DoDonPachi Saidaioujou coming to Xbox 360 (REGION-FREE!)

[n0rtygames]

I'm not liking some of the stuff that Asada is mentioning. A shop for reducing bullet hitbox size and shit? Isn't that what broke the DOJ iOS port? Hopefully they at least know to make such modifications disqualify you from highscores.

Where has he actually mentioned that? I find that kinda worrying.. the DOJ iOS port was really upsetting for that reason.

Seriously, if they do that - I actually won't be able to play it seriously. Which is a shame. I really want to play SDOJ in its purest form

This must be some Japanese thing that we just don't fully understand in the west. Perhaps similar to the Gems ordeal in Street Fighter x Tekken? I don't know if people are more willing to just buy all that DLC over there, or if it's preying on the fact that we're hopeless dribbling fanboys who will often pay a premium price for an imported game.

DoDLCPachi is not what I want to play.

[Squire Grooktook]

Actually, I seem to recall reading once that Japanese consumers are even less open to dlc, hence why it's (at least until just recently) very rare for fighting games to update to the next revision through an online patch, and why we have 4 versions of SF4.

[nZero]

DoDLCPachi is not what I want to play.

Asada: In the FPS genre, its a common feature that after you clear the game once, you unlock different modes, like no enemy mode, or infinite ammo mode. For the STG genre, I want to create unlockables options like making the hitbox smaller (or larger), or continuous hyper mode... things that would add more options to how you can play the game. I also want to add an illustration gallery mode, which we haven't really had in any of our games so far. Of course, you won't use real money in this shop, only coins which you're rewarded with in-game.

Bolded for emphasis. If you want to play it in its purest form, then just play the arcade mode and don't turn on any of the extra options.

[blackoak]

@adversity, thanks for the corrections! I was rushing out the door this morning and didn't have time to give this the usual twice-over. I've added them to the interview... perhaps Ikeda will make more shmups after all. Though it sounds like things are now being passed on to Asada and a new generation, as was mentioned in the Cave History interviews...

[SuperSoaker360]

Saidaioujou's story should just stick to being told through Cave's trademark explosions.

[Giest118]

I'm wondering how the story would be handled in any localization of this game. Would they actually hire a bunch of new VAs?

[Skykid]

Didn't know Deathsmiles was so successful. 240,000 units worldwide is a ton for an STG.

What Asada fails to mention is that there was a pricing error for Deathsmiles on release day from one of the largest online EU retailers. It sold like hotcakes... for about £3 a pop, which managed to get it to the top of the weekly sales chart iirc but at the expense of profit. That's the main reason sales were high, but it was still popular with weeaboos because little girls are in it.

Game's one of Cave's weaker imo, so its success is undeserved regardless.

[n0rtygames]

DoDLCPachi is not what I want to play.

Asada: In the FPS genre, its a common feature that after you clear the game once, you unlock different modes, like no enemy mode, or infinite ammo mode. For the STG genre, I want to create unlockables options like making the hitbox smaller (or larger), or continuous hyper mode... things that would add more options to how you can play the game. I also want to add an illustration gallery mode, which we haven't really had in any of our games so far. Of course, you won't use real money in this shop, only coins which you're rewarded with in-game.

Bolded for emphasis. If you want to play it in its purest form, then just play the arcade mode and don't turn on any of the extra options.

Man, now I feel like an idiot. I read that interview Blackoak posted and must have somehow missed that specific sentence. I even went back and read it after Banshees comments to make sure I hadn't missed that part. Thanks!

To be honest, that's a lot better and sounds more like console extras coming to a port than anything bastardised and money grabbing.




*slaps BZPBanshee upside the head for causing panic and alarm*

[BPzeBanshee]

*slaps BZPBanshee upside the head for causing panic and alarm*

Mock me as you may nArtykatutgames, but if heaven forbid this game comes out and all the top scorers just flick the switches to get Leaderboard Place #1, that slap is coming back right at ya.

(seriously though I do hope Cave at least makes sure that DOESN'T happen)

[n0rtygames]

nArtykatutgames

This is probably a really cutting veiled insult that I'm too stupid to get. I'm gonna go sulk in the corner all paranoid that everyones laughing at me now...

(seriously though I do hope Cave at least makes sure that DOESN'T happen)

I don't mind if it's an extra, with its own ranked board and whatnot. Especially since all the unlocks are gained through 'gold' in game as opposed to actual money. So long as there's a nice pure score attack mode in there, then anything on top is just a bonus!

[O. Van Bruce]

Critizicing every new thing that may atract new people to the genre - Shmups forum (c).

The STG genre has to evolve from the stagnation that it's killing it, that's why Asada mentioned that they are exploring new things to attract the mainstream audience. I also haven't spoted anything that will deprive you of an arcade or even harder experience since everything from the arcade is there, you should be happy that there is even more! Now you can lend your disc to any weaboo friend you have and he can be more interested in playing. Welp, some people here just hate weaboos


I like everything I've seen and I'm curious to see how they'll implement the storytelling since it seems they'll add something more than dialog and a fixed story.

[trap15]

Welp, some people here just hate weaboos

I thought everyone hated weeaboos?

[O. Van Bruce]

Welp, some people here just hate weaboos

I thought everyone hated weeaboos?

Trap, you truly dissapoint me...

[n0rtygames]

Critizicing every new thing that may atract new people to the genre - Shmups forum (c).

As I said, nothing wrong with extras. But if it was at the expense of the pure 'arcade experience' then I'd take issue.

I'm all for having a 'campaign mode' in games, where you level up your ship and upgrade it as you go. That's actually a HUGE draw for casual gamers. Tyrian, Xenon 2 etc etc. People love that shit to death. Maybe we need to have a Tyrian competition to remind people that scoring in a shmup with that kind of progression is entirely valid.

btw, regarding 'new ideas to draw in new players' -- Air Gallet blows Sine Moras socks off. Even if Sine Mora did get a quarter of a million views via Totalbiscuits "WTF IS" series.

[EmperorIng]

Now you can lend your disc to any weaboo friend you have and he can be more interested in playing.

I don't have any weeaboo friends. Checkmate.

[O. Van Bruce]

Now you can lend your disc to any weaboo friend you have and he can be more interested in playing.

I don't have any weeaboo friends. Checkmate.

But then you won't be able to spread the goodness of shmups, since normal people would start complaining about the moeblob drawings and voice acting kawaii uguu.

[Special World]

I don't really mind smaller hitbox mods and stuff, but I'm sure there are a billion and one better things Cave could be doing to grab a more casual audience

that being said, in-game shops with free unlockables are pretty cool, that was one great thing about Mars Matrix.

[O. Van Bruce]

I'm sure there are a billion and one better things Cave could be doing to grab a more casual audience

Getting more customers/fans/money is now something non-top priority for a (struggling) videogame company?

[Special World]

I'm sure there are a billion and one better things Cave could be doing to grab a more casual audience

Getting more customers/fans/money is now something non-top priority for a (struggling) videogame company?

What I was saying is that there are other features they could implement in their games that would be more likely to attract new gamers. A lot of gamers aren't going to know or care what a hitbox is. They might care about an in-game shop if it allows them to unlock extra continues, though. That was a really smart feature of both Mars Matrix and Ikaruga - start players out with one continue so they don't just plow through, and they'll actually have to learn the mechanics.

I think a lot of the genre's problems are just structural, though. The entire structure of a bullet-hell game is unappealing to a mass audience.

[O. Van Bruce]

I'm sure there are a billion and one better things Cave could be doing to grab a more casual audience

Getting more customers/fans/money is now something non-top priority for a (struggling) videogame company?

What I was saying is that there are other features they could implement in their games that would be more likely to attract new gamers. A lot of gamers aren't going to know or care what a hitbox is. They might care about an in-game shop if it allows them to unlock extra continues, though. That was a really smart feature of both Mars Matrix and Ikaruga - start players out with one continue so they don't just plow through, and they'll actually have to learn the mechanics.

I think a lot of the genre's problems are just structural, though. The entire structure of a bullet-hell game is unappealing to a mass audience.

Welp, almost everything they have done for SDOJ has been for marketing purposes. Now it's more appealing for someone that is outside the genre. I'd also like that continues are limited or you have to purchase then but that won't make people get into the genre.

We've had lots of threads to discuss manners of saving shmups but I think Cave is doing an excellent job getting the otaku public in japan, since they are the biggest entertainment goods consumers in Japan. Everything for Cave is solved if they at least get a scrap of that market.

[XoPachi]

Sooooo...

Not sure if it was mentioned or not, but has there been an official release date for Spring?

[Squire Grooktook]

Now you can lend your disc to any weaboo friend you have and he can be more interested in playing.

I don't have any weeaboo friends. Checkmate.

I have a few, but they're also super casual non gamers who rage quit on the first stage of anything remotely challenging.

WhatIDo???

The STG genre has to evolve from the stagnation that it's killing it

I feel like I'v seen this phrase before...

Maybe if i just replace "STG" with "Fighting Game" or "RTS"....

I think a lot of the genre's problems are just structural, though. The entire structure of a bullet-hell game is unappealing to a mass audience.

I dunno, I think the hype explosion among random internet nerds for Touhou kinda says otherwise.

Of course if they actually had to pay to buy it instead of just bootlegging from wherever, it might be a different story.

[EmperorIng]

Now you can lend your disc to any weaboo friend you have and he can be more interested in playing.

I don't have any weeaboo friends. Checkmate.

I have a few, but they're also super casual non gamers who rage quit on the first stage of anything remotely challenging.

WhatIDo???

Plop them down in front of Darius Gaiden and tell them to grow some balls.

I dunno, I think the hype explosion among random internet nerds for Touhou kinda says otherwise.

Fanatical internet nerds =/= mass audience.

[Squire Grooktook]

Darius Gaiden is actually a pretty good idea lol.

Fanatical internet nerds =/= mass audience.

Yeah, but it's still really amazing that it reached such a large number of people who otherwise probably wouldn't give a shit about shmups.

Now if we're talking mass mass audience, as in the fabled "casuals" that every developer wants to harness to their own ends, I honestly think those guys are more into the games they are into for the social (read: all my friends bought it) aspect then anything else.

[To Far Away Times]

I'd be pretty open to a non-bullet hell, non-loli, horizontal memorizer with an in game shop between levels (that uses score for currency) and allows you to upgrade your ship. No checkpoints, you pick up where you die. Ikaruga/Sine Mora style visuals. I think you could still make a legitimately great shmup like that; opening up the game for people outside this niche, but still offering the substance that those well versed in shmups want.

Bullet hell is going to be a hard sell no matter what you do.

The Dariusburst AC machine at the local arcade goes relatively unplayed, despite the fuckawesome cabinet, because it looks too challenging (it's not, its one of the easier shmups out there). Every one of my (non shmup playing) friends that has played it really liked it though, when they realized it wasn't that hard and they could play and survive. The goal is to offer enough appealing features to those who don't play these games, and making sure the game doesn't appear too difficult.

[Formless God]

What is Novice.

memorizer
upgrade
anything visual

substance that those well versed in shmups want.

Pfft, ahahaha.

[To Far Away Times]

What is Novice.

A forgettable difficulty level buried deep in the menus that no one plays.

Pfft, ahahaha.

None of those elements inherently make a poor shmup. Between these four games: Ikaruga, Gradius, R-Type, and Tyrian you can cover all of those elements, and all of those games that are are both popular on this forum and popular outside of the traditional shmup market.

[Squire Grooktook]

Personally, the only thing in that formula I'd do away with is the memorizer quality. I know some people enjoy dissecting the stage and executing the pattern, but personally I prefer it when the strategy is intuitive enough that it can be grasped simply by being a clever, smart player, rather then have to rely on a ton of credit feeding based experimentation.

But like I said, it's not a bad thing. I know games like R-Type can be fun, and there is a charm to that style of play. It's just not for everyone.

[BPzeBanshee]

nArtykatutgames

This is probably a really cutting veiled insult that I'm too stupid to get. I'm gonna go sulk in the corner all paranoid that everyones laughing at me now...

Not at all! I was merely having a friendly Aussie jab in response to "BZPBanshee". Don't hate me bro!

Sooooo...

Not sure if it was mentioned or not, but has there been an official release date for Spring?

May 31st I'm pretty sure, was on Cave's website.

[n0rtygames]

Not at all! I was merely having a friendly Aussie jab in response to "BZPBanshee". Don't hate me bro!

Obviously I can't even read. Fuck knows how I manage to write games... >.>