Sega Sammy Holdings' latest investors notice reveals Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka is switching to a role at Sega following the success of Sonic Frontiers. Iizuka's new role at Sega allows him to continue developing titles and Sonic lore with expertise gained by working at Sonic Team for over two decades.
Since the release of Sonic Frontiers this past November, Sega has been working on new content for the game while building a cohesive Sonic universe. Specifically, Sega of America aims to codify Sonic lore by hiring lore experts and experienced game developers for future titles. Further, Sonic Frontiers director Morio Kishimoto confirms more Sonic 2D titles are on the way, leading fans to speculate that a healthy slate of Sonic releases is already being prepared. As Sonic Frontiers updates and new Sonic projects continue to be developed at Sega, the company positions the Sonic Team head for a new executive role this year.
Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka will become the new executive officer of Sega starting April 1 this year according to the company's investors notice. The newly elected role also grants him the title of Sonic Creative Director at Sega of America. It's unclear whether Iizuka will step down as Sonic Team head to focus on executive officer and creative director duties at Sega. However, Iizuka will continue to be an important leader for development of new Sonic titles and media going forward.
Iizuka has been working on the Sonic franchise since the release of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 for the Sega Genesis and would go on to create Sonic Team USA in 1999. Sonic Team USA would work on international releases of Sonic Adventure, Sonic Adventure 2, and Sonic Heroes before being absorbed into Sonic Team proper in 2008. He was promoted to Sonic Team head following the merger of divisions that same year. Nearly 15 years later, Iizuka expects 2023 to be another strong year for Sonic with continued momentum after the release of Sonic Frontiers.
Iizuka's new role as executive officer and creative director begins right after March 31, which is the end of Sega Sammy's current fiscal year. Sega is expected to release new Sonic titles in the upcoming fiscal year including a potential Sonic Origins Plus collection. Sonic Origins Plus may be one of the first releases with Iizuka serving as executive officer and creative director of the Sonic franchise.
Sonic Frontiers will receive three major updates throughout 2023 with Iizuka continuing to serve as the game's producer. Players can expect more playable characters like Tails and Knuckles alongside a brand-new scenario.
Sonic Frontiers is available now for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
Source: VGC