and for all. While I am open to suggestions and feedback from fans, there is a boundary they should never cross. Keep in mind that not everything will go your way nor get accepted immediately and there's reasons for that. I am still open for a co-writer, but there's some criteria to be met. They would have to be a long time fan that supported my work for at least 2 years or more, or just be a very close friend I've known for a while. Trust is a valuable thing that can be earned by those who deserve it. That said, try not to act like a glorified co-writer if you won't step up to the plate yourself and help write the story. I have no "favorite fans", everyone is treated the same and can be blacklisted from viewing my works if they disrespect me.
Q: When will X country be explored?
A: Friendly reminder that this is a fictional universe that often have fictional worlds or countries involved, with only a select few involving real world places (Street Fighter, Shenmue, Pole's Big Adventure, etc) or fictionalized/alternate versions of real countries (Sonic the Hedgehog, Sakura Wars, Valkyria Chronicles, etc). This world has elements of both easily in a way that fits which makes it possible for these characters to met, or exists only in alternative worlds (Xenoblade, Genshin Impact, Kingdom Hearts, etc). It's not that I am ignoring a certain country, just that not that many video games explore that specific region enough or at all due to the video game market at large. It's not something that can be easily controlled. Big apologies for all of my non-American and Japanese fans here.
Q: Are you willing to take suggestions from your readers?
A: Once again, yes. I am welcome to all constructive criticism if it's something to be addressed. That's how I can learn and grow as a writer. But if your suggestions boil down to needless whining or harsh criticism of an idea or character you hate, don't be surprised when it isn't taken in consideration. Plot ideas and suggestions that could help with the rewrite will be much appreciated. But again, not all ideas will be given the greenlight if it fully conflicts with my creative vision. But an author still has to appreciate and interact with their fans, something I'll still stand by. As long as they are respectful and don't act too entitled. Entitlement gets no fan anywhere.
Q: Is there going to be any diversity?
A: Like I've said, it depends on the video game market and atmosphere at hand, since all of this can't be fully controlled. One can argue Sega is one of the most diverse Japanese developers out there, since a good portion of their characters aren't even Japanese and happen to be Western. Although that's more a side effect of the usual clashing between Sega of Japan and Sega of America since the 90's. Things will be done naturally and as it can happen without being too pushy nor preachy. Take it from me, a bisexual green (neither Democratic nor Republican) Christian African American gamer who's enjoyed these companies since childhood. I always go for a middle ground to appeal to anyone without being too alienating nor against anyone's own personal background. Everyone is welcome to read my works, no matter their background or identities. We are all gamers here that just want a fun story.
Q: Will Sonic Prime be acknowledged in any way?
A: As much as I hate to say it, no. It's not because I hate the show (I personally see it as a decent experience with serious wasted potential), it's more this is another Sonic 06 scenario where everything was undone the moment the Paradox Prism was finished. You can expect a mention of it regarding the prism, but that's it. Besides, only Sonic and Shadow has memories of what happens and they might not be relevant for what happens in this story. Plus, the Shatterverses no longer existed once everything was fixed, the cliffhanger doesn't even make it clear whats was attacking Sonic's friends in the end either way.
Q: In the light of the recent take down, how will you handle the story?
A: Simple, I will follow the main rules of this site to a T at all costs if we don't want everything being lost or permanently gone. We know the real reason it happened, so I will say it like this. Do not expect any characters who has a child-like appearance nor is a child to be overtly treated as eye candy. Those who fit that description (Nowi, Yog-Sothoth, etc) will just not appear at all. It is fictional, but that still doesn't mean the website condones to it, and neither personally do I. When it comes to perverted child-like characters like Tarosuke or Baby Herman, expect them to be toned down alot as to abide by the site's rules. Even a certain villainous groomer from Hyperdimension Neptunia will just not make an appearance at all since he is too controversial, even if he's meant to be a despicable villain. It's just how it has to be.
Q: Will I consider everything that Ian Flynn says for the Sonic franchise here? Or the Sonic Mandates?
A. It depends. I personally loved his take on the Archie Sonic franchise and enjoy IDW despite some issues I have with it. But that doesn't mean I will agree with everything he says while taking that into account. The Sol Dimension will stay a universe and not be turned into a planet because of Ian's own difficulties writing it, the former being always established in both Rush games canonically. Eggman Nega will still be alive regardless of what he says since, he could play a great role making sure the Legion stays perfectly fine under his ancestor's control. I've came up with a reasonable loophole for the Chaos Emerald Powers to happen outside of the Northstar Islands, which I won't spoil and you'll have to see in future chapters. As far as the mandates, I will go nuts. But not too nuts. Some mandates I can understand, like no characters having visible parents other than Vanilla the Rabbit. But other mandates whether it be Shadow being too elusive, no romance, not too many insect characters, not many adult characters, and so on are far too restrictive and not that fun at all. This is a fan fiction, so I can be creative enough to respect and not respect the mandates at all costs. Plus with the ages being gone, this allows me the freedom to actually make it seem like some characters aged without being too stagnant. It would be weird if some characters from universes like Fighting Vipers and Streets of Rage can age but not the Sonic cast.
Q: Are there any rules on who is allowed in my Discord server?
A: In the light of recent events, I will just say that it is best for me to get to know a fan a good while though private messaging on first. If you prove to be chill, respectful, and actually likable, then I may consider opening up invites to my server. But only privately to that person. I don't mind new friends to game with that happen to be my fans, but do know I have a preference for those who are at least adults (by global standards of being 18 and older) since I'm aware of the different ages of consent in your home countries. Just that it's better to follow the standard as this millennial is best vibing with mature capable fans. That's just how it'll be.
That will be all, and this will be the last Q for a good while. Production of Chapter 4 is going a tad slow due to prioritizing the archive of the original cut of my story (along with preserving two lost chapters I've forgot to save). But rest assured you can fully expect the next chapter within a month, or maybe a bit more. More exciting fights in the tournament arc to expect with some surprising results. I hope you all are looking forward to it. Again, those who want to read the archives while I upload them can ask me through personal messaging (use a good translator or make sure your English is readable). Have a good one and see you real soon!