Sega implies Super Mario Wonder was responsible for Sonic Superstars selling less than expected
Although not naming it directly, the company seemingly suggested Sonic’s rival had an impact
Sega executives have implied that Super Mario Bros Wonder was responsible for Sonic Superstars selling fewer copies than expected.
The company has just released its English translation of a Q&A session held earlier this month, following its Q3 results presentation for its current fiscal year.
Sega had stated that Sonic Superstars had sold fewer copies than had been forecast, so during the Q&A Sega Sammy Holdings executive vice president Makoto Takahashi and IR/SR department director Nobuaki Yoshii were asked how they evaluated the game’s performance.
“Although Sonic Superstars has generally been well received by those who have played it, the timing of the launch coincided with competing titles in the same genre, and it has been short of the initial forecast,” they replied.
“The strategic expansion of Sonic IP is progressing well, and we will continue to work to increase repeat sales of this title.”
By citing “competing titles in the same genre” as a major reason, Sega has essentially confirmed that releasing Sonic Superstars three days before Super Mario Bros Wonder has had an impact on its sales.
Although it doesn’t specifically name Nintendo‘s title, the only other notable platformers released in October and November were SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake and DreamWorks Trolls Remix Rescue, suggesting that Sonic’s main rival affected the game’s sales most.
In its previous financial results briefing held in November 2023, Sega Sammy Holdings president and group CEO Haruki Satomi said the game’s October sales were weaker than anticipated, but didn’t single out Mario as the reason, instead citing the overall high number of games released during the last few months of 2023.
At the time, Satomi said: “We believe that the impact of other companies’ major title[s] released at the same time is significant, but we plan to expand the promotion towards the holiday season, especially in the overseas market.”
He added that Sonic games sell best in November and December, and that more than 90% of Sonic Superstars’ marketing costs were going to be spent in the Thanksgiving and holiday season.
It would appear that this spending has not paid off fully, hence Sega’s latest update confirming that the game’s sales continue to be lower than forecast.
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