Video Game News and Miscellany

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BErt

I kinda always assumed she'd end up in SSB....this is getting harder and harder to not be able to afford a Wii U
 
B

BErt

I can accept Shovel Knight's inevitable absence.
Jeez, I really, REALLY can't...he seemed to make so much sense and already had the confirmed amiibo. I didn't even realize until right now that it wasn't happening, I geeked out over Bayonetta and Meh'd over Corrin and then completely forgot that this was just it for reveals. Really bummed now.
 
I kinda always assumed she'd end up in SSB....this is getting harder and harder to not be able to afford a Wii U
Bayonetta 2 was one of last year's best games, even though everyone forgot about it.

Jeez, I really, REALLY can't...he seemed to make so much sense and already had the confirmed amiibo. I didn't even realize until right now that it wasn't happening, I geeked out over Bayonetta and Meh'd over Corrin and then completely forgot that this was just it for reveals. Really bummed now.
I know, but since they were going for global, it makes sense. I AM surprised there isn't at least a consolation prize Mii Fighter costume like with a certain other fighter from today's Nintendo Direct.
 
B

BErt

Bayonetta 2 was one of last year's best games, even though everyone forgot about it
Oh believe me, I'm very aware. SSB and Bayonetta 2 were my two most anticipated games for the system, but I just couldn't (and can't yet) justify the purchase.
 
IGN Interview with Kojima

Most of it is pretty basic, but this made me smile.

Japanese Console Trends Aren’t a Concern
“I make games in Japan for a global market,” Kojima said when asked about his view of console sales’ downward trend in Japan. “As long as there’s a market out there in the world for making games, I’m not too focused on what’s happening in the domestic market in Japan.
“However, because I make games for all the world, I want to make games that go to a global market. If there are very fun games are out there, I believe they will eventually find their way to Japan. People in Japan will start consuming them.
Kojima gets it. It's refreshing to hear that from a Japanese dev every once in awhile.
 
And that's why Konami fired him.
That was always the narrative I had for it.

Satoshi Sakamoto: "We want you to make mobile games for cellphones because they have a higher chance being profitable and have a lower loss if they aren't."
Kojima: "No. I make artistic games that push the medium forward and I make you millions doing it. Further, I am the only creative mind at the company capable of doing what I do since Igarashi left and my 30 years of industry experience tell me this is a bad move. Just back off and let me do what I do."
Satoshi Sakamoto: "That wasn't a request... and now I feel like we need to have a firmer grip over your productions. We've spent 80 million dollars on this Metal Gear game, we don't own the engine, and we're in a recession."
Kojima: "Fine... I'm done with you. I'm just going to wait out my contract."
 
And now he has his own studio and a partnership with Sony, while Konami's gaming end is falling apart.

Well done, Kojima.
For what it's worth, I -get- why they felt like they needed to rein him in a bit. MGS5 was over budget, had to be built from the ground up, and was late... just like EVERY Metal Gear game he's ever made since Metal Gear Solid. It cost 80 million dollars to make, probably half as much to promote... meaning it has to sell something like 2 million units just to break even. That's terrifying if you look at just the numbers.
 
For what it's worth, I -get- why they felt like they needed to rein him in a bit. MGS5 was over budget, had to be built from the ground up, and was late... just like EVERY Metal Gear game he's ever made since Metal Gear Solid. It cost 80 million dollars to make, probably half as much to promote... meaning it has to sell something like 2 million units just to break even. That's terrifying if you look at just the numbers.
http://www.playstationlifestyle.net...ales-has-reached-five-million-copies-shipped/

It had sold 5 million copies by the end of October, so it's definitely passed that. $60 each, that's $300M. Plus all the in-game revenue mechanisms.
 
http://www.playstationlifestyle.net...ales-has-reached-five-million-copies-shipped/

It had sold 5 million copies by the end of October, so it's definitely passed that. $60 each, that's $300M. Plus all the in-game revenue mechanisms.
Oh I know. You and I know it will sell... but that's because we follow his work and know he will succeed. But some low level Japanese accountants are going to look at it and shit their pants before demanding to see who greenlit that insanity. And that's also after -7- years of development... some people surely lost faith in the project, especially with Kojima running off to do Silent Hills.
 
That was always the narrative I had for it.

Satoshi Sakamoto: "We want you to make mobile games for cellphones because they have a higher chance being profitable and have a lower loss if they aren't."
Kojima: "No. I make artistic games that push the medium forward and I make you millions doing it. Further, I am the only creative mind at the company capable of doing what I do since Igarashi left and my 30 years of industry experience tell me this is a bad move. Just back off and let me do what I do."
Satoshi Sakamoto: "That wasn't a request... and now I feel like we need to have a firmer grip over your productions. We've spent 80 million dollars on this Metal Gear game, we don't own the engine, and we're in a recession."
Kojima: "Fine... I'm done with you. I'm just going to wait out my contract."
Scuttlebutt seems to put you spot-on. If they had just followed up that first sentence with, "we think there could be a real opportunity for someone with the creativity of the old guard to do something really crazy and never-seen-before on mobile that could change the nature of mobile gaming", I'll bet he would have happily taken a swing at it.

But then if they thought that way, they wouldn't be Konami.
 
Scuttlebutt seems to put you spot-on. If they had just followed up that first sentence with, "we think there could be a real opportunity for someone with the creativity of the old guard to do something really crazy and never-seen-before on mobile that could change the nature of mobile gaming", I'll bet he would have happily taken a swing at it.

But then if they thought that way, they wouldn't be Konami.
If they had said "It can be whatever you want it to be" he'd have said yes too. He's said over and over that he's getting tired of Metal Gear and wanted to finish the series because he didn't trust anyone else to do it right.
 
I think it might have been because of the latest update, because I had no trouble logging in - and then it udpated, and now it won't connect.
 
Looks like the issue has been resolved, but I'm hesitant now. Thanks to some Christmas money, I was going to put $50 credit on there via my credit card, but now I'm not sure.
 
I'm actually more interested in the PC port/remaster of Dragon's Dogma, even though I only just heard about this game (in any form) for the first time yesterday.


--Patrick
Dragon's Dogma is...

- One part Shadow of the Colosassus (You can jump onto and climb large monsters to strike weak points more easily)
- One part Dark Souls (this game can get HARD)
- One part MMO (but it's entirely single player... you get AI companions to help you out)
- One part Monster Hunter (fighting giant monsters is a big part of this game)
- One part City of Heroes (the character customization is FANTASTIC)
- One part Skyrim/Fallout (you can really just pick a direction and explore if you really want to, UP TO A POINT)

It's got so much going for it... so OF COURSE the sequel is a free-to-play Japan Only MMO.

Oh Capcom, I remember when DD first came out you claimed it would LITERALLY BE IMPOSSIBLE to put it onto PC.
That was before Capcom realized that PC ports of old games are basically free money... and that it was better to get Western devs to do the ports because Japanese devs have no fucking clue how to make PC games.
 
Update: Contrary to earlier reports, MLG is not being liquidated by Activision, but retained by the new owners as an esports-focused division of the major publisher. MLG will exist under the existing Activision Blizzard Media Networks (ABMN) division, and current MLG CEO Sundance DiGiovanni will stay on, working with former ESPN CEO Steve Bornstein and MLG Co-founder Mike Sepso in ABMN. Ars regrets the error.
"Our acquisition of Major League Gaming's business furthers our plans to create the ESPN of esports," Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotcik said in a statement. "MLG's ability to create premium content and its proven broadcast technology platform - including its live streaming capabilities - strengthens our strategic position in competitive gaming."
Not quite as dour.
 
So apparently the Rift went on pre-order today. $599 us + shipping and there goes my passing interest.
 
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