TheKKM

Ian wanted them to not have any memories (so it'd be a clean reboot and easily say to everyone "look, guys, we're not going back"), Paul Kaminski wanted them to keep the memories (to keep the connection to the old canon and sell reprints I assume), they compromised on them remembering at first but forgetting eventually. Which is where we are now, they basically don't remember it. Also, all SEGA characters are game-age now.