Sega Announces new 2D Sonic title

[Vipershark]

yeah, I'm gonna agree with that. perhaps this is why they went episodic?

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that was to make more cash.
Make 3 or more episodes at 5 bucks each rather than one whole game at ~10 bucks gets you more cash. Not to mention a possible "compilation" game on disc could be sold for 30 bucks, and chances are that downloaders would get the disc also, meaning they'd get repeat buyers, aka more cash.

I think that was more from a business standpoint.