Chris Kramer interview at Biohaze

[Dot50Cal]

You people expect too much from the executives at Capcom

[Alexia_Ashford]

This guy said Barry is dead and Sherry wasn't in RE2. O.O

[Archelon]

You people expect too much from the executives at Capcom

This.

I don't really understand why people continue to be surprised that a marketing director (isn't that his official title?) isn't as well versed in the games as fans are. Having extensive knowledge of a series' mythology, characters, history, etc, isn't exactly necessary when it comes to knowing how to market the product.

And I know I'll probably sound like a jerk by saying this, but I think ultimately this is a good example of why fans shouldn't be the ones to conduct interviews with developers, executives, marketing staff, etc. I know we all have a tendency to think that we'd be the perfect ones to perform these types of interviews, because we're so knowledgeable about the franchise, but there's a certain level of tact that comes into play when interviewing people in these positions, and most fans lack it.

Even if you don't particularly like the person you're interviewing, or you can't for the life of you figure out how he/she was hired when they don't even know "X" character was in "X" game, there has to be at least some sense of respect demonstrated when asking certain questions. I don't mean to sound like I'm accusing anyone of lacking this respect or even not liking Kramer, but allow me to offer an example for future reference to do with as you please.

One of the people mentioned how they felt that the series had lost a lot of what made the series compelling with the shift of focus in RE4 and RE5. There is nothing wrong with feeling this way. However, you can't just come out and say it so bluntly or matter-of-factly. A better way to phrase it would have been to say something like, "There is a sizeable contingent of fans who feel that the series has strayed a bit too far from what initially made it unique." Then offer examples. This way you voice your own concern, but you don't put yourself or the person being interviewed into an awkward or uncomfortable position. It doesn't share the same accusatory tone (whether or not the accusatory tone was intended).

It's kind of like there's an unwritten etiquette when it comes to performing these kinds of interviews. Again, I'm not trying to sound pretentious or anything, but I work for a local radio station, and I've learned a few things when it comes to performing interviews, particularly when it's with someone you may not agree with or even dislike.

Having said that, overall I enjoyed listening to the interview and congratulate Biohaze for being given the opportunity to speak with Kramer.

[Mr_Zombie]

Maybe you're right, but then, no one is expecting this guy to know Raccoon City's mayor first name or CV's Hunter's codename. I think he should have a basic knowledge about the series he is marketing or else he will end up saying crap like "Barry was killed by Tyrant". It doesn't sound right when you're marketing a product you don't really know.

[Archelon]

One could argue, however, that he doesn't really need to market it to fans, and therefore what he does or doesn't know about the specifics of the series as a whole is largely irrelevant, because the whole point of marketing is to bring in people who have never experienced the product before now. These people aren't going to care if he knows whether or not Barry survived the events of RE1. Heck, many of them may not even know who Barry is, and even if they do, probably don't care whether or not the person doing the marketing has knowledge of the character's ultimate fate.

[Zombie Fred]

Chris Kramer, what have you done. So. Many. Mistakes.

[Canas Renvall]

^ This. Not to mention, like Alexia said, "Sherry wasn't in RE2." or not knowing Alexia, a main villain of one of the series' games (which is kinda hard to forget, so I doubt he does know), but I recall him basically saying something like "We're moving forward, so forget the older games' stories because they don't matter now. " *shakes head*

[Archelon]

So what exactly is the point in interviewing him if most people are going to spend more time harping on about his less than encyclopedic knowledge of the series than they are actually listening to the interview and the answers he gave (to the best of his ability, I'm sure) to the various questions?

It's not like he had to do the interview in the first place.

[Canas Renvall]

Oh, I'm not saying it's not cool to interview someone at Capcom. I'm sure Chris Kramer is a great guy to talk to.

Just... like someone said, know what you're marketing. I mean, Alexia and Sherry are more or less integral parts of their respective games (well, Sherry maybe not so much... but she does have the G-Virus sample in her locket which is important). It's hardly "encyclopedic" knowledge to know who they are. Like I said, Alexia is the main villain of CVX. It's hard not to know her.

Overall, though, I suppose I was being harsh. In all honesty, it was a nice interview and I more or less enjoyed it. However, a few things were just nagging at me (see above). Other than that, it was pretty okay.

[Bianca]

This guy said Barry is dead and Sherry wasn't in RE2. O.O

Barry's dead inside. So, Kramer's answer counts.

Just kidding, but I was extremely amused how everyone was totally expecting him to answer that way and then jumped to correct him once he said it. *laughs*

I'm REALLY glad they asked about Sherry, though. That made my heart flutter all over. Disappointed by Kramer's blatant lack of knowledge... however, his answer left me hopeful that Sherry will indeed show up in DSC. *crosses fingers*

In any case, I can't get myself to completely criticize this guy. Some of his answers make me shake my head in disbelief, but he's not directly involved with the production of any of the games, so I'm sure it's hard for him to give answers on aspects of the games (particularly the upcoming ones) that he knows little about.

[Stars1356]

I think Kramer should just be honest and say he has now idea where Barry is or if he doesn't know who some of the other characters are. I realize he might not know much about the series and probably got involved with the series around Re 4 so why try to bullshit. I guess I will have to listen to interview before I say anymore.

[Vogue_Dirge]

Did anyway notice how he said "Sherry will appear in child form in the Resident Evil 2 portion"?

Does that imply that she will appear in an older form later in the game?

[CODE_umb87]

Did anyway notice how he said "Sherry will appear in child form in the Resident Evil 2 portion"?

Does that imply that she will appear in an older form later in the game?

I really hope so. DSC needs to resolve Sherry's story.

[Darkmoon]

I'm sorry, but when you send a guy to do interviews for a game series, one of your biggest selling franchises in fact, doesn't it make you look like you don't give a crap when the guy you send knows literally nothing about the series beyond what he can write on a small napkin? I mean sure, not everyone at Capcom needs to know a detailed history of the game...but surely you want the guy doing interviews to make it look good.

[Mr_Zombie]

I really hope so. DSC needs to resolve Sherry's story.

I hope that DSC resolves stories of Sherry and Ada x Leon so in RE6 they could really move on without fans waiting (in vain) for yet another chance to fix plotholes from a 11 years old game.