Ninja Theory on DMC reboot: "we're not pretending we're Japanese, or apologising for

[Sawyer1331]

I found this in OXM so here we go :

Ninja Theory on DMC reboot: "we're not pretending we're Japanese, or apologising for it"

Capcom: "Japanese characters look cool for the sake of it", but Western designs tend to be "more functional"

Ninja Theory has fielded fan outcry, backlash from series creator Hideki Kamiya and even death threats over its Westernised Devil May Cry reboot, but the company has refused to budge on the change of style. Speaking to OXM in an interview you'll read in issue 82, creative director Tameem Antoniades spoke up once more for the new Dante, insisting that you can't paper over cultural differences.

Some players have taken issue with Dante's perceived "camper" look, but this has more to do with different expectations surrounding Western games, Antoniades argued. "Somehow Japanese character styles get away with it," he said, when we asked whether players found camp leads from Japanese devs easier to swallow.

Click to view larger image If you're going to be different, Be Different.
"We did a thought experiment suggested by [former Capcom exec Keiji Inafune] early on. It went like this: imagine this game as a contemporary movie. What would it look like? What would Dante look like? We went from there."

Capcom's Alex Jones expanded on the point. "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."

"We've not so much done away with any of the Japanese aspects of the series," Antoniades resumed. "But are more building on the foundations of the franchise to develop a game that has a different flavour. We grew up on US and European movies, comics, music and general culture. That's what we're tapping into.

"We're not pretending we are Japanese nor making apologies for that."

Past Ninja Theory games have worked within lush fantasy fictions cobbled together from medieval European and Asiatic cultures. While pursuing a new art direction and story, Ninja Theory has been careful to respect Devil May Cry's combat system - read more on the subject over here, and pick up issue 82 itself for the Antoniades interview in full.

Source

[pressure6666]

Nice read. I'm glad they didn't gave up on their vision for the game just because of all the hate.

[kazdam]

I don't know what it is about DmC interviews that just annoys me every time....

This interview seemed a little late though (as in statement to the naysayers). It feel weird seeing interviews like this from NT after saying they're competing with the likes of Bayonetta then distinguishing their "ethos" from the Japanese one after previously saying we secretly want to like it. The excuses for Dante's new look and cliche, campy, odd accessory using Japanese style is seriously getting old...

Here it feels like it's NT vs the Fans again I thought this would have stopped. The hater would have found something else wrong with the game even if Dante was the exactly the same. I'd have liked to see NT as the positive underdogs that will amaze us with more positive interviews and gameplay. Haters are gonna hate, lovers gonna love. Stick to your guns, take it on the chin and don't feed the trolls...

[Zak213]

The thing is, we are not asking you to be japanese nor are the fans wanting you to be japanese.

We just want you to do research on the property and understand what it is rather than twisting it so its easier for you to do.

You made Dante into spiderman when he should be thor.

[pressure6666]

The thing is, we are not asking you to be japanese nor are the fans wanting you to be japanese.

We just want you to do research on the property and understand what it is rather than twisting it so its easier for you to do.

You made Dante into spiderman when he should be thor.

I guess its a bit early to compare this Dante to the "older" ones..

[Axe]

"Japanese style ethos does tend to involve make characters look cool for the sake of looking cool..."

Is this a problem? That's why you would play as a cool character in the first place; to look cool. DMC has always been stylish action. Further proof, as if we needed any, that these folks know nothing about the series they're making a game for. I guess this explains why everything in DmC looks boring, but it's still dumb.

I don't know what it is about DmC interviews that just annoys me every time....

It's because Alex Jones always says something like "Don't worry guys, the game won't be bad even though his hair isn't white LOL". It's not the weak insult against the fanbase that irks me (though that's a pretty stupid move), it's that he has the gall to dodge the valid complaints and simultaneously act like a smug idiot. The hair hasn't been the issue for months, but he's still doing it and cracking wise as if he knows what he's talking about.

[kazdam]

It's not the weak insult against the fanbase that irks me (though that's a pretty stupid move), it's that he has the gall to dodge the valid complaints and simultaneously act like a smug idiot. The hair hasn't been the issue for months, but he's still doing it and cracking wise as if he knows what he's talking about.

Your hitting the nail on the head here. Sad thing is they will never here this....

[Cookigaki]

Cookigki glad ninja theory stick to their formula. Pizzagaki wants more developers to have spines like NInja Theory~!

[Apollo]

I don't think the hair needs a story as it'll be over explaining things, imo. I've got grey hairs. Why? I'm old so you can see that just by looking at me.. its happened via the natural aging process, there is no need for me to explain it to someone.

I don't know, I guess, I've never understood the need to explain everything to the player.

Edit: This isn't me trying to re-open the hair issue. My personal point of view is all.

[Zak213]

I guess its a bit early to compare this Dante to the "older" ones..

I'm talking design wise.

Reboot Dante looks too normal. Original Dante was an attention seeker and someone who never cared about fitting in.

I understand what they are saying and I dont want to see Dante in his victorian get up or cowboy slacks. But i do want him to be dante.

Was white hair that hard to explain?

http://jarein.deviantart.com/art/Dan...sign-252201566
Better redesign-not done by me.