The masters of RPG genre BioWare and worldwide renowned games producer and publisher SEGA recently announced a new partnership, whose outcome will be the first Sonic role playing game ever.

Along with Blizzard and Obsidian Entertainment, BioWare Studios are among the top RPG-games developers out there, and titles like Jade Empire, Star Wars: KOTOR or the upcoming Xbox 360 exclusive Mass Effect stand out to prove it.

SEGA is also looking to expand its business and regain its former position in the gaming industry, by signing names like Obsidian (for the Aliens RPG due in 2009) and Gearbox Software (for the Aliens FPS).

The partnership with BioWare to produce a Sonic RPG is following the same path SEGA decided to take after Nintendo surpassed them (Nintendo has now a market value of more than $45 billion). In the past few years SEGA has announced deals with high-profile developers like Bizarre Creations, Gas Powered Games, Monolith Productions, Planet Moon Studios, Pseudo Interactive and Silicon Knights. SEGA has also acquired development studios The Creative Assembly, Secret Level and Sports Interactive.

The Sonic RPG is set to launch for the DS, with a launch date and name yet unknown, but at least we have some indications that it will come out next year.

"BioWare is one of the hottest names in RPG development in the world," said Simon Jeffery, President and COO, SEGA of America, Inc. "Everyone at SEGA has huge confidence that Sonic is in the safest of hands, and that BioWare can create the ultimate handheld RPG experience for gamers of all ages."

"We're thrilled to be working with SEGA on Sonic, one of the industry's most enduring and compelling icons," said Greg Zeschuk, president of BioWare. "As huge fans of Sonic ourselves, we're committed to delivering a truly amazing story-driven experience within the Sonic universe, focusing on capturing the character's broad appeal and placing him in a completely original adventure," added Ray Muzyka, chief executive officer of BioWare.