'Sonic the Hedgehog 2016' game announced to launch in 2017

Sonic the HedgehogSega, Sonic Team

It was previously reported that Sonic Team and Sega are indeed working on a brand-new "Sonic the Hedgehog" video game despite it not being shown during this year's E3. In an update from Gematsu, it was revealed by Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka that the new game is not going to launch until 2017.

It is further stated that at the time being, information is being withheld as Sega will give a more in-depth presentation about the game during this year's San Diego Comic-Con on July 22. The report also states that their presentation will be streamed live on Twitch for other fans to watch even if they cannot attend the event.

Footage of the new game is expected to be presented during Comic-Con and this may also reveal what the game actually looks like. Fans speculate that it may be a new 3D game like "Sonic Generations" or may be a return to the classic 2D side-scrolling structure similar to what "Sonic the Hedgehog 4" did. 

A report from Polygon reveals that Sega has been bashing the developers of "Mighty No. 9" for the game's controversial trailer and for its poor critical reviews. This comes as a bit of irony given how Sonic Team has been releasing very poorly received video games in recent years.

"Sonic the Hedgehog" has seen a little bit of a resurgence with the launch of "Sonic Colors" and "Sonic Generations" but this was diminished by the launch of "Sonic Lost World" and "Sonic Boom" as the latter two games were again poorly received by critics and fans alike.

According to a report from PlayStation Lifestyle, the developers are aiming to bring Sonic back to his original glory. The franchise was once regarded as an equal to the "Super Mario" games from Nintendo but this all stopped after "Sonic CD" and "Sonic and Knuckles" as the games that followed were all poorly received.