Sonic Frontiers
Development began after the release of "Sonic Forces" (2017). "Frontiers" is scheduled for release on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S in late 2022. Gameplay. "Sonic Frontiers" is a 3D platformer and action-adventure game, and the first "Sonic the Hedgehog" game to feature an open world. As Sonic, the player explores the Starfall Islands, which comprise various biomes including flowery fields, forests, ancient ruins, and deserts. Multiple critics compared the open-world design to "" (2017). Development. Following the release of "Sonic Forces" (2017), Sonic Team began exploring approaches for  its next "Sonic the Hedgehog" game. In addition to celebrating the series' upcoming 30th anniversary, Sonic Team also sought to define what a modern "Sonic" game should be and solidify the series' direction for the next decade. Sonic Team head and "Sonic" series producer Takashi Iizuka wanted the next "Sonic" game to inform future games, similar to how "Sonic Adventure" (1998) set a template that following games continued to emulate for 20 years. As such, Sonic Team began developing "Frontiers" from scratch. The team focused on transitioning Sonic's speed and abilities to the open world while remaining true to  previous games. Development was underway by March 2019, and that month Sega opened a fan survey to help determine the series' "next steps". Morio Kishimoto, director of "Sonic Colors" (2010), "Lost World" (2013), and "Forces", returns to direct "Frontiers", while "Generations" (2011) and "Forces" art director Sachiko Kawamura is producing. Ian Flynn, who wrote "Sonic the Hedgehog" comics published by Archie Comics and IDW Publishing and episodes of the "Sonic Boom" TV series, is writing the script, and series composer Jun Senoue is contributing to the score. Sonic Team began regularly holding external playtesting during "Frontiers" development. Marketing and release . Sega unveiled a teaser trailer, featuring Sonic running through a forest, at the end of a 30th anniversary livestream on May 27, 2021. The title was not announced then, but the trailer's metadata and a Sega press release were discovered to have titled the game "Sonic Rangers". Iizuka later said that he felt the game was teased prematurely, but believed it was necessary given that it was the 30th anniversary and Sonic Team had not announced a game since "Forces" release. Sega trademarked the name "Sonic Frontiers" in November 2021 and announced it the following month at The Game  Awards 2021. Sega planned to release "Sonic Frontiers" in 2021 to coincide with the franchise's 30th anniversary, but delayed it for a year for quality control. It is scheduled for release in late 2022 for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.