Having been doing Summer Of Sonic for a while now we’ve begun getting requests from fans -  both in a professional and a casual respect – if they could appear during the show.

Now that was fine with us, so we arranged a segment this year which we began refering to as the “Showcase” where select members of the community can show off their talents.  Due to the simularities we’ve placed this as a follow on to the Wrecks Factor and I suspect it will be its replacement after this final year.

You already know one of the items to be shown in the showcase – this is where you’ll find us showing the new Sonic Shorts from Sonic Paradox.  However there’ll also be more comedy and music, speaking of the latter our first

Zonic (or Ziggy in the real world) came to our attention via the SOS Facebook group and her lyricalisations of classic SEGA Megadrive games tracks – specifically Sonic. Apart from these she also makes her own brand of ambient, electronica based pop and dance with influences from everything from Lady GaGa to Depeche Mode. Regularly appears at a variety of game, anime and manga events and is touring very soon all over the country. She’s even got an EP out on iTunes. There’s an example of her Sonic-related work below.

Whilst we’re here I should probably point out our first featured fan artist has also been added to the guest page. Go ahead and click the link, if you like that sort of thing.

19/6 Update: The second of each are now live on the Guests page in the form of Roareye Black and Syaming-Li – also, please keep your questions to the trio of Naka/Iizuka/Senoue coming in!!!

The comments box for asking questions is now CLOSED. Thank you for all your submissions – we will try and ask as many as we can on the day!

• Have you ever wanted to say thank you to Yuji Naka?
• Have you ever wanted to ask Takashi Iizuka about his favourite character apart from Sonic?
• Do you need Jun Senoue’s signature on your copy of [Insert CD Name Here]?

Then I have good news for you, not only will Naka-san, Iizuka-san and Senoue-san be signing and saying hello in our specific signing area they will also be answering YOUR questions in a special Sonic Team panel.

In fact the good news is we’ve been asked by SEGA if we could perhaps arrange TWO panels, a morning and an afternoon session to answer all your questions and give both the early birds and the later arrivals a chance to see them – that’s fine by us!

We’ll have more on when these will be nearer the event itself. For now though we’re after your questions for Naka-san and Iizuka-san.

So now’s your chance to have your questions asked, submit your question via the comments and the very best ones will be chosen to be answered on the day in front of everybody.

If there’s something you really wanted to know, now’s the time to get asking!

Here’s some hints as to how to make your question more likely to be selected.

1. Make sure you make leave your question HERE. It’s all very well leaving it in a forum, on Twitter or on the Facebook group/page but we’ll be looking here.
2. Make sure you put who the question is to and who you are – we will try and find some of you on the day so you can ask your questions directly to the panel!
3. Try and be original and creative in your questioning. “Why did you call Green Hill Zone ‘Green Hill Zone” will likely not get picked.
4. Likewise please try and ask a question that might actually be able to be answered – “what levels are in Sonic Generations” and “what are you working on at the moment that we don’t know about” are examples of questions that you’re not going to get an answer to. Sonic Team (or Prope in Naka-san’s case) aren’t going to spill the beans to you are they?
5. It goes without saying, but we know how unpredictable things can get on the day; these guys are essentially your gaming heroes. Please ask respectful questions.

Best of luck!

We’re pleased to announce that the ever popular Sonic Shorts will once again be making an appearance at Summer Of Sonic!

Sonic Paradox will be bringing some new and unseen clips to SOS following their 2009 appearance which went down so well people wanted us to play them a second time – so we did!

If you’re not familiar with them, then check out their website: http://sonicparadox.webege.com/

(The following text is taken from The Sonic Stadium and Sonic Wrecks)

From Kevin Eva:

There is a reason I referred to this Summer Of Sonic as “The Special Stage”.

As you know we’ve been somewhat tight lipped on guests and events for this SOS.  Well there’s a good reason for that as we’ve been in negotiations for a loooong time to secure them.  With Sonic’s 20th year it only makes sense that we really went all out to get you the best we could. We’re now at a point where we’re able to actually tell you:

So we’re delighted to announce our headline guests for Summer Of Sonic! Not that our other guests aren’t special of course, but this is really quite a coup. First up ladies and gentlemen, joining us at Summer Of Sonic to celebrate Sonic’s twenty years will be a man who has worked with our little blue pal since 1994.

The head man himself, TAKASHI IIZUKA!

Multi-time Producer and Director (including both Sonic Adventure titles, Sonic Colours and the upcoming Sonic Generations), Game Designer on titles like Sonic 3 & Knuckles and the original NiGHTS into Dreams and not forgetting being the current head of Sonic Team itself. Takashi Iizuka will be flying in from Japan especially to join us.

From Svend Joscelyne:

Without a shadow of a doubt, every single Sonic the Hedgehog fan in the world has dreamed of this – an opportunity to meet the man who has been a creative force in the Sonic franchise since its very conception. The man most commonly referred to as the “father of Sonic,” even after leaving SEGA back in 2006 to form his own studio.

No, I can hardly believe I’m writing this myself.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is with great honour that I reveal our second special headline guest – one of the men that kick-started the Sonic franchise that we all love.

YUJI NAKA.

As the programmer for the original Sonic the Hedgehog Mega Drive game, Yuji Naka was responsible for creating the gameplay mechanics and physics of the 16-bit classic, while influencing the design of the character due to his ‘spin attack’ concept.

Since then, he has led the development of almost every single Sonic title until his departure, assumed the lead role at Sonic Team and created many other iconic franchises such as NiGHTS Into Dreams, ChuChu Rocket! and Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg.

Naka-san now leads his own independent game studio, PROPE, which caught the world’s attention with Wii party game Let’s Tap and reminded everyone of his flair for unique gameplay design with Ivy the Kiwi? While he is no longer involved with creating Sonic titles, the hedgehog still has a special place in his heart.

This year, Naka-san will be attending the Summer of Sonic 2011 to officially celebrate Sonic the Hedgehog’s 20th Anniversary with his old friend and colleague, Iizuka-san, and to share the experience directly with the fans. How lucky are we to be in the presence of two of the biggest men behind the Sonic franchise!? Exceptionally lucky.

If you’re currently shaking in excitement right now, just imagine how we feel back here – the chances of this ever happening were incredibly slim, and thanks to the work of SEGA Europe, SEGA Japan, Sonic Team, Iizuka-san, Naka-san and the organisers of the Summer of Sonic, we now have the stage set for the best fan party that ever lived!

What a year to be a Sonic fan!

And you know what? We’re STILL not done.

REVEAL LATER TODAY.
PREPARE FOR THE AWESOMESAUCE
- AAUK/KEVIN, DREADKNUX/SVEND & THE TEAM-

As you know our “American cousin” Sonic Boom is on tonight in Los Angeles, T-Bird and Dreadknux are over there as guests of honour (or should that be honor?) to discuss Summer Of Sonic.

Those of us left behind to ‘man the fort’ aren’t jealous at all. Although mysteriously both Adam and Svend are now on toilet cleaning duty after Summer Of Sonic. Most strange. *Puts away schedule*

Now I’ve been having a chat with the venue today and I have confirmed our menu, we may not have croissants… but we have BAGELS baby. That and with our Chili Dogs it’s like we have our own London branch of Don Fachio’s – so guess what, we’re going to call it just that!

DON FACHIO’S MENU
(prices to be confirmed)

CHILI DOGS

Breezy Dog (Chili Dog)
A Don Fachio’s favourite, a meaty treat served Apotos-style with a London twist.

Doggone Dog (Vegetarian Dog)
This lean, green dog has no meat whatsoever. The top seller at the now defunct Eggmanland branch of Don Fachio’s comes to London as a Summer Of Sonic special.

BAGELS

Professor P’s Culinary Concoction (Cheese & Salad)
Chow down on this healthy cheese and salad bagel, likely to contain cucumber (sliced thinly if you please). For clarity, absolutely does not include Chao.

Big’s Special (Tuna & Mayo)
And he most certainly is… All the cool cats will want a bite of this tuna and mayo treat. Makes excellent bait for frogs. Caution: may cause constant cameoing.

Catch Me If You Ham (Ham and Tomato)
Won’t let you down, a high taste grown – in a bread form with piggy and tomato.

DESERTS

Miss Vanilla’s Home Made Carrot Cake
We sincerely hope you enjoy our cake, fresh out of the family warren. 9/10 crocodiles approve greatly of the baker… and the cake as well.

Chip’s Super Awesome Chocolate Cake
Hey… want some chocolate? Light in Gaia, not necessarily light in calories. But who cares about that? NOM!

CRISPS

Various flavours available.  Not hedgehog flavoured, that would be in poor taste considering…

DRINKS

Chaos Cola
Get that 100% perfect chaos taste…

Also… Lemonade, Tea, Coffee, Fruit juice and Other soft drinks available.

Since I was asked, I asked the venue (who is organising all the food) and they cannot guarantee the food to be halal or kosher.  So if this is a requirement for you, please make alternate arrangements.