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During gamescom 2025, we had the exclusive opportunity to sit down with the development team behind Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, SEGA’s racing game that’s turning heads with its unique approach from gameplay to character crossovers. Speaking with Takashi Iizuka, Studio Head of Sonic Team, Producer Taki Ryuichi, and Creative Director Kohayakawa Masaru, we learned how this game plans to bring together worlds that have never met before on the racing circuit.
The game promises to blend familiar Sonic racing mechanics with surprising guest appearances from both within and outside the SEGA universe, creating what the team calls a true “crossworlds” experience.
Guest Characters Take Center Stage
One of the most talked-about aspects of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is its extensive roster of guest characters. When asked about the recently announced collaboration between Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds and Pac-Man with BNE, the conversation opened up the broader guest character strategy.
“This time we have guest characters in the game. Currently, we already have 23 Sonic characters, but there will also be guest character appearances,” explains Iizuka. “The first type of guest characters are from within the SEGA franchise, and every month there will be a new SEGA character announced for free. For now, we have 12 guest characters that will be available through the season pass,” he added.
The additions don’t stop at SEGA properties. The team has confirmed that characters like SpongeBob and Minecraft’s Steve will join the roster through regular updates. “We chose characters we believe are highly attractive and fun, where bringing their worldview into the racing game creates exciting experiences,” Iizuka notes.
When asked about the longevity of these monthly updates, Iizuka revealed their current plans: “Right now, we have plans for one year, with updates every month. If it will be prolonged, it depends on how well the game performs. We certainly hope it will continue for longer.”
Arcade Racing Expertise
The development team brings valuable experience from their work on the Initial D arcade series, widely regarded as one of the best arcade racing games. This background proved crucial in shaping the game’s driving mechanics.
“One of the main points we could bring in from our Initial D experience is how the game captures the feeling of driving through mountain passes,” explains Producer Taki Ryuichi. “The sense of satisfaction really depends on how responsive the controls feel and how the car reacts to the player’s input. We implemented this sense of responsiveness and mobility from the arcade racing experience into Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds.”
Music That Crosses Dimensions
The game’s soundtrack takes an innovative approach to match its crossover theme. Creative Director Kohayakawa Masaru explains their musical philosophy: “The music concept is closely tied to the game’s ‘crossing into new dimensions’ theme. When players enter different worlds, they will encounter tracks inspired by other SEGA games. We use those original music tracks and rearrange them specifically for this game.”
The team prioritizes emotional impact in their musical arrangements. “When arranging, we always emphasize surprise elements—something that stirs emotions when players drive into a new world,” Masaru adds. Players can also look forward to music from outside the SEGA franchise, with new tracks being announced for future updates.
Course Design and Embracing Visual Contrasts
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds features a substantial collection of racing environments, with 24 original courses and 15 “dimension” courses. The design approach focuses on creating unique experiences rather than simply increasing difficulty.
“When we design courses, we always ask ourselves: what kind of unique experience should players have on this track? Each course is built around that concept,” Masaru explains. “This way, every course offers its own identity and gameplay experience, making the game feel fresh no matter which track you’re on.”
The inclusion of Minecraft’s blocky aesthetic alongside the game’s 3D art style might seem like a technical challenge, but the development team sees it as a core feature. “Actually, this was one of the core ideas of the game. The contrast is what makes it so fun,” says Taki Ryuichi. “Imagine driving in a full 3D art world and then suddenly entering the blocky Minecraft world—it creates a strong sense of surprise.”
Rather than viewing these visual differences as obstacles, the team embraces them as part of the “crossworlds” concept that defines the entire game.
SEGA All-Stars Selection Process
Beyond external collaborations, the game features internal SEGA crossovers, including characters like Hatsune Miku, Ichiban Kasuga, and Joker. The selection process focuses on fan connection and popularity.
“We choose the most popular ones among SEGA’s rich lineup, so that players feel the strongest connection,” Iizuka explains. While the team remains tight-lipped about future additions, they promise that legendary characters from SEGA All-Stars will also join the roster.
Innovation and Accessibility
One feature the development team is particularly proud of is the Gadget System, which allows players to customize game rules themselves. “It allows players to customize the game rules themselves. It’s not just about playing the existing courses—you can actually create and enjoy your own rule sets,” Masaru explains.
The system’s social aspect extends through cross-play functionality, letting players experience rules created by others. This feature will be available during the open network test at the end of the month.
Despite its racing focus, the development team designed Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds to appeal to a broad audience. Taki Ryuichi emphasizes the online competitive aspect: “You can play online with up to 12 players, which is where the competition really shines. We put a lot of effort into making sure this mode is fun and rewarding.”
“At the same time, we want to highlight that the game is not only for racing enthusiasts. By teaming up with a professional racing team, we ensured high-quality mechanics, but we also included many fun and lighthearted aspects—like characters speaking to each other and showcasing their unique personalities,” Iizuka explains.
“There’s also a ‘Path Mode’ where you can enjoy collaborative play, not only competing against each other but also racing together,” Iizuka notes. “This appeals not just to racing fans, but also to Sonic fans and families. We believe Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is a game that can bring fun to everyone.”
The team worked with a professional racing team to ensure high-quality mechanics while maintaining the lighthearted aspects that define the Sonic franchise, including character interactions that showcase each racer’s unique personality.
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds appears ready to deliver on its promise of bringing together diverse gaming worlds in ways players have never experienced before. With its combination of solid racing mechanics, surprising character crossovers, and innovative customization options, the game aims to create something for every type of player when it launches.
Players won’t have to wait until launch to experience Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds firsthand. An Open Network Test is scheduled to run from August 29 to September 2, 2025, available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Steam, and Epic Games. The test will feature a larger playable roster and more courses than the previous Closed Network Test, along with crossplay support across all platforms.
The test includes a special Joker Festival event running from August 31 to September 1, where players can race as Joker from Persona 5 and drive his signature Arsène Wing vehicle. This limited-time event allows players to join one of three teams competing for points through unique challenges, including ring collection bonuses.
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