08-09 SONIC Fast at 30 dps_GF_v4.qxp_NEW LSB 2008 GRID 03/08/2021 14:18 Page 1
FAST AT 30 He’s a pop culture icon grown out of the video games industry, and who now transcends many entertainment mediums. We find out how Sonic the Hedgehog is having a blast at 30… and has no intention of slowing down just yet.
“O
ver the past 30 years we’ve seen Sonic become a pop culture icon for the video games industry, and it's our goal to maintain his standing by continuing to develop innovative experiences for fans,” states Ivo Gerscovich, chief brand officer at SEGA America. “We don’t see Sonic slowing down anytime soon.” The ‘blue blur’ made his debut in the US in June 1991, followed by the rest of the world the following month, on the SEGA
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Left: Ivo Gerscovich, chief brand officer, SEGA America.
Genesis console. Since then, a plethora of games have sped into retail on a variety of platforms, while SEGA has also successfully expanded the character into animation and the box office and, of course, consumer products. Ivo continues: “At SEGA, the Sonic team has always strived to keep Sonic’s core attributes consistent while bringing fans innovative new ways to experience the Sonic Universe. Across our games,