Sega Introduces a Brand New Sonic Character for Fortnite

Did you spot Sonic the Hedgehog on the first page of the current Fortnite Battle Pass? Well, that’s not exactly Sonic. It’s a character that bears a striking resemblance to him, but according to Takashi Iizuka, the head of Sega’s Sonic Team, the real Sonic would never wield a gun. He’s definitely not like Shadow the Hedgehog.

However, a different version of Sonic wouldn’t hesitate to take up arms. It might seem a bit of a stretch, but this reasoning helped Epic Games persuade Sega to include Sonic in Fortnite.

The Sonic making his debut in Fortnite is actually an android. That’s right, it’s Android Sonic taking down foes in Epic’s battle royale.

Fortnite is known for its kid-friendly vibe, featuring cartoonish graphics and a colorful world filled with fun locations, quirky weapons, and eccentric NPCs. While aiming for a top 10 finish can get your adrenaline pumping, it doesn’t carry the same intensity as other shooters. Still, it’s a third-person shooter where the goal is to eliminate everyone on the island and send them back to the lobby. This is why, despite numerous collaborations over the years, some highly sought-after characters have yet to join the fray.

Chapter 7 Season 4 is themed around video games, bringing several beloved characters into Fortnite. Sonic the Hedgehog is among them, and he’s not just any character; he’s the first skin players unlock when they buy this season’s Battle Pass, making him the face of Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4.

Players were taken aback to see Sonic in Fortnite, given that while his games feature some mild violence, he’s primarily a family-friendly hero. However, getting him into the game wasn’t straightforward. In an interview, Iizuka revealed that Epic Games had been trying to collaborate with Sonic for quite some time. Similar to how Disney protects Mickey Mouse and other iconic characters, Sega was hesitant to compromise Sonic’s image by having him wield a gun, leading to the need for a creative workaround.

“Epic Games approached us a few years ago about possibly including Sonic in Fortnite, but Sonic is a character who will never hold a gun. When considering Fortnite’s game design, it was challenging to envision Sonic fitting in. This time, we took creative liberties and developed Android Sonic. By creating this android version, we could integrate him into Fortnite, allowing him to hold a gun and participate in the gameplay.”

Even though his skin is labeled “Sonic the Hedgehog” in players’ item lockers, don’t be misled; it’s actually an android version of Sonic. The reasoning may not be flawless, but it’s sufficient for Sega to justify bringing their iconic character into a shooter environment.

Choose your character!