Kojima Productions? Here To Help

So "western games" have taken Castlevania type gameplay to the next level with God of War and whatever else, do we have to wait 10-20 more years for the Japanese developers to take western gaming to the next level?

Whatever. I don't like this implication that Japanese games don't appeal to Western gamers anymore. Hideo Kojima himself has proved that to be total bullshit with MGS4, which sold millions of copies. Castlevania doesn't really do as well, but I don't think that has anything to do with the game not being appealing to non-eastern tastes. It's just that for various reasons the quality has been lacking, but now that someone else is being given a crack at the series perhaps Konami and Iga-san are more aware of that than ever before.

So really... I can speculate as much as I want, but what's Koji Igarashi up to? Can someone ask Hideo Kojima or Igarashi himself please?

AlucardsQuest

@gamejournalistsarekillinggames: Except he's hyping a game he's not making, so... His hype is just as valid as any forum goer's at that point.

@LionheartAce: You will be hearing a bunch of Ran Ran Ruuuuuuu in that game.

Meat of the Patriots. Jack will be Ocelot.

@Master Saji: Isn't that the one where you can pick the little girl with psychic powers? Because if it is, I enjoyed that one.

@GeluAnimus:

it's a Japanese smiley (emoji) and at the end it sais: raise ur hands !

@TG:

I am KRATOOOOS!!! I KILLED MY DAUGHTER RAAAAAAARRGH!! I ACCIDENTALLY MY MOTHER! I THINK MY FATHER IS ZEUS?! I HATE MY FATHER!

M NIGHT SHMALAYAN TWIIIIIIST!!

FUCK IM GOING TO WRITE THIS IN A JOURNAL, ABOUT MY FEELINGS... AND BE IN A BATHTUB WITH PLASTIC FILLED MODELS AND TAP SQUARE TO FAP. NO, DON'T YOU DARE CALL ME EMO! oh also my soundtrack totally reflects how typically raging epic i am.

gamejournalistsarekillinggames

@Bedlam:

"Japanese eyes are hardly the standard when it comes to judging 3d graphics."

You guys are right.. More power to gritty, grey and black filter! 5 oclock shadows, muscles and angst! Western 3d is so good! These japanese need to learn how we make so much unnecessary texture work and shiny light engines and silly rag doll physics.

gamejournalistsarekillinggames

@jeremyschultz: The only problem is Kojima's one of those guys who backs up his claim and exceeds the hype.

gamejournalistsarekillinggames

@Padder: I agree, American companies shouldn't be doing Japanese IPs, not because of racism or anything like that. The type of work both sides produce are immensely different and in my opinion, learning from each other is fine but gearing to do things like the other is only going to lead to stagnation.

gamejournalistsarekillinggames

I think he's saying that the new Castlevania will appeal to both an American and Asian audience. If anything that means that it will avoid looking like your typical popular American game such as God of War, since that style of art just doesn't jive well with a broad Asian audience. At the same time, the game also won't be particularly Japanese looking, it won't look like Ayami Kojima's art, which is off putting to alot of western gamers who can't abide by pretty people in their games.

I agree with Kojima, based on what I've seen of the game. It's got a really nice, unique style that is neither overly busy, mincing or colorless as American games often are, neither are the people overly idealized and ornately furnished, as people have come to expect from a Japanese title. The game has a nice unique, kind of European feel to it, and I don't think they're trying to pander to any audience, they just happened to pick a great studio with a unique art style that will appeal to both hemispheres.

bluecat2095

@Mr. Tambourine Man: Time-to-crate will be reached faster than even before when the special edition ships inside of one.

@TG:

What Square Enix character hates their parents?

How many videogame characters even have parents?

bluecat2095

@HanJeSu:

I agree. He's just referring to the art style.

bluecat2095

@WiNg0o:

I believe this is what Kojima is addressing. I think he's saying that the new Castlevania will appeal to both an American and Asian audience. If anything that means that it will avoid looking like your typical popular American game such as God of War, since that style of art just doesn't jive well with a broad Asian audience. At the same time, the game also won't be particularly Japanese looking, it won't look like Ayami Kojima's art, which is off putting to alot of western gamers who can't abide by pretty people in their games.

I agree with Kojima, based on what I've seen of the game. It's got a really nice, unique style that is neither overly busy, mincing or colorless as American games often are, neither are the people overly idealized and ornately furnished, as people have come to expect from a Japanese title. The game has a nice unique, kind of European feel to it, and I don't think they're trying to pander to any audience, they just happened to pick a great studio with a unique art style that will appeal to both hemispheres.

bluecat2095

@Megaman LXIX:

I'm glad that I wasn't the only that loved that game. There was something magical about it. Will have to get an emulator to play that game again !

And this new Castlevania game looks as if the story may be quite dark compared to other ones. If its the next "Castlevania 64" then I'm in =D

RockNrollBowl

Hey hey now symphony of the night was the best castlevania ever made so just follow the formula of a big castle with plenty to find and make Alucard the star you can't go wrong.
If you haven't played symphony of the night find it online and buy it or get a ROM of it or something because it really is the best one.

@ShadowOdin isn't american:

No kidding. I mean since when doesn't the NA market like Castlevania anyways? Why cock up a winning formula by "Americanizing" it?

I mean to the Japanese I that just means following stupid American stereotypes, and I don't mean that in a harsh way, but I've spent waaaay to much time with Japanese pop culture to not have some notion of what the Japanese think "Americans" want -_-

I also disagree with the statement about no Castlevania title satisfying westerners; everyone I knew loved the titles that first came out in the late 80's and SotN seems to be a classic to many.

Anyway....

I wonder if "support" means outsourcing programmers from Kojima Productions to help with the more mundane programming chores? Or is Kojima himself acting as an advisor akin to an executive producer?

coalhalo

@ShadowOdin isn't american: Lament of Innocence was about as generic a hack-n-slash as I can think of.

@king_e_dawg: And before 50 people burn me alive for that last statement, I meant the 3D Castlevanias.

I had no idea Japanese gamers enjoyed running around identical hallways beating down identical waves of enemies in Lament of Innocence so much... They must have taste so refined we can't even fathom it.

I'm really psyched for Lords of Shadow. I've always said that the one game that out-Castlevanias Castlevania is God of War (think about it), and now it looks like they're taking that sort of approach.

@Wintrale: Well the plot in Jericho wasn't god-awful and Cliver Barker did plan for a sequel.
The game AI and some of the mechanics were flawed. The voice acting in the game wasn't that bad either. It's just a great concept, talent etc in the hands of a dev (MercuryTeam) that's had a couple of upsets isn't really 'excite-worthy' but more on the tread with caution territory.

since kojima knows how to please a western audience, seriously i fall in love with whatever the little bastard makes but i dont think he knows the west that well.

otis123

First of all, I think the reason he's in the limelight is due to the notoriety and 'brand name' Kojima brings. His games sell well and having it attached to this title will help. I know I'm going to buy it and his support has a lot to do with it.

I think by "Japanese eyes", he's referencing his own ridiculously picky expectations. I'm all for it. The quality this man and his team pull out of the hardware they work on is impressive.

sascha23

"Castlevania is one of Konami's most important brands..."

Which is why we've taken this 3rd party IP about a dude with a whip from some unknown western developer and slapped the Castlevania name on it!

Kojima san is just here to lend some legitimacy to the whole sad operation.(Lords of Shadow was at E3 last year with the exact same trailer, minus the Castlevania header.)

Here's a thought: Maybe Castlevania is successful BECAUSE it's made from a Japanese design sensibility? Maybe that gorgeous artwork and moody score and classic level design is the series entire appeal? Maybe this smacks of Konami lacking a fundamental understanding of the IP's appeal and audience but removing all of the earmarks of the franchise save the name?

Naw, this is a great idea. Personally, I can't wait not to buy it. I just hope this means that Kogi Igarashi & Co. are working on a gorgeously rendered, hand drawn, 2D Castlevania for XBLA and PSN. Cause that I'd happily shell out for...

Apparently Chair and Epic think so too, otherwise Shadow Complex wouldn't exist!

No, no. It's the logo.

@snaldo008: Working?

stretch

@ShadowOdin isn't american: Sad times ahead...sad times.

Ever since this was announced, I've been pretty sad about the whole thing. I just don't have high expectations. It could fail me two ways...by being a horrible game, or by being a horrible Castlevania game. Hell, may end up being both.

But, I'll just wait and see how good this "moral support" will be.

@TG: actually.. it's only a mistake in that it leads to boring samey games about emo kids exploding things and hating their parents (curse you square enix!!), set to an awful soundtrack.... but it makes perfect sense for the companies to do this 'cos it sells really well..... :(

attempting to satisfy Western gamers is the biggest mistake made by many Japanese companies... what happened to just making GOOD games...????

What happened to the Alucard based sequal shown prior to E3? I too would love to see an HD Side-scroller on PSN or Live. SOTN and Dracula X: Rondo are by-far my favorites in the series.

Just because they call it Castlevania, doesn't mean it is. If it's not dealing with the mythos that has been in place for 20 years then it's not a Castlevania.

omyard

Its a 3D Castlevania, he obviously wants to distance himself from it because its going to flop. Why can't they do it in 2D. It really isn't that hard. Bring me to the studio and I will tell you how to make a game that everyone wants.

@Hunter217: If C:LoS can even come close to that level of action, it'll be a great game in my collection.

@Master Saji: It might possibly turn out worse under MercurySteam. You all know their pedigree.

Tye-The-Czar

@Stru: I enjoyed it, too.

@channeling the rage that is CHARLES BRONSON: he better not westernize that!

@Mardoch:

i'm glad i am not the only one who loved that game....

They did a great job of remaking the same game over and over for the past eight years, so I hope these new guys can make a good unique Castlevania game.

gordiehowe5

I think that by "Japanese eyes" he meant that the graphical style is appealing to both Western and Eastern audiences...at least that is what I hope he meant.

HanJeSu

@tzamora: 1080p!

Memo to Japanese developers (specially Capcom, Konami and Squeenix):

We like japanese games because they´re different to western games. Don´t try to "westernize" them because all the attempts have sucked.

The Gaming Community.

Daniel Pizarro Sánchez

@ShadowOdin isn't american: +1

Daniel Pizarro Sánchez

@WiNg0o: I wish Capcom and Squeenix hear what you just said.

Daniel Pizarro Sánchez

so can we expect tons of cursing and/or nudity, and copious amounts of violence?

if i wanted that id play god of war or whatever.. i just want a good platformer with action rpg elements that have you leveling up. is that too much to ask?

"Oh. Okay, then! Not sure if we agree that "there's never been a Castlevania created to really satisfy Western gamers". Our next question, why is Konami pushing Hideo Kojima into the limelight and not series producer Koji Igarashi? "

Cause Kojima is the mother f^k'n master

badSamurai

@Icemael: i might not need the gears stereotype, but honestly wouldn't mind if we got a castlevania game with a main character that doesn't look like a girl for once

@WiNg0o: exactly. Not that I have anything against games like God of War, I love them, but damn it, what the hell westernizing castlevania even means? Setting aside the accumulated awesome heritage of the series just to ape god of war?!

Fernando Jorge

@Master Saji: I understand why everyone hates on it, but at the same time...I loved it.

@WhatTheFrag: Given how amazing the trailer was, I really can't see this failing. They've got an incredible voice cast AND AN ACTUAL PLOT (ZOMG).

@ShimodaNexus: You and the rest of us.. I mean 2nd Runner was awesome by PS2 standards, I can't imagine what 3 would look like. as long as they have it on my ps3 then I'm happy, i don't care if it's multiplat, just want my chance at it

@Tzion: Japanese eyes are pretty!
Pretty, UG.. *Aneurysm*

etansit

@Icemael: The evil undead in this one won't be minions of Dracula's castle, but rather mutated test subjects in a science experiment gone awry by DracCorp in their attempt to create the ultimate super soldiers.

The game will probably be awesome, but not Castlevania.

traumafox

This is NOT a real "Castlevania" game. They just slapped the title on it as an afterthought to sell more copies of this game that was already in development and never (initially) intended to be part of the Castlevania series....

It might be good or not, but it's NOT a Castlevania game for any true fan of the series!

Lordd_G

So he implies that Western gamers don't like 2D games? I mean the 2D Castlevanias were great games ... I wish they'd do more of them for stationary consoles. Right now I'm on my third playthrough of SotN via XBLA.

It's the 3D castlevanias that we don't like... they're just mediocre at best.

And you're right Ashcraft, Japanese eyes are hardly the standard when it comes to judging 3d graphics.

Bedlam

@snaldo008: Yeah, it sure is... oh wait, wrong Kojima.

Icemael

So they're gonna make it more like God of War, huh? Finally a Castlevania that can satisfy us Western gamers! Might I suggest they give the main character a raspy voice and huge muscles? Maybe throw in some gore, perhaps some guns? That's what we Western gamers love, right?

Icemael

I wonder, what IGA could say about Lords of Shadow.

@★愛ちんﾞ:.･☆: May i know what you just said? Im a curious person :P

GeluAnimus

@Ashurahori: It seemed even he was reluctant to really sell the idea of that 3D fighter, like he was being forced to make it.

don-don

The more he opens his mouth, the less I like what he says. :(

jeremyschultz

I am hoping with everything I have that this will be a great game. But developing for western gamers?! That just doesn't make any sense to me. I mean who doesn't love some oldschool 2-D castlevania? I think it would be awesome to see an updated 2.5-D Castlevania, kind of like what the development team behind Shadow Complex has done. IMO there is still a solid fanbase for 2-D platformers and I hope Shadow Complex paves the way for more quality releases in that genre.

@Rod_Z:

^Consider my post a complete duplicate of this one.

"Why is Konami pushing Hideo Kojima in the limelight and not the series creator, Koji Igarashi?"

...because he royally screwed us over with the Castlevania fighter I dare not speak the name of. Seriously, it's hard to do a game nobody ever likes, but they actually did it.

Ashurahori

I see. Konami tied KP into this game to satisfy western gamers. that;s all. Konami is just borrowing the name.

squall3031

So, we will be playing as a huge muscled Belmont, with lots of weapons, explosives and a "big mouth", full of catchphrases. Who needs a whip when you can use a Rifle, right?

NO!!!! Please, don't screw this.

Rod_Z

@Tzion:

glad you didn't had the balls to do so.
otherwise: w(￣_￣;w ￢o(￣-￣ﾒ) ﾃｦｱｹﾞﾛ!!

So, basically they just Kojima Productions name on it cause they're the only studio at Konami making games of any real worth.

Oh boy, oh boy I can't WAIT for Castlevania to be turned into a generic western hack'n slash!

Come on! Satisfy Western Gamers?? They tried that with Silent Hill 5 and look how awful it turned out! I really don't see how an american version of Castlevania would be better than a japanese version. I fear it may turn into a God of War clone. Hell the trailer felt like it was heading in that direction.

Padder

Oh Men, Just give me a Castlevania-2D-Kojima-Igarashi-PS3 version, I like 3D but i'm dying to see a 2D Castlevania in a 360 or PS3

tzamora

@Mr. Tambourine Man: 'splosive holy barrels sir. LOL, yeah, hes a lanky mofo. Ronald McDonald is huge over there, so he's cool.

I'd like to see McDonalds Gear Solid now, thanks. Hamburgler... HAMBURGLER?!

This is perfect! Now Kojima can focus on the important things in (my) life....

LIKE ZONE OF THE F*****G ENDERS 3!

*ahem*

Not like I'm bitter about the wait or anything....

ShimodaNexus

Seems like this might be the gaming equivilent of "Quinten Tarantino Presents".

DaftDethMonkey

i think that it might be because Hideo Kojima already has some experience when it comes to developing a game for a western audience. as is seems Konami believes Igarashi's castlevania werent for the western gamers

Even to Japanese eyes? Whoa, Kojima's not messing around.

Konami's going to use the Kojipro logo for all it's worth, unfortunately for Iga.

Almost made a comment about Japanese eyes, but I could do without a ban.

I LIKE my Japanese games because of how Japanese they are, you'll fuck it up if you make it grey and nothing but testosterone.

this game won't be any good if we don't get to visit dracula's castle at some point, i already have a game that does it better outside.

you wanna know the name?

DEVIL MAY CRY!

@Mr. Tambourine Man: He has McDonald's feet, huh?

Kuwabara Kazuo

Here is yet another psuedo comment being made in the hopes that at some point I can actually comment on things.

I apologize for the spam, but I can't be bothered to write up unique comments that no one will see.

They want "Feverish western support"?
Exploding barrels in Castlevania CONFIRMED.
Also, what's up with Hideo's legs in that picture?

For MercuryTeam's sake I hope this isn't a strike three you're out.
Scrapland and Jericho were quite awful. But atleast there's one difference with this title, it's not being released as Kojima's Lords of Shadow as the literal title.

I really want to hear what Igarashi thinks about this title. Some kind of interview from him would be nice.

Punani

...one that's seen many releases since the original, and they've all been received warmly...

...Castlevania 64

nice to see kojima working on this