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Tiara Boobowski

From Sonic Retro

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Tiara Boobowski
First seen: Sonic Mars
Species: Manx cat
Gender: Female
Age: 15-16
Height: 132.08cm (4'4)
Created by: Chris Senn

Tiara Boobowski[1][2], sometimes shortened to Tiara B., is an anthropomorphic Manx cat created for the unreleased Sega 32X action-platformer Sonic Mars. Originally one of six intended playable characters, the concept of in-game partners was scrapped when issues during development forced the team to focus solely on Sonic the Hedgehog, and she was reworked into three of the game's potential storylines as a potential love interest for Sonic.[3] Senn hoped that Tiara would be an equal match for Sega's mascot. However, these storylines later took a backseat to gameplay design, and while Senn feels the game could have focused more on the relationships between characters, Tiara and others would eventually be dropped from the later phases of Sonic X-treme's development.

Potential roles

Playable character

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Originally, Tiara was envisioned as one of six playable characters, with each featuring unique gameplay mechanics and camera angles. Tiara's mode was set to feature two-dimensional gameplay with the additional ability to travel forward and backward to additional 2D planes. However, when Clockwork Knight 2 was released, the team realized, in Chris Senn's words, that Tiara's gameplay was "exactly what the entire game [Clockwork Nights 2] did!" Tiara would be able to perform classic Sonic series moves such as the Spin Dash in addition to new "power moves" performed with a scepter.

Storyline roles

In the "Sonic Twist" storyline by Christian Senn, Sonic the Hedgehog must travel to a romantic location in Tiara's kingdom for a date with her. However, to reach the location, Sonic must journey through many obstacles and enemies. The longer it takes Sonic, the angrier Tiara will be when he finally reaches her, as revealed to the player through cameo footage of her throughout the game. Sonic, realizing that Tiara will be angry with him, decides to collect the seven Chaos Emeralds along the way and make them into a necklace for her. Sonic's troubles begin when Dr. Robotnik decides to destroy the landscapes in his path in an attempt to stop Sonic from taking the Emeralds and to trap him forever.

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This storyline featured Tiara as a princess, something that changed when later stories required a professor character. Tiara's father was changed from "King Cyberooski" to "Professor Gazebo Boobowski"[4][5][6], a Master Ring Smith[7][5] (drawing inspiration from the Archie comics series, in which Rings are objects which can be created). Thus, her role changed as well, with both characters acting as "ring-keepers"[1][2] which would be kidnapped by Robotnik.[8][5]

In the "SonicBOOM" storyline by Christian Senn, Dr. Robotnik has been infected by the deadly Doom Virus. In order to obtain the ingredients needed for the cure, he decided to infect Sonic with the virus and let him obtain the cure for him. As bait, Robotnik kidnapped Tiara, chaining her to a wooden platform hung over a bed of spikes. Sonic found her in time and immediately saved her. However, Tiara then revealed that the chains had been laced with the Doom Virus. Sonic's only hope was to see Tiara's father, the professor who lived in the castle on Misty Peak. Upon hearing of his daughter's rescue, Professor Gazebo Boobowski was glad to help Sonic on his adventure.

In the "Sonic DOOM" storyline by Christian Senn and Richard Wheeler, Robotnik has cracked the Master Chaos Emerald in an attempt to tap its power. As a result, the Doom Virus was released into the air. After failing to extract a cure from Professor Gazebo Boobowski, Robotnik kidnapped the professor's daughter, Tiara. Knowing that Sonic cannot resist rescuing a creature in danger, Robotnik used her as bait, setting the Master Emerald above a bound Tiara. Sonic spun around her like a whirlwind, freeing her. Tiara informed the hedgehog that he had contracted the virus. Sonic's only hope is to see her father, Gazebo, the professor in the castle.

Development

Early Sonic Mars concept art for Tiara Boobowski.

Tiara B. was developed to be a spunky female protagonist who could match Sonic in attitude. Chris Senn later admitted that, should she have ever materialized, she would be a "girl power" character. She varied from the typical female "damsel in distress". Tiara was originally slated to be a bandicoot, but later became a manx kitten. Chris Senn created an initial design that deviated from a real manx in the same way that Sonic deviated from a real hedgehog. He states that any visual similarities between Tiara and Princess Sally Acorn were unintentional.[9] A series of four color designs were created for discussion purposes in 1995, each retaining the same basic facial and hair designs, but varied in terms of clothing. Proposed designs included a form-fitting red dress, a tank top with miniskirt, and a midriff-bearing version of the former. A design featuring no clothing changed her fur pattern.

For the second to last design, Senn used the midriff-bearing design using a red and yellow color scheme. However, Michael Kosaka envisioned the character as having more attitude, so Senn changed her accordingly. Along with her stance and visual demeanor, her clothing style changed dramatically. She was given tight pants, a bikini top, and tennis shoes. Chris Senn felt this design conveyed her attitude, but after the game was canceled he admitted that her original, cuter design was his favorite.

Personality

Tiara was to be self-assured, outgoing, smart and witty. She has a quick-temper, yet is quick to forgive. She is also very athletic.

In other media

Tiara Boobowski had a few tiny cameo appearances in the Sonic the Hedgehog (Archie comics) series. Sadly, she will most likely never appear in new stories due to rights issues surrounding her.[10]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 [gameplayers, issue 0906, page 40 gameplayers, issue 0906, page 40]
  2. 2.0 2.1 [nextgeneration, issue 19, page 67 nextgeneration, issue 19, page 67]
  3. Interview: Mike Wallis (2002-06) by Pachuka
  4. [ssm, issue 9, page 33 ssm, issue 9, page 33]
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 [segamagazin, issue 32, page 6 segamagazin, issue 32, page 6]
  6. [hobbyconsolas, issue 57, page 16 hobbyconsolas, issue 57, page 16]
  7. [gamepro, issue 95, page 44 gamepro, issue 95, page 44]
  8. [egm, issue 84, page 74 egm, issue 84, page 74]
  9. http://www.senntient.com:80/projects/xtreme/FAQ.html (Wayback Machine: 2011-03-17 06:48)
  10. @IanFlynnBKC on Twitter (Wayback Machine: 2019-07-11 22:57)


Characters in the Sonic the Hedgehog game series
Recurring characters
Heroes Sonic (Super, Starfall, Hyper, Darkspine, the Werehog, Excalibur) | Tails (Super) | Knuckles (Super, Hyper) | Amy (Super, Hyper) | Mighty (Super) | Ray (Super) | Espio | Charmy | Vector | Cream | Big | Blaze (Burning) | Silver (Super) | Sticks
Anti-heroes/Neutrals Shadow (Super) | Rouge | E-102 Gamma | E-123 Omega | Jet | Wave | Storm
Villains Dr. Eggman | Metal Sonic (Rocket, Neo, 3.0) | Mecha Sonic (8-bit, Mk. II, Mk. III, Super) | Fang | Tails Doll | Metal Knuckles | Chaos (Perfect) | E-Series | ZERO | Biolizard (Finalhazard) | Black Doom (Devil Doom) | Eggman Nega | Orbot | Cubot | Deadly Six (Zavok, Zazz, Zomom, Master Zik, Zeena, Zor)
Teams Sonic/Heroes | Rose | Dark | Chaotix | Babylon
Other Animals (Flicky) | Froggy | Chao (Hero, Dark) | Tikal | Pachacamac | Omochao | Chaclon | Gerald & Maria Robotnik | President | King Boom Boo | Cheese | Chocola | Vanilla | G.U.N. Commander | Wisps | Mother Wisp
One-off characters
Heroes Emerl | Marine | Lumina Flowlight | Chip | Shahra | Knights of the Round Table | Caliburn | Yacker | Avatar | Barry | Trip (Super)
Anti-heroes/Neutrals Bean | Bark | Shade | Merlina | Sage
Villains Witchcart | Hocke-Wulf | Bearenger | Carrotia | Battle Kukku Army (15th, 16th, Dr. Fukurokov) | E-101 Beta | Void | Chaos Gamma | Gemerl | Shugo-hei | Iblis | Mephiles | Solaris | Erazor Djinn | Captain Whisker | Johnny | Master Core: ABIS | Ix (Super) | Dark Gaia | King Arthur | Hard Boiled Heavies | Infinite | The End | Mirage Express
Teams Vector | Eggman
Other Birdie | Illumina | Secretary | Elise | Duke of Soleanna | Sonic Man | Coconut Crew | Vikings | Professor Pickle | Wentos | Don Fachio | Dodon Pa | Koco | Ancients | Conductor | Conductor's wife | Ariem | Heavy | Bomb | Tiara Boobowski | Honey