Is SatAM fandom dying?

[Lynchenberg]

Or is it that internet forums are just dying as a means of communication?

[LogiTeeka]

It could've been just a trend. I seem to recall it spiking back in 2010 when the Nostalgia Critic's review highlighted it to the internet. For a while, people all over the Internet were talking about it and praising it. But as the years went by, it seemed to dwindle back down.

I get the feeling too much hype might've killed it. I mean, let's be honest, the show has some glaring flaws, and most reviewers seemed to glance over them. The show may be popular amongst fans, but that doesn't mean everyone will enjoy it. Some might've tried watching it out of curiosity, only to find it didn't appeal to them. Look at films like "Frozen" or "A Christmas Story" for instance; too much exposure can lead to backlash.

But don't let that let you down. There are still those that enjoy it. The fact that the show has endured for over 2 decades with the fanbase speaks for itself.

[Lynchenberg]

I'm not really referring to outsiders who don't like the show or just checked it out because of Nostalgia Critic, I mean the fan community that's always been here. It does seem to be drying up, and I wonder if it's due to forums not being what they used to be, or maybe we're alienated because for a SatAM fan, the comic is the only game in town and it's been distancing itself from the show and even itself more and more with each passing year.

I get the feeling too much hype might've killed it. I mean, let's be honest, the show has some glaring flaws, and most reviewers seemed to glance over them.

What do you think those were, other than Tails not being in it enough and such?

(edited for typo)

[LogiTeeka]

Aside from Tails, most of the other complains I've heard revolve around character depictions and how some were later flanderized.

Sonic is still the titular hero, but his obnoxious, impulsive behavior did get kinda grating after a while - especially during the 2nd season when he became more of an aggressive dunce. Fans of the more chilled, modern-day Sonic seem to get turned off by this portrayal (similar to the StC depiction).

Sally is another common complaint. They say she steals the spotlight from other characters and is always treated as being the perfect one. Her playful banter with Sonic was cute at first, but when their characterizations became more simplified during the 2nd season, their arguments started to become very one-sided. Sonic was a complete foil while Sally was always correct. None of it was mixed up like in the earlier episodes. Personally, while I like Sally as a character, I find myself agreeing with this criticism. And in some cases (like the episode "Sonic Boom"), her behavior unintentionally painted her in a negative light.

Fans also didn't care for the lack of Bunnie or Rotor in the series. And who could blame them? They were major characters in the cast, and they had starring roles in the comics. Yet the show mostly ignored them. It got worse by the time the 2nd season aired, when they were pushed to the sidelines to make more room for Sally, Sonic, Antoine and Dulcy.

There's also the show's cringeworthy attempts at humor. Antoine being the cowardly pushover was okay at first, but it got worse later on. And in the 2nd season, he became really pathetic (and rather insulting). Dulcy was practically an unnecessary addition to the cast, and the running gag with her was never funny to begin with. That's ignoring the dated 90's jokes and lingo (though not as bad as AoStH).

There are other complaints, but those are some of the biggest ones I can recall.

[Lynchenberg]

Perhaps contradictorily, I actually think on technical level, the first season is better for most of the reasons you mentioned, particularly the characterizations. (I think the 90s lingo and stuff was fun though, as Sonic was the only one who did it. It may have grated to me if they all did, like on Ninja Turtles, but it just seemed to be a part of who Sonic was.) However, I really liked the World War 2, ongoing conflict feel of the second season, which I don't think was as present in season one. For that reason, I prefer season two overall, even though individual aspects of season one were much better. In fact, most of my favourite individual episodes were from season one as well. But if I sit down and watch it in order, I get much more sucked into the second season.

[LogiTeeka]

That I can agree. A continuing story arc was one of the best things season 2 had going for it. It's just a shame the show's characterization had to suffer in return.

Really, the only character that actually improved during the 2nd season was Snively. He went from a typical yes-man minion to a snarky, treacherous underling and potential supervillain. Too bad it didn't lead to anything afterwards.

[Lynchenberg]

That I can agree. A continuing story arc was one of the best things season 2 had going for it. It's just a shame the show's characterization had to suffer in return.

Really, the only character that actually improved during the 2nd season was Snively. He went from a typical yes-man minion to a snarky, treacherous underling and potential supervillain. Too bad it didn't lead to anything afterwards.

It does if you read the Karl Bollers material, (post End-Game) as a SatAM continuation. While I'm not a fan of how he handled many of the characters, his Snively really evolved into an excellent super-villain in his own right. I think he was actually quite good with characterization, he just often chose not to be with certain characters to take the story where he wanted it to go more easily. However, his Sonic (the character, not overall comic) is the best I've read. And his Snively is excellent too.

[charles133]

no its not the son amy fans are in control right now if you even mention sally they will threaten you with shot guns there crazy there not even the manjorty there actually the minority I wonder why sega is trying to keep them happy.

[Neon Black]

Interest in the series is waning and it has been for quite a long time. It got a few shots in the arm in the late 00s with the box set and a few other things, but between Ben Hurst's death, the comics all but completely abandoning the SatAM universe and a general decline in Sonic overall, it can be expected that the SatAM fandom, which was never huge to begin with, is going to be reduced to almost nothing. Forums are one thing but there's very little SatAM presence in social media, either.



The big thing about SatAM is that it's over 20 years old now. The most amazing thing is that there's still a fandom for it at all. I'm super grateful for that, but short of either some brand new SatAM-related official thing happening (not likely), I see it eventually fizzling away to nothing.

The best bet to revive the community at this point imo, is the canonisation of fan-work - an ongoing, good-quality piece of original SatAM fan fiction that can be championed by the community. I'd love to see something like Sea3on become fully embraced by fans as 'the true Season 3', and have it given all the time, news, promotion, analysis, critique, discussion and fan spin-offs that would warrant. Having the blessing of one of some of the original show's production staff would be a benefit, too.

[Lynchenberg]

Interest in the series is waning and it has been for quite a long time. It got a few shots in the arm in the late 00s with the box set and a few other things, but between Ben Hurst's death, the comics all but completely abandoning the SatAM universe and a general decline in Sonic overall, it can be expected that the SatAM fandom, which was never huge to begin with, is going to be reduced to almost nothing. Forums are one thing but there's very little SatAM presence in social media, either.



The big thing about SatAM is that it's over 20 years old now. The most amazing thing is that there's still a fandom for it at all. I'm super grateful for that, but short of either some brand new SatAM-related official thing happening (not likely), I see it eventually fizzling away to nothing.

The best bet to revive the community at this point imo, is the canonisation of fan-work - an ongoing, good-quality piece of original SatAM fan fiction that can be championed by the community. I'd love to see something like Sea3on become fully embraced by fans as 'the true Season 3', and have it given all the time, news, promotion, analysis, critique, discussion and fan spin-offs that would warrant. Having the blessing of one of some of the original show's production staff would be a benefit, too.

I'd buy that for a dollar!

[Cybermax]

At this point I didn't think these forums would be around at all.

I was a very active user here during 2006 - 2009 and eventually migrated over from FUS (Fans United for Sonic SatAM). I had to stop because of an "incident" I posted on these forums seven and a half years ago that nearly got me thrown in jail. After two weeks in the hospital I was let go and promised I wouldn't post on these forums again any time soon.

That's all in the past now. To answer your question, SatAM fandom is nearly dead. I don't know if Sonmaniac is still around these days, used to enjoy his commentary and ran a very early live stream (years before Twitch.tv and Youtube streaming even came into the picture) series on a website that I've long since forgotten it's name. PorpoiseMuffins and Elisto Dragonwings I enjoyed talking with, they were always nice to listen to. As for everybody else, I was for the most part content with them.

I did not know of Ben Hursts death until early this year, and his interview was in my opinion the best feature in the Sonic SatAm DVD. That DVD is currently sitting in my closet and has remained there for a few years now, I have not watched an episode since I was an active user here back in the late 2000s.

Then again, there are forum users who registered here in 2006 - 2007 and have not been seen since 2008. I don't know. It's a bit of a shame, since we were at one point a community who knew each other, and that goes with FUS which I don't know even exists anymore. The man at Shout! Factory who was responsible for putting the SatAm DVD together was a high moment on these forums. I never would of thought it was possible, since everybody leading up to that point in 2006 was feeling doubtful of there being any future release.

Won't ever happen again. Everybody has moved on.

[PorpoiseMuffins]

Cybermax! Wow, that name rings a bell. Good to hear from you again.

I enjoyed reading your recollections here. I actually don't remember the specifics of the incident you speak of, but my memory for many types of things is really horrible. I'm glad you didn't get thrown in jail.

FUS is still in business and last I looked seemed to be a bit more active than we are.

Yes, I suppose we are all grown up now and busy doing boring grown up things.

Elisto, Hazel, Gojira, and I got together "IRL" a couple summers ago for a little reunion, which was fun. The connections and friendships that this forum helped make possible... That is the thing that I am most proud of, I think.

We decided to keep the forums up even though activity is pretty slow. It's nice for everyone to be able to keep in touch.

[Lynchenberg]

Most people who write Sonic the Hedgehog fan fiction have an unhealthy relationship to their childhood.

[PorpoiseMuffins]

Cybermax! Wow, that name rings a bell. Good to hear from you again.

I enjoyed reading your recollections here. I actually don't remember the specifics of the incident you speak of, but my memory for many types of things is really horrible. I'm glad you didn't get thrown in jail.

FUS is still in business and last I looked seemed to be a bit more active than we are.

Yes, I suppose we are all grown up now and busy doing boring grown up things.

Elisto, Hazel, Gojira, and I got together "IRL" a couple summers ago for a little reunion, which was fun. The connections and friendships that this forum helped make possible... That is the thing that I am most proud of, I think.

We decided to keep the forums up even though activity is pretty slow. It's nice for everyone to be able to keep in touch.

Glad to hear of you.

The finer details are confidential so I won't post them here. But I was going through a really rough time in college, I was about 18 years old when I started posting on these forums and am now 28. I went through a lot and basically once you get in trouble with enforcement it's difficult to get out of it.

I don't know if I'll go back to FUS, I knew most of the regulars there and after a while they started becoming more elitist in nature. I also decided to post a goodbye and Kaotix mentioned that I needed to be more careful. Now I look back at it all and just laugh, because I was fairly immature compared to today.

Well it was nice you guys got together for the summer. I'm situated in the West Coast and getting a plane ticket to travel to the East costs thousands of dollars, and right now I'm broke. I hardly ever get into Sonic fandom anymore, it's just one of those things I grew out of after I left these forums.

I reckon I'll jump in here once after four weeks or once a month.

[Lynchenberg]

Where is my faith? My rise from hate?