Sonic Dash surpasses 500 million users in time for Sonic’s 30th Anniversary
What a funny old thing the modern software market is. Success is more of a crapshoot than it’s ever been. It honestly does amaze me, though, the longevity that being free-to-play can afford a game. Add being a smartphone app to boot, and it would seem you’ve got yourself a recipe for future-proofed success; and very possibly a smorgasbord of microtransactions.
Why am I waxing lyrical about the state of mobile gaming, you ponder? ‘Tis simple. Sonic Dash, a mobile runner that borrows more than a few cues from the game that doomed – sorry, started it all, Temple Run, was released in 2013. That’s 8 years ago, for the mathematically challenged. Damn near to a decade. There are triple-A titles that can only dream of maintaining cultural relevancy for even half that length of time. But, as GamesPress reports, Mr. The Hedgehog doesn’t adhere to your petty zeitgeist rules. Just in time for his 30th year running (and gathering) rings around the gaming world, the Blue Blur’s mobile smash has passed 500 million downloads.
You read that right. For reference, that’d be the equivalent to everyone on the sad old island I call home downloading it seven times over. If, in that hypothetical scenario, us Brits were uber-hooked on Sonic, of course. But really, what’s not to love about the guy?
“SEGA of America, Inc. today announced that its hit mobile game Sonic Dash has surpassed a major milestone on mobile devices,” states the report. “Since initially launching in 2013, the game has achieved more than 500 million downloads worldwide. The endless runner game, which stars the famous blue hedgehog running, dashing, jumping, and spinning across stunning 3D environments, is the most played Sonic mobile game ever!”
You may be thinking that’s not exactly much of a bar to clear, but you’d be wrong. There’s been a veritable conga line of Sonic mobile games since SEGA first tapped into that burgeoning demographic. Dash got a Sonic Boom-themed sequel; there was a self-explanatory, vertically inclined one called Jump; and a side-scrolling effort called Runners, which was actually brilliant, but was soon nixed in favour of a paid, inferior 3D sequel. We can never have nice things.
When the much-maligned Sonic Forces hit shelves, it too was accompanied by a mobile spinoff release; which ironically has gotten more post-release support and DLC than its big brother on consoles. It did not, however, have the character creator. Personally, methinks that speaks volumes.
On the whole, all of these other outings have largely fallen by the wayside – but somehow, Dash has survived and persisted, receiving regular updates and TLC from the devs. It’s an accomplishment that Sonic Team’s Takashi Iizuka hasn’t slept on: “achieving over 500 million downloads is a huge testament to the endurance of the Sonic brand and the truly fun, timeless gameplay of Sonic Dash,” he stated. “We appreciate our loyal fans as well as our partnership with both Apple and Google for their enduring support in showcasing Sonic Dash in the App Stores. This milestone could not have been achieved at a better time!” Almost as if the whole thing was planned. Makes you think, eh?
SEGA HARDlight’s Studio Director, Neall Jones, also had a few comments about the occasion. “We continue to be amazed at Sonic Dash’s loyal fans and how the game is still driving millions of new downloads every month. A massive thank you to all Sonic Dash fans. We look forward to continuing to provide you with new and innovative in-game events built around the ever-expanding Sonic universe, for years to come.”
Now, if you’ll all excuse me, I’ve a sudden urge to reinstall the darn thing. Wonder if my save data is still there.
Are you excited by this news? Are you a Dash player? Let us know!
Via, GamesPress.
