Ninja Theory Defends Their Involvement In Devil May Cry

Death threats or not, Ninja Theory is going to hold fast and produce the best game possible.

We believe that. And it's not like the team is surprised at the negative backlash; when a publisher farms out a beloved franchise, there's bound to be some...well, fan ire floating about. Has been for some time.

But it seems Ninja Theory boss Tameem Antoniades had a bit of an edge in his tone when he told NowGamer that his team wasn't just a "bunch of monkeys." And as far as we're concerned, he's entitled to that tone. Said Antoniades:

"We were all prepared for a negative reaction to an extent. Capcom moved one of their much-loved franchises to an external studio for it to be taken in a new direction. It would be naive to think that there wouldn’t be a reaction," Antionades said of the initial fan reponse to the new-look Dante and wor do Ninja Theory's involvement.

We’re happy and we have the full support of Capcom with our chosen narrative and gameplay direction. This approval alone should assure people that although this is a re-birth, with some bold decisions being made, we are not just a bunch of monkeys."

What's really interesting about these comments is that they were made on December 8, before the death threats. As you can see, Ninja Theory has always believed in themselves and it seems like they can thrive on the negative energy of pissed-off fans. We really think the above statements should be remembered when viewing DMC, because it seems to capture the drive of the developers.

Just give 'em a break. Let's see what happens.

Related Game(s): DMC

Tags: dmc, devil may cry, devil may cry reboot, ninja theory, capcom

1/8/2012 9:02:35 PM Ben Dutka

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Comments (34 posts)

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JLB1
Sunday, January 08, 2012 @ 9:51:33 PM
Reply

I've played DMC 2 and 4, so I'm definitely no die hard of the franchise. The new look doesn't bother me as much as, say, when Sucker Punch changed the look of Cole(which they ended up changing but the situation never escalated to the point in which it did with Ninja Theory). They're going about the situation fine, and the final project which appears to be a DMC at heart will also do fine. It's just really sad at how some of the fans have gone about handling this.

0 up, 0 down

ZenChichiri
Sunday, January 08, 2012 @ 9:56:38 PM

Darn you've played the worst the series has to offer. I highly recommend picking up the DMC HD collection when it comes out because 1 and 3 are awesome and perhaps you will change your view of die hardedness ;)

2 up, 1 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, January 08, 2012 @ 10:02:52 PM

DMC4 was great. :)

4 up, 1 down

JLB1
Sunday, January 08, 2012 @ 10:09:58 PM

Well, I agree with Ben that 4 was a great game. The 2nd, not so much, but it wasn't bad either. As far as I'm concerned, from what I played, DMC 2 and 4 have done well to want me to come back into the DMC universe. So, taking that into consideration, if 1 and 3 were even better, that's fantastic. I just may check out the HD collection.

2 up, 0 down

ZenChichiri
Sunday, January 08, 2012 @ 10:14:47 PM

When I say the worst the series has to offer I mean the worst in an amazing series, which is still pretty good (aside from 2, yuck). The gameplay of 4 was awesome, the backtracking and story I didn't like though :(

It felt like a side story with loose tie ins (Vergil's arm) that didn't really go anywhere. If they had continued it in another sequel and made Nero more important, 4 would have more meaning, but now they've turned to a reboot (which looks good though)! Reminds me of how they just forgot about the new Prince of Persia game that came out for PS3.

Last edited by ZenChichiri on 1/8/2012 10:15:51 PM

2 up, 0 down

Dridion
Monday, January 09, 2012 @ 8:42:04 AM

Yup say it time and time again lol, two WAS trash and four was just okay and super repetitive. DO yourself a favor and take ZenChichiri's advise...PLAY THREE NOW! It' absolutely blows all the other games out the water...especially 2 and 4.

Again four was fine BUT coming off of three we expected a much better tale and less repetitiveness.

0 up, 0 down

Sol
Monday, January 09, 2012 @ 8:01:16 PM

I second that Ben.

0 up, 0 down

playaplus
Sunday, January 08, 2012 @ 9:55:24 PM
Reply

ninja who? yeah,I dont know them til they make a heavenly sword sequel w sony

3 up, 2 down

ZenChichiri
Sunday, January 08, 2012 @ 10:01:19 PM
Reply

People should realize that change isn't always a bad thing. We need to have a wait and see attitude with this one. I was a bit shocked at first when they changed Dante, but heck, a change in appearance won't ruin a potentially awesome game.

They have so much they can do with it, especially with how Dante develops. I hope that they do into detail with how his hair changes color and eventually in the game we get to see it happen.

But I guess we might have to wait for the sequel's sequel, with how businesses treat gaming stories these days.

1 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, January 08, 2012 @ 10:07:18 PM

I know it goes white when he uses his super powers, maybe using them too much is permanent.

0 up, 0 down

ZenChichiri
Sunday, January 08, 2012 @ 10:17:50 PM

Ah I didn't know that. Pretty cool tidbit of info. I'm happy as long as they don't reboot the entirety of the story. As long as the other games are all still canon with this, and they don't throw everything out the window, I'm alright. It would be cool to see how he gets a permanent change to his hair though ;)

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, January 08, 2012 @ 10:20:16 PM

Sorry man, the whole thing is being thrown out the window except Dante and his attitude. This is Dante in a kind of parallel universe storyline that is similar to the other but with a different origin. He's half devil and half angel and has corresponding powers.

0 up, 0 down

ZenChichiri
Sunday, January 08, 2012 @ 10:28:14 PM

I hate it when this happens. They just reboot it and drop the story. If you want to change the story, make a spiritual successor to the series with a different name and different protagonist but with the new mechanis you want.

I know I know brand recognition and all that, but it infuriates me to know that the old story is just a stain on a piece of toilet paper flowing through some pipes to the sewer.

Also, I'm still excited for the game because the DMC series are my favourite action/platformer hybrids, but I'm just a little more skeptical now. Let's hope Ninja Theory changes my mind upon playing the game.

Last edited by ZenChichiri on 1/8/2012 10:29:03 PM

3 up, 0 down

Lawless SXE
Monday, January 09, 2012 @ 12:52:49 AM

I'm not sure that they're actually just throwing everything away. The parallel dimension thing leaves room for a return to the original series later on down the track (perhaps the continuation of both forms of DMC?). Besides that, may we not forget the HD Collection. Surely Capcom isn't trundling that out to raise hype for the "rebirth", considering it has such immense changes. It sort of makes it likely that they will, at some point return to the original canon.

Maybe I'm just torn as I've not yet played most of the series and really want to see NT's take.

0 up, 0 down

johnld
Sunday, January 08, 2012 @ 10:03:00 PM
Reply

for me, ninja theories work ethic is hard to shake off. let them ruin their own game but not an established franchise. they may have capcom's approval but they havent been making good decisions recently have they. they better spend some actual time polishing it. no more of that game is done, thats what matters thinking they showed with enslaved. if this game sells worse than heavenly sword then i'll laugh my @$$ off. lets see their definition of success then.

2 up, 3 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, January 08, 2012 @ 10:20:42 PM

You can't say they don't have great stories though.

3 up, 1 down

johnld
Sunday, January 08, 2012 @ 11:36:42 PM

i'm not going to disagree with you on that. they have great concepts/story and i loved both heavenly sword and enslaved. where they stumble is on the execution part, their work ethic. it was painfully obvious during the enslave production period. their enthusiasm and support for the game was pathetic. the interviews they've done kinda showed that they dont expect much from the game. then theres the retail release of the game. it clearly lacks polish. sound and dialog comes off sync and the glitches/problems during gameplay. clearly the game needed a bit more polish before they released it. i'm not too into the franchise but i do like playing them so i'll keep an eye on this. i'll most likely get this when its real cheap though.

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, January 08, 2012 @ 10:05:36 PM
Reply

I'm ready, I want it, I like the new Dante, bring it ooooon!

2 up, 0 down

Lawless SXE
Monday, January 09, 2012 @ 1:02:31 AM
Reply

I do believe you've made an error in the quote by including the following: "Antionades said of the initial fan reponse to the new-look Dante and wor do Ninja Theory's involvement."
It's a direct quote from the source, yes, but not Antonaides, so it, perhaps, shouldn't be there. If I'm wrong, so be it, I'm not a professional journalist.
Also, just because we learnt of the death threats only last week doesn't mean they weren't made then. They could have been coming in for months, so to say that December 8th is before them is... questionable.

Enough. Antonaides can't be denied here, though I don't understand why he is so desperate to defend himself. It's the sign of an unsure person (or studio in this case). Forget what everyone is saying and shut them up by putting forward your best effort and really wow them with what you've managed to create.

Ninja Theory are as capable as anyone else out there, they've already proven that on just about every front there is to prove it on. They're not monkeys; they are some of the best storytellers in the business, and although they may have a skewed view of success, they know how to take on feedback and adapt to what they are trying to do with their latest game.

Simply: They are not going to f**k this up.

P.S. Can anyone tell me whether Andy Serkis is involved with DmC? Because I don't recall seeing him mentioned anywhere in conjunction with this game, in spite of his heavy involvement with both of NT's previous.

1 up, 0 down

Lawless SXE
Monday, January 09, 2012 @ 3:38:58 AM

"doesn't mean they *WERE* made then."

Last edited by Lawless SXE on 1/9/2012 3:39:32 AM

0 up, 0 down

ZenChichiri
Monday, January 09, 2012 @ 1:45:24 AM
Reply

All I can say is that if Ninja Theory doesn't deliver on one of my favourite franchises, I'll look up to the sky and yell:

"Why weren't you the ones to fill my darkened soul with liiiiiiiiiiiiiiight!!!"

0 up, 0 down

Kangasfwa
Monday, January 09, 2012 @ 2:09:24 AM

I have always wondered if that scene translated poorly, somehow.

0 up, 0 down

Kevin555
Monday, January 09, 2012 @ 3:11:09 AM
Reply

I will openly admit, at first i had my face in my hands in utmost disgust when i saw the new look "Dante" with his dead beat, drop kick look but after watching a good handful of videos & seeing some of the comcos in action i am starting to like what i see.

Before, this game to me was one to avoid, now it's atleast a rent. Looking forward to it & as a DMC fan i hope Ninja Theory can pull it off.

For me thus far though the best to worst DMC games goes like this:

DMC>DMC3>DMC4>DMC2......here's hoping this DmC can atleast surpass DMC2 & hopefully DMC4 but i cannot imagine it ever touching the heights of the original, but there is nothing wrong with that.

As for death threats to the developers? Wow....even my Tekken bias isn't that bad ;)

0 up, 0 down

Snaaaake
Monday, January 09, 2012 @ 7:45:50 AM
Reply

Watching the trailer of DmC, I think the lip-syncing has been downed a bit.

In HS it was awesome while in Enslaved it was great too yet in DmC it only look normal.

0 up, 0 down

GuyverLT
Monday, January 09, 2012 @ 3:08:01 PM

Well they were using a completely different engine with HS tho

0 up, 0 down

Ignitus
Monday, January 09, 2012 @ 8:43:49 AM
Reply

Platinum Games should of have handled it's development.

2 up, 1 down

DrRockso87
Monday, January 09, 2012 @ 11:00:56 AM
Reply

I do think the death threats are uncalled for and shows how pathetic some people really are. Still, I don't have high hopes for this game. It'll probably sell decently (granted Ninja Theory's last two games apparently didn't with one just breaking even), but almost everything (except for story... maybe) looks meh.

The combat looks slow and sluggish for a Devil May Cry game. As a standard action game, it's great but as Devil May Cry, just can't keep up. Ugh, just thinking of Unreal Engine 30fps.

Also, am I the only one getting a little tired of Ninja Theory's art style? Seriously, ENOUGH with 10,000 colors on screen!! Yes, I understand it's different from brown and gray you'll see in first-person shooters but here it looks like someone ate a box of crayons and regurgitated everything onto the screen (I thought the same about 'Enslaved').

Oh yeah, before I forget: Combichrist is doing the music... really? REALLY?

0 up, 0 down

Sol
Monday, January 09, 2012 @ 8:10:48 PM
Reply

I've played all four and I have to say I may have been iffy a little about Dante's new look, but lets face it, you don't play DMC to check him out (if you do I question whether or not you are a fan of the game and its series, or just a fan of the character and his look... which makes me question you more).

Hell, imagine if you saw a Legend of Zelda in which Link was a Gerudo. Sure he looks different, but it's still LoZ, with the same elements that make the others great. I just think people are complaining for complaints sake nowadays... then again, you could never really satisfy everyone. There will always be someone who'll call Excalibur crap if it was covered in rust. (Meaning, appreciate it for what it is, not for what it isn't. Just cause the packaging is different doesn't mean the contents are diferent as well.)

0 up, 0 down

gungrave
Tuesday, January 10, 2012 @ 11:48:21 AM
Reply

Wish he had white hair though. The original Dante, the main guy from Z.O.E 2, Alucard from Symphony of the Night, Sephiroth FFVII, I guess I just dig that character design. Not feeling the emo look, I expect that in the FF games or in the Spiderman 3 movie. That movie always makes me think "how could they make this any worse?" then bingo! you have emo peter parker dancing down the street

8==D(x.O) is what it was like watching that scene.

0 up, 0 down

Sogi_Otsa
Tuesday, January 10, 2012 @ 3:36:30 PM
Reply

Not getting any give here. it looks bad, sounds bad, and omg the nightmare of forced rebooting without even 'hey long term fans! what do you think would make it better? then it was!?' I'll replay the hell out of DMC HD collection, but this one is not touching my collection for more then $5. if you want to see the movie equivalent to this, watch the spider-man trilogy, now watch the Amazing spider-man 2012 trailer. yeah that's what this is. and it sucks.

0 up, 1 down

GuyverLT
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 @ 7:17:50 PM

Thats just YOUR opinion and as the Amazing Spider-Man trailer was actually pretty cool

0 up, 0 down

Twistedfloyd
Tuesday, January 10, 2012 @ 3:54:13 PM
Reply

Spider-Man 3 was horrific, but I feel you. I'm not too wild about Amazing either.

I've never played a DMC game, but I empathize with those not happy about the reboot. Although MGR is not a reboot, I still don't think it's worthy of the MG name. It looks horrible IMO, but I'm not going to send death threats to the developers even though I'm a Metal Gear die hard.

People who do that are absurd and sick.

1 up, 1 down

Sogi_Otsa
Tuesday, January 10, 2012 @ 4:40:54 PM

LOL metal gear, metal gear solid, metal gear rising. let's be honest solid lived and was amazing. I'm sure fans of the Metal gear NES games were happy. this is the same thing. solid ended. Rising is the new moniker. and it'll get better and better. it's a continuation.
this DMC is not.
lol. a lot of fans are saying that but, there are 2 metal gear series, both are on the same timeline, rising is there to continue it.

0 up, 1 down

Twistedfloyd
Tuesday, January 10, 2012 @ 3:54:13 PM
Reply

0 up, 1 down

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