SEGA announces Sonic the Hedgehog x Steve Aoki virtual concert event

As part of the continued celebrations surrounding Sonic the Hedgehog’s milestone 30th anniversary, SEGA is teaming up with EDM artist, DJ and producer Steve Aoki to host a virtual concert event coinciding with Aoki’s birthday on 30 November.

Set in a digitally created and immersive Sonic Universe, the one-of-a-kind concert aims to transport audiences to iconic environments like the Green Hill Zone, Chemical Plant and more as they rock out to their favourite Sonic the Hedgehog jams, EDM style. The 60-minute set will feature original songs from Steve Aoki, as well as Aoki remixed versions of fan-favourite Sonic tunes from the 16-bit SEGA Genesis era to today.

For a behind-the-scenes look at how the collaboration came together, click here.

Fans can tune into the virtual concert on the Sonic the Hedgehog YouTube and Twitch channels on November 30, 2021 at 12pm PT / 3pm ET.

SEGA announces Sonic the Hedgehog x Steve Aoki virtual concert event

As part of the continued celebrations surrounding Sonic the Hedgehog’s milestone 30th anniversary, SEGA is teaming up with EDM artist, DJ and producer Steve Aoki to host a virtual concert event coinciding with Aoki’s birthday on 30 November.

Set in a digitally created and immersive Sonic Universe, the one-of-a-kind concert aims to transport audiences to iconic environments like the Green Hill Zone, Chemical Plant and more as they rock out to their favourite Sonic the Hedgehog jams, EDM style. The 60-minute set will feature original songs from Steve Aoki, as well as Aoki remixed versions of fan-favourite Sonic tunes from the 16-bit SEGA Genesis era to today.

For a behind-the-scenes look at how the collaboration came together, click here.

Fans can tune into the virtual concert on the Sonic the Hedgehog YouTube and Twitch channels on November 30, 2021 at 12pm PT / 3pm ET.

G FUEL launches Party Punch flavour to mark Sonic the Hedgehog’s 30th Anniversary

Sega of America and G FUEL, The Official Energy Drink of Esports, has announced the latest flavour innovation in the G FUEL Sonic the Hedgehog collection: Party Punch.

Created in celebration of Sonic the Hedgehog’s 30th anniversary and inspired by the Sweet Mountain stage in Sonic Colors: Ultimate, G FUEL’s Party Punch tastes like fruity cereal, has only 15 calories and contains 140 mg of caffeine plus proprietary energy and focus-enhancing complexes for supersonic stamina.

The drink is now available for customers in the U.S. and select other countries to buy in powdered form in 40-serving tubs and limited-edition collector’s boxes, which include one 40-serving tub and one 16 oz shaker cup.

“What better way to celebrate 30 years of Sonic than with a party?” says Michael Cisneros, Manager of Licensing at Sega of America. “We’ve partnered with G FUEL to bring the celebration home with an all-new party punch flavour that will keep you moving. Toss some confetti, make some noise, and party like it’s 1991. We can’t wait for Sonic and G FUEL fans to give it a try.”

Party Punch is the third flavour that G FUEL and SEGA have co-developed and launched, with the first two flavours being Sonic’s Peach Rings and Sonic’s Chili Dogs.

G FUEL Party Punch is available now at gfuel.com.

 

 

Indie trainer label Lavair teams with SEGA to launch Mega Drive themed footwear and accessories

The independent trainer label, Lavair has detailed the launch of a limited edition Mega Drive-themed sneaker series developed in partnership with the gaming company, SEGA.

The new offering – spanning a four-piece collection – will be available to purchase from July 28th exclusively online at the Lavair website.

The range will feature two styles; the retro-hued Exo SEGA Mega Drive Analog, and the more understated Exo SEGA Mega Drive Mono and each will arrive with matching caps. The trainers will retail at £200 while the caps will sell at £50 each.

The Mega Drive console (named Genesis in the USA), originally debuted in Japan in 1988, and took the world by storm in the subsequent years.

The Exo SEGA Mega Drive flaunts technical aesthetics with a full thermoplastic polyurethane eye-stay and weather resistant toe guard and draped in a hi-tensile nylon upper. Exo sits on top of a streetwear-inspired outsole, combined with outdoor trekker detailing for optimal comfort underneath the brands’ signature, lighter-than-air sole.

“The designs Lavair has come up with for their Mega Drive themed collection really capture the timeless appeal of this iconic brand,” said Jason Rice, brand licensing director at SEGA Europe. “We can’t wait to hear what SEGA fans and trainer aficionados alike, think of the collaboration.”

SEGA unveils animated series Sonic Colours: Rise of the Wisps trailer and 30th anniversary merchandise

SEGA has lifted the lid on a plethora of upcoming entertainment experiences surrounding its iconic Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, as the 30th anniversary celebrations of the flagship character continue, spanning animated series, live orchestra events, a host of new gaming announcements, and plenty of licensing activity.

The grand unveiling of this upcoming hive of activity took place on the first Sonic Central livestream event, a celebration of 30 years of Sonic the Hedgehog hosted on SEGA’s official YouTube and Twitch channels this week.

The stream kicked off with the creators of the upcoming Netflix animated series Sonic Prime, and was swiftly followed with the announcement of a live orchestra event on June 23rd, featuring music from Sonic games over the last 30 years, with a special preview coming during Geoff Keighly’s Summer Game Fest Kickoff Live on June 10th.

Following the opening segment, SEGA jumped into the medium where it all began, unveiling a slew of gaming-related announcements, including Sonic Colours: Ultimate and Sonic Colours: Rise of the Wisps. Sonic Colors: Ultimate is an adrenaline-pumping remaster of the beloved 2010 platformer, Sonic Colors.

Sonic Colors: Ultimate is set to release both digitally and physically on PlayStation 4, Microsoft Xbox One and Nintendo Switch, with a digital-only release on PC via the Epic Game Store on September 7, 2021.

In addition, SEGA unveiled a teaser to the two-part animation series, Sonic Colors: Rise of the Wisps, the first short-form animation featuring full dialogue and a voice cast including the return of legendary Sonic voice actor, Roger Craig Smith.

 

Following, SEGA revealed that it is working on a new compiled series that will include Sonic the HEdgehog one, two, Sonic Three and Knuckles, as well as Sonic CD under the Sonic Origins moniker. The collection will offer fans a nostalgic hit of classic gameplay, as well as fresh content with more details coming soon.

Other developments in the gaming space include the launch of a new Sonic Team Game, a Sonic avatar in the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 – The Official Video Game, and a host of mobile game special events, spanning Sonic Forces: Speed Battle, Sonic Dash, Sonic Racing, and more.

On top of this, to celebrate the 30th anniversary, Sonic will be making a special cameo in SEGA’s Two Point Hospital.

SEGA also revealed a lineup of commemorative merchandise to celebrate the 30th anniversary, as the studio collaborates with a robust list of partners throughout the year to create new Sonic products, including items like a Giant Eggman Robot play-set from Jakks Pacific, a full-colour hardcover Sonic encyclopedia from Dark Horse, and more.

As part of Sonic’s 30th celebration, IDW will release a special super-sized 80-page comic book featuring three tales of colorful heroes and dastardly villains. Commemorative 30th Anniversary gold and silver coins will also be available this year from APMEX.

SEGA gears up for 30 years of Sonic the Hedgehog with special virtual Sonic Central event

SEGA is gearing up for the 30th anniversary of its most iconic Blue Blur, Sonic the Hedgehog with the launch of a special virtual event called Sonic Central on the brand’s official YouTube and Switch channels this week.

The event, taking place on Thursday, May 27th at 9am Pacific Time, will see SEGA’s own Sonic team joined by a cast of special guests to reveal a whole plethora of new partnerships, events, and upcoming projects spanning the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise and beyond.

The virtual event will be just part of the celebrations surrounding the 30th anniversary of the company’s flagship character, an icon of retro video gaming that has built out a successful global franchise that over the course of its 30 years has spanned entertainment formats such as TV series, comic books, video games, films, and more.

Sonic the Hedgehog will be marking its official 30th anniversary on June 23rd this year. Ahead of the big day, SEGA has paid tribute to the brand’s legacy among a generation of fans with the launch of a new fan-appreciation video, showcasing a nostalgic look back at the franchise, as the Blue Blur ‘speeds forwards to inspire future generations.’

Developed by the creative agency Liquid+ Arcade, the Unstoppable campaign follows the experiences of several young Sonic fans throughout the decades – from the early ‘90s SEGA Genesis era to today, as Sonic ‘encourages them to reach higher, go faster and become a hero.’

Head down memory lane with Sonic and check out the new fan appreciation video below:

Nintendo, Sonic, and Disney Princess help Jakks Pacific to “an excellent” Q1 2021

An “excellent beginning” to 2021 has seen net sales at the international toy maker, Jakks Pacific increase 26 per cent for the first quarter of the year, to $83.8 million compared to the $66.6 million of the same period last year.

The results, the company has been quick to point out, mark the highest year over year first quarter sales growth since Q1 2015, with “significant improvement in sales, gross margin, adjusted net income, and adjusted EBITDA.”

The results, stated Jakks Pacific’s chairman and CEO, Stephen Berman, are reflective of the efforts that the company has made to “broaden its product line, reduce its operating costs, and cut interest expense.”

“During the quarter, we drove double-digit sales increases in all of our toy divisions: Boys, Girls and Seasonal. We saw strong sales of products tied to video games, including Nintendo, Sonic the Hedgehog and Apex: Legends, a near doubling of sales in Disney Princess, solid initial sales of Raya and the Last Dragon, and continued strength in Black & Decker,” said Berman.

“We also registered strong sales of our own brands such as Perfectly Cute and Redo Skateboards. These sales gains easily offset the expected sales decreases we saw in Frozen, Frozen 2, and Fly Wheels.

“We are especially pleased by our continued success in reducing our operating costs, as reflected by our strong increase in gross margin and lower SG&A costs. Looking toward the balance of the year, we expect to continue to benefit from lean retail inventories and lower operating costs.

“Our retail POS trends remain positive, and we have a well-balanced line of new and continuing products planned for the holiday season. As we have for our 27-year history, we will focus on proven play patterns and our partnerships with world-class license partners and highly recognizable brands.

“As 2021 unfolds, we expect to see a return to more normal patterns of shopping, gift-giving and celebrating Halloween. We believe we are set up very well for a year of increased sales, improved EBITDA and a strengthened financial position, which we expect to generate strong momentum and can position us well for 2022 and beyond.”

Net sales for the first quarter 2021 were $83.8 million, up 26 per cent versus $66.6 million last year. The increase was driven primarily by higher sales of products across the firm’s Toys/Consumer Products segment which were up 28 per cent globally.

Net sales of Disguise costumes were essentially flat compared to last year.

Jakks Pacific recently detailed an extension of its partnership with SEGA of America to expand on its already popular toy line based on the hit video game franchise, Sonic the Hedgehog. The firm also recently picked up the North America toy and dress-up rights to the upcoming PAW Patrol: The Movie, across both Jakks Pacific and its costume division, Disguise.

JAKKS Pacific extends global toy deal with SEGA for Sonic the Hedgehog

JAKKS Pacific has renewed and expanded its global toy partnership with SEGA of America for the classic and modern versions of the hit entertainment franchise, Sonic the Hedgehog.

Under the extended partnership, JAKKS will design, manufacture, market, and sell Sonic the Hedgehog branded toy product lines worldwide, commencing in 2022. The agreement includes the rights to produce action figures, play-sets, vehicles, plush, and collectables.

JAKKS has seen wide success with the Sonic the Hedgehog IP since its introduction to the market in 2019, with product launches spanning big box retailers in-store and online. Its four-inch figures replicating modern and classic versions of Sonic were a hit with fans of all ages.

The introduction of the 2.5-inch figures and Green Hills Zone play-set last fall brought all new ways to play and recreate the action of this iconic zone from the video games.

“Our line of Sonic the Hedgehog products consistently hit the mark with retailers and fans, and we are excited to continue to develop innovative toys with SEGA that resonate on a global scale,” said Craig Drobis, senior vice president of marketing at JAKKS Pacific, Inc.

“Our Sonic figures, play-sets and plush have seen consistent sales growth since our partnership with SEGA began. There is more great product to be introduced for this Fall and for several years to come.”

Alex Gomez, licensing director at SEGA of America, added: “JAKKS Pacific has been an integral partner in bringing our vision for unique, high-quality Sonic collectibles to market over the past two years, and we’re ecstatic to expand our partnership them as we enter the next decade of the franchise.

“The new collection is sure to bring Sonic fun to new heights with merchandise tied to upcoming projects and will feature the Blue Blur in his Classic and Modern form, with something special for Sonic fans of every generation.”

Moonpig details plans to become ‘the Home of Gaming’ for birthdays as it bolsters its brand portfolio

The online greeting card and gifting platform, Moonpig has detailed its plans to become ‘the Home of Gaming’ for birthdays thanks to a new partnership with not only Nintendo but a wealth of gaming brands.

The new range is built on licensing partnerships with flagship brands such as Nintendo, Pokemon, Sonic the Hedgehog and SEGA, Warhammer, and Marvel Gameverse to name but a few. Moonpig has stated that it is still ‘actively recruiting gaming brands to fulfill their vision of being the ultimate gifting companion.’

“Gaming represents a huge opportunity for us at Moonpig and with incredible household brands – like Nintendo – on board, we’ve only just begun the journey to become the ultimate destination for birthday presents for every gaming fan,” said David Rimmer, commercial director at Moonpig.

“Our ambition is to have a brilliant range of cards that fans can’t find anywhere else and offer matching gifts for the perfect bundle.”

Victoria Connor, licensing executive at Moonpig, added: “We know how passionate people are about gaming and we’re looking forward to extending the licensed range  for cards as well as gifting with more gaming favourite brands.”

The first elements of the gaming range launched in September with a licensed partnership with Nintendo. The bespoke cards were designed by Moonpig’s in-house team, creating a diverse, personalisable range that is not available anywhere else, featuring Super Mario, Animal Crossing and Zelda among others.

Nelson Calvinho, head of marketing for Nintendo UK, said: “Nintendo prides itself on bringing people together through its games and putting smiles on people’s faces. We hope that this new range of cards from Moonpig, featuring many familiar characters from the world of Nintendo, will put a smile on the face of anyone receiving them.”

The next stage of the gaming campaign launched in April this year, featuring bespoke site looks as well as a number of competitions and giveaways on social media, giving participants the opportunity to win prizes, including a number of personalised Nintendo Switch Lite consoles and even a personalised Xbox Series S in partnership with gaming sensation Ali A.

Moonpig details plans to become ‘the Home of Gaming’ for birthdays as it bolsters its brand portfolio

The online greeting card and gifting platform, Moonpig has detailed its plans to become ‘the Home of Gaming’ for birthdays thanks to a new partnership with not only Nintendo but a wealth of gaming brands.

The new range is built on licensing partnerships with flagship brands such as Nintendo, Pokemon, Sonic the Hedgehog and SEGA, Warhammer, and Marvel Gameverse to name but a few. Moonpig has stated that it is still ‘actively recruiting gaming brands to fulfill their vision of being the ultimate gifting companion.’

“Gaming represents a huge opportunity for us at Moonpig and with incredible household brands – like Nintendo – on board, we’ve only just begun the journey to become the ultimate destination for birthday presents for every gaming fan,” said David Rimmer, commercial director at Moonpig.

“Our ambition is to have a brilliant range of cards that fans can’t find anywhere else and offer matching gifts for the perfect bundle.”

Victoria Connor, licensing executive at Moonpig, added: “We know how passionate people are about gaming and we’re looking forward to extending the licensed range  for cards as well as gifting with more gaming favourite brands.”

The first elements of the gaming range launched in September with a licensed partnership with Nintendo. The bespoke cards were designed by Moonpig’s in-house team, creating a diverse, personalisable range that is not available anywhere else, featuring Super Mario, Animal Crossing and Zelda among others.

Nelson Calvinho, head of marketing for Nintendo UK, said: “Nintendo prides itself on bringing people together through its games and putting smiles on people’s faces. We hope that this new range of cards from Moonpig, featuring many familiar characters from the world of Nintendo, will put a smile on the face of anyone receiving them.”

The next stage of the gaming campaign launched in April this year, featuring bespoke site looks as well as a number of competitions and giveaways on social media, giving participants the opportunity to win prizes, including a number of personalised Nintendo Switch Lite consoles and even a personalised Xbox Series S in partnership with gaming sensation Ali A.