Shintarou Shimazu, president of Pico Park, has spoken about the challenges of creating a crossover game with Sega's Sonic franchise. The indie title Sonic Pico Park is set to release later this year. Shimazu addressed the risks involved in working with a major company like Sega.
Shimazu noted the pressure of handling a beloved intellectual property. "It would be a lie to say there's no pressure taking on this great IP from this massive corporation," he said. He added that partnering with Sega was "a little risky."
The game aims to appeal to a broad audience. Shimazu stated that players do not need to be "super hardcore" to enjoy it. This approach seeks to introduce Sonic to new fans through the Pico Park format.
Sonic Pico Park combines elements from both franchises. It is scheduled for release later in 2026.
