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Zone: 0 Guides Complete!

Thursday, 30th August 2012, 9:00pm (BST), 48 Comments

Update: Sonic & Knuckles guide complete: Death Egg Zone added, The Doomsday Zone and game endings added to the Stages and Stories page, and Downloads page added.

The final guide update is complete, Sonic & Knuckles is now wrapped up with Death Egg Zone, and the Stages and Stories, and Downloads pages. This is where, sadly, Zone: 0 must draw a line under its new guide content and ride off into the sunset.

I sat down and started writing these guides eight years ago this very day. My projects at that time had a history of fizzling out after a few months, and I don't quite know how this one has managed to hold itself together for this long. But I'm grateful that it's received as much support and respect from fans and the Sonic community that it has done, which has allowed me to keep going when it's been a chore as much as it has a complete joy. Although I've said my interest has dwindled in it in the past, I never failed to feel a great sense of pride and accomplishment with every new level guide that I've published, and I hope you've enjoyed reading them as much as I have writing them.

I can't deny a big part of me wants to carry on, my love of Sonic level design and the series as a whole begs me to appreciate more of the games in the same way, and I'm sure getting back into writing (since I haven't actually done a great deal of it in years) would be really fun and invigorating. But there are so many more projects I want to do, and I can't just leave this place hanging, waiting for a promised guide that takes ages to come because I'm doing so many other things, and I have very limited free time anyway. Never say never, I may get the itch again and decide to write up Sonic Adventure or something, but don't hold your breath - at least not any time in the next few years. I just don't want to tie myself down to any more of it right now, I'm sure you'll understand.

What's next? Well, I don't know exactly. As well as being a web developer I also make small games as part of my day job, so a mobile phone game app is something I've been thinking about for some time now. And then of course there's also my ultimate dream - to use my knowledge of Sonic level design to create my own original fan game levels; something I've always wanted to do, and I hope to make at least one of them (and I mean a really awesome one) during my lifetime. However, before you think I'm trotting off to pastures new forever, remember that all I've said so far is that there won't be any new guides written for the forseeable future - that's not to say that guides won't be amended and updated with new pieces of information that you guys have provided me with over the years, or new downloads. Sonic CD for instance is desperately in need of an update to account for the popular 2011 re-release, and I hope to get around to everything that needs amending in due course, after a short break. I would also like to see what I can do about a new look and some new site features, now that I've developed a few new tricks since 2009, when I launched the current design. This blog will also remain in regular use too, for any further Sonic musings I may have or project updates you might be interested in. So if you think I'm now just going to allow this place to gather dust and rot away, think again. At the very least, it will definitely stay online for as long as I can afford to host it (and on that note, may I highlight the new ad banners and invite you to click on a few should they peak your interest.. cough cough).

I thought it would be nice at this point to include some fun stats, including visitor analytics since the current design launched on February 22nd 2009:

- Total number of page views: 1,011,342
- Total number of unique Sonic fans that have visited Zone: 0: 134,372
- Total number of images across the guides: 4558
- Total number of words across the guides: 254,061 (wow)
- Number of community awards won: 3 (I think)
- Number of Zone: 0 maps that have appeared in gaming magazines: 2
- Total time taken to get this far: 8 years on the dot.

Not bad going for a hobby, especially the fact that I've written over 25 times the typical length of a University dissertation just on five Sonic games - that's pretty scary in fact. Why did I do it? How did I do it? Simple really; I love Sonic. I want to tell you everything I can about Sonic because I love it that much, and I wanted a site like this to exist, so I made it exist. I hope that's come across in everything you see here, from the amount of detail I've put into writing about the level structure and visual iconography of Marble Garden Zone, to the placement of every last ring on the map of Spring Yard Zone.

The overall concept has changed a little since my original vision of it came to me - it's more of a strategy guide now than I had originally intended - but I think if the me eight years ago, with his sudden passion for his brand new project idea were to be able to glance ahead into the future and see the final outcome of his wildly ambitious ideas, I would hope that he would be pretty amazed. I would hope that he would put aside the mild disappointment of the fact that I'd covered only five out of sixty-odd Sonic games, and instead see that it's not the quantity but the quality that makes Zone: 0 what it is. I would hope that he would be amazed that a little idea that popped into his head one day had gradually evolved, appeared on screen and slowly grew into a huge virtual library, something truly unique in the community and respected and praised as such, and is only just now coming to an end, as all good things must do at some point. This has not been a flash in the pan, this has been an unlikely idea turned into a reality, after an immense amount of work.

I'm truly grateful that since launching the site, I haven't heard a bad word about it. Everyone genuinely seems to love what I've done here, and I couldn't be more proud about that. It's been my biggest undertaking and it's easily the greatest thing I've ever accomplished. I'm not happy unless I'm working on some sort of significant project, and if this place inspires anyone at all to take up a similar philosophy with their hobbies and passions then that would fill me with joy. I encourage you all to do something, big or small, that makes you feel good and gives you pride to say, "I made that. It took me ages, but I think it's awesome." It doesn't have to be a massive website that takes nearly a decade to make, it can be anything. Don't just play and watch and read without comment. Do something to make people see how it makes you feel and how it inspires you. Those of you loyal readers who have been following the site for a while know that it definitely can take me a little while to get things done around here, but at no point did I want to give up until it was done. Trust me, when you keep going even when what you're doing is tough or tedious, being able to step back from it when it's all done and look at what you've accomplished is so worth it. It makes you glad that you persevered, and made something worthwhile. I love these games, they are my childhood and for me, they're icons of all that is fun and great in life. To think that I have made something personal, yet useable, something that demonstrates my passion, yet something that helps and hopefully inspires, fills me with a special satisfaction that money can't buy. Get out there and show us what you're passionate about!

I want to thank every single one of you that have passed through this site during the last five years that it's been live, and have found it even a little bit useful or interesting. I want to thank anyone who has ever sent me an email or message saying how much they've enjoyed my work - these have been from kids, parents, young people who grew up with Sonic as I did, but have found things here they never knew about (as I did too during my research), new fans experiencing the games for the first time, and Sonic fans who already know everything but love seeing it written and mapped, and who are always eager to add information and make this place the best it can be. I want to thank the regular posters who have always been keeping an eye on my rambling blogs and adding their voices to the comments sections. I won't name you all because I don't want to miss anyone out, but you all know exactly who you are and you should know that I appreciate all of you.

There are two people I will name though, whom I've thanked before but will thank again regardless. Ricky Earl for his outstanding artwork contributions to the Sonic 1 and 2 guides, a brilliant artist and an all round great guy to talk to - I wish him well with his art, and his new life in Sweden. And Mercury, whose talent for programming has made the maps for Sonic CD, and Sonic 3 & Knuckles not only possible, but so much easier. Good luck to him with his new AeStHete game engine and fan game projects. I suggest you click on the ad banner for that, which will remain in circulation.

So what more can I say? I've had a great time, and I hope you've enjoyed my contribution to the Sonic community. Though this chapter ends, it allows new ones to begin, and I hope that my contributions can continue further - I'm pretty sure I'll never stop loving Sonic, and as long as I have ideas, you'll be hearing a lot more from me..!

Enjoy,

LiQuidShade.

Comments 48 Comments have been posted.

#1. Comment posted by Abi on Thursday, 30th August 2012, 9:04pm

:-) x

#2. Comment posted by Adam Unknown on Thursday, 30th August 2012, 9:15pm

*Wipes tears*

#3. Comment posted by Brady Meyers on Thursday, 30th August 2012, 10:18pm

3 CHEERS FOR LQS!

#4. Comment posted by Gemster on Friday, 31st August 2012, 12:53am

Ah, a beautiful wrap-up. Lovely to see it complete, sad to see it end...
LiQuidShade, goodjob, absolutely have loved this, and wish you the best of luck wherever next you are heading to :P
Oh, and if you are interested, Sonic3HD is on the lookout for any designers who would love to help me design a Hard Mode of the game, meaning 100% original level design. If you ever feel up for the task, just tell us :)

#5. Comment posted by Gemster on Friday, 31st August 2012, 12:53am

#6. Comment posted by Brady Meyers on Friday, 31st August 2012, 3:50am

Gemster, you said that 2 times already! fcol

#7. Comment posted by MoDaD on Friday, 31st August 2012, 4:11am

Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication. I'm envious of the level of quality you've put into this site, both in terms of writing and design. I wish you luck in your future projects.

#8. Comment posted by EJ Phree on Friday, 31st August 2012, 4:23am

I would of loved a guide of knuckles' chaotix! Shame to see this go.

#9. Comment posted by Gemster on Friday, 31st August 2012, 8:31am

lol i realized this (and sorry glitch doublepost) xD
but i just wanted to make sure he knew cause he said here in this post that he wants to create awesome level design and such after all this research, and he would be perfect for the job. And its all on free time and he has YEARS of time for making it, so there aint no rush. Just want to make sure he sees the opportunity if he wants it :P
But still, cant believe this is over :P

#10. Comment posted by Smiley225 on Friday, 31st August 2012, 10:17am

Congratulations! Your project was / is really great =)))
greetings from austria ^^

#11. Comment posted by m on Friday, 31st August 2012, 12:51pm

the dedication shows! well done!

#12. Comment posted by AquaRuin on Friday, 31st August 2012, 5:15pm

I remember the time I first came across Zone 0, sometime during October 2010. And since then Zone 0 has continued to be very useful help for me, and undoubtedly many others and it's always fun to re-read. Thank you, LiQuidShade for dedicating what ultimately turned out to be eight years to this project. I wish you good luck for whatever you do in the future! :-)

#13. Comment posted by Fossil on Friday, 31st August 2012, 10:35pm

Really incredible work, well done indeed. All the best for the future.

#14. Comment posted by Kabam! on Saturday, 1st September 2012, 2:00am

I may have missed out on a lot of the site's development, but ever since I joined in mid 2011, it immediately made it onto my favorites list. I have never been more astounded by a website, in fact it is probably the only one good enough to make me have on my iPhone and visit it every day. Yes, this site has also been very helpful for example, that chemical plant zone act 2 passage way around that really hard part was an incredible help along with every special ring location in sonic 3& knuckles and not to mention the amazing way you were able to define the Beautiful graphics of the act that you have made me appreciate so much more. Most importantly, I thank you tremendously for finding every metal sonic hologram and every badnik generator in Sonic CD, that is one of the most amazing things there is in a guide! There is nothing you haven't covered about the original 5 and the fact that you had the strength to not give up is very noble. You are an amazing role model to me and any other visitor on this website! Yes, I know I didn't add too much help to the site but there is hardly anything you haven't covered! I will spread the word to every sonic fan I know of and tell them that this site is the place to be! Congratulations! Enjoy your break and never forget about your efforts and what they came to be! Three Looooong cheers for LiQuidShade indeed! And you bet I am very very welcome for Playing!!! I bet if sonic himself could see this site, he'd be prouder than you an even imagine!! Take Care!

P.S. If you actually read this, thank you for making it worth my while.

#15. Comment posted by Cybershell13 on Saturday, 1st September 2012, 10:17am

I just gotta say I appreciate all the effort you've put in and I truly feel your passion for awesome Sonic games. Been coming to this site every couple months for four years to read your awesome guides, and it'll always remain in my bookmarks.

#16. Comment posted by Brady Meyers on Saturday, 1st September 2012, 1:01pm

As a true sonic fan, I believe that whenever evil strikes again, sonic will be there to put the evil into despair; ultimately becoming world savior. Plus, sonic & his friends will not tolerate being tied down by any evil that gets in their way, big time. I hope that one day soon, sonic & his friends will visit us in our world, through a time portal. If that happens, then we'll fall in love with them, very easily.

To wrap it up, it's an awesome journey for zone:0, and I give LQS my best wishes in his upcoming future; warts & all. Good health, LQS!

Amen.

#17. Comment posted by LiQuidShade on Sunday, 2nd September 2012, 1:05pm

Thank you all, your comments mean a great deal to me, it makes me feel great that this site has had such a positive impact. Thanks a lot for letting me know.

#18. Comment posted by sonicegg09 on Sunday, 2nd September 2012, 4:50pm

пpивeт!

#19. Comment posted by MoDaD on Monday, 3rd September 2012, 4:06am

Hey Cybershell13, when's that Sonic 2 bonus video coming out? :)

#20. Comment posted by Hyper_Sonic on Monday, 3rd September 2012, 7:30am

Good luck for future eandevours LQS!

#21. Comment posted by Sleebo on Tuesday, 4th September 2012, 4:50am

Wow, it's always so weird stumbling upon a site that's reached its end. I just got done using your Sonic CD guide to get the most outta this game I've been wanting to play for years. I let the credits roll and the sort of "aftermath-y" version of Sonic Boom was playing while I read this. Seemed so fitting.

The amount of dedication you've put into this project is inspiring. I didn't even know about you before today, but you already seem like a pretty awesome guy. Best of luck in whatever you choose to do next -- I'm sure it'll be as amazing as this seems to have been. Hell, why not use your eight years' knowledge to make or help make a knockout Sonic game that leaves as much of an impact on us as the Genesis titles did back in the day? Even if it took another eight years, I'd like to see what you could come up with.

#22. Comment posted by Michael on Tuesday, 4th September 2012, 10:25pm

Rather late to the party, I only found this site a couple of weeks ago, but it's been an enormous help to me in finding best routes through the levels, and I love the sheer amount of detail and discussion of every facet of the games, and the beautiful, crystal-clear presentation. Sonic (2 in particular) was part of my childhood and you helped me rediscover its magic :)

#23. Comment posted by Kabam! on Thursday, 6th September 2012, 8:45pm

Yeah cybershell, what about that video? And I totally agree with Brady Meyers. One more thing, if you read this while listening to volcano valley act 2 genesis version, it almost makes you cry. Once again good job.

#24. Comment posted by Brady Meyers on Monday, 10th September 2012, 9:18am

This aeSTHete web site is actually quite interesting to look at. LQS, what do you think of aeSTHete?

#25. Comment posted by Anonymous on Saturday, 29th September 2012, 2:41am

Your site is AWESOME! Thank you!

#26. Comment posted by Kenny Hulpach on Saturday, 29th September 2012, 3:02pm

Thank you so much for creating the beautiful site that will forever remain as my homepage. Please pursue your dreams in making custom sonic levels. I look forward to playing them.

#27. Comment posted by WaddleDee on Monday, 1st October 2012, 11:53pm

Congratulations on this giant site as a whole! This is such a great passion-filled look at some of the best games ever made. I'm sure someone out there with the time will make a guide similar to these on a recent Sonic title. Hopefully this isn't forgotten and can be remembered as a high point for Sonic projects.

Hope you succeed in whatever you plan to do in the future. Whether Sonic related or not I'm sure it'll be loved just as much if not more so. See you later for now!

#28. Comment posted by Thony on Wednesday, 10th October 2012, 11:39am

Sigh... I wish i could to something like this.
congratulations! I am very happy for you. I love your work!

#29. Comment posted by youaregay on Wednesday, 31st October 2012, 12:05am

you're gay

#30. Comment posted by Brady Meyers on Wednesday, 31st October 2012, 2:07am

youaregay, LQS will not accept that.. If you keep on saying anything rude, you're in deep trouble.

#31. Comment posted by Sparragow on Saturday, 10th November 2012, 10:06pm

This is my first comment. I found Zone:0 maybe a couple years ago, don't remember exactly how. I have to congratule you man, 'cause this is one of the most beauty, polite and light websites I've seen in my life! And one of the best Sonic websites too. I didn't used your guides too much because I'm a hardcore Sonic fan but I really enjoyed them with such nice details (captions, mouseover text, great selection of colors, etc.). So, I shall thank you for all the work you've done here. I'm very grateful. It's sad this is over, but I hope you'll do some updates soon, after a good rest hiatus, of course. Greetings from Barcelona.

#32. Comment posted by Anonymous on Sunday, 11th November 2012, 5:40pm

Why not do Knuckles Chaotix!?!?

#33. Comment posted by Anonymous on Sunday, 11th November 2012, 5:40pm

Why not do Knuckles Chaotix!?!?

#34. Comment posted by Kabam! on Tuesday, 20th November 2012, 9:13pm

It's amazing how people are still commenting on this post! :D I guess this website is just that great!

#35. Comment posted by Pete C on Sunday, 25th November 2012, 12:55am

Just wanted to congratulate you on your informative, well-written and very well designed website. The level maps (which led me to your site) are great as well. Well done on all your good work, LiquidShade!

#36. Comment posted by SomeRandomGuy on Tuesday, 11th December 2012, 11:52pm

Same here Pete C! The maps were very heplful (Sonic 3 and Sonic and Knuckles maps mostly) This site has given me tons of help on my sonic games. And just coming here a few weeks ago for some tips and cheats, not know the site was at its end. :( LQS, you have done a great job with the site and with that, thank you! (may the comments on here live on :D )
P.S. this is on my favorites list!

#37. Comment posted by Brady Meyers on Wednesday, 12th December 2012, 10:28am

Today is the 12/12/12, presumably the last of the "same 3 numbers" we'll see. The next "same 3 numbers" date is 1/1/2101. I don't know if Sonic would make it through that long length, not to mention his other friends. But this is a once in a lifetime date for us all. Need I say more? :)

#38. Comment posted by zone0isgay on Sunday, 16th December 2012, 1:49am

you're gay

#39. Comment posted by Eclebright on Wednesday, 19th December 2012, 9:06pm

I commend you, LiQuidShade. Very few Sonic projects are ever seen completed, and this was a huge undertaking. Thanks so much for showing a love for Sonic that few have ever shown in the franchises history.

This is true love for Sonic, and the people that play them. Thank You. =)

#40. Comment posted by Ditto on Saturday, 22nd December 2012, 3:57am

Thanks for the help dude. Ill be waiting for that fan game of yours to come out. No rush of course.
Just do what you want to do.

#41. Comment posted by Tim333 on Wednesday, 2nd January 2013, 6:32am

Thanks so much for this site. The Genesis Sonic games are so, so good, and so packed with secrets. This really is the ultimate guide to them and will continue to be a valuable resource for all Sonic fans.

#42. Comment posted by SonicTailsKnuckles on Wednesday, 16th January 2013, 9:53pm

Your game guides make Zone: 0 worth loving. I have read all your guides, but I definitely will not stop visiting Zone: 0. Thank you so much.

#43. Comment posted by Jake on Monday, 28th January 2013, 3:31am

Hey you think you could make a fan game which involves elements of sonic the hedgehog1-3, knuckles, and cd because i for one would love to see that. I've tried to download sonic worlds but it needs some additional stuff to get it to open and also I'd love a "easy to use" level editor with all the graphics in the games if you can and if you can't I understand that cause it's time consuming. Please respond to this :)

#44. Comment posted by mrspell23 on Sunday, 17th March 2013, 8:29pm

We've all had a great run, but now it's all done...

#45. Comment posted by mrspell23 on Sunday, 17th March 2013, 8:29pm

Get it? Run? *Laughs*

#46. Comment posted by SonicTailsKnuckles on Monday, 18th March 2013, 7:19pm

Oh, and LiQuidShade: What is your favourite game out of the five original amazing guides you made? My favourites are probably Sonic 3 and Sonic and Knuckles.

#47. Comment posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, 20th March 2013, 7:21am

Congratutionatl this is a cool site.

#48. Comment posted by Henry on Wednesday, 15th May 2013, 8:37am

Man, this is awesome! Congratulations!
I really loved the site, so many useful and fantastic things! :D

But how about Knuckles' Chaotix and Sonic 3D Blast? Do you intend to make a complete guide for them too?

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Free banner week starting NOW!

Monday, 27th August 2012, 6:57pm (BST), 5 Comments

Another quickie from me, the free banner week is now underway! But you can still submit your banners between now and the end of the week (end of Sunday 2nd September) to get the banner for your site (or Youtube channel, dA profile, blog, etc) up on this site for the rest of the week, for free. One banner per site, but if you want to take advantage of more than one of the three different banner spots, you can pay $3 per extra banner, and you'll get a full week for those, regardless of when you submit, during this week. Get in touch, because the big final guide update is all on schedule for this Thursday, and I'm expecting lots of extra traffic here as a result, so you'll want to get your ad up in time for that! Check out this post for how to submit.

Hope you're looking forward to the final update, only a few more days to go! I'll either put it up at midnight GMT on the Wednesday night/Thursday morning, or it might be during the Thursday evening, GMT, depending on what's convenient for me. It's all ready and raring to go though so should be no delays :) Expect Death Egg, Doomsday, the game endings and the Downloads page, to wrap up the Sonic & Knuckles guide and the whole Guides section of this website.

See you on Thursday! You won't want to miss it.

Comments 5 Comments have been posted.

#1. Comment posted by Xevo on Thursday, 30th August 2012, 1:23pm

Im really nervous for the update >_< lots of months waiting for this to be finished

#2. Comment posted by Brady Meyers on Thursday, 30th August 2012, 2:25pm

We're all waiting for it in a few hours time. Please remain very patient; it's almost there...

#3. Comment posted by Black Doom Fan on Thursday, 30th August 2012, 6:53pm

Here we go... Should be almost here..

#4. Comment posted by LiQuidShade on Thursday, 30th August 2012, 7:21pm

9pm GMT :)

#5. Comment posted by Adam Parrish on Thursday, 30th August 2012, 8:34pm

What? Still nothing? :(

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Zone: 0 interview at RadioSEGA

Sunday, 19th August 2012, 9:58am (BST), 2 Comments

I was recently interviewed on RadioSEGA, as part of their Fans Chronicles series. I cover things like the origin of Zone: 0, my plans for the final update coming up at the end of this month, and a few favourites of mine! Check it out!

Still accepting banners for my FREE ad banner week, starting 27th August! Check out the previous post for more info!

Comments 2 Comments have been posted.

#1. Comment posted by Adam Unknown on Sunday, 19th August 2012, 6:39pm

You live in London? Whoah, I'm not too far from there.

#2. Comment posted by Brady Meyers on Sunday, 26th August 2012, 4:47pm

LQS, at this time, tomorrow, the scheduled free ad banner week begins. Midway through the free week, the threshold update for soniczone:0 will be present.
On the other hand, you seem to have quite the knowledge used for the game guides in soniczone:0. Hopefully one day soon, even after that threshold update, you MIGHT have other ideas to think of in the future.
But say, what do you plan to do after soniczone:0?

You can talk to me more privately
by following THIS link to my email:

brady.meyers@hotmail.com

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Advertise your site FREE on Zone: 0 from 27th August to 2nd September!

Wednesday, 8th August 2012, 10:04pm (BST), 16 Comments

I mentioned last time that my final guide addition would be joined by something else that would hopefully appeal to other site owners, and generally anyone creative, looking to get their handiwork noticed in the Sonic community. I'd like to announce that during the week of the final update, the last week of August, Zone: 0 will be kicking off an advertising program, beginning with an offer of completely FREE advertising for your website or content page (which can include blog, Youtube channel, deviantArt profile, potentially anything like that) throughout the site, for that one week only!

For those of you not familiar with what I've been up to here, Zone: 0 is a Sonic the Hedgehog fan project that's been in the works for eight years and online for five. Its range of information may be specific within the huge Sonic universe, but it makes up for this in its extreme detail, covering complete guides for the original Mega Drive/Genesis games, including thorough written notes, tonnes of screen shots and most popular of all, the kind of maps you really don't get anywhere else. Popularity and visitor numbers have constantly increased, the site's won community awards for its design and content, and so far this year over 100,000 visitors have passed its gates! Not only that but its wealth of content has them flicking through multiple pages and getting lost for ages in its libraries, and always coming back for more too!

Sadly though, it's a big site and therefore comes with a bit of a hosting price tag, one that's getting harder to afford in my current situation, so it would be nice if the site could start paying for itself, at least in part, using banner ads. To start the ball rolling and gather interest, I thought I'd offer the first week completely free! There are honestly no strings attached to that, if you own a site, you can submit a banner and have me put it up just for that week and that week only - no money, no link back to me, that's fine! However, if I could tempt you to carry it on into the following month for a small cost, on which I'm open to negotiations and deals, then I think you'll consider it worthwhile!

What types of sites and pages are applicable?

What no one really wants though is for this site to be covered in intrusive banners for products that have little or no relevance to anyone and don't match with the type of users we have here (that means you, gambling and porn sites). I want banners on here to be reflective of sites and services that visitors would actually conceivably be interested in, so they're actually useful and not annoying. I found my hosting company through a random ad banner for example, so it doesn't even have to be directly related to Sonic or gaming specifically. I may have to turn you down if your site isn't appropriate, but other than that, my ideas for partners are pretty broad. I would say my visitors typically range from pre-teens to twenty or thirty somethings, often young free and single, yet I've also had lovely messages from Mums and Dads who enjoy the site with their young children too. As such, the types of sites best placed to appear in banners here would be:

- Other Sonic and SEGA fan sites (a no brainer really)

- Other game fan sites (either games in general or particularly Sonic-like games, be they popular kids or classic franchises)

- Other types of gaming sites; reviews, strategy guide sites, etc (and when I say gaming, I DON'T mean gambling)

- Sites that offer online gaming, be it free little flash games or larger ones

- Commercial sites for toys, technology, or anything "geek" related!

- Building a game or some other cool software as a mobile phone app? Advertise it here!

- Don't have a site, but got a Sonic blog, youtube channel, deviantArt account or a page on another type of creative online service? Got something special on there that you've been working hard on? Why not be a part of this as well!

I'm open to all suggestions, so just run your site/page/whatever past me and I'll let you know if I think it has potential to get a few clicks on here!

Where do the banners go?

Banners will go in places where they don't detract too much away from the content, so users can enjoy the site as easily as they always have, but noticeable enough that they're not simply ignored. I have three places in mind, each a different size.

1. Top header banner, 468 x 60 pixels, sitting strikingly at the top of the home page and also any of the individual blog pages. Most visitors will arrive on the main page first, and the blog section remains popular. Your site here will be extremely noticeable! Click here to view.

2. Side square banner, 250 x 250 pixels, sitting to the side of the home page, just beneath the top two stories, and on the side of all blog pages, where it can afford to be the biggest of the three! Click here to view

3. Side square banner, 125 x 125 pixels, positioned alongside all game guide content pages - though this is the smallest banner, it'll catch the eye of the user most frequently as they peruse the many pages of the game guides! Click here to view

During the free week, I can only accept a banner for one of the above spots per site, but if you're desperate, you could buy one or both of the other spots as well for $3 each, for that week. Banners on all three spots will appear on rotation, so a new one will pop in on each load. Therefore, going for less used spots may prove prudent as you might just get more views! Note that if I receive lots of banner requests, the two types of side banner spots may extend to hold more than one banner at a time.

What do I have to do?

- Prepare a banner of exactly the dimensions listed above for your chosen banner spot. It can be an image (jpeg, animated gif or png format), or a flash banner of .swf format.

- If you're going for a flash banner, make sure you make the whole thing clickable, and it links to your site. I can apply the link to an image file, but not a flash file. You'd need to do that yourself. Also, no sounds in there please, they'd probably be quite annoying!

- Please aim for a file size no larger than 100kb for any one banner. A few k over might be ok, but anything significantly bigger might be rejected and in which case you'll be asked to make it smaller!

- Email me your banner and site link, please don't just leave it in a comment on this post or any other method of contact you may have for me, as I may miss it. Send your emails to ads@soniczone0.com

- If you're interested in purchasing space for more than one banner spot, for $3 each, let me know. I can only accept payment through Paypal though!

- The free banner week runs from Monday 27th August to Sunday 2nd September. You can submit your banner at any time between now and the end of that Sunday, but all free banners will be taken down after that time, regardless of whether you were there for the whole week!

What happens after the free banner week?

I'll be accepting paid banners for durations, typically, of one month, in the same banner spots as listed above. Please contact me for pricing though, as there are plenty of deals to be made with multiple banners, and there may be discounts on offer if you're a non-profit site such as a fellow fan site! I'm open to negotiation so please get in touch! I'll be asking any of those who have submitted banners for the free week if they would be interested in extending their time into September for a very reasonable price, but you're under no obligation to do so. If you're interested already, you can contact me now for banner placements in September and beyond, on the email address above.

I think that's pretty much everything! Hopefully I've made it clear enough that it is not my aim to bombard this place with sleazy, annoying ads to make a tidy profit. Acquiring banners for sites and services that are actually potentially useful to my visitors is my main aim here, along with raising enough money to cover hosting bills, so we can all benefit from this! You can help by getting the word out as much as you possibly can, and letting any site-owning or particularly creative friends know about this opportunity to get more hits their way, particularly if they're in need of them! Though I've already said that there will be no new guides after Sonic & Knuckles completes on the 30th August, more ads mean that Zone: 0 is much more likely to continue to exist and branch out into whole new areas as yet unexplored! Stay tuned, and don't forget to give a click to any banners that appeal to you!

Hope to hear from you soon,
LiQuidShade, site owner.

Comments 16 Comments have been posted.

#1. Comment posted by Brady Meyers on Thursday, 9th August 2012, 3:20am

As a regular visitor to soniczone:0, I'm very suprised & pleased of you continued commitment to the unofficial sonic site of the decade. Thumbs up, LQS!

#2. Comment posted by Peenut2k7 on Friday, 10th August 2012, 4:33am

Wait... advertising on MY Zone: 0? Now RetroGamer can get it's grubby little hands on the ultimate Sonic resource! D:

#3. Comment posted by Adam Unknown on Friday, 17th August 2012, 2:08pm

LiquidShade, are you psychic? Me and a few friends started up a gaming-news website/blog not too long ago (reviews, news etc.), and I've been eyeing up temporary, free (or cheap) advertising. What do I have to do to be applicable? :)

#4. Comment posted by Adam Unknown on Friday, 17th August 2012, 2:10pm

Edit - just saw the extra 'What do I have to do?' bit

#5. Comment posted by Adam Unknown on Friday, 17th August 2012, 2:23pm

The main figurehead, Sam, is away for a bit I think, but I know he'd approve! :D

#6. Comment posted by LiQuidShade on Friday, 17th August 2012, 7:37pm

Perfect! Just send a banner when you're ready :)

#7. Comment posted by Adam Unknown on Monday, 20th August 2012, 12:48pm

Ok, I've just sent you a banner. We'd like to take the 468 x 60 one, please.
Thanks!

#8. Comment posted by Brady Meyers on Friday, 24th August 2012, 3:42am

It's my 20th birthday today, August 24

#9. Comment posted by Gemster312 on Monday, 27th August 2012, 5:46am

Not often do i comment here but ive been here at Zone 0 for quite the long long time. A few years. Huge fan though, secretly admiring ;)
Anywho i will be posting a submission soon of my little company i have started up, Crystal Arc Studios. My friend will probably post up the submission. Very happy to see you are doing some free advertisement :D

#10. Comment posted by Dan on Friday, 19th October 2012, 8:45pm

Congrats on finishing. Except that sounds like an understatement.
Your site is nothing short of legendary. Great work on sticking to it all these years, the final product is an incredible, huge, excellently presented package.

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cool saite
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#12. Comment posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, 20th February 2013, 6:06am

Except that sounds like an understatement.
Your site is nothing short of legendary.
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#13. Comment posted by http://en.audiofanzine.com/Inklen/medias/ on Wednesday, 20th February 2013, 6:07am

Except that sounds like an understatement.
Your site is nothing short of legendary.

#14. Comment posted by how to improve credit score on Wednesday, 20th February 2013, 6:08am

Except that sounds like an understatement.
Your site is nothing short of legendary.

#15. Comment posted by how to improve credit score on Wednesday, 20th February 2013, 6:08am

Except that sounds like an understatement.
Your site is nothing short of legendary.

#16. Comment posted by thomas on Monday, 6th May 2013, 10:24am

As a regular visitor to soniczone:0, I'm very suprised & pleased of you continued commitment to the unofficial sonic site of the decade. Thumbs up, LQS! <a href="http://www.touchmods.fr/accessoire-iphone/accessoire-iphone-5/coque-iphone-5.html"> coque iphone 5 </a>

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Zone: 0 guides to reach completion on 30th August

Monday, 30th July 2012, 7:25pm (BST), 10 Comments

Mark it in your calendar! Exactly one month from today, the Zone: 0 guides will finally be complete.

I know it's still a bit of a wait, but I've planned out everything I want to do and given I mostly only have an hour or so each weekday evening to do it all at the moment, it's still a realistic time frame for me. However, 30th August also happens to be the very date, in 2004, when I first sat down to begin writing my earliest drafts of my guides, so to wrap it up neatly in exactly eight years would be awesome. I'll do my best.

Hate to do the whole "announcements of announcements" thing, but website owners will also want to listen up, including other Sonic site owners (particularly smaller ones in need of more exposure), fansites of other game series, similarly geeky sites or any site that my visitors might conceivably also have an interest in. I have an offer planned to coincide with the final update that I'm sure will interest! Come back very soon to find out all about it!

Comments 10 Comments have been posted.

#1. Comment posted by Brady Meyers on Tuesday, 31st July 2012, 7:05am

I'm definately on the edge of my seat!

#2. Comment posted by LOFC_Ed on Tuesday, 31st July 2012, 9:39am

Since I found this guide, I have looked at it everyday at least 3 or 4 times. I would like to pass on my thanks to all of the hard work you have put in.

#3. Comment posted by Brady Meyers on Wednesday, 1st August 2012, 12:38pm

Since we have until august 30, we could talk about some different levels from several sega games.

#4. Comment posted by MoDaD on Wednesday, 1st August 2012, 5:31pm

"website owners will also want to listen up"

Did you have some kind of link exchange in mind?

#5. Comment posted by Brady Meyers on Thursday, 2nd August 2012, 11:31am

One sega game that I played a long time ago, was The Revenge Of Shinobi.
The story of The Revenge Of Shinobi is when Neo Zeed captures Joe Musashi's partner, Naoko. For his revenge, Joe heads over to Neo Zeed's lair, with one of two endings after the final boss battle with Neo Zeed. The bad ending is where Joe defeats Neo Zeed, but loses Naoko in the process. The good ending is where Joe rescues Naoko after defeating Neo Zeed.
Hint: to defeat Neo Zeed and rescue Naoko, a POW powerup must be used very carefully, provided that Joe uses the ninjitsu of Ikazuchi (a lightning shield). In the game, there is 8 levels divided into 3 segments each.
Cheat: there is a secret cheat that you can do that allows your usage of shurikens to become infinite: in the options menu, set the number of shurikens to 00, wait a little while, and then the 00 will become infinite.
Top tip: when going up against a boss, use the 8-way shuriken move (that hits anything in the 0 to 90 degree area when Joe is facing the one direction). Works efficiently in boss battles.
Watch out for certain crates that contain explosives; if you're anywhere near an explosive when it detonates, it'll damage you, and sometimes that'll make you lose your POW powerup. Safety first!

#6. Comment posted by Brady Meyers on Sunday, 5th August 2012, 11:35am

LQS, will there be a blog update in a few weeks?

#7. Comment posted by Sonic the Echidna Prower on Monday, 13th August 2012, 7:22am

Hey man,
first of all congratulations for the guides and everything that's on this website. The information is all clear, concise, worthwhile and with a lot of thought, research and love put to it. These guides are absolutely detailed but you never go out the boundaries or speak bullshit. In that sense I think the info is really well chosen and filtered. Even though I played the games a million times back in the day and know the games inside out I still get amazed with your site.
Second, congratulations for the design and the programming of the website. The use and blend of the Sonic graphics is really well done for the menus, titles, banners and such. I specially love the background. Then, the site never lags, even though it has a lot of nice dynamic details. I am using a netbook primarily to surf the web and a lot of top websites really lag on my machine. Also, I love how I don't get bombarded with bullshit in this site, loads quick, is responsive and has the info I want. I wish more websites performed like yours. Some professional blogs and such, they only have to present text, pictures and sometimes comments yet they lag. You nailed it. Also +1 for not having to log in anywhere to comment.
Again congratulations for the excellent job you did with this website.
Have a good day.

#8. Comment posted by FunkyFranky80 on Monday, 13th August 2012, 9:11am

Hi there,
your site is one of the best in the net related to the classic Sonic games,and i cant wait to see it complete.I know your site since 2 or 3 years now,and its really well done,the design,the infos,and the maps for the games.
Special props for the design:
It´s probably the most beautiful page ive seen so far for the classic games.
Big THANKS to you man!
Sorry for my bad english -.-
Have a nice day

#9. Comment posted by LiQuidShade on Tuesday, 14th August 2012, 11:37pm

Thanks guys! Really appreciate your kind words. It's always really nice to hear :)

#10. Comment posted by Brady Meyers on Wednesday, 15th August 2012, 7:31am

LQS, do you have anything else to do after the completion of soniczone:0?

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The road to Death Egg starts here

Tuesday, 26th June 2012, 2:39pm (BST), 39 Comments

Update: Miscellaneous Page added to the Sonic & Knuckles section

Just a quick update, which as I mentioned before, should really have come with the Other Modes section, but since I had a spare half a week with Internet, I thought I better put it up. It's not much, but the Miscellaneous Page covers off some cheats and a couple of other versions of the game worth mentioning.

Now we're heading towards our final destination, not just of this guide but this series of guides. The next update will be the last, in terms of new guide content, and will comprise of Death Egg Zone, The Doomsday Zone, game endings and the Downloads page. Expect this hopefully within the next couple of months, to wrap up the whole thing neatly into a project that has lasted a full, and quite astounding eight years.

Other than continuous small tweaks and amendments that are likely to still be ongoing, I'll let you know what, if anything, will be going on around here after, or shortly before the final update occurs. It won't be new guides, but it MIGHT be something else. I still haven't decided yet.

Start getting excited, we're almost there!

Comments 39 Comments have been posted.

#1. Comment posted by JamesTheEchidna on Tuesday, 26th June 2012, 4:51pm

Great Work, you have made one of the best Sonic guides ever to be made by human hands!

#2. Comment posted by Chaos Ace on Wednesday, 27th June 2012, 4:25am

You know, once everything is all said and done, you'll still visit your ol' friends here at Zone: 0, now, won't you, LiquiShade?

#3. Comment posted by Hyper_Sonic on Wednesday, 27th June 2012, 8:34am

hmmm...

#4. Comment posted by LiQuidShade on Wednesday, 27th June 2012, 9:14am

Oh yeah, of course! Regardless of what happens, I'll still need somewhere to blog about Sonic or any upcoming Sonic-based projects of mine!

#5. Comment posted by Adam Unknown on Saturday, 30th June 2012, 10:15am

Hey LiquidShade, how are you? We've not spoken in a while...

#6. Comment posted by LiQuidShade on Sunday, 1st July 2012, 7:52am

I'm alright thanks - how are you?

#7. Comment posted by Adam Unknown on Sunday, 1st July 2012, 7:12pm

I'm also fine. Are you going to Summer Of Sonic? I wish I could say I was...

#8. Comment posted by LiQuidShade on Sunday, 1st July 2012, 10:04pm

Unfortunately not this year, no, I'm busy :(

#9. Comment posted by Adam Unknown on Monday, 2nd July 2012, 8:00am

The tickets sold out faster than even Sonic could have anticipated. And annoyingly, I have family in Brighton I frequently visit - going to SOS this year would have been ideal...

Oh yeah, if you need any more favours done, let me know :)
I'm busy now, but I'll get it done when I'm less busy

#10. Comment posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, 4th July 2012, 12:05pm

Dude please, i hope you upload Death Egg and Doomsday Zone maps soon? :( your site is awesome really, i love it!

#11. Comment posted by Hyper_Sonic on Thursday, 5th July 2012, 7:01am

"Dude please, i hope you upload Death Egg and Doomsday Zone maps soon? :( your site is awesome really, i love it!

For 101st time... aww, what's the use!

#12. Comment posted by LiQuidShade on Saturday, 7th July 2012, 8:07am

There will be Death Egg maps. There will be no Doomsday map. I'm made a start, you'll see it within the next couple of months.

#13. Comment posted by Brady Meyers on Saturday, 7th July 2012, 10:55am

One particular puzzle in Death Egg Zone Act 1 is a large room with a gravity-defying twist.
At the center of the room is a moving obstacle with 6 switches in total. These switches must be pressed before the far right end of the room opens. Once it does open, just simply go right and continue onwards. That is a top tip by me.

Any objections?

#14. Comment posted by Anonymous on Saturday, 7th July 2012, 4:43pm

How about doing the Sonic 4 series

#15. Comment posted by Brady Meyers on Saturday, 7th July 2012, 6:47pm

Anonymous, this section has nothing to do with sonic 4.
This is a section related to the upcoming Death Egg and Doomsday Zones.
Only the founder of soniczone:0 will tell you about what's happening.

#16. Comment posted by Brady Meyers on Sunday, 8th July 2012, 8:08am

Anyway,
In Death Egg Zone Act 2, there is a combination of right-side up and upside-down segments that happens only in this act. The same goes for the act 2 boss, controlled by eggman at the far right of the room, outside the battle area.
But that doesn't stop there. After defeating the act 2 boss, the wall to the right crumbles, opening the way to a more powerful, final boss. This happens for Tails only, even if he has all 14 emeralds activated as well as the master emerald. But eggman harnesses the power of the master emerald in the second phase of the final boss, using it as a weapon of mass-destruction.
A powerful beam of energy is fired at you after eggman has charged up it's emerald power. However, eggman can still be deated like that of phase 1, a total of 16 hits is all it takes to destroy eggman's super destructive robot and free the emerald (not if eggman can get away with it). The entire death egg starts to self destruct, leaving eggman to flee the area, chased down by sonic & tails; with an additional 8 hits to eggman, he drops the master emerald onto the ground, and if played by tails, marks the end of the story.

#17. Comment posted by Hyper_Sonic on Sunday, 8th July 2012, 11:21am

Um, Brady, what exactly is your objective by writing all this?

#18. Comment posted by Brady Meyers on Sunday, 8th July 2012, 6:13pm

I'm simply assisting the founder of soniczone:0 for the final updates to come.

#19. Comment posted by LiQuidShade on Monday, 9th July 2012, 3:05pm

Thanks Brady, but all of the text for my guides was already written years ago. I update it a bit, but the maps, screens and building of the page is the main stuff that I do at the moment, so I'm fine, thank you.

#20. Comment posted by Brady Meyers on Monday, 9th July 2012, 11:04pm

No pressure, LiQuidShade.
I do my best to give certain info on S&K's very difficult levels, whenever I have the time to do so. It's something that I sometimes do on this site.
Anyway, I think the difficulty rating for both Death Egg & Doomsday zones are at the highest levels, at 5 stars for D.E.Z.(Death Egg Zone in short), & 5 stars for Doomsday Zone.

Need I say anymore?

#21. Comment posted by Adam Unknown on Wednesday, 11th July 2012, 4:48pm

Hey LS, what's happening with Ricky Earl? Does he still draw stuff? His art is really great!

#22. Comment posted by LiQuidShade on Thursday, 12th July 2012, 6:38pm

You can keep up with him on his blog (should be on the links section of the homepage), but he's normally quite busy. Hopefully he'll have time for more Sonic work but we'll see :)

#23. Comment posted by Brady Meyers on Monday, 16th July 2012, 1:22pm

I don't suppose that in the future, would there ever be a story on the hit Dreamcast title: Sonic Adventure? If there is, then I hope that the new writer(s) will get it sorted.

Personally, I prefer the new writer(s) to be just as successful as the head soniczone:0 writer, Ricky Earl.

#24. Comment posted by Hyper_Sonic on Thursday, 19th July 2012, 6:23am

"Personally, I prefer the new writer(s) to be just as successful as the head soniczone:0 writer, Ricky Earl"

You mean LiQuidshade?

LQS has been hunting for writers for years, and never found a serious one who actually wrote a guide. :(

#25. Comment posted by Brady Meyers on Thursday, 19th July 2012, 6:52am

I prefer LQS as Ricky Earl.

#26. Comment posted by Hyper_Sonic on Thursday, 19th July 2012, 12:39pm

They're differnt people.

#27. Comment posted by Brady Meyers on Thursday, 19th July 2012, 2:15pm

Er, you got some spelling wrong, Hyper_Sonic

#28. Comment posted by Hyper_Sonic on Saturday, 21st July 2012, 11:49am

Whoops, sorry! My bad. So, what have you been up to lately, Brady?

#29. Comment posted by Brady Meyers on Saturday, 21st July 2012, 2:03pm

Oh, I don't know... I've kept myself busy on one of my non-sega games, but it's also one of my favourites: Gran Turismo 5 by Polyphony Digital.

This makes me want to ask a dream question: "What if there was an ultimate dream showdown between Sonic The Hedgehog and the mighty Bugatti Veyron... who will be the winner?"

The same question will also count for Shadow The Hedgehog and Silver The Hedgehog as well.

Together, Sonic, Shadow and Silver will have what it takes to give the mighty Bugatti Veyron a run for it's money. I'm going to enjoy this! :)

#30. Comment posted by Hyper_Sonic on Sunday, 22nd July 2012, 11:56am

"What if there was an ultimate dream showdown between Sonic The Hedgehog and the mighty Bugatti Veyron... who will be the winner?"

Bugatti Veyron >400 km/h
Sonic the Hedgehog >1100 km/h

I think the winner is clear.

#31. Comment posted by Brady Meyers on Sunday, 22nd July 2012, 1:22pm

Slight problem...
...you left Shadow & Silver out of it.

I'll say it again... Sonic, Shadow & Silver vs the Bugatti Veyron (top speed 407 km/h), by the original founder, Ettore Bugatti.

LQS can probably pardon me

<to a different subject>

If you play the non-sega game called GT5, you'll see that there is more than just the bugatti veyron; over 1,000 cars are also there. Pescarolo, Pagani, Mclaren UK, TVR, Dodge, Shelby, Audi, Bentley, Mercedes-Benz, Panoz, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Toyota, BMW, Mini, Volkswagen, RUF, Peugeot, Citroen, Lotus, Ginetta, Vauxhall, Opel, Lister...

...oh, was that too much? :)

(25 car makers shown)

#32. Comment posted by Hyper_Sonic on Tuesday, 24th July 2012, 8:14am

I left shadow and silver out because I do not know the answer.

Also, well done, you know stuff about cars!

#33. Comment posted by Brady Meyers on Tuesday, 24th July 2012, 8:56am

If you want to talk to me more privatly, Hyper_Sonic, email me.

#34. Comment posted by Hyper_Sonic on Wednesday, 25th July 2012, 12:28pm

What's your e-mail?

#35. Comment posted by Brady Meyers on Thursday, 26th July 2012, 3:29am

brady.meyers@hotmail.com

#36. Comment posted by Brady Meyers on Saturday, 28th July 2012, 1:29pm

LQS, how much longer is it until the final update for soniczone:0?

#37. Comment posted by LiQuidShade on Sunday, 29th July 2012, 10:52am

I'm about to announce that shortly, stay tuned!

#38. Comment posted by Brady Meyers on Sunday, 29th July 2012, 2:41pm

So, the final countdown begins... Death Egg & the Doomsday will of course be on the road to victory; not to mention the downloads page. It's almost time...

#39. Comment posted by Brady Meyers on Monday, 30th July 2012, 6:54am

Turning my attention to Sonic CD; the PS3/PSN version (which I play) has a more easier & more exciting journey. When you start the story with sonic, the animated opening movie is shown. After the opening movie, the game begins.

One very common interest in the PS3/PSN version is that you can play as tails, not normally used in the original Sonic CD; it's a first in a long time.

The music comes in 2 different versions: JP (Japanese version) & US (Original version). Instead of the music fading out, it just continues onwards.

And, as well as being given the task to get all 12 trophies on Sonic CD PS3/PSN, it's a barnburner for sure.

A few hidden objects to break open (only possible with debug mode) is the Clock TV and the S TV icons. The clock tv has little or no affect in the game, however the S tv speeds you up, and gives you temporary invincibility in turn. Much like power sneakers & invincibility in one simple tv. A very tall order, but there you go.

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