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DMC4 Director Clarifies Franchise’s Future

Ben-Dutka 20 Comments

The Devil May Cry 4: Special Edition is out on PlayStation 4 this week, if you didn't know.

But don't just buy it because you feel obligated. If you think the future of the franchise depends on the sales of this particular game, think again.

Director Hideaki Itsuno clarified the issue in a new GameSpot interview , debunking the idea that there's an actual survey in the upgraded DMC4:

I think it's a bit of a misunderstanding. At the time of Devil May Cry 4, I spoke to an interviewer in Japan and I had given a message to the fans at the end of the interview saying 'Let us know what you want to see in the future of DMC.' I spoke to the same guy this time around for the special edition and I kind of just made an off-the-cuff comment along the lines of, 'We're always listening to your feedback, please buy the special edition.'

So I think the fans with internet have taken that there is a literal survey somewhere with check boxes that will feed into a future game, but it was just a general comment on my part saying that Capcom values fan feedback."

Okay, well, I still believe that if any games in a certain franchise sell well, the publisher is simply more likely to return to that franchise, right? I mean, that's just common sense.

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Ninja Theory: Capcom Wanted A “New Entry Point” For DMC

Ben-Dutka 17 Comments

The Devil May Cry reboot, known simply as DMC , was never supposed to be "Devil May Cry 5."

In fact, Capcom never wanted a sequel. Ninja Theory co-founder Tameem Antoniades told NowGamer that the publisher desired a "new entry point into the series with a different perspective," which is why Capcom initially approached the Heavenly Sword developer.

"What was very clear was they didn’t want to make Devil May Cry 5. They didn’t want to make something that looked like the previous four."

Capcom has been very hands-on in the supervision of the upcoming reboot, especially when it comes to the combat. Antoniades said Capcom visits Ninja Theory "every six to eight weeks" and they even bring the director of the last three Devil May Cry installments. Added Antoniades:

"That was kind of the division of responsibility, if you like. We were charged with reinventing the world and the character, and they were in charge of ensuring we understood the philosophy of Devil May Cry combat and effectively make a Japanese combat game within a Western story."

DMC is slated to arrive on January 15 and from what we've seen of the gameplay, it certainly appears to fit the style of the franchise. We have plenty of faith in Ninja Theory, too…even if we remain a little leery of the new Dante. It's all about the gameplay, though!

Related Game(s): DMC

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DMC Demo Promised, “Novelty Modes” Available To Unlock

John-Shepard 15 Comments

Some people really hate the new Dante. But shouldn't we play the game before passing ultimate judgment?

At the very least, we can check out a demo and see if Ninja Theory has maintained and properly cultivated the patented and hugely enjoyable Devil May Cry style. From what we've seen of the gameplay thus far, we'd say the developers have done exactly that. it looks great!

But we do have to play it and thankfully, it appears that a demo is on the way . It's definitely coming to consoles, although we don't have a solid release date, and we also find out that Virgil won't be playable this time around (he was in DMC3). However, in regards to the story, players will learn more about Dante's parents, and a few more "novelty modes" will unlock after beating the game.

Personally, I think Ninja Theory hasn't received their just due this generation. Maybe this reboot will give them the respect they've so richly deserved thus far. …I do, however, question their business practices after Heavenly Sword , as that title seemed to sell plenty well enough.

Related Game(s): DMC

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Devil May Cry Fans On DMC Reboot: More Hyped Than Pissed

Ben-Dutka 29 Comments

When the revamped Dante for Ninja Theory's DMC – a Devil May Cry reboot – was unveiled, the fans sorta lost it.

They just didn't like the younger, heroine-addict-looking hero, who seemed more like a bratty, cocky punk than a cool, confident bad-ass. This resulted in quite the backlash, perhaps culminating in Ninja Theory developers receiving death threats…which is way beyond the limits of a rational protest.

But the studio first reminded everyone that it had been Capcom's idea to remake the popular hero for a Western audience, and the publisher approved the developer's new design. Ninja Theory also kept telling fans to "wait until they play it," or at least see some gameplay. And now that we've seen lots of footage, the bitterness seems to have abated and the majority are more excited than annoyed.

In speaking to VG24/7 , Capcom US producer Alex Jones talked about the fans calming down:

Yeah, now it’s fine, but I could have done without having to fear for my life [laughs]. There was always going to be people who saw new Dante and who didn’t want it, and that’s fine. We understand – I understand – that people are passionate about it, so this isn’t a bad thing.

Being angry about it – yeah I get that – but we always said, ‘when you see the game and you play it, trust me, you’re going to understand that we were doing the right thing’. Now that’s happening, so yeah it’s vindication, but it’s not like smugly sitting back and going ‘ha ha’.

It’s more like, ‘We understand why you guys had doubts, and we knew that we had to prove this to you, and we were happy to do it.’ That was our responsibility."

Yeah, I didn't like Dante's new look, either, but the gameplay does appear to be downright awesome. And in the end, isn't that what our gaming entertainment is all about?

Related Game(s): DMC

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Dante Still Has An Attitude, But Is It The Right Attitude?

Ben-Dutka 9 Comments

A few things: Firstly, I'm a long-time Devil May Cry fan, and I believe each entry (with the exception of the second) has been stellar. Secondly, I was one of the first to see Dante's new look in Ninja Theory's reboot and go, "…uh, wait a minute…what's this?"

That being said, I have accepted the developer's explanation concerning the cosmetic overhaul, and we all have to remember that Capcom agreed with the team's new artistic direction. And after seeing plenty of gameplay footage and knowing Ninja Theory's relative success with action games (yeah, just two this generation, but still), I'm convinced we'll get, at the very least, a pretty good game in DMC .

But as Dante's style and personality were a big part of what drew me to this franchise in the first place, I've been wondering if he has maintained that flash, panache and attitude. On the surface, it appears he has. He's still a brash, cocky, "I'm gonna beat the sh** out of you and spit on your corpse" demon slayer. When I first saw this back in the PS2 days, I thought it was a refreshing departure from the cliched reluctant hero, the guy who's borderline whining and going, "but do I have to?"

Dante does this for fun . This isn't about revenge or honor or anything else. If you could sit down for an interview with the original Dante, he'd probably even tell you that if it wasn't fun, he wouldn't care if humanity hung in the balance. He's selfish and bad-ass and proud of it. Now, I think Ninja Theory has captured this again…to some extent. Maybe it's due to his younger age, but I find the new Dante to be more of a punk than a bad-ass. More of a smart-mouthed brat than a cool-as-a-cucumber, I know how awesome I am manly man. It's a tad off-putting.

Still, even if that's true, I can live with it. We still need this in-your-face attitude, regardless of the undertones. Provided the gameplay is there and his personality is consistent, I'm good with this punk-ish Dante. And besides, I think it's easy to imagine Dante being like this when he was younger, so it's actually realistic if you really start to think about it.

Related Game(s): DMC

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Kill The Fan Rage, Give DMC The Benefit Of The Doubt

Ben-Dutka 33 Comments

Hey, we all know what it's like to see a favorite franchise flounder. It's just painful .

But as far as I can tell, there's absolutely zero basis for all the fan rage flying around concerning Ninja Theory's new project, the Devil May Cry reboot, also known simply as "DMC." There are just so many problems with this irrational backlash.

First of all, this is not a series in trouble. DMC4 was awesome, although the hardcore will say DMC3 remains the best. Secondly, why does everyone keep forgetting that Capcom has had the final say in all sorts of creative decisions? Both sides have made it plain that this is a combined effort; Ninja Theory has even said that if you have a problem with Dante's new look, talk to Capcom, 'cuz they approved it. Thirdly and lastly, I really don't see the evidence that says Ninja Theory is going to stray from a winning formula and annoy the long-time fans.

If you missed out, here's over three minutes of gameplay footage . I don't see a problem, do you? They've since released more gameplay videos and although I could nitpick and complain about a few things, this does appear to be vintage Dante. It's fast, furious, and presumably, the combat depth, flexibility, and diversity is there. I suppose if I were to worry, I'd be concerned about the latter category, because Ninja Theory has made Heavenly Sword and Enslaved: Odyssey to the West …both great games, but not especially deep in terms of combat.

Still, we're talking about a talented developer. On top of which, we're talking about a talented team that has had experience in this very genre. Death threats? Really ? You've got to be kidding. I'm not saying DMC will be a guaranteed winner; I'm saying we probably shouldn't freak out until there's something to freak out about . Remember, I was one of many who out-and-out despised Dante's new design. And I still do. But one fact has always remained, and it goes double for this franchise- the gameplay reigns supreme. Make it unbelievable, and the fans will be satisfied.

Ninja Theory doesn't deserve the nerd rage, people. There are other game makers who do , so save your strength for them .

Related Game(s): DMC

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