The official Twitter for the Sonic the Hedgehog series has posted a video message thanking fans for all their support over the past few years. However, things aren’t quite as simple as it seems. [Thanks, Tail’s Channel!]
Firstly, check out the Twitter video below:
To you, all of you, thank you for making the past several years of Sonic so amazing.
Here’s to the next chapter! pic.twitter.com/5YCoQsQLl7
— Sonic the Hedgehog (@sonic_hedgehog) December 31, 2019
Sonic the Hedgehog social media and PR head Aaron Webber first hinted that there was a hidden message in the video, which prompted fans to scour the video for translucent overlaid text.
Here’s what has been found so far:
- It began in 2015
- A glimmer of a flame
- Growing with each success
- Enduring every challenge
- Within this, my last puzzle
- Remember the words
- Ignis aurum probat [Latin for ‘Fire tests gold’]
- This next chapter belongs to you
In particular, ‘fire tests gold’ is an idiom describing the refinement of character through trial by fire. While some might be quick to jump on this as a hint for the next game, it should be noted that Webber took the PR role in 2015. Thus, this might be a personal message from him to a fanbase that is as creative as it is divisive, on a franchise that seemingly changes with each game.
It should be noted that the next Sonic game is confirmed to be production, and Sonic‘s “next big year” is 2021 according to producer Takashi Iizuka. The most recent game was Team Sonic Racing, which is available on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.