Sega has teased that Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, the newest entry in the Sonic racing franchise, is being developed by an “elite” team of racing game veterans. While the studio responsible has not been officially revealed, fans are speculating that Sega AM2 or AM3, teams behind iconic titles like OutRun and Daytona USA, could be involved.
The game was unveiled during The Game Awards 2024 earlier this month, with a brief teaser sparking excitement and speculation across the gaming community. Scheduled for a 2025 release, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds promises a fresh take on kart racing, drawing comparisons to Mario Kart but with a distinctive Sonic twist.
In the teaser trailer, Shadow the Hedgehog is shown racing through a hyper-realistic city, transitioning through a dimensional portal created by a Warp Ring. Though gameplay footage was absent, the visuals and premise immediately caught the attention of fans, igniting curiosity about the game’s features and mechanics.
While the developer remains unconfirmed, Sega’s Japanese social media accounts have referred to the game being crafted by their “elite” racing team. Initial theories pointed to Sega HARDlight, the studio behind Sonic Dream Team, but this now seems unlikely. Sumo Digital, developers of Sonic & All-Stars Racing titles, also doesn’t appear to be involved, as their recent celebratory tweet about the reveal did not mention CrossWorlds.
The prevailing theory is that Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is being developed in Japan by members of Sega AM2 or AM3, teams renowned for their work on Sega’s legendary racing games. If true, this would mark a return to form for Sega’s internal studios, leveraging decades of expertise in the genre.
Fans have also picked apart the teaser trailer for potential hints. One intriguing theory suggests that the game might incorporate Extreme Gear from the Sonic Riders series, as some fans claim to see a reflection of Sonic’s iconic sunglasses in the footage. Sega has also hinted at races across “land, sea, air, space, and time,” leading to speculation about multi-vehicle mechanics similar to Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed.
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is shaping up to be one of Sega’s most ambitious Sonic racing projects yet. With its promise of dynamic environments and possible multi-vehicle mechanics, it aims to carve out a unique identity in the crowded kart racing genre.
As fans eagerly await further details, Sega has successfully reignited excitement for the Sonic franchise’s racing branch. Whether the theories about its developers or gameplay turn out to be true, CrossWorlds is already speeding toward becoming a highly anticipated title in 2025.
