Where Hirokazu Yasuhara left off, Takashi Iizuka picked up. He worked directly under Yasuhara in the design of Sonic 3, and has since taken the reigns of the series.
Sonic Adventure, the 3D rebirth of the little blue hedgehog that started it all, was the product of Iizuka's idea for a Sonic RPG. After the successful completion of that project, Iizuka headed to the US to head Sonic Team USA. Over in San Francisco, he was director, lead game designer and a level designer for Sonic Adventure 2, Sonic Heroes, and Shadow the Hedgehog. He and his team have just finished development of the Wii game NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams. Due to Yuji Naka's departure from Sonic Team, he has taken the additional role of producer for the game.
Games Credited
Sega Superstars Tennis (2008), SEGA of America, Inc.
Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood (2008), SEGA of America, Inc.
Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity (2008), SEGA of America, Inc.
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (2007), SEGA of America, Inc.
NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams (2007), SEGA Corporation
Sonic and the Secret Rings (2007), SEGA of America, Inc.
Sonic the Hedgehog (2007), SEGA of America, Inc.
Sonic Riders (2006), SEGA of America, Inc.
Sonic Rivals (2006), SEGA of America, Inc.
Shadow the Hedgehog (2005), SEGA of America, Inc.
Sonic Gems Collection (2005), SEGA Corporation
Sonic Mega Collection Plus (2004), SEGA of America, Inc.
Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut (2003), SEGA Corporation
Sonic Heroes (2003), SEGA Corporation
Sonic Mega Collection (2002), SEGA Corporation
Sonic Adventure 2 (2001), SEGA of America, Inc.
Sonic Adventure 2: Battle (2001), SEGA Corporation
Sonic Adventure (1998), SEGA Enterprises Ltd.
Sonic Jam (1997), SEGA Enterprises Ltd.
Sonic R (1997), SEGA of America, Inc.
NiGHTS into Dreams... (1996), SEGA Enterprises Ltd.
Sonic 3D Blast (1996), SEGA of America, Inc.
Sonic & Knuckles (1994), SEGA of America, Inc.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (1994), SEGA of America, Inc.