New Sonic titles coming 2013, will be both digital and 'boxed'

Sega plans to release a handful of new digital games in the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, as well as a new "boxed" title, according to an interview with the publisher's European head of brand licensing Sissel Henno in UK magazine Toys 'n' Playthings.

"Over the next year there will be a big focus on the expansion of [Sonic licensed] toy distribution across Europe," Henno said.

"Similarly, we will also be growing the apparel, publishing and stationary categories," he added. "We will have several new digital titles launching as well as a new boxed game, so there will be plenty of opportunities to link marketing campaigns across games and merchandise."

The blue hedgehog hits consoles again later this month in Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed, a Sega-themed karting game featuring iconic characters from the company's more well-known titles. The last Sonic game, Sonic Generations, released last fall on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC and Nintendo 3DS as a compilation of popular levels from the series' history.