In March, fans got the first of three post-launch updates for Sonic Frontiers that act as free DLC to all players. The first wave, Sonic Frontier's Sights, Sounds, and Speed update, added a Photo Mode, a Juke Box of classic Sonic songs, two Challenge Modes designed for those who have beaten the game already, and more. Needless to say, the first DLC for the latest release from Sonic Team has plenty to keep players busy in-between waves.
Though, when the Sights, Sounds, and Speed update went live, many fans were confused as to why it was released so suddenly on March 22 with very little fanfare beforehand. After Sega revealed the 2023 content roadmap for Sonic Frontiers, the company fell relatively radio silent until just a few days prior. It made fans feel like the update could have possibly been rushed or had no dedicated marketing team behind it, but it may be a set-up for bigger, important dates.
Sonic Frontiers DLC Wave 2 Will Release in June
While the informational image about what each Sonic Frontiers update will contain didn't say much in terms of when fans could expect them to release, there was one big hint that gave one important date away. The second wave is said to include features made specifically to celebrate Sonic's birthday. The blue blur's birthday aligns with the anniversary of the series as a whole, which is always celebrated on June 23. In order for the birthday-themed content to be delivered in a timely fashion, the update has to go live a few days before, or on June 23 exactly. How timely the DLC will be might rely on when the storefronts that distribute the updates will let Sega release the update.
This makes a pattern between Frontiers' content waves incredibly clear. While the specific date in March seemed strange, the fact that the second update is due at the same time in June makes it easier to see that Sega might be aiming to release these waves on or around the 23rd of certain months. With how it was possible to predict that the Sonic Frontiers DLC would release every three months, the last update is likely to release on or around September 23.
Why September 23 is Important to Sonic Frontiers
September 23 may seem like a strange date like the first update's, but it actually holds important significance when one looks at the trends the Sonic franchise is following in 2023. Several things are slated to release this year, and a majority of them have to deal with Amy and how the game that introduced her, Sonic CD, turns 30 this year. Sonic CD was first released in Japan on September 23.
The last Sonic Frontiers update is set to add some new playable characters. While the identities of these characters haven't been formally revealed, files added in the March 22 update of Frontiers have more or less confirmed who they are. It's understandable as to why the last Sonic Frontiers DLC pack would go live around or on September 23, as like Sonic Origins Plus, the last update helps make Amy a playable character in the mainline games after 17 years.
It's a fun nod to Amy's history to have her become playable in Frontiers when she, as a character, turns 30 years old that also helps break further ground on what's normally expected from Sonic anniversaries. There's been tons of content to make Amy fans happy this year, and it could be argued that she's getting more attention than Sonic's Miles "Tails" Prower himself did last year. However, these DLC packs for Frontiers are still in development, and things could change to where these updates come out either earlier or later than expected. All fans can do is wait for further announcements from Sega for now.
Sonic Frontiers is available on Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
