There are four basic types of fan games on the internet. New and good, new and bad, old and bad, and old and better. My first thoughts considering fan games have usually been the same. “Sonic runs, jumps through enemies and sometimes even bounces off of them with a nifty explosion.” A lot of times people include the basic factors that make up a basic Sonic game. Sometimes, however, one that is well thought out and put together comes along. These are posted up on sites and downloaded by many people. Recently, three new games have come to my attention. One already released and the other two in progress. What’s more, these aren’t typical “Run through the level and win” style platform Sonic Fan Games.
The first and most intriguing idea is that of “ProSonic.” Not just a simple fan game but instead a platform from which to launch ones own fan games. “ProSonic” is actually more of a system on which to play custom made fan games of both one’s own creation and someone else’s. To quote the creator/engineer, “ProSonic is a Sonic the Hedgehog game engine written from scratch in C.” The engine itself is customed designed, as is the purpose. If one understand C programming the engine itself can be modified. For other users, however, an event editor is being created to allow them to engineer their own games using the software as well. In addition to all this, the program is based upon the Actual Genesis/MegaDrive system. While it is made to take advantage of a computers abilities, in other words a more powerful version of the Genesis/MD, it is within the confines of a standard computer.