Ninja Theory Comments On West vs. East Dante Debate
DMCCultural differences aren't easily disguised. So why not just accept that?
Such is Ninja Theory's philosophy as they tackle the Devil May Cry reboot, known simply as DMC.
In speaking to OXM, studio boss Tameem Antoniades and Capcom's Alex Jones spoke about the backlash they've received for the style changes in Dante's new adventure. As it turns out, former Capcom executive Keiji Inafune suggested to approach the subject by imagining the game "as a contemporary movie." As for the design differences, Jones had this to say:
"Japanese style ethos does tend to involve make characters look cool for the sake of looking cool, adding odd accessories, crazy hairstyles and colour, cowboy boots and so on simply because they look cool.
We in the West tend to be more functional adding things that have meaning and being able to explain that meaning. Why does Dante have white hair? I want to make a little story around that and explain it. And so on for the rest of his design choices."
Antoniades added to this by saying they haven't "done away with any of the Japanese aspects," but they've built on the foundations of the franchise. They all grew up with US and European movies, comics, music and general culture, so that's what they're using as influences. In the end:
"We're not pretending we are Japanese nor making apologies for that."
...man, what we wouldn't give to hear a Japanese studio say exactly those words in reference to the West.
Related Game(s): DMC
Tags: dmc, devil may cry, devil may cry reboot, ninja theory
2/1/2012 8:23:25 PM Ben Dutka
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Comments (22 posts)
RaYz89
Wednesday, February 01, 2012 @ 10:27:38 PM
Reply
4 up, 1 down
cLoudou
Wednesday, February 01, 2012 @ 10:34:03 PM
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5 up, 5 down
Oyashiro
Wednesday, February 01, 2012 @ 11:11:41 PM
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Whats the function in making him a chain smoker other than you think it makes him look edgy and cool?
13 up, 0 down
NiteKrawler
Wednesday, February 01, 2012 @ 11:44:16 PM
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7 up, 3 down
Sogi_Otsa
Thursday, February 02, 2012 @ 2:17:49 PM
the hair is not the problem, that is less then 1% the problem.
it's everything, including the crappy music direction.
0 up, 2 down
tes37
Wednesday, February 01, 2012 @ 11:56:47 PM
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I'm kind of surprised NT accepted this project. They're taking a western approach to a franchise that is distinctly Japanese. Why would you complain about your two previous games' sales, then take on Devil May Cry?
4 up, 0 down
bigrailer19
Thursday, February 02, 2012 @ 1:00:51 AM
The thing is if they made a Heavenly Sword 2 the sale would probably double that of the first. It would sell well regardless. Thats my problem with NT is they can't see past what's in front of them. They are not very optimistic, and dont take chances. DMC definitely isn't a risk, it is to the fans, but as a developer it's almost like being handed gold. How can they screw that up, something with a reputation? We shall see!
1 up, 0 down
tes37
Thursday, February 02, 2012 @ 1:39:17 AM
2 up, 0 down
cadpig
Thursday, February 02, 2012 @ 1:04:35 AM
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5 up, 0 down
Lawless SXE
Thursday, February 02, 2012 @ 1:48:36 AM
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Seriously, that's all I gathered from reading this, and I'm glad for that. Capcom went to NT because they are a Western studio that is known for their storytelling, which is what they wanted. There need be no apologies, and so long as NT can pull off the other core aspects of DMC adequately, we can all rest assured that it'll be a better story than we've seen to date.
2 up, 0 down
___________
Thursday, February 02, 2012 @ 3:42:20 AM
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this is not DMC, simple as that!
3 up, 2 down
GuyverLT
Thursday, February 02, 2012 @ 7:36:16 AM
4 up, 2 down
___________
Thursday, February 02, 2012 @ 8:25:12 AM
we dont want a new dante and a new DMC.
if your going to do that, might as well do a new IP.
nothing pisses me off more then when companies make a new game and slap a beloved franchises name on it just for the sake of suckering in old franchise fans!
they already did it with DMC4 that was bad enough!
ill be getting the collection, then that will be the last crapcom game i ever purchase!
0 up, 3 down
GuyverLT
Thursday, February 02, 2012 @ 8:40:02 AM
Yeah sure it will *rolls eyes*
Last edited by GuyverLT on 2/2/2012 8:41:19 AM
8 up, 0 down
dmiitrie
Thursday, February 02, 2012 @ 4:10:44 AM
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Kudos to them for sticking to their guns and not apologizing for not being something they aren't.
4 up, 1 down
GuyverLT
Thursday, February 02, 2012 @ 7:43:14 AM
When the 1st trailer showed almost every complaint I saw whether it on youtube, facebook, twitter, any & all gaming websites were simply based around the new design, but since ppl have tried to find other things to complain, like some say they don't like that Tameem guy for some comment he made about the old Dante to the game being run at 30 fps or something like that
I've been on board since the beginning, so I'm waiting to reserve judgment on the final product.
2 up, 1 down
gumbi
Thursday, February 02, 2012 @ 8:35:01 AM
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I think we need to give NT the benefit of the doubt on this one. It's a reboot of sorts, and that always comes with some design changes. We need to be more open minded. I actually hope this games turns out to be great and sells really well. Lets get some confidence back to NT so they can make the game we all REALLY want; Heavenly Sword 2!
2 up, 0 down
DjEezzy
Thursday, February 02, 2012 @ 2:46:27 PM
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1 up, 0 down
DIsmael85
Thursday, February 02, 2012 @ 4:21:00 PM
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0 up, 1 down
Douchebaguette
Thursday, February 02, 2012 @ 5:39:48 PM
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0 up, 1 down
Sogi_Otsa
Reply
Wednesday, February 01, 2012 @ 9:46:15 PM
Region and race have nothing to do with it. it's not dante, and without dante, or even passing the torch to nero, it's not DMC. if it's a good game. they need to change it to be their own not a new DMC.
Ninja theory dosn't realize the problem. i would have notified capcom that it's THEIR IP not ours, and if pressed to do it, the backlash from the first trailer would of made me say 'hey capcom. this is sh- compared t Devil May Cry 2. we have to drop this."