Over 150 games, mods, and more are on display at the Sonic Amateur Games Expo, an event that celebrates fanmade Sonic the Hedgehog titles. The event will run until August 27.
Since releasing on June 23rd, 1991, the Sonic franchise has cemented itself as one of the mainstays of video games. It boasts an extremely active and dedicated fanbase, as well. Some of these individuals have even attempted to create their own Sonic titles. Sonic fangames have been largely approved of by developer SEGA, provided the games aren't monetized. The company has even worked with members of the fangame community, including a collaboration that produced 2017's Sonic Mania.
The Sonic Amateur Games Expo, or SAGE, is a virtual event that began on August 21 and lasting until August 27. Since its inception in 2000, it's featured the creations of Sonic fans from across the world. This year's event hosts over 150 different titles, ranging from mods (unfortunately, not including the popular first-person Sonic mod) to full-blown fan games. The games are shown off through livestreams on Twitch and YouTube. Some streamers, like Hotline Sehwani, are also raising funds for the charity Child's Play in SAGE's name. The official website also has links for most games, so those who wish to try them out can download them. Some frameworks are also featured, giving aspiring developers tools to potentially utilize.
While there are quite a few original titles on display, the main draw of the event is the Sonic the Hedgehog fan games. Some of these take the form of unofficial sequels, like Sonic Illusions. Sonic Totem is a completely original adventure with three new zones. Sonic Rush 3D takes the classic Nintendo DS title and transforms it into, well, 3D. A few crossovers are included such as Sonic and the Elements of Harmony, which has the titular hedgehog meet the cast of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. Some other franchises have representation as well. Fan games like Megaman Overdrive, The Legend of Zelda: Horn of Balance, and even a remake of Frogger 2 are on display.
SAGE is home to some clearly creative and talented individuals. The expo is a great way for them to share their work with a larger audience. Aspiring developers could also pick up new skills or find inspiration. Game companies might see the potential of some of these titles and may even offer to hire these programmers, leading to another situation similar to Sonic Mania. Or it could lead to a different career entirely, such as when Minecraft players were hired as virtual designers. It's a fascinating dive into the world of programming, dedication, and the long history of Sonic the Hedgehog.