BUR #39038 is pending approval.
nuke sonic_the_hedgehog_(classic)
create implication classic_sonic -> sonic_the_hedgehog
create implication classic_tails -> tails_(sonic)
create implication classic_knuckles -> knuckles_the_echidna
create implication classic_amy -> amy_rose
create implication classic_eggman -> dr._eggman
create implication classic_espio -> espio_the_chameleon
create implication classic_vector -> vector_the_crocodile
create implication classic_charmy -> charmy_bee
We do need Classic characters because Classic Sonic (and friends) and Modern Sonic (and friends) are canonically different characters that won't stop bumping into each other.
The sonic_the_hedgehog_(classic) tag is ambiguous as to what it’s even trying to achieve. Is it just for images referencing an old game? Every individual game already has a copyright tag. Is it just for images that depict Classic Sonic, the character? Then Classic Sonic should be a character tag. As of now, sonic_the_hedgehog_(classic) is being used to tag images depicting events and settings from old games without Classic Sonic and friends appearing, as well as tagging new fanart for new games with Classic Sonic and friends but no references to games “pre-Dreamcast era”.
There actually was a discussion in the Discord about this, I was going to make a Topic about it and… forgot.
Discussion begins around https://discord.com/channels/310432830138089472/710192137878241372/1349887856612737137 but I'll just reiterate it here.
The consensus at the time was to do the exact opposite of what you’re doing, and nuking the sonic_the_hedgehog_(classic) copyright tag. It’s completely arbitrary and I'm confused as to what its purpose even is. It doesn’t accomplish anything that individual game copyright tags don’t already do, aside from presumably preventing the creation of individual character tags.
As it stands, if I look up “character" + “sonic_the_hedgehog_(classic)” there is no guarantee I will see the character design I'm looking for. Searching for “sonic_the_hedgehog_(classic)” + “amy_rose” will get me this:
post #7757504
But Classic Amy is nowhere to be seen.
post #5323369
Same issue for the same query. Classic Sonic being babied by Modern Amy.
post #7734773
The “sonic_the_hedgehog_(classic)” tag is only there because Mighty and Fang are there, everyone has their modern designs.
post #8919683
That's Modern Sonic and Modern Knuckles, but it gets the Classic tag because this is referencing the S&K title screen
post #7757322
Technically anything referencing the old games gets the classic tag, these are all the main timeline Modern counterparts
post #3572169
This image has 50 character tags. It's tagged sonic_the_hedgehog_(classic). Good luck trying to find why that tag is there without bringing out a fine-toothed comb to find Classic Sonic and Classic Eggman amongst the 50 of them.
Examples of Classic Sonic and Modern Sonic together being visually distinct. To someone not in the fandom, it would be easy to confuse Classic Sonic as Modern Sonic's son.
post #8186618
post #7968645
post #7757549
post #4342593
post #6596142
post #8973811
post #1827285
post #8973811
Japanese artists also like to infantilize Classic Sonic, for whatever reason.
Classic Amy and Modern Amy look more like sisters than they do the same character. Aside from being “girl” and “pink” they're entirely different. If they looked identical, the outfit alone would warrant a separate tag.
post #6426585
post #6442661
post #6788342
post #7346154
Classic Sonic, Classic Tails, Classic Knuckles, Classic Amy, and Classic Eggman have been canonically established as being entirely separate characters from their Modern counterparts, particularly since Sonic Generations all the way back in 2011, and Sonic Forces, in which it's revealed that they're from a different dimension than the main cast. They appear in new games alongside their Modern counterparts (e.g., Sonic Generations, Sonic Dash, Sonic Runners, Sonic Forces, Sonic Speed Simulator). The sonic_the_hedgehog_(classic) tag, by its own definition, should not be applied to these new appearances, creating a contradiction.
The argument that we don't tag different versions of characters like Chun-Li from different Street Fighter games is not applicable. Those are iterative designs of the same character. Classic Sonic and Modern Sonic are treated as distinct entities within the Sonic canon and are visually distinct from one another. Our tagging should reflect this. Gacha games provide more relevant precedents.
Also, these guys exist: post #6546873
