Capcom: New DMC Needs A Fresh "Western Touch"
See Full ImageRight about now, most all fans of the franchise are covering their ears going, "no, no, no, no, no, nononono!!!"
In the latest attempt by a Japanese developer to give Western gamers what they "want," Capcom boss Keiji Inafune has said the next Devil May Cry will have a distinct "western touch" so it'll be more appealing to North American and European gamers. Rumored to be in development at Ninja Theory (Heavenly Sword, Enslaved: Odyssey to the West), the mystery DMC5 project has remained under wraps for quite some time. But this first bit of news may not go over well with series followers; Inafune apparently made the following statement to Spanish source 3DJuegos:
"Devil May Cry 5 is a game that, when started development, this will change a lot in relation to the above. The reason is that, despite the franchise has some very loyal followers, their sales are not particularly high, especially overseas. For this reason, it is likely that in the fifth chapter will incorporate certain 'Western touch' to make it more attractive to American and European players."
Great. Here we go again. The new DMC should be announced in a few weeks time at this year's Tokyo Game Show but if it's significantly different from previous entries, those loyal fans might freak right out...Capcom seems to think what a lot of Japanese developers think these days: instead of expanding the formula to appeal to a larger audience, they'll ditch the original fans because there aren't enough of them, and then try to attain more new fans. We can't figure the logic in this (it's only math), but hey, we're not business executives.
Now we wait with a touch of anxiety. 'cringes'
Tags: devil may cry 5, dmc5, capcom
9/2/2010 12:10:45 PM Ben Dutka
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Comments
Temjin001
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 12:28:54 PM
6 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 2:13:18 PM
5 up, 0 down
TheHighlander
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 2:43:01 PM
You forgot to mention the semi-misogynistic way such power suited characters view women...
4 up, 0 down
ace_boon_coon
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 2:50:59 PM
3 up, 0 down
McClane
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 2:53:19 PM
I got it, another Gears of Wars wannabe...
To me, DMC was always "western"...Trish looked like a pornstar, Lady a stripper and Dante was always represented like the typical "american bad ass"...
I don't see what else they could "westernize"...
Oh, that's right, gameplay... A watered down version of previous DMC to appeal to "younger crowds"...namely ADD...
Sh*t, I hate these companies..
Last edited by McClane on 9/2/2010 2:54:29 PM
2 up, 0 down
Victor321
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 3:13:55 PM
As a result, Jap developers believe that by making their games more western on a concept and design level (you're not going to see an FPS DMC for example, that's just not what the series is), they believe they'll get more sales (in DMC's case, DMC4 sold 2.5 Mil, around half of the number for each console; that's good to me, in my view; however, Capcom doesn't think so, yet many gamers such as myself think the opposite).
This isn't cold hard fact from a published source, this is merely my view on this situation, because let's face it; not many Jap games have sold 6MIL+ units, either much lower, or very close to that number (MGS4, FFXIII, and DMC4 are examples).
From our perspective, these games have sold really really well, but in most cases, the publishers of those games think otherwise (excluding Konami and MGS4, they believed its sales were phenomenal, and they are right!).
A sad, sad case, and TheHighlander, you're right in what you said, I completely agree.
Last edited by Victor321 on 9/2/2010 3:15:43 PM
3 up, 0 down
TheHighlander
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 3:31:31 PM
I hate the way that the hyper successful sales of a few games in a particular genre are distorting the perceptions of publishers and developers alike as to what constitutes success. Making a good profit is a success, you don't have to sell 6 million copies to make a profit unless you spent over $100 million developing your game. You know? Obviously developers want to make money, but it's just not reasonable for anyone to expect all games to sell like MW2. But, it appears that some developers, both Western and Japanese, have been blinded by it.
3 up, 0 down
godsman
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 6:54:33 PM
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Akuma07
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 9:14:38 PM
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Temjin001
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 12:25:54 PM
Reply
3 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 12:39:14 PM
5 up, 0 down
ace_boon_coon
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 2:51:46 PM
2 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 12:27:26 PM
Reply
Why should that be the recipe that makes it "Western"? Are people in the west so ADD that every game they like needs to be either easy or familiar in a way that is like EVERY game?
I guess the sales will tell-all in the end. Perhaps making it "Western" will increase sales. In that sense, it might be a "good" move. It's too bad people can't branch out to experience new experiences. It seems the "Western" comfort zone is becoming more like a prison in this industry.
2 up, 0 down
Alienange
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 12:37:33 PM
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There's either a pre-conception there or some kind of profiling. Either way I don't like it.
5 up, 0 down
TheHighlander
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 2:45:31 PM
3 up, 0 down
ace_boon_coon
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 2:56:39 PM
2 up, 0 down
sonic1899
Friday, September 03, 2010 @ 11:26:44 AM
They are Atlus no more :'(
0 up, 0 down
Milonakis
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 12:41:28 PM
Reply
1 up, 0 down
TheHighlander
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 12:48:43 PM
Am I the only one who thinks that a pretty face, quirky personality, a short mini skirt and heels are preferable to sexy jeans and cleavage?
:D
8 up, 0 down
Temjin001
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 12:57:18 PM
Look to Half Life 2, Assassin's Creed 2, Mass Effect as a few examples of top-rated games that feature women that aren't too immodest.
Ninja Gaiden, DMC4, Tekken, Soul Calibur etc bost some of the most voluptuous women this side of gaming.
3 up, 0 down
Temjin001
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 1:29:33 PM
For western devs, I guess there's Lara Croft. But I don't question what Lara does in her private life...
Bayonetta, on the other hand, I don't wanna know.
2 up, 0 down
TheHighlander
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 2:04:12 PM
I think that there is a totally different aesthetic for female characters in western games as compared to Japanese games. Even when a character is not Japanese, Japanese games maintain a certain aesthetic.
I'm not sure how to pin it down exactly. Voluptuous or not, the majority of female leads in Japanese games seem to tend more towards pretty than sexy. Even the the more revealing costumes somehow convey that pretty, and even cute, aesthetic without being downright sexy.
Chloe in Uncharted 2 is a more typical Western female lead, and she is clearly going for that more sexy than pretty aesthetic.
I'm not quite sure how to quantify it, but there is definitely a big difference between the two. It's not the physical build of the characters, or how much skin they do, or do not, reveal.
1 up, 0 down
Temjin001
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 2:58:18 PM
Perhaps it has more to do with the context of the story telling.
Any of the western games I mentioned are trying to tell a believable story instead of a hyper-stylized reality.
The Japanese games I mentioned typically present archetypes for a particular role. After all, fighting and action games aren't renowned for their stories.
Whereas many of the western games I mentioned contain women that are present a realistic role in a believable storyline. Having only played the demo of Heavy Rain, I can still tell that a stereotypical archetype from a eastern game would be totally out of place in a game like Heavy Rain.
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Underdog15
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 3:14:54 PM
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TheHighlander
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 3:23:54 PM
That's an interesting way to look at it, and it definitely has some merit. I'm not sure that it's he whole story though. My take on Japanese culture compared to Western culture is that women have a completely different place in culture.
But I also think that a lot of this has to do with the whole approach and style of games. Western games have (for whatever reason) always preferred this gritty realism, where I find that Japanese games do not - typically. I find that Japanese games tend to present a more stylized and less gritty reality in game.
Isn't that something that is at least partly true in Japanese popular culture?
@Underdog, so that's why I prefer Rinoa to Tifa...
;)
Even so, Tifa would never be mistaken for a character in a western developed game.
Last edited by TheHighlander on 9/2/2010 3:25:33 PM
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Underdog15
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 3:35:33 PM
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TheHighlander
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 3:56:24 PM
LOL! This reminds me of a scene in a British comedy where two friends are discussing the various merits of Wilma Flintstone and Betty Rubble. Needless to say, they prefer Wilma, and hilarity ensues(it's in an episode of Red Dwarf).
Last edited by TheHighlander on 9/2/2010 3:56:52 PM
2 up, 0 down
TheHighlander
Friday, September 03, 2010 @ 8:57:21 AM
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TEG3SH
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 12:55:09 PM
Reply
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spiderboi
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 1:00:27 PM
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What are they, dense? Are they retarded or something? Who the hell do you think we are? We're the goddamn gamers.
2 up, 1 down
WolfCrimson
Friday, September 03, 2010 @ 8:24:42 AM
0 up, 0 down
Nlayer
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 1:02:07 PM
Reply
I wonder what people would think if a Japanese developer said, "We're going to make this game more Japanese and not even release it in the Western area".
If the game is good, I'll play it. If the game is bad, I won't. I don't much care if it is a Western-style or Japanese-style game. I'm sure Capcom won't take it as far as Square though.
2 up, 1 down
Lawless SXE
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 1:02:48 PM
Reply
CAPCOM!!!! DMC4 was a bit of a disappointment and now you're going to do THIS?! You make-a me crazy!
Peace.
2 up, 0 down
Karosso
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 1:11:35 PM
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Sorry, I had to quote from the article, those were the exact words going through my head when I read the title :(
Why don't they also start to have plastic surgery on their eyes so they could look more western? Maybe some d!ck extension while they're at it.. I'm getting sick of this stupidity :(
2 up, 1 down
Underdog15
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 1:13:36 PM
Reply
2 up, 2 down
shadowscorpio
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 1:15:09 PM
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Utter nonsense.
This is pissing me off. Are these Japanese developers conducting surveys to back up their decisions? Because if they are, I haven't seen a damn single one.
Its always, "The sales are good enough in the 'west' so we have to 'westernize' our new titles". Total B.S.!
Have they considered that the U.S. has been in a gradual recession for 7 plus years? Maybe people are forced to tighten their spending when it comes to buying games. In turn game sales aren't what they used to be granted that isn't the only factor. Alot of it falls on these devs changing their formulas for games when they didn't need to.
Announce a survey for fans to take and ask them what types of their games that they loved from you in the past and why. Every Japanese dev who thinks they need to westernized will find out quite swiftly that its not that they have to westernize, its that they have to go back to their original formula that brought them success in the first place! Dammit! Enough is f*****g enough!
Sorry had to get it out.
5 up, 0 down
DjEezzy
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 1:15:15 PM
Reply
And what's so wrong with Westernized games. Some of the best games I've ever played are Westernized games. Uncharted, GOW3(all of them actually)and KZ2 and BFBC2. Everyone keeps saying that Japanese developers are losing their motivation. Well maybe this is their new motivation. Maybe their trying to take some of what Western developers are doing and incorporate that with what their doing. If done right i believe that would be one bad ass game!!! Why so negative?
Last edited by DjEezzy on 9/2/2010 1:20:23 PM
0 up, 6 down
main_event05
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 1:28:24 PM
2 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 3:22:37 PM
The criticism is that games are starting to stop what they're good at to pander to a western style.
In other words, instead of video game culture being one of diversity for the tastes of everyone, it's beginning to water down everything, including classics, into a big melting-pot of genres. That in and of itself doesn't sound so bad, but the fact is that in the end, in lacks complexity. The reason it lacks complexity is not because it is tweaked to incorporate western styles, but because it has become western altogether.
Western games should stay western. Because they are good, as you said. However, Japanese games should stay Japanese in style. THAT is the complaint.
As the quote Just2skillF00l provided said,
"Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else".
-- Judy Garland
2 up, 0 down
Deathstriker
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 1:19:21 PM
Reply
I think we just ALL agree we would perfer to kill EA and let SE live... yes?
Yea Battlefield is good, but if we had a choice...
FF vs BF
I pick FF, I play BF and I can't wait till BF3, but I'd give up BF3 to play some FF13V.
2 up, 1 down
Orvisman
Friday, September 03, 2010 @ 7:42:40 AM
SE of the 360/PS3 gen... not so sure.
1 up, 0 down
Deathstriker
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 1:25:27 PM
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"covers ears" NO!!!!!!!!! NO!!! NO NO NO!!!
2 up, 0 down
GuardianMode
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 1:26:19 PM
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Now introducing DMC5!!! Customize all your weapons,including the new "Rocket Launcher!". Create new combos with Nero for some "Awesome Combo Action!!". Lets not forget the Ladies, Trish and Lady will have all new levels. Complete them for some devious costumes that would make Dante blush! Thats right people,We Sold Out!!! Pre Order Now!!!!
>.> you all know its going to happen.
4 up, 0 down
main_event05
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 1:27:19 PM
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Kokushi
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 1:32:56 PM
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LOL
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just2skillf00l
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 1:47:51 PM
Reply
Why are these Japanese devs so fickle? Just because Activision makes profits to the zenith power from there COD titles doesn't mean everyone should indulge in FPS. My honest opinion is that COD is a decent franchise, they are fun games. That's a fact. With a few more tweaks, a gargantuan attention to detail, and an exclusive release for the PS3, someday a dev might be able to put out a Killzone 2 quality FPS on the PS5. It's completely possible!
Back to you Japanese devs! Instead of assimilating Western qualities and typicality, why don't you reach out and grab different elements from Western games? Maybe not so subtle elements, gentle elements as opposed to transforming a whole culture of gaming into a broken, stereotypical half-assimilated attempt; which only serves to express that what you observed from Western games is that we value complete badasses and twitchy controls.
To conclude an extended to the point of too-much-of-a-bother-to-read rant, I'd like to offer Japanese devs a quote.
"Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else".
-- Judy Garland
Last edited by just2skillf00l on 9/2/2010 1:50:54 PM
4 up, 0 down
TheHighlander
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 2:44:30 PM
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just2skillf00l
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 7:56:10 PM
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TheUglyBassist
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 1:52:33 PM
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Sogi_Otsa
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 1:56:46 PM
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4 up, 1 down
___________
Friday, September 03, 2010 @ 3:23:21 AM
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sonic1899
Friday, September 03, 2010 @ 11:27:21 AM
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TheHighlander
Friday, September 03, 2010 @ 12:13:03 PM
It's because he was being ironic on account of the original poster using all CAPS which is in 'net terms the same as shouting.
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WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 2:11:21 PM
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main_event05
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 2:13:04 PM
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BikerSaint
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 2:26:03 PM
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Quick, call Milla Jovovich..........
....or Godzilla!
6 up, 0 down
main_event05
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 8:35:47 PM
1 up, 2 down
Jawknee
Friday, September 03, 2010 @ 11:41:28 AM
Well...the 5th Element was good.
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Fane1024
Friday, September 03, 2010 @ 8:51:51 PM
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main_event05
Friday, September 03, 2010 @ 11:44:44 PM
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gangan19
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 2:51:29 PM
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Karosso
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 3:03:52 PM
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BikerSaint
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 10:44:10 PM
Hell, I had the hots for her in her previous RE movies.
BUT!!!!!!!.....I'm not to thrilled with her new look in the upcoming RE movie.
She's looking more like a roughed-up $2 streetwalker on a 9 year bender!
(no offense to Bender, the robot)
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main_event05
Friday, September 03, 2010 @ 12:51:33 AM
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OxyFenix
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 3:43:12 PM
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DjEezzy
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 5:09:49 PM
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I don't think they are going to change everything about Devil May Cry. At least i hope not... But like someone else said, QTE might be a perfect fit for a game like DMC. I guess it's just a wait and see type of thing. I for one will keep my hopes up. I'm primarily a western type of gamer anyways. So i guess i don't see it as that big of a deal. I just like good games so if they can do that with a more westernized approach then more power to them. No one ever said that just because they are japanese, they have to make japanese games. And another thing, being true to yourself doesn't mean that you have to do the same thing the rest of your life or make the same games the rest of your career. I see that type of thinking as the reason why the developers have lost their motivation in the first place. I think them taking a more westernized approach could help alot of those teams and developers make new and fresh IP's. Doesn't mean all of them have to take this approach and that all games should go this direction. But we're talking about a 5th entry in a series now. Although DMC4 was a bit different from DMC3, it was still quite a bit the same. I think it would be nice to see some things change. i thought making games was all about expanding your horizon's anyways. Maybe i'm wrong. That's the artist speaking in me now. LOL. Oh well.
Again really good points and thanks for all of your input.
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Underdog15
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 10:27:42 PM
I think what people are worried about is getting another FFXIII. I mean, in reality, it was a pretty sweet game. But it was bitter-sweet, you know? Basically, although it took Western cues and mixed it in with the old, what ended up happening is that many of the elements fans specifically play the franchise for were removed.
So yeah, I agree that they can make a great game dipping into western trends, but I think people's concern is "at what cost?" I'm not that familiar with DMC, but I am familiar with other Japanese games that turned to a western flare.
Of course, we must reserve full judgment until we actually see the end result, but given the fact that's exactly the same thing Square Enix was saying before FFXIII, it's definitely concerning. Many of us FFXIII fans enjoyed it somewhat, but I for one let out a resounding, "What the Hell, Man?!? The main elements that attracted me to the entire franchise of Final Fantasy were completely removed.
So in essence, we're both right. They could do a great job, but fans definitely have cause to worry... know what I mean?
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Sogi_Otsa
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 11:10:57 PM
Last edited by Sogi_Otsa on 9/2/2010 11:11:54 PM
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Snaaaake
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 5:15:04 PM
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L1 and R1 for aim and fire, it's the first thing that popped up when I saw this article.
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Kai200X
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 6:31:44 PM
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Underdog15
Friday, September 03, 2010 @ 1:21:25 PM
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Wissam
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 6:59:10 PM
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Qubex
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 8:48:16 PM
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Q!
"play.experience.enjoy"
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Akuma07
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 9:18:34 PM
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I used to LOVE playing games because they took me to an entirely new world, with things that arent possible here.
These days realism is taking over, its hard to enjoy games as much now. its been years since i sat up till 6am playing a game.
Japanese style games were awesome, the characters were badass, the action was awesome, the whole thing was just...COOL. and it was rare to find a game that came out of japan that didnt rate 9+ with critics.
The gaming industry is on a decline my friends, in fact, most of the industries coming out of japan are.
Last edited by Akuma07 on 9/2/2010 9:19:21 PM
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ryu
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 9:48:53 PM
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DeathOfChaos
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 11:43:13 PM
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just2skillf00l
Friday, September 03, 2010 @ 12:20:46 AM
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I get what you're saying man. I actually agree. In my post before I was trying to relate the fact that although change can be good, trying to be what you're not is always less rewarding than being yourself. In my post I wanted to relay that changes can be beneficial given that they are minute yet gradually expanding the limits and boundaries of previous titles. Some games you go in expecting the core gameplay to play out a certain way; changing that core essence of a game for something quicker and more efficient isn't exactly what I would call progress...especially if it tampers with the game's traditional pacing. I like the Uncharted franchise because it is a TPS beast. If it all of a sudden became a FPS I would be thoroughly disappointed.
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aaronisbla
Friday, September 03, 2010 @ 1:04:36 AM
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___________
Friday, September 03, 2010 @ 3:25:16 AM
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see, now that is exactly what is destroying Asian developers!
there more worried about f*cking sales than they are about there bloody games!
self pride has gone down the shitter these days!
meh, who gives a flying f*ck if our game sucks donkey balls as long as it makes me that .001% richer!
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TheHighlander
Friday, September 03, 2010 @ 10:04:44 AM
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JackC8
Friday, September 03, 2010 @ 6:46:51 AM
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gumbi
Friday, September 03, 2010 @ 9:02:59 AM
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Are we the only ones complaining about this? Have our voices not been heard? Do Japanese dev's not research the western gamers opinions on the 'westernization' of their games?
This generation has blown me away with it's technology. But on the Japanese gaming front, I long for the uniquely non-western games of yesteryear...
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Underdog15
Friday, September 03, 2010 @ 1:25:31 PM
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BigBoss4ever
Saturday, September 04, 2010 @ 12:44:00 AM
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the fact that Japanese gaming developers lost faith and confidence in their own expertise and choose to lick the westerners, and the fact that they prefer cash over talent and perfetion has saddened the gaming world and true loyal Sony gamers.
The last two real representatives of the pure Japanese vision of beauty are Hideo Kojima for his MGS series, and Fumito Ueda for his ICO, SOTC and The Last Guardians.
Last edited by BigBoss4ever on 9/4/2010 12:53:03 AM
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TheHighlander
Reply
Thursday, September 02, 2010 @ 12:25:02 PM
DMC games have been popular in the west precisely because they were *not* specifically westernized.
They'll go ahead and 'westernize' this one, and it will sell on the basis of the name and they'll mistakenly think that it sold because it was westernized. It will simply reinforce this stupid belief that Japanese developers have to pander to western culture.
This kind of thing is really beginning to get on my nerves.