SEGA will be introducing a completely new character in the next "Sonic the Hedgehog" game, codenamed "Project Sonic 2017."

The upcoming "Sonic" game, which was introduced by SEGA earlier this year at San Diego Comic-Con, will showcase a new character when it drops later next year. Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka was said to confirm this during a recent live stream event in Japan.

The information was posted by Bluestorm_SONIC on Twitter, which was translated by All Source Gaming.

.@DarkHoodedGamer We have plans to introduce a completely new character in Project 2017.

— PushDustIn (@PushDustIn) October 28, 2016

During the live stream event, which was for the Japanese release of Nintendo 3DS platformer "Sonic Boom: Fire and Ice," the game designer said that the team has plans for a brand new character for the upcoming "Sonic the Hedgehog" game.

All Source Gaming speculates that this will be a completely brand new character, and not just a new version of the popular blue hedgehog.

The Sonic Team, who is the same team responsible for "Sonic Generations" and "Sonic Colors," confirmed during the game's reveal that Sonic fans can expect both a "modern" and "classic" Sonic to make an appearance in the game, according to Endgadget.

Iizuka also confirmed that while "Project Sonic 2017" has a lot of similar elements with his 2011 Sonic title "Sonic Generations," the upcoming game is a standalone game with a completely original story, and not a sequel, Twinfinite reported.

The "Sonic the Hedgehog" game veteran added that there will be another new feature added on top of the classic and modern stages shown on the trailer.

Fans are expecting a lot from the upcoming "Sonic the Hedgehog" game, as most of the recent titles have been poorly received by many. "Sonic Boom: Fire and Ice" received a score of only 62 over 100 on review score aggregator Metacritic.

The new "Sonic the Hedgehog" title, still under its tentative name "Project Sonic 2017," will be released on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch during the 2017 Holiday season. Stay tuned for more updates.