#oh you know me thinking about ShtH as usual dhgjsnkgfmdk

[egg-emperor]

Those that dislike my take on Eggman's evilness should also know that one of my first pieces of Sonic media (besides X) where I got an actual idea of his character was Shadow the Hedgehog. Heroes was my first game and he was of course barely present.

Shadow the Hedgehog was the game where he was willing to put the truth of him being his grandfather's creation aside so he could lie to Shadow to have control over him. Keep in mind that this was during the time where Shadow was having issues with his flashbacks and Black Doom mysteriously acting like he knows him. While trying to figure it all out, Eggman only comes in and confuses him even more by dismissing all of it, telling him that he has no past at all. And that was all for his personal gain so he could take ownership of him like a family heirloom.

While this aspect of the plot didn't hold much significance to the game in the end, I was so damn intrigued by the concept of Eggman getting Shadow to work with him and accept him as his master. Especially when I went on to play the Adventure games after and learned more about their connection because he was the one to release him and the one to later have him rescued, only to create copies of him and lie to him about his creation.

I felt that there was missed potential with that story idea due to how Eggman would die by karate chop (in multiple slightly different endings) before the concept could be explored any more. I wanted to see it get more spotlight and better yet, have one of the routes be a what if of Shadow being loyal to him for a little longer, instead of it resulting in an Eggman death every non canon ending.

That's why I started creating my own version back then and I still further develop my ideas for it to this day. I find it interesting to look into how Eggman really played with Shadow's mind, dismissed the confusion he had about his past, and the assignments he may set for him to retrieve the emeralds. Eggman has some very cruel and aggressive moments in it, just as he did in the boss cutscenes in the game, where he was very pissed off and threatening.

I've presented him as sinister and mysterious to Shadow, also aggressive and threatening when he gets violent. But he's also the same man that finds a way to enjoy himself the entire time despite the invasion of the Black Arms and the trouble that GUN gives him, gets giddy showing off his Circus Park to Shadow and is still just as comical as his usual unique and jolly self. I enjoy working with the potential of all of that.

It's fun to look into the minds of villainous characters and the true evil they're capable of in general. But when I've liked an edgy game like ShtH unironically and thought about adding more depth to it for so long, it's evident that darker themes are always something that I have been fascinated by and interested in exploring. :P

It’s not just ShtH that has inspired me either. There’s a lot of moments across Sonic media and comics that play a part in how I write Eggman’s personality, actions and behavior.

The Adventure games are one of the most notable as my favorite moments were more great examples of what he can do. Such as nearly blowing up Station Square, the way it was later destroyed by the ancient water god that he awakened, how he threatened to destroy the planet with the eclipse cannon, and his blatant attempts at trying to kill the young members of the main cast- which are just a few examples from that era alone.

What I'm saying here is that a villain's comedy, diabolical schemes and any other aspects of their character are all to be enjoyed and it's perfectly fine to find any or all of it entertaining. He's a villain and does evil things like villains do (but in one of the most unique and interesting ways, might I add) and that's great, along with everything else!