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==Development Process==
 
==Development Process==
 
[[File:Sonic1024.png|thumb|190px|The now iconic silhouette of Sonic, green eyes and grin foreshadowing his jump into a 3D world.]]
 
[[File:Sonic1024.png|thumb|190px|The now iconic silhouette of Sonic, green eyes and grin foreshadowing his jump into a 3D world.]]
With the completion of ''[[Sonic & Knuckles]]'', the majority of the Japanese side of the [[Sega Technical Institute]], including producer and programmer [[Yuji Naka]], decided to return to their native land, leaving behind the ''[[Games featuring Sonic the Hedgehog|Sonic the Hedgehog ]]'' franchise in the hands of other creative teams in other countries. Once back in Japan, Naka finally reunited with the original creator of [[Sonic the Hedgehog]], [[Naoto Ohshima]]. Resurrecting the [[Sonic Team]] name, a group of both veteran members and newcomers decided to begin work on a title completely separate from the Sonic concept, wanting to prove that the minds behind the biggest franchise in Sega's catalogue were able to create new and exciting ideas without completely relying on the most famous hedgehog in the world. With the [[sega:Sega Saturn|Sega Saturn]] hardware well on its way to being released for the consumer market, the team began development on an idea Naka had conceived right after the completion of ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]'' - ''[[sega:NiGHTS Into Dreams|NiGHTS Into Dreams]]''.
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With the completion of ''[[Sonic & Knuckles]]'', the majority of the Japanese side of the [[Sega Technical Institute]], including producer and programmer [[Yuji Naka]], decided to return to their native land, leaving behind the ''[[:Category:Games|Sonic the Hedgehog ]]'' franchise in the hands of other creative teams in other countries. Once back in Japan, Naka finally reunited with the original creator of [[Sonic the Hedgehog]], [[Naoto Ohshima]]. Resurrecting the [[Sonic Team]] name, a group of both veteran members and newcomers decided to begin work on a title completely separate from the Sonic concept, wanting to prove that the minds behind the biggest franchise in Sega's catalogue were able to create new and exciting ideas without completely relying on the most famous hedgehog in the world. With the [[sega:Sega Saturn|Sega Saturn]] hardware well on its way to being released for the consumer market, the team began development on an idea Naka had conceived right after the completion of ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]'' - ''[[sega:NiGHTS Into Dreams|NiGHTS Into Dreams]]''.
  
 
Knowing that the Sonic franchise was still a viable money-making tool, Sega was unwilling to let the series slumber, assigning the members of STI that remained to work on the next major installment of the series: ''[[Sonic X-treme]]''. Though filled with people who had grand visions of what Sonic would be like in the third dimension, the project would be almost doomed from the start. With Naka viewing the very first conceptual ideas for the game, the man who would become the head of Sonic Team simply shook his head, saying "good luck" and moving on. Indeed, through numerous shifts and changes in both hardware and the director, the project ultimately would be canceled, leaving a hole in the Saturn lineup that would be felt across the board at Sega. While other titles such as the [[sega:Traveler's Tales|Traveler's Tales]]-produced ''[[Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island]]'' and the  [[sega:Sega 32X|Sega 32X]] exclusive title ''[[Knuckles Chaotix|Chaotix]]'' attempted to fill the void left by ''X-treme'', it was clear that these titles would not be the heavy-hitters the company needed. To the outside world, it seemed clear that the only people who would be able to make Sonic work in the new generation of gaming would be the people responsible for helping launch the franchise in the first place - Sonic Team.
 
Knowing that the Sonic franchise was still a viable money-making tool, Sega was unwilling to let the series slumber, assigning the members of STI that remained to work on the next major installment of the series: ''[[Sonic X-treme]]''. Though filled with people who had grand visions of what Sonic would be like in the third dimension, the project would be almost doomed from the start. With Naka viewing the very first conceptual ideas for the game, the man who would become the head of Sonic Team simply shook his head, saying "good luck" and moving on. Indeed, through numerous shifts and changes in both hardware and the director, the project ultimately would be canceled, leaving a hole in the Saturn lineup that would be felt across the board at Sega. While other titles such as the [[sega:Traveler's Tales|Traveler's Tales]]-produced ''[[Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island]]'' and the  [[sega:Sega 32X|Sega 32X]] exclusive title ''[[Knuckles Chaotix|Chaotix]]'' attempted to fill the void left by ''X-treme'', it was clear that these titles would not be the heavy-hitters the company needed. To the outside world, it seemed clear that the only people who would be able to make Sonic work in the new generation of gaming would be the people responsible for helping launch the franchise in the first place - Sonic Team.
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{{quote|1=Our mission was to renew the character, so we had to ask ourselves "to what extent do we change Sonic? What are the reasons for changing the way it looks?" That's what I paid close attention to.|2=Yuji Uekawa, Character Designer for ''Sonic Adventure''}}
 
{{quote|1=Our mission was to renew the character, so we had to ask ourselves "to what extent do we change Sonic? What are the reasons for changing the way it looks?" That's what I paid close attention to.|2=Yuji Uekawa, Character Designer for ''Sonic Adventure''}}
  
[[File:Dcsonic1.png|thumb|190px|The first leaked shot of ''Sonic Adventure'', thought at first to be an untitled motorcycle game.]]
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[[File:Dcsonic1.png|thumb|190px|The first leaked shot of ''Sonic Adventure'' circa E3 1998, thought at first to be an untitled motorcycle game.]]
 
With Ohshima looking over his shoulder, Uekawa set to work on a stylized version of the main cast, inspired in part by graffiti art. Changing certain aspects of the character and emphasizing them in his line art, the very face of the Sonic franchise changed. Giving "Tails" and [[Knuckles the Echidna]] similar overhauls, when it came time to tweak the designs of [[Dr. Eggman]] and [[Amy Rose]], Uekawa decided to drastically redesign those characters. Aging Amy Rose and changing everything from her hairstyle to her dress, she visually became a character that fit in with the goals the story set out for her. Eggman, on the other hand, was originally meant to maintain his classic design, but at some point it was decided to alter his style as well, creating an Eggman in stark contrast to the simplistic design Ohshima had come up with years prior.
 
With Ohshima looking over his shoulder, Uekawa set to work on a stylized version of the main cast, inspired in part by graffiti art. Changing certain aspects of the character and emphasizing them in his line art, the very face of the Sonic franchise changed. Giving "Tails" and [[Knuckles the Echidna]] similar overhauls, when it came time to tweak the designs of [[Dr. Eggman]] and [[Amy Rose]], Uekawa decided to drastically redesign those characters. Aging Amy Rose and changing everything from her hairstyle to her dress, she visually became a character that fit in with the goals the story set out for her. Eggman, on the other hand, was originally meant to maintain his classic design, but at some point it was decided to alter his style as well, creating an Eggman in stark contrast to the simplistic design Ohshima had come up with years prior.
  
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</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
===Storyboard===
+
===Storyboards===
 +
Storyboards by Kazuyuki Hoshino.
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
File:SA1_Storyboard01.png|Storyboard by Kazuyuki Hoshino.
+
SA1_Storyboard01.png
File:SA1_Storyboard02.png|Storyboard by Kazuyuki Hoshino.
+
SA1_Storyboard02.png
 +
SA1 Storyboard03.png
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
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</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
====IceCap====
+
====Ice Cap====
 
<gallery widths="148px" heights="140px" >
 
<gallery widths="148px" heights="140px" >
 
SA IC1.png|Jump panel sequences originally ended on a star panel.
 
SA IC1.png|Jump panel sequences originally ended on a star panel.
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Later screenshots of Station Square showed large amounts of NPCs walking around and interacting with the environment, making the area look a lot more lively than the final game. However, since they can often be seen performing the same actions across multiple screenshots it can be deduced that none of them are actually functional and were just laid across the field in static poses for the sake of taking screenshots.
 
Later screenshots of Station Square showed large amounts of NPCs walking around and interacting with the environment, making the area look a lot more lively than the final game. However, since they can often be seen performing the same actions across multiple screenshots it can be deduced that none of them are actually functional and were just laid across the field in static poses for the sake of taking screenshots.
 
<gallery widths="148px" heights="140px">
 
<gallery widths="148px" heights="140px">
SA Station Square Cutscene Proto.png|Sonic and "Tails" standing in a very empty pool area.
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981023 8.jpg|Amy's intro set at day rather than the evening. (Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-23)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981023 9.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-23)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981023 17.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-23)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981023 10.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-23)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981023 11.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-23)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981023 12.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-23)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981023 13.jpg|This camera was changed before the final game, but still appears in Amy's credits. (Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-23)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981023 14.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-23)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981023 15.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-23)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981023 16.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-23)
 
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Press SonicAmy.jpg|Press kit screenshot
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Press SonicAmy.jpg|Press kit screenshot
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981211 20.jpg|(Dreamcast Magazine 1998-12-11)
+
SA Station Square Cutscene Proto.png|Sonic and Tails standing in a very empty pool area.
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981023 18.jpg|The billboard behind Sonic displays "The Man 3" rather than "Chao in Space". It only appears in the Egg Walker fight in the final game. (Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-23)
+
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SNAP100.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SNAP102.png|Amy's intro set at day rather than the evening.
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SNAP107.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SNAP112.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SNAP116.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SNAP117.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SNAP119.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SNAP120.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SNAP121.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SNAP122.png|This camera was changed before the final game, but still appears in Amy's credits.
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SNAP123.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SNAP125.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SNAP127.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SNAP130.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SNAP133.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SNAP135.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SNAP139.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SNAP140.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SNAP141.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SNAP143.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SNAP144.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SNAP145.png|The billboard behind Sonic displays "The Man 3" rather than "Chao in Space". It only appears in the Egg Walker fight in the final game.
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SNAP147.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SNAP148.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SNAP149.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SNAP151.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SNAP152.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SNAP157.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SNAP158.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SNAP161.png
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 
officed002.jpg|(released 1998-11-02)
 
officed002.jpg|(released 1998-11-02)
 
officed024.jpg|(released 1998-11-02)
 
officed024.jpg|(released 1998-11-02)
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SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981127 3.jpg|(Dreamcast Magazine 1998-11-27)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981127 3.jpg|(Dreamcast Magazine 1998-11-27)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981127 4.jpg|(Dreamcast Magazine 1998-11-27)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981127 4.jpg|(Dreamcast Magazine 1998-11-27)
 +
SegaPRFTP SonicAdventure Train.png
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
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====Emerald Coast====
 
====Emerald Coast====
 
<gallery widths="148px" heights="140px" >
 
<gallery widths="148px" heights="140px" >
File:Sega ftp sa1 E102 emerald coast.jpg|Taken from Sega's FTP. Reused for Gamma's credits.
+
File:Sega ftp sa1 E102 emerald coast.png|Taken from Sega's FTP. Reused for Gamma's credits.
SA EC1.jpg|Sonic running from the whale, sans boostpads.
+
Sega ftp sa1 emerald coast sonic.jpg|Sonic running from the whale, sans boostpads. Taken from Sega's FTP.
Sega ftp sa1 emerald coast sonic.jpg|Taken from Sega's FTP.
 
 
SonicAdventure GD EC 01.jpg
 
SonicAdventure GD EC 01.jpg
 
SonicAdventure GD EC 02.jpg
 
SonicAdventure GD EC 02.jpg
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981030 1.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-30)
+
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SEA001.png
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981030 2.jpg|Reused for Sonic's credits. (Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-30)
+
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SEA002.png|Reused for Sonic's credits.
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981030 3.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-30)
+
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SEA003.png
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981030 4.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-30)
+
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SEA004.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SEA005.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SEA006.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SEA007.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SEA008.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SEA009.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SEA010.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SEA011.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SEA012.png
 +
SonicAdventure ProtoEmeraldCoastScan.jpg
 +
 
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981120 7.jpg|(Dreamcast Magazine 1998-11-20)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981120 7.jpg|(Dreamcast Magazine 1998-11-20)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981120 8.jpg|(Dreamcast Magazine 1998-11-20)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981120 8.jpg|(Dreamcast Magazine 1998-11-20)
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SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981120 21.jpg|(Dreamcast Magazine 1998-11-20)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981120 21.jpg|(Dreamcast Magazine 1998-11-20)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981120 52.jpg|Reused for Super Sonic's credits. (Dreamcast Magazine 1998-11-20)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981120 52.jpg|Reused for Super Sonic's credits. (Dreamcast Magazine 1998-11-20)
 +
SegaPRFTP SonicAdventure emerald1.png
 +
SegaPRFTP SonicAdventure emerald2.png
 +
SegaPRFTP SonicAdventure emerald3.png
 +
SegaPRFTP SonicAdventure emerald5.png
 +
SegaPRFTP SonicAdventure emerald6.png
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
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SA Windy Valley Beta 7.png
 
SA Windy Valley Beta 7.png
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19980911 24.jpg|Gamma using his target laser. (Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-09-11)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19980911 24.jpg|Gamma using his target laser. (Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-09-11)
sa-bigproto.JPG|A higher quality version of Gamma's screenshot can be seen behind Big in the opening sequence, albeit flipped.
+
SA1OPBig.png|A higher quality version of Gamma's screenshot can be seen behind Big in the opening sequence, albeit flipped.
 
SA Windy Valley Beta 1.png|Sonic running through the stage.
 
SA Windy Valley Beta 1.png|Sonic running through the stage.
 
SA Windy Valley Beta 2.png
 
SA Windy Valley Beta 2.png
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SA Windy Valley Beta 11.png
 
SA Windy Valley Beta 11.png
 
sa1windyvalley.png|Act 3. (Found in the "Sega Dreamcast Loop Checker" disc by "Japanman")
 
sa1windyvalley.png|Act 3. (Found in the "Sega Dreamcast Loop Checker" disc by "Japanman")
sa-tailsproto.JPG|A still from the intro movie showing Tails in Act 3, over one of his screenshots.
+
SA1OPTails.png|A still from the intro movie showing Tails in Act 3, over one of his screenshots.
 +
SA_WV2.jpeg|The screenshot.
 
SA Windy Valley Beta Tails.png
 
SA Windy Valley Beta Tails.png
 
SA Windy Valley Beta Tails 2.png|Tails using his extended Tail Attack. This ability can only be used after obtaining the Rhythm Badge upgrade in the final game.
 
SA Windy Valley Beta Tails 2.png|Tails using his extended Tail Attack. This ability can only be used after obtaining the Rhythm Badge upgrade in the final game.
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====Windy Valley (Post-redesign)====
 
====Windy Valley (Post-redesign)====
Even after its redesign, Windy Valley had changes made to its layout before the game's release.
+
Even after its redesign, Windy Valley had changes made to its layout before the game's release. Some of the zone's rocky textures are photos of the Incan city of Cusco, also featured on the title screen background.
 
<gallery widths="148px" heights="140px" >
 
<gallery widths="148px" heights="140px" >
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981204 28.jpg|Behind the animals a very different layout can be seen here. (Dreamcast Magazine 1998-12-04)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981204 28.jpg|Behind the animals a very different layout can be seen here. (Dreamcast Magazine 1998-12-04)
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Sa-cs1.jpg|Sonic standing in an early version of the shower room.
 
Sa-cs1.jpg|Sonic standing in an early version of the shower room.
 
Sa-cs2.PNG|Slot machine chairs and large "Emerald Line" signs not seen in the final game.
 
Sa-cs2.PNG|Slot machine chairs and large "Emerald Line" signs not seen in the final game.
Sega ftp sa1 casino sonic.jpg|Taken from Sega's FTP.
 
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981120 9.jpg|(Dreamcast Magazine 1998-11-20)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981120 9.jpg|(Dreamcast Magazine 1998-11-20)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981120 10.jpg|(Dreamcast Magazine 1998-11-20)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981120 10.jpg|(Dreamcast Magazine 1998-11-20)
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SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981120 58.jpg|A pool at water at the end of Act 2 rather than a light. (Dreamcast Magazine 1998-11-20)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981120 58.jpg|A pool at water at the end of Act 2 rather than a light. (Dreamcast Magazine 1998-11-20)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981120 61.jpg|(Dreamcast Magazine 1998-11-20)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981120 61.jpg|(Dreamcast Magazine 1998-11-20)
 +
Sega ftp sa1 casino sonic.jpg|Taken from Sega's FTP.
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
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SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19980911 18.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-09-11)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19980911 18.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-09-11)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19980911 28.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-09-11)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19980911 28.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-09-11)
0922-ic01.jpg|Released September 22nd, 1998.
 
0922-ic02.jpg|Released September 22nd, 1998.
 
0922-ic03.jpg|Released September 22nd, 1998.
 
0922-ic04.jpg|Released September 22nd, 1998.
 
 
SA Ice Cap Star.png
 
SA Ice Cap Star.png
 
SA IC3.jpg|This bridge in Act 1 was eventually replaced with a rocket. Despite that, it wasn't entirely removed - in Act 3 the avalanche passes through the location Act 1 takes place in and tears it apart.
 
SA IC3.jpg|This bridge in Act 1 was eventually replaced with a rocket. Despite that, it wasn't entirely removed - in Act 3 the avalanche passes through the location Act 1 takes place in and tears it apart.
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SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19980925 32.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-09-25)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19980925 32.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-09-25)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19980925 36.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-09-25)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19980925 36.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-09-25)
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981010 5.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-10)
+
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981010 6.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-10)
+
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB903~1.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB903~2.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB903~3.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB903~4.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB903~5.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB903~6.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB903~7.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB903~8.png
 +
 
 +
 
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981218 3.jpg|Later screenshot showing an oddly spaced timer. (Dreamcast Magazine 1998-12-18)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981218 3.jpg|Later screenshot showing an oddly spaced timer. (Dreamcast Magazine 1998-12-18)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981218 4.jpg|(Dreamcast Magazine 1998-12-18)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981218 4.jpg|(Dreamcast Magazine 1998-12-18)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981218 5.jpg|(Dreamcast Magazine 1998-12-18)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981218 5.jpg|(Dreamcast Magazine 1998-12-18)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981218 6.jpg|(Dreamcast Magazine 1998-12-18)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981218 6.jpg|(Dreamcast Magazine 1998-12-18)
 +
 +
SonicAdventure ProtoIcecapScan.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
 
====Twinkle Park====
 
====Twinkle Park====
 
<gallery widths="148px" heights="140px" >
 
<gallery widths="148px" heights="140px" >
SA Tails Unknown Room.png|Tails standing in a very different Act 2. Unfortunately, this is the only known shot of this early version.
+
SA Tails Unknown Room.png|Suspected to be an early Act 1 judging from object data in the AutoDemo, before being replaced by the kart track seen in the final game.
 
SA Tails Unknown Room 2.png|A close-up of the previous image, where extra details can be seen such as rings, bomb barrels, lights and a flag within the pit below.
 
SA Tails Unknown Room 2.png|A close-up of the previous image, where extra details can be seen such as rings, bomb barrels, lights and a flag within the pit below.
Sega ftp sa1 sa1 ftp twinklepark sonic.jpg|Taken from Sega's FTP.
+
SA Amy Unknown Room.png|Amy Rose standing in an unknown room.
 +
Sega ftp sa1 sa1 ftp twinklepark sonic.png|Taken from Sega's FTP.
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981127 2.jpg|(Dreamcast Magazine 1998-11-27)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981127 2.jpg|(Dreamcast Magazine 1998-11-27)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981127 5.jpg|(Dreamcast Magazine 1998-11-27)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981127 5.jpg|(Dreamcast Magazine 1998-11-27)
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SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981127 14.jpg|Reused for Sonic's credits. (Dreamcast Magazine 1998-11-27)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981127 14.jpg|Reused for Sonic's credits. (Dreamcast Magazine 1998-11-27)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981127 15.jpg|(Dreamcast Magazine 1998-11-27)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981127 15.jpg|(Dreamcast Magazine 1998-11-27)
 +
SegaPRFTP SonicAdventure twinkle1.png
 +
SegaPRFTP SonicAdventure twinkle2.png
 +
SegaPRFTP SonicAdventure twinkle3.png
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
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SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19980925 28.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-09-25)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19980925 28.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-09-25)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19980925 39.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-09-25)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19980925 39.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-09-25)
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981010 3.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-10)
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB001.png
0922-hw01.jpg|Released September 22nd, 1998.
+
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB002.png
0922-hw02.jpg|Released September 22nd, 1998.
+
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB003.png
0922-hw04.jpg|Released September 22nd, 1998.
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB004.png
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981010 1.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-10)
+
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB005.png
0922-hw05.jpg|Released September 22nd, 1998.
+
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB006.png
0922-hw03.jpg|Released September 22nd, 1998.
+
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB007.png
0922-hw06.jpg|Released September 22nd, 1998.
+
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB008.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB009.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB010.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB011.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB012.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB013.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB014.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB015.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB016.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB017.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB018.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB019.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB020.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB021.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB022.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB023.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB024.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB025.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB026.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB027.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB028.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB029.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB030.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB031.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB032.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB033.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB034.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB035.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB036.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB037.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB038.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB039.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB040.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB041.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB042.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB043.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB044.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB045.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB046.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB047.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB048.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure PUB049.png
 +
 
 +
 
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981120 47.jpg|(Dreamcast Magazine 1998-11-20)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981120 47.jpg|(Dreamcast Magazine 1998-11-20)
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
Line 645: Line 740:
 
SA Red Mountain Green Button.png|A green switch.
 
SA Red Mountain Green Button.png|A green switch.
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19980911 20.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-09-11)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19980911 20.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-09-11)
0922-rm01.jpg|Released September 22nd, 1998.
 
0922-rm02.jpg|Released September 22nd, 1998.
 
0922-rm03.jpg|Released September 22nd, 1998.
 
0922-rm04.jpg|Released September 22nd, 1998.
 
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19980911 25.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-09-11)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19980911 25.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-09-11)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19980925 4.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-09-25)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19980925 4.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-09-25)
Line 654: Line 745:
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19980925 26.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-09-25)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19980925 26.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-09-25)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19980925 31.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-09-25)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19980925 31.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-09-25)
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981010 2.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-10)
+
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981010 4.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-10)
+
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure M PUB01.png
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981120 19.jpg|(Dreamcast Magazine 1998-11-20)
+
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure M PUB02.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure M PUB03.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure M PUB04.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure M PUB05.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure M PUB06.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure M PUB07.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure M PUB08.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure M PUB09.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure M PUB10.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure M PUB11.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure M PUB12.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure M PUB13.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure M PUB14.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure M PUB15.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure M PUB16.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure M PUB17.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure M PUB18.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure M PUB19.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure M PUB20.png
 +
 
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure KN_DIG~1.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure KN_DIG~2.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure KN_DIG~3.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure KN_DIG~4.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure KN_DIG~5.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure KN_DIG~6.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure KN_DIG~7.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure KN_DIG~8.png
 +
 
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981218 1.jpg|(Dreamcast Magazine 1998-12-18)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981218 1.jpg|(Dreamcast Magazine 1998-12-18)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981218 2.jpg|(Dreamcast Magazine 1998-12-18)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981218 2.jpg|(Dreamcast Magazine 1998-12-18)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981218 14.jpg|(Dreamcast Magazine 1998-12-18)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981218 14.jpg|(Dreamcast Magazine 1998-12-18)
 +
 +
SonicAdventure ProtoRedMountainScan.jpg
 +
SonicAdventure ProtoRedMountainScan2.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
 
====Sky Deck====
 
====Sky Deck====
 
<gallery widths="148px" heights="140px" >
 
<gallery widths="148px" heights="140px" >
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981030 24.jpg|Tails about to be shot out of the cannon at the start of the stage. (Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-30)
+
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SD S 000.png
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981030 14.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-30)
+
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SD S 001.png
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981030 25.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-30)
+
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SD S 002.png
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981030 15.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-30)
+
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SD S 003.png
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981030 16.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-30)
+
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SD S 004.png
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981030 22.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-30)
+
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SD S 005.png
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981030 23.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-30)
+
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SD S 006.png
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981030 19.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-30)
+
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SD S 007.png
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981030 26.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-30)
+
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SD S 008.png
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981030 18.jpg|A tower in the background that was later removed. (Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-30)
+
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SD S 009.png
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981030 21.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-30)
+
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SD S 010.png
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981030 13.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-30)
+
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SD S 011.png
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981030 27.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-30)
+
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SD S 012.png
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981030 28.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-30)
+
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SD S 013.png|A tower in the background that was later removed.
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981030 29.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-30)
+
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SD S 014.png
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981030 30.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-30)
+
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SD S 015.png
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981030 31.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-30)
+
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SD S 016.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SD S 017.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SD T 000.png|Tails about to be shot out of the cannon at the start of the stage.
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SD T 001.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SD T 002.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SD T 003.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SD T 004.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SD T 005.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SD T 006.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SD T 007.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SD T 008.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SD T 009.png
 +
 
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SD K 000.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SD K 001.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SD K 002.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SD K 003.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SD K 004.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SD K 005.png
 +
 
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
 
  
 
====Lost World====
 
====Lost World====
Line 704: Line 844:
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19980925 19.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-09-25)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19980925 19.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-09-25)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981030 20.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-30)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981030 20.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-30)
 +
SonicAdventure ProtoSkyChaseScan1.jpg|Taken from the JP Manual.
 +
</gallery>
 +
 +
====Final Egg====
 +
<gallery widths="148px" heights="140px" >
 +
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure F_EGG_~1.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure F_EGG_~2.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure F_EGG_~3.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure F_EGG_~4.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure F_EGG_~5.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure F_EGG_~6.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure F_EGG_~7.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure F_EGG_~8.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure F_EGG_~9.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure F_EGG~10.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure F_EGG~11.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure F_EGG~12.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure F_EGG~13.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure F_EGG~14.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure F_EGG~15.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure F_EGG~16.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure F_EGG~17.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure F_EGG~18.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure F_EGG~19.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure F_EGG~20.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure F_EGG~21.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure F_EGG~22.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure F_EGG~23.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure F_EGG~24.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure F_EGG~25.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure F_EGG~26.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure F_EGG~27.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure F_EGG~28.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure F_EGG~29.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure F_EGG~30.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure F_EGG~31.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure F_EGG~32.png
 +
SonicAdventure ProtoFinalEggScan.jpg
 +
</gallery>
 +
 +
====Hot Shelter====
 +
<gallery widths="148px" heights="140px" >
 +
SonicAdventure ProtoHotShelterScan1.jpg|Taken from the JP Manual.
 +
SonicAdventure ProtoHotShelterScan2.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
 
====Sand Hill====
 
====Sand Hill====
 
<gallery widths="148px" heights="140px" >
 
<gallery widths="148px" heights="140px" >
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981030 5.jpg|An empty looking Sand Hill. (Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-30)
+
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SNAP.png|A debug display is clearly enabled.
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981030 6.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-30)
+
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND001.png
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981030 7.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-30)
+
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND002.png|An empty looking Sand Hill.
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981030 8.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-30)
+
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND003.png
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981030 9.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-30)
+
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND004.png
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981030 10.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-30)
+
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND005.png
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981030 11.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-30)
+
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND006.png
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981030 12.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-30)
+
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND007.png
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981030 17.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-30)
+
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND008.png
SAproto-sandhill.png|A debug display is clearly enabled.
+
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND009.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND010.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND011.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND012.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND013.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND014.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND015.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND016.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND017.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND018.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND019.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND020.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND021.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND022.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND023.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND024.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND025.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND026.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND027.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND028.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND029.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND033.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND034.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND035.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND036.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND037.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND038.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND039.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND040.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND041.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND042.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND043.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND044.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND045.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND046.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND047.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND048.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND049.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND050.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND051.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND052.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND053.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND054.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND055.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND056.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND057.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND058.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND059.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND060.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND061.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND062.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND063.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND064.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND065.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND066.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND067.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND068.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND069.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND070.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND071.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND072.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND073.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND074.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND075.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND076.png
 +
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SAND077.png
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
Line 741: Line 991:
 
The Station Square garden seen in these screenshots can be found in the AutoDemo.
 
The Station Square garden seen in these screenshots can be found in the AutoDemo.
 
<gallery widths="148px" heights="140px" >
 
<gallery widths="148px" heights="140px" >
SA Chao Garden Beta 1.png|An early [[Chao Garden]], using land ripped straight of Windy Valley 3.
+
SA Chao Garden Beta 1.png|An early [[Chao Garden]], using land ripped straight out of Windy Valley 3.
 
SA Chao Garden Beta 2.png|Each Chao is drawn to Sonic, following him at every turn.
 
SA Chao Garden Beta 2.png|Each Chao is drawn to Sonic, following him at every turn.
 
SA Chao Garden Beta 3.png|This would later be replaced by the Egg Carrier garden.
 
SA Chao Garden Beta 3.png|This would later be replaced by the Egg Carrier garden.
Line 769: Line 1,019:
 
====CG Movies====
 
====CG Movies====
 
<gallery widths="148px" heights="140px" >
 
<gallery widths="148px" heights="140px" >
 +
SA1_CG_Intro_ScreenshotPresskit.jpg|A high resolution shot from the opening sequence. Taken from the screenshots available in the presskit.
 +
Sega ftp sa1 cutscene.jpg|A high resolution shot from the opening sequence. Taken from Sega's FTP.
 
SA Emerald CG.png|The seven [[Chaos Emerald|Chaos Emeralds]] in CG, used only in promotional material for the game.
 
SA Emerald CG.png|The seven [[Chaos Emerald|Chaos Emeralds]] in CG, used only in promotional material for the game.
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19980911 7.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-09-11)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19980911 7.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-09-11)
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SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19980911 9.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-09-11)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19980911 9.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-09-11)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19980911 1.jpg|This frame was cut out of the final game. (Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-09-11)
 
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19980911 1.jpg|This frame was cut out of the final game. (Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-09-11)
Sega ftp sa1 cutscene.jpg|A high resolution shot from the opening sequence. Taken from Sega's FTP.
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SA1_CG_Intro_ScreenshotPresskit.jpg|A high resolution shot from the opening sequence. Taken from the screenshots available in the presskit.
+
NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SO04.png
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981023 1.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-23)
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SO05.png
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981023 2.jpg|An early skyline with several buildings missing. (Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-23)
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SS EMY01.png
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981023 3.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-23)
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SS EMY02.png
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981023 4.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-23)
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SS EMY03.png
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981023 5.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-23)
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SS EMY04.png
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981023 22.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-23)
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SS EMY05.png
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981023 6.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-23)
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SS EMY06.png
SA1 ProtoScreen Magazine 19981023 7.jpg|(Sega Saturn Magazine 1998-10-23)
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SS EMY07.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SS01.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SS02.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SS03.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SS04.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SS05.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SS06.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SS07.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SS08.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SS09.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SS10.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SS11.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SS12.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SS13.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SS14.png|Some buildings are missing.
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SS15.png|Different in the final game. Re-appeared in SADX.
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure 101.png|"E-102" is missing.
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure EGG01.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure EGG02.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure EGG03.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure EGG04.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure EGG05.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure EGG06.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure TA02.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure TA03.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure TA04.png|Different in the final game. Re-appeared in SADX.
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure KN01.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure KN02.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure KN03.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure KN04.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SO01.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SO02.png
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NurnbergerSpielwarenmesse1999 SonicAdventure SO03.png
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
 
====Miscellaneous====
 
====Miscellaneous====
 
<gallery widths="148px" heights="140px" >
 
<gallery widths="148px" heights="140px" >
SA Amy Unknown Room.png|Amy Rose standing in an unknown room.
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SA End Pose Prototype.png|The main cast in random places. A [[Flicky]] is in Knuckles' shot, Amy is in the Jet Booster room, E-102 Gamma is in early Windy Valley 3, and Big is in an unknown area (Possibly early Twinkle Park).  
SA End Pose Prototype.png|The main cast at random places in the game. Amy is in the room Gamma receives the Jet Booster, E-102 Gamma in the early Windy Valley 3, and Big is in an unknown area (Possibly early Twinkle Park).  
 
 
SA1 LNProtoVid TitleScreen.jpg|A simpler looking title screen.
 
SA1 LNProtoVid TitleScreen.jpg|A simpler looking title screen.
 
SA1 Proto 3CharacterSelect.jpg|A character select with only Sonic, Tails and Knuckles selectable.
 
SA1 Proto 3CharacterSelect.jpg|A character select with only Sonic, Tails and Knuckles selectable.
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SonicAdventure ProtoPauseMenuScan1.jpg|A wider pause menu.
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SonicAdventure ProtoCharSelectScan1.jpg|An early character select.
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SonicAdventure ProtoFileSelectScan.jpg|File Select.
 +
SonicAdventure ProtoStageSelectScan.jpg|Stage Select. Curiously, in order played, which wasn't seen until the 1999 releases. (The original release lists them by internal ID)
 +
SonicAdventure ProtoTwinkleCircuitScan.jpg|Twinkle Circuit with an early HUD.
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
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==External Links==
 
==External Links==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKYkVdv2Y7c ''Sonic Adventure'' Production Presentation (Tokyo International Forum)] - The public unveiling video of ''Sonic Adventure''. (Translation provided)
+
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LEoZs_s_oQ ''Sonic Adventure'' Production Presentation (Tokyo International Forum)] - The public unveiling video of ''Sonic Adventure''. (Translation provided)
 
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0GGa752NZs ''Sonic Adventure'' - Trailers (1998, Launch, Plush)] - A collection of high quality Japanese trailers.
 
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0GGa752NZs ''Sonic Adventure'' - Trailers (1998, Launch, Plush)] - A collection of high quality Japanese trailers.
 
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHdZvl0FyCw ''Sonic Adventure'' Japanese Adverts] - More Japanese trailers, albeit lower quality. Includes trailers for each character.
 
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHdZvl0FyCw ''Sonic Adventure'' Japanese Adverts] - More Japanese trailers, albeit lower quality. Includes trailers for each character.
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{{SAOmni}}
 
{{SAOmni}}
[[Category:Game development|Sonic Adventure]]
+
[[Category:Development]]

Revision as of 17:12, 18 May 2020

Sonic Adventure went through many ideas and changes during the development process. What follows is a collection of items related to the game's development.

Development Process

The now iconic silhouette of Sonic, green eyes and grin foreshadowing his jump into a 3D world.

With the completion of Sonic & Knuckles, the majority of the Japanese side of the Sega Technical Institute, including producer and programmer Yuji Naka, decided to return to their native land, leaving behind the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise in the hands of other creative teams in other countries. Once back in Japan, Naka finally reunited with the original creator of Sonic the Hedgehog, Naoto Ohshima. Resurrecting the Sonic Team name, a group of both veteran members and newcomers decided to begin work on a title completely separate from the Sonic concept, wanting to prove that the minds behind the biggest franchise in Sega's catalogue were able to create new and exciting ideas without completely relying on the most famous hedgehog in the world. With the Sega Saturn hardware well on its way to being released for the consumer market, the team began development on an idea Naka had conceived right after the completion of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 - NiGHTS Into Dreams.

Knowing that the Sonic franchise was still a viable money-making tool, Sega was unwilling to let the series slumber, assigning the members of STI that remained to work on the next major installment of the series: Sonic X-treme. Though filled with people who had grand visions of what Sonic would be like in the third dimension, the project would be almost doomed from the start. With Naka viewing the very first conceptual ideas for the game, the man who would become the head of Sonic Team simply shook his head, saying "good luck" and moving on. Indeed, through numerous shifts and changes in both hardware and the director, the project ultimately would be canceled, leaving a hole in the Saturn lineup that would be felt across the board at Sega. While other titles such as the Traveler's Tales-produced Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island and the Sega 32X exclusive title Chaotix attempted to fill the void left by X-treme, it was clear that these titles would not be the heavy-hitters the company needed. To the outside world, it seemed clear that the only people who would be able to make Sonic work in the new generation of gaming would be the people responsible for helping launch the franchise in the first place - Sonic Team.

Naka and Ohshima - together again.

Though it is possible Naka and Ohshima were quite aware that they would have to produce another Sonic title at some point, it was Takashi Iizuka, Senior Game Designer for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Sonic & Knuckles who began pushing the idea of a "Sonic RPG" to be the development studio's next big game. Though work on Sonic Team's second non-Sonic property Burning Rangers was underway, it was decided that the group would indeed look into producing the next big Sonic game. Realizing that the majority of the team responsible for the classic games was still under Sega's employment, Iizuka made it a point to discuss with each person what made up Sonic, not just as a compelling character but as a compelling game series, not wanting to lose those essential elements in the jump to 3D.

Not wanting to strictly make an RPG, but knowing that 3D-capable systems offered both the space and graphical capability to expand on a story, it was decided that the game would have a much greater emphasis on plot, just as Sonic 3 & Knuckles had taken a narrative leap over its predecessor, Sonic the Hedgehog 2. However, before any work was to be done on such specific details, the team knew they first had to figure out how to take Sonic and make him work outside of a two-dimensional plane. Arguing over just how Sonic would work, eventually a group consensus was reached as to how a 3D Sonic level would operate. Working with the basic building blocks, a simple test level was put together to see if what they had on paper would work in practice.

When we built our first test level, we knew we had to test it out, just to make sure our ideas worked. It ended up only lasting about ten seconds, and we knew we couldn't build a game around this structure. We had to rebuild levels over and over again until we finally had a level length we were happy with.

— Takashi Iizuka, Director of Sonic Adventure

Takashi Iizuka, Director of Sonic Adventure.

The earliest builds of the game were originally programmed with the Saturn in mind, as it was the current console the company was pushing and the focus of the rest of Sonic Team's development. However, when it became painfully obvious that the life span of the Sega Saturn was going to be dramatically shorter than the Mega Drive, the team reached a crossroads - either continue working on what would become Sonic Adventure as a Saturn title, or to scrap what they had done and begin working anew using the proposed specs of Sega's next system, codenamed "Katana." Realizing the futility of continuing with the Saturn, and knowing the scope of the project might be better suited for more advanced hardware, what could be ported was done so, the team now working on a game that would be one of the premier titles for the Sega Dreamcast. Wanting to make sure the game would be the perfect demonstration of what the system would be capable of, Yuji Naka became involved in the hardware creation of the Dreamcast, offering suggestions and changes to the schematics of Sega's last great hope.

Not wanting to let the work that had been done for the Saturn version go to waste, the earliest builds of Sonic Adventure were transformed into the Sonic World portion of the compilation title Sonic Jam. Intended to simply be a collection of the main four Mega Drive titles and an assortment of bonus features, this early look into how a 3D Sonic title would work was included, becoming the portal to a wealth of knowledge involving the blue blur. Unknowingly, the gaming public was used as a test subject to see how people would react to such a title.

Ohshima, Uekawa, and a blue hedgehog.

With production now in full gear for the Dreamcast, the production team wanted to take full advantage of the superior graphical capabilities they now had. Fueled with the desire to create worlds far more realistic than what had been possible beforehand, the core members of the Sonic Adventure development team, consisting of producer Yuji Naka, designer Hiroshi Nishiyama, programmer Tetsu Katano, director Takashi Iizuka, designer Nobuhiko Honda, and art director Kazuyuki Hoshino, went on a trip to Central and South America. Although ruins and jungles had been used before in previous Sonic titles, none of the team members had actually gone to any such locales in person before, instead taking their inspiration from movies, TV shows, and other popular media. With this in mind, it was decided the team would explore on their own, in the hopes that this change in scenery would provide a wealth of inspiration for the game. Starting out in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico, the group traveled through Chichen Itza, Tulum, San Gervasio, Tikal, and Uaxactun, then flew down to the South American country Peru, where they visited the Nazca lines, Cusco, Machu Picchu, and Pachacamac.

Confronted with sights and sounds they had never seen before, the team made sure to not let the environment overwhelm them, knowing the trip was not simply a pleasure cruise. Filming their trip and taking pictures of everything in sight, many of their images were then used in the creation of such locations as Emerald Coast, Lost World and the Mystic Ruins, not just as inspiration but in some cases literally. Many of the textures found in the more realistic areas of the game were lifted straight from the team's collected photographs. One idea for the game which hadn't been part of the original plan, but was directly inspired by their trip, was the Sand Hill level in Miles "Tails" Prower's version of the game:

While we were in Peru...we noticed some people boarding on sand dunes. We were so impressed with this. We had no idea this kind of sport actually existed. It was so new and exciting for us to see this, we knew that we had to add this element to our game. And we figured that Tails, if anyone, was the most appropriate character to use.

— Takashi Iizuka, Director of Sonic Adventure

Yuji Naka pretending to jam.

However, the trip was not all fun and games, the team having unexpected encounters with tarantulas, snakes, and reportedly Katano collapsing from an altitude sickness at one point. At the end of it all, the team returned to Japan in one piece, full of enthusiasm to create the game.

Along with the idea of making a larger emphasis on story and creating more realistic worlds for Sonic to explore, it was decided that, to truly make this shine out on the market and showcase that it wasn't just a new Sonic game, but a kind of game that had yet to hit the market, it was decided that the principle cast would be redesigned, marking the start of a new era. Yuji Uekawa, who had previously created the title character of Ristar and worked on Flickes' Island and Sonic R, was recruited to redraw characters that had imprinted into the minds of numerous people in the 90's. Such a task was one Uekawa did not take lightly.

Our mission was to renew the character, so we had to ask ourselves "to what extent do we change Sonic? What are the reasons for changing the way it looks?" That's what I paid close attention to.

— Yuji Uekawa, Character Designer for Sonic Adventure

The first leaked shot of Sonic Adventure circa E3 1998, thought at first to be an untitled motorcycle game.

With Ohshima looking over his shoulder, Uekawa set to work on a stylized version of the main cast, inspired in part by graffiti art. Changing certain aspects of the character and emphasizing them in his line art, the very face of the Sonic franchise changed. Giving "Tails" and Knuckles the Echidna similar overhauls, when it came time to tweak the designs of Dr. Eggman and Amy Rose, Uekawa decided to drastically redesign those characters. Aging Amy Rose and changing everything from her hairstyle to her dress, she visually became a character that fit in with the goals the story set out for her. Eggman, on the other hand, was originally meant to maintain his classic design, but at some point it was decided to alter his style as well, creating an Eggman in stark contrast to the simplistic design Ohshima had come up with years prior.

Though unique goals and playstyles were thought up by the team, Iizuka felt that perhaps there should be completely separate playstyles in the game represented by new characters, to not only change the pace of the game but to also broaden the appeal, and have people who would not normally be interested in a Sonic title look into purchasing the game. The first of these new characters was E-102 Gamma, a robotic creation built by Eggman, his story giving a look beyond Sonic and the gang. His playstyle, that of targeting and shooting, was in direct response to people who had written in to Sonic Team and asked for a shooting component to be added to their games. Feeling it not in Sonic or any other established playable's casts nature to wield a gun, a separate character was developed, designed in such a way that Gamma still felt perfectly natural within the Sonic universe. The second of these new characters, Big the Cat, went with the unusual choice of fishing. Wanting to create a character that "went at his own pace" and broke up the intense nature of the other five, Big was conceived, his gameplay decided upon based on the fact he was a cat.

A Japanese subway advertising the Sonic Adventure unveiling at the Tokyo International Forum.

One element that Iizuka wanted to have in the game was an enemy that was completely separate from Eggman, and also something which, up until then, was impossible to create in a game. Wanting something liquid and transparent, the character of Chaos was thought up. Presenting the original concept art and idea to Naka, Chaos was approved on the spot, his role in the game cemented. His ever-shifting nature and demeanor was something the team wanted to advertise, placing the character in the very first playable sequence in the game.

Another aspect of the game that was decided early on was resurrecting the "A-Life" technology originally developed for NiGHTS Into Dreams. Though simplistic in NiGHTS and only a passive goal within the main stages, the idea was completely retooled, fleshed out for Sonic Adventure. Creating characters called Chao that borrowed visual cues from both the Nightopians and the new character Chaos, a game-within-a-game was developed alongside. The Chao-raising experience was yet another element that was meant to attract people who were unfamiliar with Sonic, and was also meant to help people become better at playing the game. The more time spent with Chao raising, the better the player's skill at the Action Stages was meant to be, turning a casual gamer into a dedicated Sonic the Hedgehog player.

Yuji Naka and friends.

With each element slowly falling into place, it wouldn't take long before word got out that Sonic Team, hot off their critically acclaimed Saturn titles, was busily creating a new Sonic the Hedgehog title. Speculation ran wild, the early concept of a "Sonic RPG" leaking out and causing people to believe the next game would be called Sonic & Knuckles RPG. However, the full details of the game were able to stay guarded, one fuzzy screenshot being all that the public saw, many not even believing the shot to be from a Sonic game. The speculation train would soon go into overdrive when it was announced that on August 22nd, 1998, a public unveiling of the game would happen at the Tokyo International Forum. Accompanied with the now iconic green eyes and grin, the show was advertised on Japanese television and radio (info) (313 kB) stations (info) (313 kB), the initial two shows planned expanded into three based on the projected turnout. Though a handful of screenshots were leaked days prior on a French news site, the anticipation of the event unwaivered, people lining up along the streets hours ahead of time. When the doors opened, the crowd was treated to a wealth of information, hosted by none other than Yuji Naka, along with a pair of Japanese radio personalities Yūko Hamaya and Chris Peppler. Simultaneously streamed on the Internet and recorded on VHS for those who could not attend, live gameplay and prerecorded videos showcased the style of the game, along with the new characters and expanded storyline. Immediately, the game became one of the most requested, Sonic Team hastily finishing it up in time for its December release in Japan. Periodically offering new content up on their website, the game was finally released on December 23rd, 1998.

Jun Senoue posing with his limited edition guitar.

Knowing the game could use some much-needed polish for its western debut, a handful of Sonic Team members flew out to Sega of America, located in San Francisco. Dubbed "Sonic Team USA," the group's primary focus was on localizing the game. Unlike previous Sonic titles where entire storylines were discarded and art completely redrawn, for Sonic Adventure it was decided the arbitrary divide between the eastern and western versions of Sonic would be erased, the Japanese canon becoming the one, official story for Sonic. Months before its proper release, a deal was stuck with video rental chain Hollywood Video, in which Sega Dreamcasts, along with copies of Sonic Adventure, could be rented out to people who wished to try the system out before release. Starting July 15th, 1999, Sonic Adventure: Limited Edition contained only portions of the game, saving enough to bring people back to buy it come fall. Released on September 9th, 1999 (along with the launch of the Dreamcast in the U.S.) the game served to be both a commercial and critical success, high praise for the game also being heard in Japan, where Sonic had never been able to pick up steam. The cleaned-up version of Sonic Adventure was released in Japan under the title Sonic Adventure International, one of the "Play 4!" titles that Sonic Team announced after the initial release of Sonic Adventure (the other titles being Chu Chu Rocket, Samba De Amigo and Phantasy Star Online). With the team that remained back in Japan working on PSO, "Sonic Team USA" would soon begin their next project - Sonic Adventure 2.

Although a success for Sega, Sonic Adventure would also serve to be the final game worked on by the character's creator, Naoto Ohshima. Though never officially stated, rumors around his leaving the company proved similar to the rumors that surrounding the dissolving of Naka and Yasuhara's partnership - that Ohshima had run into disputes with Naka over the continued direction of the Sonic franchise. Though unsubstantiated, the result was the same, with Ohshima leaving the company, eventually going on to found his own development studio, Artoon. Curiously enough, when Sonic Adventure was eventually ported to the Nintendo GameCube, Ohshima's name was removed from the end credit list for reasons that have yet to be explained.

Concept Art

The following is a collection of concept art related to the production of Sonic Adventure. Many of the following images were included with a digital press kit Sega released during the promotion of the game, given to attendees at the 1999 Spielwarenmesse Nürnberges, also known as the Nürnberg International Toy Fair

Character Concept Art

Storyboards

Storyboards by Kazuyuki Hoshino.

Stylebook

Sonic Retro emblem.svg Main article: Sonic Adventure Stylebook

Model Concept Art

The images below are early renders of the final models for the various characters used in-game. Because of this, the joints for each character are visible.

Egg Carrier Concept Art

Miscellaneous Concept Art

Sonic Team's Travels

The following is a collection of photographs Sonic Team took while on their many travels across Central and South America in preparation for Sonic Adventure. The trip lasted from November 26th to December 9th, 1996.

Release Day Photographs

On December 23rd, in celebration of Sonic Adventure's release, Yuji Naka, along with four people dressed as Sonic, "Tails," Knuckles and Amy, joined to support shops in Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, and Akihabara. The first to arrive in Shinjuku, Naka stood in the line since 5 in the morning.

Promotional Screenshots

Sega Saturn Prototype

These are the only screenshots/concepts available of Sonic Adventure when it was still being developed on the Sega Saturn. They were shown at the Sonic Adventure Music Experience.

Tokyo International Forum screenshots

This large batch of screenshots were released to the press at the Sonic Adventure unveiling (1998-08-22). Many were then widely circulated in magazines.

For the most part the screens show Sonic and Knuckles wandering around roughly half the stages in game. Screenshots of Tails, Amy, Big and E-102 appear in small numbers, not doing much, and often in places where they're not allowed to go in the final game.

Leaked screenshots

These first four screens were shown prior to the August 22nd unveiling.

Chaos 0

The battle with Chaos 0 was the only part of Station Square on display.

Egg Carrier

Windy Valley

Windy Valley was entirely remodelled in the final months of the game. At the conference, it still had its earlier design, though very little attention was given to the stage.

Ice Cap

Speed Highway

Red Mountain

Sky Chase

Lost World

Other screenshots

Other screenshots would surface in various publications leading up to the game's release. Note that the build of the game used doesn't necessarily match up to the date of the publication.

Chaos 0

Station Square

Later screenshots of Station Square showed large amounts of NPCs walking around and interacting with the environment, making the area look a lot more lively than the final game. However, since they can often be seen performing the same actions across multiple screenshots it can be deduced that none of them are actually functional and were just laid across the field in static poses for the sake of taking screenshots.

Egg Carrier

Mystic Ruins

Emerald Coast

Windy Valley (Pre-redesign)

Of all the levels shown before release, Windy Valley was the one that went through the biggest visual changes between the announcement of the game on August 22nd, 1998 and its release in December. Though still broken up into three parts, the layout and textures for each were completely redone. Amy and Big can be seen in this stage, despite the fact that neither of them go there in the final game.

Windy Valley (Post-redesign)

Even after its redesign, Windy Valley had changes made to its layout before the game's release. Some of the zone's rocky textures are photos of the Incan city of Cusco, also featured on the title screen background.

Casinopolis

The NiGHTS pinball board at Casinopolis was overhauled at some point before the game's release, going from a large spiral to a more compact double boards layout. Many of the objects used in this original design are still unused in the final game, as well as a few leftover pieces of geometry (Tubes inside the central tower).

Ice Cap

Big's stage is set at night in the final game. However, most development screenshots (including the final game's credits) show his stage set in the day, using the same lighting as Sonic.

Twinkle Park

Speed Highway

The earliest versions of Speed Highway Act 1 lacked the blue "night" lighting, using a brighter and more generic palette. Act 3 was redesigned sometime during the game's development. The original version (which can also be found in the AutoDemo) was full of bizarre elements such as clocks in pits, and paths of glass platforms on the sides of buildings.

Red Mountain

Sky Deck

Lost World

Sky Chase

Final Egg

Hot Shelter

Sand Hill

Egg Hornet

Chao Garden

The Station Square garden seen in these screenshots can be found in the AutoDemo.

CG Movies

Miscellaneous

Tester Feedback database

The "Sonic Adventure Bug Database" is a collection of reports made by game testers between 12/10/1998 to 8/12/1999. Most the entries only report spelling problems and suggestions from the testers (Eg. "Twinkle Circuit should support multiplayer"), but a number also detail gameplay problems. Due to the date of these reports, there was probably not enough time left in development to correct these problems.

Download.svg

Download Sonic Adventure Bug Database
Multiple downloads available

External Links


Sonic Adventure / Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut
Sonic Adventure title.png

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