I tried to subtly suggest this over the weekend when the news was first posted, but that's what I meant when I said "the last time they did a Plus version of a Sonic title" but I didn't want to outright say what I was hoping for. Specifically meaning MegaCollection Plus, which was a physical release that included more games than the previous one. If they didn't think the original was big enough to warrant a physical release and didn't want to contradict themselves by saying there would be no physical release, turning it into a collection of games by adding the previous remasters as extras (the "plus") so that they could do a new release would be on par with what they did 13 years ago. I would buy again for a physical copy, even though I already own it on 3 platforms. I was hoping for the remasters the first time around, because I although it's an excellent game I don't think it deserves the title Mania yet, so they can potentially earn it with Plus. If it just turns out that they're adding more content as an update to the base game, that's fine, but I was really hoping Sonic Mania would truly be Sonic Mania.
Mega Collection Plus being a physical release doesn't mean much when the original Mega Collection was also a physical release.
Honestly I'm thinking: Worst case scenario: It's just Sonic Mania re-released with the Sonic 1, 2 and possibly CD remasters bundled Best case scenario: A full-on content patch including restored level transitions, new stages both remixed and original and a substantial upgrade to the game Dream/impossible scenario: All of the above with the surprise inclusion of Sonic 3K remastered, available on all platforms and a physical release Or somewhere in between. "Plus" to me sounds like a content upgrade and re-release as the only time the word has been used in regards to Sonic before it was with Mega Collection Plus which was a full re-issue of the game with more content included. Their use of the word, even if it's just a code name, sounds to me like this will be similar to that. Time will tell I guess. Hoping for concrete news before the year is out.
The thing is, this was found in Steam's database, so whatever it is, it's probably going to be released on Steam, if it's anything at all. Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think you need to make a new version of the game in order to create a bundle with other games. And I don't think it would make much sense for them to update the game to include Sonic 1, 2 and CD for free. Making them DLC would also be weird, because then people would have to buy Mania even if they just wanted to play one of the other games, and Sonic CD is already on Steam as a separate game anyway. I suppose it's possible they're just using this to test new versions of the remasters or a physical release, but I'm thinking it's likely an update or DLC for Mania itself.
On Steam, DLCs are separate apps packages linked with the main app. Bundles are also a separate thing, you can see on Sonic Generations's packages list all the bundles the game was included on. While there, you can also check the DLC tab that lists the Casino Night DLC. This is definitely a patch; and by the name of it, it looks like a content patch. As I said earlier, the same day that they added the Plus branch, they also deleted the QA branch; for me (I could definitely be wrong) this means that they are now performing no QA of the current version. They are actually working on the Project Plus branch. I checked some other games that get content patches regularly (like Terraria) versus already finished games like Sonic Generations. Terraria has an active internal beta branch that is waaaay newer than the public branch. This, and the dates, make total sense: Version 1.3.5.3 was released April 25th (SteamDB shows this date as the last updated time of the public branch) and they are actively developing 1.3.6 right now (which explains the internal beta branch newer date). Sonic Generations on the other hand has only a QA branch that is even with the public branch; this is obvious as the game is not into development anymore, nor they are fixing bugs. Sonic Mania right now is more comparable to Terraria than Sonic Generations, as it has no QA branch, and it has a Beta branch with a shiny name with a last updated time way beyond that of the public branch. tl:dr There's something coming. It's not just a bugfix patch because they labeled the branch with a cool name. It's not a DLC because of how Steam works. It's definitely a content patch. We can only wait until they make it official. PD: We could predict if the remasters are coming for PC by keeping an eye on any new private app linked to SEGA. However I think I remember that Sonic Mania appeared only after the pre-order trailer. So, well.
Whatever it is, I sure hope that it's not related to Sonic Forces in any imaginable way! Unless the patch retcons the good ending to actually remove the link between both games, that is. =P
Sonic Mania & Forces & Knuckles, with Forces Mode on the main menu to bring it up to a symmetrical number of items. This will consist of prerendered Classic levels reimplemented in the Mania engine, and use unaltered music. Obviously. :v:
Well, from what people have been saying the setup here would suggest that "Project Plus" is some sort of update patch rather than additional downloadable content, so anyone setting their hopes on DLC is only going to be disappointed. Having said that, the name "Project Plus" does imply potential additions to the core Mania experience - it'll be interesting to see what exactly this turns out to be. For me, the one must-have - aside from fixes for known bugs, obviously - would be level transitions for all the levels that don't have them at present. Anything else would be a bonus! Would also be cool if some of the levels past Mirage Saloon could be adapted for the 2P VS. mode - would love to be able to challenge people to at least one act of each of the final four Zones. For pie-in-the-sky wishes, obviously extra levels/modes would be awesome, but since this appears to be a content update rather than paid DLC I won't be holding my breath for anything that substantial. The way I see it, if I'm right I'll avoid disappointment, and if I'm wrong it'll be a very nice surprise! ; )
I believe it's a content update/patch too. Maybe nothing too big, zones transitions mostly, missing animations found in the game files, stuff like that. Some kind of Director's Cut. Could it be linked to a physical release?
Fascinating posts and insight everyone. I think yeah, via our combined powers of deduction it's looking like a content patch, which is exciting, so the major question is simply how substantial that content will be, whether it be restored level transitions, new stages whether remixed or original or even a new character. The project's code name as "Project Plus" has me thinking it'll be something hype worthy and decent. At an educated guess they're probably planning something for early next year, to capitalise on Mania's strong sales and appease the fans. Excited to see more news on this.
A million times this. Likely as not they're just fooling around with something of little to no consequence. Heaven only knows how many games on Steam have gotten new branches that never materialized into anything public-facing.
Are they removing Denuvo from the Steam version too? I only have 1.25 hrs clocked on this game. I have not played it past Green Hill and it's December already.
I plead guilty of this. We don't even know if the original devs are on the roll on this one. Taxman and Stealth have been particularly silent since Forces' release, though, with the exception of Tee Lopes.
