Shadows of the DAMNED // EA + Mikami + Suda + Yamaoka

[Pikminister]

I think the problem is that they're trying too hard to cater to Western gamers. At least their interpretation of who they are and what they expect in their games.

Maybe Suda & Mikami believe that that's exactly what EA expects from them. To make a game designed for westerners. And to sell a million on day one.

If that's indeed the case, a lot of fans of those two are going to be disappointed.

[DarkMemories]

Perhaps I missed the "horror" part of this title somewhere in the trailer, but all I saw was NMH with RE4 aiming and Yamaoka (sp?) music.

[BBboy20]

I was more reminded of anything Gothic (DMC/The Haunted: Hell's Reach, etc.) meets Dead Space. =/

[Rombie]

EA = Money

Just like Mikami said.

So they could just phone it in.

Perhaps they're spreading themselves too thin... the two of them are working about three or four projects at the same time.

[MeanBob]

Game looks like it's gonna be cool as hell. Not only that, but it definitely has that over-the-top look which Suda51 is known for. One thing I'm curious to hear more is Akira Yamaoka's music in this game and what influences Mikami is gonna put in this game.

[GuardhouseMusic]

As long as it's accessible, fun, and memorable, I don't care if there's no horror. While tension and scares would be great, these days there's not a lot to find. I feel right now the industry needs another RE or SH-- considerably successful and lauded for its effectiveness-- in order to encourage other developers to at worst imitate and at best improve. Dead Space only approaches that.

[DarkMemories]

It (the Industry) definitely needs another definitive horror title, SH can't cut it on its own (it hasn't ever been that much of a mover and shaker aside from the first two) and I don't consider Dead Space particularly scary or even all that foreboding. The problem is that everyone's on an action fix these days and no one's willing to explore other territories.

Hell, the only scares I get these days is the occasional ninja-Tank in Left 4 Dead.

[aris13]

Shinji Mikami Interview

[Pikminister]

From a recent New York Times article:

Grasshopper Manufacture — the cult game developer behind critically acclaimed, if financially unrewarding, titles like Killer7 and No More Heroes — recently worked with Electronic Arts on a psychological action thriller due in stores next summer.

Unveiling the game, Shadows of the Damned, at the Tokyo Game Show, Goichi Suda, Grasshopper’s chief executive, said the title was designed “to appeal to a global audience.”

But the creative director of the game, Shinji Mikami, who was also behind Capcom’s Resident Evil games, cited a culture clash between the Japanese design house and its partners at Electronic Arts.

“Japanese developers tend to work on inspiration, not so much on a set time schedule like the Americans,” Mr. Mikami said in an interview. “So when EA asked about the game month after month, we felt like loan sharks were coming after us.”

But there are no hard feelings, evidently. “We’re grateful to EA for being so understanding,” Mr. Mikami said.

LOL Mikami found out that Electronic Arts is less about art and a hell lot more about making profits.

[BBboy20]

You would think EA wouldn't try to push that kind of agenda on legendary developers. =/

[Canas Renvall]

^ They single-handedly killed Sega's (read: creator of Sonic) Dreamcast. I don't think they give a crap about who they push around. XP

[James]

I really like the design of the blonde woman in the trailer. Not sure why, she just seems so perfect for this kind of game. Garcia looks awful though.

[Pikminister]

^^^ Didn't you get the memo? Japanese game makers believe that they should make their "Western" Heroes look as ugly as possible. This to cater to western gamers. So they shy away from having as leads the scrawny/lanky metrosexuals we see in most Japanese games.

They started this trend since the first Dead Rising.

[BBboy20]

Huh? Even then, Dead Rising took place in suburbia USA in a aethetically grounded look; what you expect characters to look like? =/

At least the character has Suda's fashion sense.

[aris13]

At least the character has Suda's fashion sense.

Oh yes. The sleeve of his jacket reads "Love will tear us apart".