Sega releasing official Sonic the Hedgehog game on Roblox

Sega of America has teamed up with Roblox developer Gamefam to release a licensed Sonic the Hedgehog game on the Roblox platform. On April 14, players will be able to dash their way through Sonic Speed Simulator on Roblox for free.

Sonic Speed Simulator is an open-world online multiplayer game where you play as either your Roblox avatar, or Sonic and friends. This “speed simulator” will have players leveling up the pace of their character by taking as many in-game steps as possible and by collecting special items like Chaos Orbs. The game is free to download on the Roblox app, which runs on Android, iOS, Mac, Windows PC, and Xbox One. The game arrives just after the release of the Sonic the Hedgehog 2 movie in theaters.

The game will launch with four different areas, including the checkered landscape of Green Hill Zone. A fifth zone and other additions likes bosses will come in a later update. Roblox games are generally known for their Lego minifigure-like avatars. However, in Sonic Speed Simulator, players can unlock skins that allow them to play as true-to-franchise 3D models of Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles. The game also comes with unique Sonic-themed items for your avatar — including Chao pets that you can adopt in-game.

Part of the challenge of bringing Sonic Speed Simulator to life, its developers said, was balancing the norms and technical limitations of a platform like Roblox with making a game based on a AAA franchise. Gamefam CEO Joe Ferencz told Polygon that Sega helped push the production value of Sonic Speed Simulator so it looked and felt like a Sonic game.

“When you get the speed, this game feels like Sonic,” Ferencz said in an interview. “That is something our producers, designers, and animators know how to do, but we needed Sega’s expert Sonic guidance on it.” Previously, Gamefam has teamed up with other brands like Mattel and Ubisoft to create experiences on Roblox. In 2020, the company released an open-world Hot Wheels driving game called Hot Wheels Open World.

Even though it’s on Roblox, Ferencz hopes Sonic fans will give Sonic Speed Simulator a chance. “I think people have a lot of notions about what Roblox is, and what Roblox is and isn’t,” he said “If people are Sonic fans, we want them to come in and try this game. Even if they’re never tried Roblox.”