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The Castlevania Dungeon Forums => General Castlevania Discussion => Topic started by: Nagumo on March 17, 2014, 08:08:49 AM

Title: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Nagumo on March 17, 2014, 08:08:49 AM
http://uk.ign.com/articles/2014/03/1...-leaves-konami (http://uk.ign.com/articles/2014/03/1...-leaves-konami)

Quote
Koji Igarashi, best known for his work on Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, has left Konami. His last day at the Japanese developer was Saturday, March 15.

The producer departed the studio with intent to open a new development studio.

"I've decided to break out on my own to have the freedom to make the kind of games I really want to make -- the same kind I think fans of my past games want as well," Igarashi told IGN. "Leaving Konami was a big decision, and not one I took lightly – I’ve spent my entire career there, made many friends, and had a lot of great opportunities – but I hope all the gamers and fans who have supported me in the past will join me in being excited about what comes next. Wish me luck!”
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 17, 2014, 08:11:01 AM
I wondered why this hadn't been posted yet. You were making it the same time I was. As goes Keiji Inafune, so goes Koji Igarashi.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Dremn on March 17, 2014, 08:11:43 AM
Holy shit.

I guess a Castlevania successor via kickstarter just like Mighty No. 9 is around the corner? I would be so ok with that.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 17, 2014, 08:13:16 AM
That would certainly be interesting. Konami may have the rights to "Castlevania" but they can't stop him from making a game about other people that fight Dracula.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Trevelyan on March 17, 2014, 08:15:41 AM
I'm very curious about the timing of this.  Did he wait to until the Castlevania IP was up for grabs again, and Konami denied it to him?

And yes, in theory he should be able to make games that use everything *except* the Belmonts, right? Going to be interesting.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Dremn on March 17, 2014, 08:18:11 AM
That would certainly be interesting. Konami may have the rights to "Castlevania" but they can't stop him from making a game about other people that fight Dracula.
Might not even be about Dracula, but hopefully it will essentially be a Castlevania game just as much as MN9 is Mega Man.
I'm very curious about the timing of this.  Did he wait to until the Castlevania IP was up for grabs again, and Konami denied it to him?
That, or he's sick and tired of working on shovel-ware at a small desk.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: crisis on March 17, 2014, 08:25:28 AM
get ready for not-castlevania games that are more in common with castlevania than konami-castlevania
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Nagumo on March 17, 2014, 08:25:42 AM
Now IGA can follow his true passion and make more Leedmees. In all seriousness, I salute him. R.I.P IGA.

And R.I.P 1999, lol.


Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Flame on March 17, 2014, 08:26:17 AM
Time for Mighty Number Vania.

Which ironically, would essentially be a complete reboot of the Castlevania format and concepts.

Also, this is pretty good news as it means he won't be reusing Rondo sprites anymore.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 17, 2014, 08:26:24 AM
Well that's what I meant, he's totally free to make an IGA style 2D game just as Inafune is making MN9, but Igarashi has even more freedom to get closer to our beloved IP because Konami can't copyright Dracula as a character.

But I can totally see him making something completely unrelated to Castlevania, because at least Konami is still wanting to do something with the series, when it came to Inafune, making MN9 was basically because Capcom threw the Rockman series into the dumpster.

And then set the dumpsters contents on fire.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Little Dracula on March 17, 2014, 08:28:58 AM
Good for him, he was doing nothing in Konami and probably had a paycheck for live, so it take guts to leave that confort zone.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Dremn on March 17, 2014, 08:31:52 AM
And R.I.P 1999, lol.
This is the only downside to this, Konami missed out on a seriously golden opportunity.

Julius Belmont would have sold gangbusters.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 17, 2014, 08:32:54 AM
Really all I'm hoping for now is that he teams up with Inafune and they make a Metroidvania with Robots. A MegaMightriodvania No. X if you will.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Ahasverus on March 17, 2014, 08:36:38 AM
(https://castlevaniadungeon.net/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Felmeme.me%2Fstatic%2Fusuarios%2F2965_avatar_20140208.jpg&hash=aaacfb333720c5ba0cee8f382a429f6f)
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Chernabogue on March 17, 2014, 08:43:57 AM
Nice! :)
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 17, 2014, 08:49:59 AM
Konami hasn't missed out on any opportunity. They still have the rights to Julius Belmont and there's no reason a 1999 game can't still be made, and there's no reason that Igarashi couldn't participate in its development anyway as a consultant.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Ahasverus on March 17, 2014, 08:51:51 AM
You know what I lke about this? The same thing that happens when a favorite band of mine departs with its singer, we get both for separate giving the best fof themselves. Now we'll (hopefully) have the awespme new Castlevania (Which has to be because it has to make up for LoS2) and the awesome totally-not-Castlevania (which can be pretty much a canon Castlevania as almost everything in the series is public domain, only the Belmonts aren't).
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: crisis on March 17, 2014, 09:06:15 AM
Quote
Now we'll (hopefully) have the awespme new Castlevania (Which has to be because it has to make up for LoS2

gameplay-wise los2 was good except for the playforming (or lack thereof) but the combat and controls was satisfying and intuitive. and the castlE sections were excellent. if next 3D konami game would focus on expanding the castle while developing the platforming and keeping the combat & tight controls, then we might have a winner
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Ahasverus on March 17, 2014, 09:08:49 AM
gameplay-wise los2 was good except for the playforming (or lack thereof) but the combat and controls was satisfying and intuitive. and the castlE sections were excellent. if next 3D konami game would focus on expanding the castle while developing the platforming and keeping the combat & tight controls, then we might have a winner
Yep, I'm counting on Climax reusing the LoS engine and artstyle but listening to criticism. They are a good studio. (Please be Climax)
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Trevelyan on March 17, 2014, 09:11:32 AM
Yep, I'm counting on Climax reusing the LoS engine and artstyle but listening to criticism. They are a good studio. (Please be Climax)

I wonder if they'd go so far as to reuse portions of the LoS2 Castle.  Didn't that basically happen with the recent Batman game?
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Kingshango on March 17, 2014, 09:14:10 AM
Thanks for the memories, both good and bad. Best of luck to your future endeavors Mr. Igarashi :'(

Boyz II Men - It's So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VastXQ_hPb0#)

On the other hand, can't wait for the Brave Vampire Hunter.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Ratty on March 17, 2014, 09:19:14 AM
Nice! Here's hoping if he goes the Kickstarter route that he gets lots of support. I don't think the Metroidvania fandom has been quite as starved as the Mega Man one was, but hopefully he'll still get all of the money he needs and (if the games are as good as I assume they will be) make lots of sales. Should be nice to see what he can do without the corporate suites lashing his team with shouts of "Faster, Cheaper!"
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: derision on March 17, 2014, 09:21:32 AM
I wouldn't hold my breath on his new game being all that similar to Castlevania or for that matter involving Dracula.

Who knows, though.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 17, 2014, 09:24:47 AM
Well like Ahasverus said, they've got a great engine from Lords of Shadow 2 that they'd be crazy not to use if the next game is 3D. All it needs is the proper story to be used in.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: RegalSin on March 17, 2014, 09:37:17 AM
Meh, he probably feels, while it is a good position, he would not achieve the success he would rather have as with Miyamoto.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Nagumo on March 17, 2014, 09:39:05 AM
Please no more games with seperate combat zones inhabited by damage sponge monsters. It was fine in LoS1 I guess, but when they combined it with open-ended exploration it got on my nerves. Can't they design it like Demon's or Dark Souls? I'm tired of combos and scripted platforming, too. They should do platforming like Ico and make it a puzzle.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Ahasverus on March 17, 2014, 09:41:02 AM
Please no more games with seperate combat zones inhabited by damage sponge monsters. It was fine in LoS1 I guess, but when they combined it with open-ended exploration it got on my nerves. Can't they design it like Demon's or Dark Souls? I'm tired of combos and scripted platforming, too. They should do platforming like Ico and make it a puzzle.
I agree with enemy sponges, they need to resist less, react more and be more varied. I could use less ledging too. The rest is fine.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: catnipped on March 17, 2014, 09:42:27 AM
Found out the news today....registered on the forum to express my sadness at Iga's departure. The CV I knew and loved is gone.  :'(
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Ahasverus on March 17, 2014, 09:43:11 AM
Found out the news today....registered on the forum to express my sadness at Iga's departure. The CV I knew and loved is gone.  :'(
Eh, it's probably more alive than it was yesterday ;)
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: kaiwai on March 17, 2014, 09:49:24 AM
Thanks for everything Mr Iga ...

... but I'm a Castlevania fan, not an Igrashi fan.  :-*
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: catnipped on March 17, 2014, 09:51:48 AM
Eh, it's probably more alive than it was yesterday ;)

More on life support.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 17, 2014, 09:55:08 AM
I believe he meant that its more alive because Igarashi is now free to make those styles of games now on his own, and Konami wouldn't have gone back to them anyway.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Shinobi on March 17, 2014, 10:02:17 AM
If he's ever making a spiritual game to his previous CV games, it won't still feel like a Castlevania to me IMO, metroidvania isn't really a Castlevania that I grown with in the first place.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: catnipped on March 17, 2014, 10:06:54 AM
I believe he meant that its more alive because Igarashi is now free to make those styles of games now on his own, and Konami wouldn't have gone back to them anyway.
A "Castlevania-style" game is nice, especially from Iga, which I'm definitely gonna support. But the chance of an official CV game going back to its roots is gone. The Belmont story is dead, and it was Iga who pieced all the games into a cohesive narrative.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Dremn on March 17, 2014, 10:07:14 AM
I guess this means IGA will have to use completely new sprites and assets now. :p
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: knightmere on March 17, 2014, 10:11:58 AM
Good for IGA, the total lack of respect from Konami was unwarranted given all he has done for them.  Now if only Konami would just kill off the series entirely instead of continuing to sour this once proud franchise these abominations aimed at casuals.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 17, 2014, 10:15:04 AM
What was not casual about Iga's games? They were the easiest games in the series. The most difficult thing I can remember from them was drawing those ridiculous seals in Dawn of Sorrow, and that was just annoying more than difficult.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Ahasverus on March 17, 2014, 10:19:48 AM
Good for IGA, the total lack of respect from Konami was unwarranted given all he has done for them.  Now if only Konami would just kill off the series entirely instead of continuing to sour this once proud franchise these abominations aimed at casuals.
This is the most selfish, dickish and self righteous post I've seen in this forum. How about you just leave and leave us casuals here.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Thomas Belmont on March 17, 2014, 10:21:37 AM
Awesome! I'm so glad that Iga can no longer desecrate the Castlevania series. I enjoyed the game play of most of his games but I think he totally ruined the series' story line. All he did was piss on the Belmonts and and Dracula's 100 year resurrection rule. Because of Iga, anybody can defeat Dracula, using any type of weapon, every couple of years.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: catnipped on March 17, 2014, 10:24:17 AM
What was not casual about Iga's games? They were the easiest games in the series. The most difficult thing I can remember from them was drawing those ridiculous seals in Dawn of Sorrow, and that was just annoying more than difficult.

I believe he meant casuals as in the mainstream casual dudebro gamer that would just as soon chuck a 2D Castlevania for a Call of Duty or GoW clone.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Dremn on March 17, 2014, 10:24:53 AM
IGA should hire Masaki Hirooka for his new studio, would love to see him get more work.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: thernz on March 17, 2014, 10:28:34 AM
Happy birthday, IGA.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Ahasverus on March 17, 2014, 10:29:06 AM
IGA should hire Masaki Hirooka for his new studio, would love to see him get more work.
I kinda fully expect Ayami Kojima and Yamane running with him. Judging by his statement, he really wants to go full stop with fanservice.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Shinobi on March 17, 2014, 10:35:34 AM
Somewhere, the founder of "operation akumajo" locked up in his own room.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Dremn on March 17, 2014, 10:36:29 AM
I kinda fully expect Ayami Kojima and Yamane running with him. Judging by his statement, he really wants to go full stop with fanservice.
I don't expect Ayami or Yamane to be back, but that would be amazing,

Man it kinda feels like Castlevania is dead now.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Ahasverus on March 17, 2014, 10:43:39 AM
I don't expect Ayami or Yamane to be back, but that would be amazing,

Man it kinda feels like Castlevania is dead now.
I do feel kinda empty now  :-\
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Aridale on March 17, 2014, 10:48:41 AM
there was castlevania long before him and there will be castlevania still. I dont see how this man is treated like the god of cv by some ppl. He worked on SoTN sure but he wasnt the director or even someone with a huge role. All he did was take the formula for the most successful cv of all time and regurgitate it over and over with mostly poor results. Im not sayin I like the direction its gone in anymore now than I did then but IGA wasnt the end all be all of the series
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: djrunza on March 17, 2014, 10:51:39 AM
(https://castlevaniadungeon.net/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F5ZAF8CE.gif%3F1&hash=2ae117da5b962991ba4bc71d814033c8)

I don't know what else to say...... Just crying and sulking in the corner....... Hopefully IGA-sama will continue the legacy of the original Castlevania and collaborate with WayForward to make a new Castlevania game at its finest!  :'(
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Dremn on March 17, 2014, 10:54:12 AM
there was castlevania long before him and there will be castlevania still. I dont see how this man is treated like the god of cv by some ppl.
Not so much he's god, but his departure signals the end of an era for Castlevania and Konami.

LoS2 apparently bombed, and Konami probably won't revisit the IP for awhile until they find a new studio/direction for the series. Who knows how long that will take, but we all knew at the end of the day Konami never had plans to return to what we all love about Castlevania in the first place; the 2D games.

If that doesn't bother you then more power to you, but I'm not liking the idea of the series reinventing itself over and over again to the point we get something way more different than LoS, and LoS didn't have much to do with the series until the dev team listened to criticism with the sequels.

This industry has taught me it pays to be more pessimistic than optimistic these days.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: DragonSlayr81 on March 17, 2014, 10:55:36 AM
I kinda fully expect Ayami Kojima and Yamane running with him. Judging by his statement, he really wants to go full stop with fanservice.
I don't see why not. Kojima and Yamane SEEM to be buds with IGA. I'm sure they are all on good terms, and considering Kojima and Yamane are both freelancers, anything could happen.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Intersection on March 17, 2014, 11:02:31 AM
So we'll never see an IGA-penned 1999, will we? Seems like the greatest of hopes has finally been shattered...

Still, if he has left to found his own studio, then this won't be the last time we hear from him. And to be honest, more IGA and more Metroidvania is more than enough to keep me happy -- Konami or no Konami. I'm looking forward to his next game.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Chernabogue on March 17, 2014, 11:04:04 AM
Found out the news today....registered on the forum to express my sadness at Iga's departure. The CV I knew and loved is gone.  :'(
Castlevania isn't just IGA. I was more disappointed to see Yamane leaving.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Kingshango on March 17, 2014, 11:06:55 AM
So we'll never see an IGA-penned 1999, will we? Seems like the greatest of hopes has finally been shattered...


He can still do it, just change 1999 to 2012 and Demon Castle War to Angel Palace Siege and he has a plot.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Ahasverus on March 17, 2014, 11:18:27 AM
He can still do it, just change 1999 to 2012 and Demon Castle War to Angel Palace Siege and he has a plot.
I would die.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Dremn on March 17, 2014, 11:25:44 AM
I really hope the setting is essentially the same.

I won't even be mad if I have to whip lanterns and candles again.

Jeez imagine how good the music could sound again, too. :}
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Kamirine on March 17, 2014, 11:34:09 AM
I wish him all the best and what he puts out, like I plan to do with MN9, I'll support the hell out of it.

Though I do wonder now: MS is done, IGA is gone...so what will become of my beloved CV now?  Something brand new?  A retread of the Classicvania or set in LoS era?  I'm actually really excited.  It's like with him gone but getting to make essentially Metroidvania games, I get to have my cake and eat it too. Selfish maybe, but having both rocks.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Oniros on March 17, 2014, 11:34:30 AM
This is the happiest and saddest news I've read surrounding Castlevania in a long time. On one hand we will now never get the conclusion (1999 battle) to the original timeline; and after LoS2 bombing, Konami will either outsource CV games to the lowest bidder like Silent Hill or stop making them altogether. On the other, Iga is free to do what he pleases and it is pretty evident we can expect a Kickstarter in the coming weeks. Honestly, I don't care at this point what name the new franchise uses. As long as the gameplay is there I will back the shit out of it. I hope Iga is smart enough to base it on his more successful titles like AoS or OoE and implement a Soul/Glyph system on top of the platforming.

Also, him making a new IP will hopefully shut up all the detractors who said the man had no talent and recycled SotN over and over. I have big respects for the man and it irks me to hear such stupidity. As someone who has played everything post-SotN over and over, there have been substantial differences between titles. Assets might have been re-used but the gameplay changed dramatically from CotN to OoE. Overall, I would say this is a happy news for Iga fans and Iga haters alike.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: beingthehero on March 17, 2014, 11:36:03 AM
He worked on SoTN sure but he wasnt the director or even someone with a huge role.

Uh, he was the assistant director, scenario writer, and programmer. This details the extent of his role (it was pretty big)

http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2012/09/feature_the_making_of_castlevania_symphony_of_the_night (http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2012/09/feature_the_making_of_castlevania_symphony_of_the_night)

I hope he does a kickstarter, i'm sure a lot of dungeonites including myself would make a significant contribution towards his project.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Nagumo on March 17, 2014, 11:36:24 AM
I really like how the thread at Neogaf is pretty much all "Glad he's finally leaving that sinking ship called Konami!" comments. 
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: e105beta on March 17, 2014, 11:36:43 AM
Not so much he's god, but his departure signals the end of an era for Castlevania and Konami.

LoS2 apparently bombed, and Konami probably won't revisit the IP for awhile until they find a new studio/direction for the series. Who knows how long that will take, but we all knew at the end of the day Konami never had plans to return to what we all love about Castlevania in the first place; the 2D games.

If that doesn't bother you then more power to you, but I'm not liking the idea of the series reinventing itself over and over again to the point we get something way more different than LoS, and LoS didn't have much to do with the series until the dev team listened to criticism with the sequels.

This industry has taught me it pays to be more pessimistic than optimistic these days.

IMO, IGA didn't create Castlevania, and his departure sure as well won't kill it, but with your logic, it was dead long before IGA left.

Count me as someone who never thought IGA was coming back. He was on the Castlevania "project", so to speak, for 13 years. You don't just take a series out of someone's hands after 13 years only to give it back 4 years later. Whatever was going on behind the scenes, Konami no longer saw IGA as a profitable investment. That doesn't just change because the new idea "flops", and I use the quotation marks because we don't really know if it is a flop quite yet. We have 55k sales in 4 days for the physical PS3 copies. That's it.

Anyways, there is still a chance to see 2D-vania again. Is it a big chance? No not really, but it's no bigger or smaller than it was after Harmony of Depair came out. But perhaps with the current market, it's more suitable to the indie scene anyways. I'm sure whatever IGA comes out with will basically be a Metroidvania in everything but name, and will most likely itch everything IGA-fans are looking for.

Whatever he makes, I'm sure I'll end up playing it.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Kingshango on March 17, 2014, 11:38:35 AM
I really like how the thread at Neogaf is pretty much all "Glad he's finally leaving that sinking ship called Konami!" comments.

To be fair, they're not exactly wrong. (https://castlevaniadungeon.net/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecoli.com%2Fstyles%2Fdefault%2Fxenforo%2Fsmilies%2Fyeshrug.png&hash=85087377a020c68a634f040c267f9052)
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Nagumo on March 17, 2014, 11:39:28 AM
Oh, I never denied that. They only have Kojima now.  :)
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Dremn on March 17, 2014, 11:42:41 AM
Once Kojima leaves Konami is pretty much finished.

I'm really starting to see a trend here, all this talent leaving their publishers. The winds of change are indeed blowing.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Ahasverus on March 17, 2014, 11:42:57 AM
I really like how the thread at Neogaf is pretty much all "Glad he's finally leaving that sinking ship called Konami!" comments.
That's pretty much true. Konami representant swears they are going to turn it around this gen tho.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Kingshango on March 17, 2014, 11:48:41 AM
Once Kojima leaves Konami is pretty much finished.


Konami's gaming division would crumble if Kojima leaves, like Jordan leaving the Bulls back in the 90's.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: catnipped on March 17, 2014, 11:49:35 AM
Castlevania isn't just IGA. I was more disappointed to see Yamane leaving.

Iga's departure is the end of an era, of consistently great CV games (with the exception of Judgment).

I think the last CV game before SotN was what, CV64? As far as I'm concerned, Iga saved the CV franchise from extinction.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Ahasverus on March 17, 2014, 11:53:44 AM
Iga's departure is the end of an era, of consistently great CV games (with the exception of Judgment).

And Lamment of Innocence, and Curse of Darkness, and Order of Shadows, and Portrait of Ruin.

Quote
I think the last CV game before SotN was what, CV64? As far as I'm concerned, Iga saved the CV franchise from extinction.

64 came after, the game before SOTN was called Rondo of Blood, which is the pinnacle of the classic series. Try again. And SOTN was Hagihara's invention (as RoB was) so IGA's first full title was Harmony of Dissonance (Coming after the excellent Circle of The Moon) or Castlevania Chronicles if you want. So, no, IGA didn't save anything.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Kingshango on March 17, 2014, 11:55:22 AM


I think the last CV game before SotN was what, CV64? As far as I'm concerned, Iga saved the CV franchise from extinction.

SOTN came out before CV64.

And Lamment of Innocence, and Curse of Darkness, and Order of Shadows, Nano Breaker and Portrait of Ruin.


Just for shit's n giggles.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Dremn on March 17, 2014, 11:59:23 AM
I wonder what IGA will call his new studio.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Ahasverus on March 17, 2014, 12:01:29 PM
I wonder what IGA will call his new studio.
The Forgotten Ones?
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Intersection on March 17, 2014, 12:02:38 PM
Oh, I never denied that. They only have Kojima now.  :)
That last bastion of Konami supremacy. It actually never was much of a mystery, and now that Castlevania seems to be edging out of the picture, the rest of the story is pretty simple. When Kojima goes out, Konami goes down.



And Lamment of Innocence, and Curse of Darkness, and Order of Shadows, and Portrait of Ruin.
That's your opinion.

And SOTN was Hagihara's invention (as RoB was)
We've already had that debate. Let's not start it all over again.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Dremn on March 17, 2014, 12:03:16 PM
The Forgotten Ones?
Studio SOMA.

HAMMER Productions.

I'mInterestedinThis Inc.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 17, 2014, 12:05:22 PM
What is a Studio?
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: catnipped on March 17, 2014, 12:06:00 PM
SOTN came out before CV64.
Oh whoops. Guess that dated look made me forget.

And Lamment of Innocence, and Curse of Darkness, and Order of Shadows, and Portrait of Ruin.
They weren't bad. Dunno about Order of Shadows, though I'm calling BS on any of you actually playing it either.

64 came after, the game before SOTN was called Rondo of Blood, which is the pinnacle of the classic series. Try again. And SOTN was Hagihara's invention (as RoB was) so IGA's first full title was Harmony of Dissonance (Coming after the excellent Circle of The Moon) or Castlevania Chronicles if you want. So, no, IGA didn't save anything.
No one but a select few even got to play Rondo in the US except importers. IGA had multiple credits on SotN. Kudos to Hagihara, but Iga continued with the series.

It doesnt surprise me that it's the LoS fans minimizing Iga's contributions and talking smack though.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Ahasverus on March 17, 2014, 12:06:18 PM
That's your opinion.
PoR might be my opinion, but the other ones are objectively bad games. Add Despair too.
Quote
We've already had that debate. Let's not start it all over again.
No one gets a director credit for being a supervisor. Even if it was the initial idea it was Toru's. IGA didn't save anything.

Oh whoops. Guess that dated look made me forget.

They weren't bad. Dunno about Order of Shadows, though I'm calling BS on any of you actually playing it either.

It doesnt surprise me that it's the LoS fans minimizing Iga's contributions and talking smack though.

I'm calling bullshit on you knowing me. See my join date? (in fact i think I got here in Order of Shadows' times, funnily enough) I was here before LoS, leave your arrogance at the door, kid.

What is a Studio?
(https://castlevaniadungeon.net/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.ffffound.com%2Fstatic-data%2Fassets%2F6%2Fa1f0d78fadc07b34ec68ac69dd5b74a07c805fad_m.gif&hash=21d37146b41e037da24c7657324adb41)
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: beingthehero on March 17, 2014, 12:12:14 PM
IGA had no part with Order of Shadows, it was developed by an American studio.

Also outside the Dungeon PoR is pretty well regarded.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Darth Cariss on March 17, 2014, 12:18:43 PM
I'm sad to see IGA go. As much as I love Castlevania as a whole, he is responsible for my favorite games in the series. I understand that he couldn't make Castlevania games forever, but I do wish he could've done his final 1999 game first. I kinda feel like we didn't get a complete ending to his saga, which is too bad.

I don't know what's next, and I don't expect to see it for a while, but I hope it's good.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Ahasverus on March 17, 2014, 12:18:55 PM
IGA had no part with Order of Shadows, it was developed by an American studio.

Also outside the Dungeon PoR is pretty well regarded.
Isn't he credited as producer anyway? And yep, I know about PoR. Still it's sandwiched into 2 good games.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: catnipped on March 17, 2014, 12:26:34 PM
I'm calling bullshit on you knowing me. See my join date? (in fact i think I got here in Order of Shadows' times, funnily enough) I was here before LoS, leave your arrogance at the door, kid.
;D

Yah, I don't know you, though I recognized your name on that neogaf thread. So then you've been around long enough to know about Iga's supposed "sexist" comment, and proceeded to pretend to play stupid like you didn't. Trying to make out Iga to be a sexist on there huh? Nice.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: DarkPrinceAlucard on March 17, 2014, 12:29:06 PM
Well did not really expect him to take over the series again anyway, so I'm glad he is gone now so he can do his own thing without Konami keeping him under lock and chain where he can't make the kind of games he wants.

The only letdown is the possibility of no 1999 game which could still happen with him at a consultant role should Konami want to make it, although the chances of the 1999 game being made are now even slimmer than they where before in my opinion.

But I like the idea of him still using Dracula in his future works, as others have pointed out konami does not have the rights to Dracula so we could still get some castlevania'like games from him which is great since he will have full freedom now not to mention he would not be able to reuse CV sprites from older CV games which is something many tend to throw shit at him over.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Shinobi on March 17, 2014, 12:30:25 PM
I'm sad to see IGA go. As much as I love Castlevania as a whole, he is responsible for my favorite games in the series. I understand that he couldn't make Castlevania games forever, but I do wish he could've done his final 1999 game first. I kinda feel like we didn't get a complete ending to his saga, which is too bad.

I don't know what's next, and I don't expect to see it for a while, but I hope it's good.

The Demon Castle 1999 isn't exactly the final/conclusion to the original series, nothing more but a prologue of an already existing games: Aria of Sorrow and Dawn of Sorrow which is the "TRUE" conclusion of the original series.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Ahasverus on March 17, 2014, 12:30:56 PM
Yah, I don't know you, though I recognized your name on that neogaf thread. So then you've been around long enough to know about Iga's supposed "sexist" comment, and proceeded to pretend to play stupid like you didn't. Trying to make out Iga to be a sexist on there huh? Nice.
I didn't remember that. Do I look like the Castlevania wiki or something, kid? He's not sexist, but he's a bit weird. Reading his interviews he has such obsucre concepts about many things, I get that's part of his charm but still... I remember when he said he was working to get money to retire, that's something you don't say to your costumers. Hopefully his passion was reignited, it seems so.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: DarkPrinceAlucard on March 17, 2014, 12:33:00 PM
The Demon Castle 1999 isn't exactly the final/conclusion to the original series, nothing more but a prologue of an already existing games: Aria of Sorrow and Dawn of Sorrow which is the "TRUE" conclusion of the original series.

True, but it IS the end of Dracula physically existing in the realm of mortals with him officially being killed off for good.

Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Shinobi on March 17, 2014, 12:43:49 PM
True, but it IS the end of Dracula physically existing in the realm of mortals with him officially being killed off for good.

But he still resurrected in form of Soma and there's a chance that he will return to the dark side like he was before as seen in the bad ending of Sorrow games.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Ratty on March 17, 2014, 12:52:41 PM
Noticing some venom in the thread recently, whatever your opinion on IGA's work let's all stay civil guys. No two peoples lists of likes and dislikes will ever match up perfectly, nor should they. Personally while I dislike some of IGA's output but I've enjoyed it on the whole. And as I said earlier I look forward to seeing what he'll do freed from a lot of the constraints that tied him down previously.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: DarkPrinceAlucard on March 17, 2014, 12:57:13 PM
But he still resurrected in form of Soma and there's a chance that he will return to the dark side like he was before as seen in the bad ending of Sorrow games.

He was not resurrected in Soma...he was "reincarnated" in Soma which is completely different.

There is a chance that a "spiritually" controlled Soma by Dracula's soul could turn into something very much like Dracula (as shown in AOS and DOS's bad endings) with memories of his past life but the original Dracula is gone for good.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Odile Kuronuma on March 17, 2014, 01:17:42 PM
Wow that's big news.
I'm not sure how I feel about it.I understand why he had to leave, and I'm happy that he decided to create his own studio.But at the same time I'm kinda sad because that means he won't ever work on Castlevania again.
One thing is for sure, I blame Konami for this. The way they decided to handle the series is the worst that could happen to Metroidvania fans. I guess that all IGA haters are rejoicing now. Have fun with your fancy Belmont Dracula and rat stealth.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: MKKhanzo on March 17, 2014, 01:25:30 PM
I guess that all IGA haters are rejoicing now. Have fun with your fancy Belmont Dracula and rat stealth.

This my good Sir is quoting  and signature material.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: DarkPrinceAlucard on March 17, 2014, 01:35:37 PM
Wow that's big news.
I'm not sure how I feel about it.I understand why he had to leave, and I'm happy that he decided to create his own studio.But at the same time I'm kinda sad because that means he won't ever work on Castlevania again.
One thing is for sure, I blame Konami for this. The way they decided to handle the series is the worst that could happen to Metroidvania fans. I guess that all IGA haters are rejoicing now. Have fun with your fancy Belmont Dracula and rat stealth.

gave you a upvote because I agree with most of what you said and the last part was funny lol. ;D

But to be fair the rat stealth/stealth period is definitely going to be gone for good in the next Castlevania game if you ask me, those stealth sections are pretty much the main glaring reason LOS2 suffered so much, sure it had some other problems but those stealth sections killed the game for a lot of people a lot of which happened to be reviewers who gave the game a bad score.

Konami surely noticed and should another castlevania game be made I doubt it would be reused again.

Stealth should not have even been in a castlevania game period if you ask me.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Shinobi on March 17, 2014, 01:45:34 PM
He was not resurrected in Soma...he was "reincarnated" in Soma which is completely different.

There is a chance that a "spiritually" controlled Soma by Dracula's soul could turn into something very much like Dracula (as shown in AOS and DOS's bad endings) with memories of his past life but the original Dracula is gone for good.

If Dracula was really gone for good then even his soul should be destroyed as well. Resurrected or reincarnated, either of them marks the reborn of Dracula plus his castle was just sealed(which can be broken on some other way) not completely destroyed. If 1999 Demon Castle War was the real conclusion then there should be no events afterwards like the Sorrow games.

I guess that all IGA haters are rejoicing now. Have fun with your fancy Belmont Dracula and rat stealth.

Actually Dracula being stealthy and transform into rat is quite accurate to the original Bram Stoker novel(I think) or the 1992 film adaptation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHrKUosSM7s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHrKUosSM7s)
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: DarkPrinceAlucard on March 17, 2014, 01:52:55 PM
If Dracula was really gone for good then even his soul should be destroyed as well. Resurrected or reincarnated, either of them marks the reborn of Dracula plus his castle was just sealed(which can be broken on some other way) not completely destroyed. If 1999 Demon Castle War was the real conclusion then there should be no events afterwards like the Sorrow games.



You know what, go and make a topic for this, don't feel like getting into this here since this is not the topic for this kind of discussion.

Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: beingthehero on March 17, 2014, 01:53:31 PM
I guess this means that the original timeline is kaput.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Charlotte-nyo:3 on March 17, 2014, 01:55:04 PM
Whether this is overall happy or sad news is still ambiguous depending on the details of what he puts out with his own studio and how well that studio does with their first release, but optimistically this could be the best thing to happen for 2D CV-style Metroidvania lovers in in a long time if Konami simply was not going to let him work on the series again even with small, budget releases -- which him leaving practically confirms.

Sadly it almost certainly means the death of 2D CV. But some of us had known that for awhile now.
Good luck, Iga!
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: e105beta on March 17, 2014, 01:57:27 PM
What if Igarashi leaves Konami, but instead of making a Metroidvania spiritual successor, creates a Kickstarter for a Lunar Knights spiritual successor?

#whatatwist
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Odile Kuronuma on March 17, 2014, 01:58:25 PM
Actually Dracula being stealthy and transform into rat is quite accurate to the original Bram Stoker novel(I think) or the 1992 film adaptation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHrKUosSM7s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHrKUosSM7s)
It's not about whether it's accurate or not, I watched the movie so I know that Dracula can turn into a rat just like he can turn into mist .It's just that part SUCKED.And I dare you to say the contrary.
...And stealth doesn't belong in a Castlevania game.
Well I hope he makes a metroidvania style game in his new studio. I wonder how many of his coworkers back at Konami will join him in this new adventure. 2D Castlevania is dead for good. My only consolation is that I'll still be able to enjoy 2D games from other studios like Vanillaware.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: GuyStarwind on March 17, 2014, 01:58:38 PM
I may have not liked everything Iga did but I think his heart was in the right place. I mean the guy looked like he was part of the series and even cracked an official CV whip. He will be missed.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Nagumo on March 17, 2014, 02:02:58 PM
I don't know about the death of 2D CV. I actually hope they finally think of a new gameply system that can go on and become a hit. Maybe incorporate elements from different genres? I still want my RPG.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Belmontoya on March 17, 2014, 02:05:53 PM
I'm glad that Iga and Mercury Steam are both done with Castlevania.

Hopefully the next developer will do a better job.

Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: beingthehero on March 17, 2014, 02:47:12 PM
I don't think it would reach MN9 heights, but if IGA did a kickstarter by the end of the week I'd say he'd get a pretty penny. I mean, Yamane is now freelance and both of them are on good terms with Ayami Kojima, so conceivably he can get that 'gang' back together.

I also wonder if some of the other Konami people have also left in the past five years as well, like Curry the Kid, KO-G, and Soshiro Hokkai. The team behind SotN and HoD seemed to have disappeared from the map after 2002. I ask because IGA seems pretty confident he has the actual resources to create a studio, and studios beyond the ZONE and Pixel type tend  to have more than one person.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Dremn on March 17, 2014, 02:51:44 PM
Actually Dracula being stealthy and transform into rat is quite accurate to the original Bram Stoker novel(I think) or the 1992 film adaptation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHrKUosSM7s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHrKUosSM7s)
Wow, even the red eyes glowing in the dark. That's neat.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 17, 2014, 02:56:50 PM
Iga did set up and arrange the timeline, but I'm perfectly confident Konami could release a game of the same style without him. You just squeeze a Belmont, Morris, or Belnades in between Leon and Julius.

Look, I enjoyed all of his games but I can objectively admit that none of them ever presented a story of great depth, and most of the games are entirely self contained so adding another to the timeline would be an easy thing to do.

And again, I am not saying this in spite of Igarashi but because of him and the world building he laid out and left behind.

Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: beingthehero on March 17, 2014, 02:58:15 PM
TBH no Castlevania from 1986-2010 ever aspired to have a really deep story. Lords was the first.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Inccubus on March 17, 2014, 03:09:42 PM
I don't think I ever had any illusions about IGA returning to a CV project at all. Especially with Konami's obvious loyalty to profit over their own fans.
I'm glad for this news and I hope he is as successful as Inafune. I wonder also how much of an influence Inafune's venture might have been in IGA's decision?

As for what IGA might do with a CV successor, while another Metroidvania would be an obvious occurance I might venture to say he might just go and do a straight up classicvania. It was IGA that pushed for the release of both Chronicles games and he did give us ReBirth. Either way I look forward to seeing what he comes up with.



It's not about whether it's accurate or not, I watched the movie so I know that Dracula can turn into a rat just like he can turn into mist .It's just that part SUCKED.And I dare you to say the contrary.
...And stealth doesn't belong in a Castlevania game.
Well I hope he makes a metroidvania style game in his new studio. I wonder how many of his coworkers back at Konami will join him in this new adventure. 2D Castlevania is dead for good. My only consolation is that I'll still be able to enjoy 2D games from other studios like Vanillaware.

I agree. There was nothing wrong with anything they had Gabula do in the game. The offensive part for me was more fundamental. Just the very fact you're expected to play as Dracula in a Castlevania game seemed wrong as an old-schooler. That's why I kept referring to LoS to as being more akin to Blood Omen 2.
(It even has a stealth power limited to certain areas.)
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: crisis on March 17, 2014, 03:18:12 PM
why does every1 think iga will automatically make metrovania-style games

what if his new studio will now focus on his true passion, the puzzle genre

Leedmees Gameplay (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mnhaufLmVo#ws)
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: beingthehero on March 17, 2014, 03:18:37 PM
Kotaku did an interview with him and will be releasing it tomorrow. It'd be interesting to hear what he says.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Kingshango on March 17, 2014, 03:21:44 PM
why does every1 think iga will automatically make metrovania-style games

what if his new studio will now focus on his true passion, the puzzle genre

Leedmees Gameplay (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mnhaufLmVo#ws)

Because he says that he wants to make a game that appeals to his fans.

And lord knows his fans all want another IGA directed Metroidvania game, Castlevania or not.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: crisis on March 17, 2014, 03:23:01 PM
we want leedmees, Kingshanghai


leedmees
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Flame on March 17, 2014, 03:25:29 PM
Good for IGA, the total lack of respect from Konami was unwarranted given all he has done for them.  Now if only Konami would just kill off the series entirely instead of continuing to sour this once proud franchise these abominations aimed at casuals.

I guess that all IGA haters are rejoicing now. Have fun with your fancy Belmont Dracula and rat stealth.
(https://castlevaniadungeon.net/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs27.postimg.org%2F49ebvlr2b%2F1370915820546.jpg&hash=8a3cd9ada28ed916a30db582de3a742b)

Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Gunlord on March 17, 2014, 03:26:34 PM
RIP IGA-Sama. We will NEVER forget u...

Seriously though, I wish him well. Maybe we'll see a renaissance of the Metroidvanias, even if they can no longer be called Castlevania. XD
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Charlotte-nyo:3 on March 17, 2014, 03:28:08 PM
I don't think it would reach MN9 heights, but if IGA did a kickstarter by the end of the week I'd say he'd get a pretty penny. I mean, Yamane is now freelance and both of them are on good terms with Ayami Kojima, so conceivably he can get that 'gang' back together.

I also wonder if some of the other Konami people have also left in the past five years as well, like Curry the Kid, KO-G, and Soshiro Hokkai. The team behind SotN and HoD seemed to have disappeared from the map after 2002. I ask because IGA seems pretty confident he has the actual resources to create a studio, and studios beyond the ZONE and Pixel type tend  to have more than one person.

If anyone still has contacts with those people, it'd probably be IGA, so let's hope he can get some of the old team members together for his new studio. 2D artists are especially valuable in this day and age.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 17, 2014, 03:31:09 PM
Konami choosing profit over fans? How do you have profit in this industry without fans? Or do the people who buy games you don't like not count as fans?
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Flame on March 17, 2014, 03:55:06 PM
Konami choosing profit over fans? How do you have profit in this industry without fans? Or do the people who buy games you don't like not count as fans?
Well obviously the fans weren't pulling through or we'd be on Metroidvania 35 by now. IGA's pitch wasn't chosen over Mercurysteam's, and that says something about how Konami saw the reception to IGA's latest projects. Especially Judgement. That i think- is what really drove the nail into IGA's CV coffin.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: beingthehero on March 17, 2014, 04:06:47 PM
Lords was already in development before Judgment was released. Plus Adventure ReBirth and Hodespair came out long after Judgment.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Flame on March 17, 2014, 04:09:42 PM
Lords was already in development before Judgment was released. Plus Adventure ReBirth and Hodespair came out long after Judgment.

Well SOMETHING prompted Konami to give MS the torch. That I know, Japanese studios are not exactly that likely to do that for no reason unless they are Capcom.

Maybe it's just coincidence, who knows.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: crisis on March 17, 2014, 04:10:00 PM
Quote
Well obviously the fans weren't pulling through or we'd be on Metroidvania 35 by now. IGA's pitch wasn't chosen over Mercurysteam's, and that says something about how Konami saw the reception to IGA's latest projects. Especially Judgement. That i think- is what really drove the nail into IGA's CV coffin.

either that, or konami, like most once-great game companies nowadays, are totally out-of-touch with their fanbase
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: derision on March 17, 2014, 04:12:05 PM
Wow that's big news.
I'm not sure how I feel about it.I understand why he had to leave, and I'm happy that he decided to create his own studio.But at the same time I'm kinda sad because that means he won't ever work on Castlevania again.
One thing is for sure, I blame Konami for this. The way they decided to handle the series is the worst that could happen to Metroidvania fans. I guess that all IGA haters are rejoicing now. Have fun with your fancy Belmont Dracula and rat stealth.

"People like who liked the LoS games MUST be 'IGA haters!' it's the only explanation!"

The fact that posts like this pop up often, and are supported for that matter, speaks volumes about how toxic the CV community is. Maybe the Castlevania series should just die.

Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: uzo on March 17, 2014, 04:23:55 PM
Let me know when the Undead Whipper 1999 kickstarter launches.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: machetespeghetti on March 17, 2014, 04:30:29 PM
I want a linear 2d sidescroller castlevania game that goes on forever. Then the battle will last for eternity!
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: DragonSlayr81 on March 17, 2014, 04:48:44 PM
Well obviously the fans weren't pulling through or we'd be on Metroidvania 35 by now. IGA's pitch wasn't chosen over Mercurysteam's, and that says something about how Konami saw the reception to IGA's latest projects. Especially Judgement. That i think- is what really drove the nail into IGA's CV coffin.
Obviously fans of LoS didn't pull through either, or LoS2 wouldn't done better. I always have a problem with this kind of thing. It's like that guy from Square Enix who said they'd only THINK about a sequel to the Chrono series if Chrono Trigger DS sells well(which it didn't, so it's the FANS fault we aren't getting a third game). LOL!
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Foffy on March 17, 2014, 04:52:24 PM
Konami choosing profit over fans? How do you have profit in this industry without fans? Or do the people who buy games you don't like not count as fans?

You aim for a different audience. Isn't this what the reboot was about. To get that God of War audience?
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: crisis on March 17, 2014, 04:57:58 PM
Quote
The fact that posts like this pop up often, and are supported for that matter, speaks volumes about how toxic the CV community is. Maybe the Castlevania series should just die.

well how many other communities you know that are 100% "kumbaya" with one another?
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: zaxiou on March 17, 2014, 05:00:22 PM
Well SOMETHING prompted Konami to give MS the torch. That I know, Japanese studios are not exactly that likely to do that for no reason unless they are Capcom.

Maybe it's just coincidence, who knows.

That something was the handheld titles not selling upto expectations, thus Konami decided to let Mercury Steam take a shot at 3d Castlevania. Their pitch was rejected, but with Cox's persistence and Kojima's approval finally they got greenlit.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Belmontoya on March 17, 2014, 05:03:56 PM
You aim for a different audience. Isn't this what the reboot was about. To get that God of War audience?

I like God of War because it reminds me of Castlevania.

Many of the GOW fans were CV fans first. It's not exactly a different audience.

Do these two games really seem that disparate to you that they couldn't possibly harbor the same fans?

Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Thomas Belmont on March 17, 2014, 05:30:59 PM
I'm glad that piece of shit Iga is done with the Castlevania series because:

1. He had Alucard defeat Richter, the strongest Belmont at the time, in battle. No way would that EVER happen. Up until that point, until later Iga games retconned it, Richter was the only one able to wield the Vampire Killer at full power. Oh, and the guy could make it RAIN HOLY WATER! And if Alucard was able to defeat his father, there would have been no need for the Belmonts in the first place.

2. Had Trevor concede to Hector in their second battle. That should have NEVER happened!

3. Had Trevor get stabbed AND didn't even tell us what happened to him in Curse of Darkness' ending.
 
4. Had Jonathan Morris defeat the Vampire Killer's memory of Richter. Are you kidding me!? No way!

5. Had Soma defeat Julius, supposedly, the strongest Belmont of all time, in battle. I know it's insinuated that Julius didn't give his all, but it still pisses me off.

6. Had Castlevania materialize in Japan. Hahahaha! What!?

7. He pissed on Dracula's 100 year resurrection rule. It's ridiculous how many times he had   Dracula be resurrected in between his deaths.

8. Now, because of Iga, anybody can kill Dracula, using any type of weapon. He took the specialness and uniqueness of the Belmonts and the Vampire Killer and threw them away.

9. Had plenty of time to tell the 1999 battle but decided to make games, like Portrait of Ruin, Order of Ecclesia, and Curse of Darkness, that progressed the story line very little, if even.

And these are just off the top of my head.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: beingthehero on March 17, 2014, 05:37:03 PM
(https://castlevaniadungeon.net/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi228.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fee35%2Fbeingthehero%2Fbeingthehero002%2Fbabby_zpsa177c9b1.jpg&hash=544f03618e3f467cae10055429dde10f)
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: DarkPrinceAlucard on March 17, 2014, 05:41:11 PM
-insert butthurt IGA rant here-

Well, looks like someone just gave the middle finger to Ratty's aka the forum staff's suggestion.

Noticing some venom in the thread recently, whatever your opinion on IGA's work let's all stay civil guys. No two peoples lists of likes and dislikes will ever match up perfectly, nor should they.


Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: machetespeghetti on March 17, 2014, 05:42:42 PM
1. Richter was being controlled by shaft so his powers were not under his own control.
2. 3d vanias suck.
3. refer to number 2
4.jonathan was of the belmont bloodline somehow
5.julius subconsciously probably knew what he was doing was wrong and the whip failed him.
6.I know I hated that too. but once you know soma is a possible succesor to dracula I guess it's o.k.
7.so what some dark preists are assholes who want attention
8.*coughs* ERIC LACARDE
9.I want the 1999 battle too
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: crisis on March 17, 2014, 05:45:15 PM
Quote
1. He had Alucard defeat Richter, the strongest Belmont at the time, in battle. No way would that EVER happen. Up until that point, until later Iga games retconned it, Richter was the only one able to wield the Vampire Killer at full power. Oh, and the guy could make it RAIN HOLY WATER! And if Alucard was able to defeat his father, there would have been no need for the Belmonts in the first place.

he was under mind control, therefor, he wasnt at full power.  only clear-headed people are capable of using their full power

Quote
2. Had Trevor concede to Hector in their second battle. That should have NEVER happened!

ill give u that

Quote
3. Had Trevor get stabbed AND didn't even tell us what happened to him in Curse of Darkness' ending.

ill give u that, but we know for a fact that Trevor survived his wounds anyway so its really a non-issue
 
Quote
4. Had Jonathan Morris defeat the Vampire Killer's memory of Richter. Are you kidding me!? No way!

it wasnt the real Richiter, therefor, it wasnt as strong as the real Richiter

Quote
5. Had Soma defeat Julius, supposedly, the strongest Belmont of all time, in battle. I know it's insinuated that Julius didn't give his all, but it still pisses me off.

well look at it this way, consider the "bad ending," where Julian fights evil-Soma. who you think will win?

Quote
6. Had Castlevania materialize in Japan. Hahahaha! What!?

it was in an eclipse

Quote
7. He pissed on Dracula's 100 year resurrection rule. It's ridiculous how many times he had   Dracula be resurrected in between his deaths.

i guess so

Quote
8. Now, because of Iga, anybody can kill Dracula, using any type of weapon. He took the specialness and uniqueness of the Belmonts and the Vampire Killer and threw them away.

Michael Jackson - That's Ignorant (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHqgHFcmAOc#ws)

Quote
9. Had plenty of time to tell the 1999 battle but decided to make games, like Portrait of Ruin, Order of Ecclesia, and Curse of Darkness, that progressed the story line very little, if even.

admit it, even if he did make it, you prolly still wouldnt like it

Quote
And these are just off the top of my head/
Palpatine'' Your Hate Has Made You Powerful '' (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x7mYvellY4#ws)
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 17, 2014, 05:53:35 PM
You aim for a different audience. Isn't this what the reboot was about. To get that God of War audience?

And fans of Lords of Shadow aren't Castlevania fans because of what? Some ridiculous fandom litmus test?

Obviously fans of LoS didn't pull through either, or LoS2 wouldn't done better. I always have a problem with this kind of thing. It's like that guy from Square Enix who said they'd only THINK about a sequel to the Chrono series if Chrono Trigger DS sells well(which it didn't, so it's the FANS fault we aren't getting a third game). LOL!

Well Lords of Shadow 2 got panned in reviews in the US and its still on track to sell more than the games that preceded it, save the first Lords of Shadow and the only sales data we have is for two of three available platforms in 4 days in one region, also not including digital sales on those two aforementioned platforms.

It's not going to do better than the first game but it still has a chance to not be a total failure.

It's also not ridiculous for a company to say "we need x sales in order to consider a sequel."
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: The Puritan on March 17, 2014, 05:56:30 PM
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night - I Am the Wind (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iU6NDZoxIdU#)

Farewell you lovable bearded hobo.

8. Now, because of Iga, anybody can kill Dracula, using any type of weapon. He took the specialness and uniqueness of the Belmonts and the Vampire Killer and threw them away.

To be fair, every IGA-made non-Belmont who's done so has had valid reasons:

Alucard is Dracula's son, ergo, has his own dark power
Hector is Dracula's student in the dark arts
And Shanoa needed Dominus to do it
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Dremn on March 17, 2014, 05:57:02 PM
Man, keep it civil guys. We're better fans than this.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: theplottwist on March 17, 2014, 06:00:00 PM
I'm glad that piece of shit Iga is done with the Castlevania series because:

1. He had Alucard defeat Richter, the strongest Belmont at the time, in battle. No way would that EVER happen. Up until that point, until later Iga games retconned it, Richter was the only one able to wield the Vampire Killer at full power. Oh, and the guy could make it RAIN HOLY WATER! And if Alucard was able to defeat his father, there would have been no need for the Belmonts in the first place.

2. Had Trevor concede to Hector in their second battle. That should have NEVER happened!

3. Had Trevor get stabbed AND didn't even tell us what happened to him in Curse of Darkness' ending.
 
4. Had Jonathan Morris defeat the Vampire Killer's memory of Richter. Are you kidding me!? No way!

5. Had Soma defeat Julius, supposedly, the strongest Belmont of all time, in battle. I know it's insinuated that Julius didn't give his all, but it still pisses me off.

6. Had Castlevania materialize in Japan. Hahahaha! What!?

7. He pissed on Dracula's 100 year resurrection rule. It's ridiculous how many times he had   Dracula be resurrected in between his deaths.

8. Now, because of Iga, anybody can kill Dracula, using any type of weapon. He took the specialness and uniqueness of the Belmonts and the Vampire Killer and threw them away.

9. Had plenty of time to tell the 1999 battle but decided to make games, like Portrait of Ruin, Order of Ecclesia, and Curse of Darkness, that progressed the story line very little, if even.

And these are just off the top of my head.

1. Alucard didn't touch Richter, canonically. He's the "strongest Vampire Hunter. None could defeat him". He defeated Shaft's mind control. Richter could mop the floor with Alucard.

2. He did that because, if I remember well, he wasn't convinced that Hector was a Devil Forgemaster, and had his suspicions about if he could have Hector aid him.

3. This, I agree. Trevor getting stabbed and falling down was kinda ridiculous, even if it was a surprise attack.

4. Exactly. A memory of Richter, not Richter himself. Also, combat evolves through the ages. On the game FOUR HITS can kill Jonathan. I'm sure you're aware that this is pretty FUCKING STRONG for a simple memory.

5. So why are you pissed, dude? Had Julius not conceded Soma the benefit of doubt, he'd never have defeated Chaos. This battle makes it pretty clear that Julius is probably invincible to Soma. Julius couldn't enter the Chaotic Realm, thus this is very justifiable.

6. Castlevania has materialized in Europe thousands of times. It was locked inside an eclipse which will appear over Japan in real life. I see no problem with this. In fact, I find it pretty smart.

7. Simon's Quest had demonstrated how Dracula can be brought back from the dead through a ritual much before IGA did anything. He simply made it clear that Dracula can be ressurrected by external forces if a ritual is provided, or by himself around every 100 years.

8. I kinda agree with this, however there are some points: Dracula can only be defeated by the Vampire Killer, or a power of his own making. Shanoa could not finish him without Dominus, which is a part of himself. Hector? Hector learned his trade and acquired dark power from Dracula himself. Alucard? Alucard is his son, his blood (and even then, Drac was not fully ressurrected in SotN). Jonathan? He supposedly used the unlocked Vampire Killer to do it. No other weapon works, storytelling-wise.

9. Well, of the three, Order of Ecclesia is my favorite. But I agree here, although I also agree when IGA says that his story would never live up to fans expectations.

EDIT: Damn guys, you reply too fast!
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: crisis on March 17, 2014, 06:03:52 PM
Quote from: OSM
Man, keep it civil guys. We're better fans than this.

ill headbutt yuo no problem  >:(
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: machetespeghetti on March 17, 2014, 06:08:08 PM
I am sick and tired of these motherf*cking fans arguing about these motherf*cking games.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: RegalX7 on March 17, 2014, 06:30:19 PM
I don't like this... But, I'll try to be optimistic about Castlevania's future.
I was expecting Iga's return, but I guess this opens all sorts of fun possibilities.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Flame on March 17, 2014, 06:39:48 PM
I was going to respond to thomas, but looks like everyone else beat me to it.

Looks like everything's been said.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Thomas Belmont on March 17, 2014, 06:41:09 PM
P.S. Iga, not every character has to have white hair. Leon, Juste, Rinaldo, Dracula, Alucard, Hector, Soma....
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: machetespeghetti on March 17, 2014, 06:42:05 PM
Juste?
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Thomas Belmont on March 17, 2014, 06:43:46 PM
Juste?

No. It is I! Thomas Belmont!
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: theANdROId on March 17, 2014, 06:44:04 PM
 :o Wow!  Big news...and TONS of replies already (that I don't have the patience to go through  :P).  I read page 1 and 9...did I miss anything crucial, or is that probably the gist of it?


I think I have mixed feelings at the moment.  I might have hoped for some sort of triumphant return...putting him back on the Castlevania case...or file...whatever.  I certainly would have been hoping for the 1999 story.
But then, this does seem like it could open many new opportunities, especially considering the beginning successes of Mighty Number 9.  I'd definitely support a Castlevania kickstarter!  (When that happens, all you early birds that find this stuff in the AM should save me a good support level!  Don't buy out all the good stuff before I can get off work and get one! ;-) )
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: machetespeghetti on March 17, 2014, 06:48:04 PM
I didn't bother reading it all just decide if you are for 2d vania LOS.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: crisis on March 17, 2014, 06:49:26 PM
Quote
:o Wow!  Big news...and TONS of replies already (that I don't have the patience to go through  :P).  I read page 1 and 9...did I miss anything crucial, or is that probably the gist of it?

cv fans love IGA, even the ones that love to "hate" him. if none of us cared about IGA & his endeavors, then this topic woulda only had 4 replies & 20 views


admit it, dungeonites. you guys aint foolin me
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: machetespeghetti on March 17, 2014, 06:51:48 PM
Quote
No. It is I! Thomas Belmont!
no you idiot I was saying Juste had white hair
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Flame on March 17, 2014, 06:52:24 PM
Leon, Alucard
I think you might be colorblind.

Quote
Rinaldo, Dracula
No shit, both are old men in their respective appearances. Dracula appears with White hair only in his premature resurrections, since he is not at full power.

Quote
cv fans love IGA, even the ones that love to "hate" him. if none of us cared about IGA & his endeavors, then this topic woulda only had 4 replies & 20 views


admit it, dungeonites. you guys aint foolin me

if i hated him i wouldn't be criticizing him. :P
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: theANdROId on March 17, 2014, 07:02:10 PM
No. It is I! Thomas Belmont!

Am I the only one who read this and instantly thought of this song from another topic?:
Starbomb - Crasher-Vania (Lyrics) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LC3TtYZxspQ#ws)

And am I the only one who read it like they sing it in the song?  :-[
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Dremn on March 17, 2014, 07:11:21 PM
ill headbutt yuo no problem  >:(
ill jab ya in the gabber m8 swer on me mum
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: e105beta on March 17, 2014, 07:12:23 PM
it wasnt the real Richiter, therefor, it wasnt as strong as the real Richiter

Ritchet*
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: GuyStarwind on March 17, 2014, 07:22:54 PM
Am I the only one who read this and instantly thought of this song from another topic?:
Starbomb - Crasher-Vania (Lyrics) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LC3TtYZxspQ#ws)

And am I the only one who read it like they sing it in the song?  :-[
I also thought that.

As for Thomas Belmont's points the only one I agree with is 8. But I can see where he's coming from with the others but he didn't think about them very much :(
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Ahasverus on March 17, 2014, 07:28:43 PM
IGA is my succubus.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Neobelmont on March 17, 2014, 07:30:51 PM
Well my friend was right damn. and the first thing I though of was mighty number castlevania and well....
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: theplottwist on March 17, 2014, 07:34:40 PM
P.S. Iga, not every character has to have white hair. Leon, Juste, Rinaldo, Dracula, Alucard, Hector, Soma....

Dude, today is not your day, is it? Every instance of this, save for Soma (arguably), is justified...

Ritchet*

I can't believe we're making this a thing.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Foffy on March 17, 2014, 07:53:59 PM
And fans of Lords of Shadow aren't Castlevania fans because of what? Some ridiculous fandom litmus test?

Not of fandom, but of concepts. You see, the more I think about it, the more I am reminded of say, DmC. What people like about it, in relation to previous games, is often only on the surface. Digging deeper and you see nothing resembling what came before in any regard. I feel this is what Lords of Shadow has done: it is running with the Castlevania name, but has next to nothing to do with the root of what Castlevania is. This is not about lore, but about gameplay, about basic elementary concepts that Lords, for better or worse depending on where you stand, have completely changed. Fans of Lords of Shadow would be fans of Lords of Shadow. Very little of that has to do with Castlevania prior, to be perfectly honest. It has the IP name, but is it really, sincerely, the same? I would actually argue no. This is not to say Lords of Shadow is shit, but it's trying to fill in the shoes of something totally different under the same brand name, and those things under the hood are significantly different.

We're now at a point that what most of us probably liked about Castlevania will literally have to be found in what Igarashi might be doing, as what's taken its place in the reboot is not what was once there. The point of a reboot is to revive something, and various reboots have had various degrees of success. I would position Lords of Shadow as a boom for the IP name, but is it a revival of Castlevania? In name only, yes. In what its core elements were? Those are gone. Like how Devil May Cry fans had to go to Bayonetta, or even some Final Fantasy fans went to The Last Story, I feel what I dug about Castlevania really isn't alive in its present state. To assume the reboot continues will only continue that feeling. And again, I am not talking about the story, but very basic ideas of what the older games were about that the reboot for the most part chooses to get rid of. Lords of Shadow and Castlevania before it are really two different things, as David Cox once argued. I would really affirm to that position, personally.

I hope you see I am offering no ire for fans of Lords of Shadow, but Lords of Shadow and Castlevania, and to a lesser extent of evolution the IGAvanias, are totally different beasts who share an IP name. You and I may dig both for they share the same IP name for we attach to that brand appeal, but in truth they're really almost two different franchises altogether.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 17, 2014, 08:26:13 PM
That is exactly what I was describing. It's a Castlevania game but they don't count because it's not your Castlevania game.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Belmontoya on March 17, 2014, 08:33:36 PM
If any past producer were to return to the Castlevania series I would want it to be Kazumi Kitaue.

Just imagine an open world Castlevania game with a dash of RPG elements that plays like an advanced SCV4. And what the hell; a new OST by Masanori Adachi and Taro Kudo.

I'm salivating just talking thinking about it...

I would trade my entire video game collection. I would give away almost all of my electronics. I would empty my bank account if I could make such a thing happen once more.

I want that 1 million times more than I want IGA to ever make another CV game. And I did love some of his games.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Ahasverus on March 17, 2014, 08:54:38 PM
Castlevania is a super pastiche of genres, not even Cv 1 and 2 are the same genre. Hell, not even the first 2 versions of CV1.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Foffy on March 17, 2014, 09:26:40 PM
Castlevania is a super pastiche of genres, not even Cv 1 and 2 are the same genre. Hell, not even the first 2 versions of CV1.

I am not speaking of genres. I guess it is hard to elaborate on concepts like a "soul" of a game, or the DNA that makes it, but I feel for most of the franchise, regardless of what it ended up being in terms of quality kept the root of what this series had. Even Simon's Quest with its nonlinear approach still had a feeling that it connected to the previous game outside of the franchise name and the storyline. Lords of Shadow is an outlier in this regard; if it were not for the name drops or even the brand name, I would be hard pressed to actually see it in relation to titles that came before it, and I don't mean that in the sense of canon. Take Bayonetta for example: it clearly has no connection to the world of Devil May Cry and is not even of the same franchise. But you can tell how it plays, what some of its root concepts are that make it clearly feel like it is distinctly related to Devil May Cry. You can tell it's from a similar foundation for the core of what it emphasizes is absolutely shared, that the same meat around the bones, while from different "beings" in terms of IP, is still of the same core materials. Perhaps an example of a disconnection would be better to explain what I mean, and there is no better one than Star Fox Adventures. This is a game with the Star Fox IP, and even features the characters from the franchise, and yet it very distinctly does not feel like it really is a Star Fox game, and this is not just because the game is on foot. It lacks a distinct "soul" that makes it feel like it is of the same family that the other titles in the series also have. I guess for me it is very easy to see that Lords of Shadow does not have this in relation to other games, even Judgment. That "soul", that DNA that makes a game 'belong' is something you can very easily see in a lot of Nintendo franchises despite the Star Fox example, and that is because the newer games do try to keep that core heritage in tact, and this is where the reboot failed. Lords of Shadow barely has that association with the previous games. If it were not for the IP name and the claims it was supposed to start off as a remake of Castlevania I and II, the games look like they can be a totally new IP altogether, and I find that telling. I am not saying that they're awful, or that they're bullshit vania games, but that they share the same name as the previous games but have an entirely different set of DNA inside that shares no relation to what came before it. It is not an evolution, which one can argue Igarashi attempted depending on the game, but something very loosely connected on a family tree of different species, that they are connected only by a loose string, that being the IP name. And this process happens all of the time, look at XCOM Declassified, the titles in the Far Cry franchise, or the new Legacy of Kain game. This is a habit of games, and I think it's a bad one. Lords of Shadow is that to Castlevania, similarly to what Far Cry: Blood Dragon is in relation to the first game. Very little of what their core is ends up honestly shared, but mainly the name. And right now, it looks like Igarashi may be ready and willing to create something of that spirit of the games that came before Lords of Shadow, that void many fans feel the series has now taken because of the body replacement. There is a very clear reason many people throw the "not a real Castlevania card" sort of shade, because the difference in how it feels is very apparent.

Irregardless of this, who is to say what will happen to the franchise now? We really have no idea what they will do next, or even IF they will continue the franchise. I just don't want this to become another Silent Hill, running on the legacy of what once was because what it is just doesn't hold a candle to the past, even without the nostalgia goggles. You can look at nearly every game after the third one as a separate franchise due to the stark difference, with the fourth game being arguable. You can tell the last two games have very little in common what that sort of thing, and again, I am not talking genres or how it plays, but there's something more deeper than that. Sorry if I am having a poor time elaborating this. I guess I am in a position to now just care for what's used on an IP but to wonder if X has a sincere relation to Y other than both having Z as their IP name. Ninja Gaiden Z is another, very shortly arriving example of this.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: DoctaMario on March 17, 2014, 09:28:00 PM
Not of fandom, but of concepts. You see, the more I think about it, the more I am reminded of say, DmC. What people like about it, in relation to previous games, is often only on the surface. Digging deeper and you see nothing resembling what came before in any regard. I feel this is what Lords of Shadow has done: it is running with the Castlevania name, but has next to nothing to do with the root of what Castlevania is. This is not about lore, but about gameplay, about basic elementary concepts that Lords, for better or worse depending on where you stand, have completely changed. Fans of Lords of Shadow would be fans of Lords of Shadow. Very little of that has to do with Castlevania prior, to be perfectly honest. It has the IP name, but is it really, sincerely, the same? I would actually argue no. This is not to say Lords of Shadow is shit, but it's trying to fill in the shoes of something totally different under the same brand name, and those things under the hood are significantly different.

We're now at a point that what most of us probably liked about Castlevania will literally have to be found in what Igarashi might be doing, as what's taken its place in the reboot is not what was once there. The point of a reboot is to revive something, and various reboots have had various degrees of success. I would position Lords of Shadow as a boom for the IP name, but is it a revival of Castlevania? In name only, yes. In what its core elements were? Those are gone. Like how Devil May Cry fans had to go to Bayonetta, or even some Final Fantasy fans went to The Last Story, I feel what I dug about Castlevania really isn't alive in its present state. To assume the reboot continues will only continue that feeling. And again, I am not talking about the story, but very basic ideas of what the older games were about that the reboot for the most part chooses to get rid of. Lords of Shadow and Castlevania before it are really two different things, as David Cox once argued. I would really affirm to that position, personally.

I hope you see I am offering no ire for fans of Lords of Shadow, but Lords of Shadow and Castlevania, and to a lesser extent of evolution the IGAvanias, are totally different beasts who share an IP name. You and I may dig both for they share the same IP name for we attach to that brand appeal, but in truth they're really almost two different franchises altogether.

Bullshit. I've been playing DMC since the DMC1 demo and DmC had plenty of the elements of previous DMC games in it. It wasn't 100% verbatim like the old games (thankfully they decided to do it a little different as opposed to DMC4 which was a rushed, hot-garbage attempt at bringing back elements of DMC1 but done badly) but the people who hated the game were mainly butthurt about the botched PR campaign. No one I've ever debated about it has many valid reasons for disliking it outside of hating Tameem/Capcom.

Likewise, LoS has TONS of elements of previous CV games, it's just that people either don't recognize the source material, or don't WANT to recognize it because they want more of the same. Name pretty much any element of LoS and I can tell you what previous game or games utilized it, outside of the Light and Dark magics (which is debatable) and the QTEs. And since a lot of that source material was taken from past 3d CV games, it's not surprising that a community that pretty much hates 3d games wouldn't know where the elements came from.



ON TOPIC: Sad to see IGA leave Konami, but it had to happen. They treated him like a crazy aunt they locked in the attic. Hopefully he'll have the means to be able to do what he wants to do. It seems like he was always fighting with the suits at Konami over deadlines and budgets, but I always thought because he was such a CV fan, his ideas were probably more grandiose than his means were able to accomplish. It's too bad really. I can only imagine what he'd have been able to do had they given him bigger budgets and more time to perfect the games. His games are seldom my favorites, but one of his, Dracula X Chronicles IS my favorite, and I'll always be grateful that he saw fit to release that. It was amazing to be able to finally play Rondo without an emulator and DXC was a masterpiece IMO. He really did the game proud with his treatment of it.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Ahasverus on March 17, 2014, 09:29:58 PM
.
It's hard because it's personal and subjective so in the same way you can't say what it means, you can't just decide what it doesn't mean in a global sense, just for you. The root of the series doesn't really exist, it's all about what perceptions, and for that all the "holier than thou because I don't like LoS" rethoric is futile.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: e105beta on March 17, 2014, 09:48:31 PM
Star Fox Adventures

You know, I played Star Fox Adventures, and while I thought it was a strange turn of events, I never once thought to myself "This is not a real Star Fox game".
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Foffy on March 17, 2014, 09:55:34 PM
It's hard because it's personal and subjective so in the same way you can't say what it means, you can't just decide what it doesn't mean in a global sense, just for you. The root of the series doesn't really exist, it's all about what perceptions, and for that all the "holier than thou because I don't like LoS" rethoric is futile.

I never once implied I was holier than thou, for who am I as an authority? Never once did I present the idea that my view and my view alone is an absolute truth. Mainly I am presenting a position, and you are free and valid to agree or disagree. There are things I dig about Lords as a game, but things I do not dig about it as a Castlevania game, if that makes sense. The first game was pretty solid at points (the last third of the game is garbage), and I think the overall consensus on the following two shows it becomes a very "this was a hit" or "this was some shit" types of responses show how divisive they can be, even to non-fans of the older titles. You too were on that hyperbolic ride as the game came out, comparing it DMC3 and then being enraged that MercurySteam ever worked on the fucking franchise. All in the same week, too. To claim I am holier than anyone really emphasizes that you don't know me, but this could be due to the fact we never really talk on a direct personal level. Understand you and I are firm equals. :P

Bullshit. I've been playing DMC since the DMC1 demo and DmC had plenty of the elements of previous DMC games in it. It wasn't 100% verbatim like the old games (thankfully they decided to do it a little different as opposed to DMC4 which was a rushed, hot-garbage attempt at bringing back elements of DMC1 but done badly) but the people who hated the game were mainly butthurt about the botched PR campaign. No one I've ever debated about it has many valid reasons for disliking it outside of hating Tameem/Capcom.

Likewise, LoS has TONS of elements of previous CV games, it's just that people either don't recognize the source material, or don't WANT to recognize it because they want more of the same. Name pretty much any element of LoS and I can tell you what previous game or games utilized it, outside of the Light and Dark magics (which is debatable) and the QTEs. And since a lot of that source material was taken from past 3d CV games, it's not surprising that a community that pretty much hates 3d games wouldn't know where the elements came from.

I would implore you to find better debaters of Devil May Cry, though I will admit I am not one of them. There are many arguments, particularly Youtube videos, that highlight the significant changes to combat that change the entire feel of the game, and those can evolve into valid reasons like the color coded enemies imploring the player to be forced to use certain weapons which is a significant change from previous games, to the baffling removal of lock-on. I noticed these things as well, but I would never perpetuate to claim the game is garbage. But those changes are significant enough to make the combat feel and flow in a less satisfying way than what was available in the previous two games. To the level many claim to be shit? Of course not, but nowhere near the breath the older games offered. It is also important to emphasize that even sharing some elements to previous games isn't as easy as it sounds, to check a box. Mirror of Fate and Lords of Shadow 2 feature more non-linear exploration like the older games, but in both it is terrible, and exclusively for collectables. Like how Far Cry and Far Cry Blood Dragon both feature open terrain for you to explore, the rest of how that cake is constructed make for two different cakes. This can be said for Lords of Shadow and previous 3D titles, for what they share with one another is not deep enough to really be the same thing, or to even be based off the same idea. It is how they are put together that seems the package, and as a result Lords of Shadow feels like a significantly different and unrelated game to the previous titles, even if you wish to argue it feels more like Lament of Innocence than God of War. It's how the whole thing is constructed that makes it seem so different. Does that make any sense? I feel I am confusing people here. ):

You know, I played Star Fox Adventures, and while I thought it was a strange turn of events, I never once thought to myself "This is not a real Star Fox game".

I have only cited that for entertainment purposes in hopes of explaining myself. Please understand I am not arguing it as undeniable fact. Many use the reality that it was retrofitted from a new IP that claim it's not a real Star Fox game. I feel some are taking what I am saying as gospel, that I am an ether of truth, and I feel this is a mistake.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Reinhart77 on March 17, 2014, 10:09:01 PM
Since Mercury Steam isn't technically Konami, I'm gonna dream about the possibility of Konami letting Iga's new company helm a Castlevania project some day.  Don't know how realistic that could be, but someday, maybe it'd make sense to do.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Ahasverus on March 17, 2014, 10:10:17 PM
.
Don't worry I wasn't talking about you especifically, it's just that today is the day when I've most seen the "LoS is for casuals/posers/untrue fans and real fans hate it". It grinds me to no end!
Since Mercury Steam isn't technically Konami, I'm gonna dream about the possibility of Konami letting Iga's new company helm a Castlevania project some day.  Don't know how realistic that could be, but someday, maybe it'd make sense to do.
I'm not counting on IGA being in super friendly terms with Konami.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: derision on March 17, 2014, 10:11:31 PM
Ignoring the really messy and longwinded clash of opinions going on here, game series often have games that feature different kinds of gameplay. Big woop.

LoS can legitimately still be Castlevania even if it plays differently than past games. You got your demonic shapeshifting castle, Dracula, crazy monsters, Belmonts, Alucard, and a whip. That's the brand.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: KaZudra on March 17, 2014, 10:30:59 PM
Are we really having the "Lords of Shadow isn't Castlevania" thing AGAIN? That shit was old 4 years ago, let it go.

Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Foffy on March 17, 2014, 10:52:52 PM
Don't worry I wasn't talking about you especifically, it's just that today is the day when I've most seen the "LoS is for casuals/posers/untrue fans and real fans hate it". It grinds me to no end!

People can be shady. Like I mentioned with authority, who are they to hold their opinions over you? In the words of my hero(ine?) RuPaul, pay them bitches no mind. There are games I like or own people talk shit about, but I dig it. Twerk to your freakuency, friend! Much love. <3
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Flame on March 17, 2014, 10:53:46 PM
Are we really having the "Lords of Shadow isn't Castlevania" thing AGAIN? That shit was old 4 years ago, let it go.
it can't be helped. LoS just ended, and IGA just left. Both two of the big camps in the fandom. Tensions are bound to arise over both of those coinciding.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Gamermeister on March 17, 2014, 11:02:09 PM
Im completely indifferent to Iga leaving, tbh. He's far from necessary for CV. Circle of the Moon proved that. People seem to treat him like he was CVs last bastion, but hes really not.
All he really did that was good was churn out more SotN. When he tried something new it was either meh or bad. Dude is a far cry from someone like Inafune.

Besides, its not hard to make a SotN clone. If Konami want another, almost any studio could make one.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Charlotte-nyo:3 on March 17, 2014, 11:23:10 PM
^ The thing is, it's rather unlikely CV would have a bigger 2D advocate who is well known there, so it seems unlikely they would go in that direction. Last I heard, the KCEK guys got folded into IGA's team around the time of PoR but we never really heard much from them after IGA stopped working on Castlevania. It seems far more likely Konami is either going to outsource the series again to keep going for a wider audience or else suspend it for awhile.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Kaori on March 17, 2014, 11:26:52 PM
And all my hopes have been crushed for a 1999 game...excuse me while I cry. :'(

I am terribly sad to see IGA go. While my Castlevania roots started on the NES and I will always consider Castlevania III my favorite, it was IGA and his Castlevania games that truly got me hardcore into the series.

I really hope IGA has success with his own company though!  Either way, if whatever he comes up with next looks interesting to me, I will definitely support it. I would also totally support the heck out of him if he were to make a kickstarter.  :P

I do hope that Konami finds someone else to do more Castlevania games in the future now that the LoS saga is over and IGA is gone. I don't want to see Castlevania die. This series has been too big in my life... :(
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Shiroi Koumori on March 17, 2014, 11:31:57 PM
OMG! I wake up and then I see this breaking news! :o
IGA you will be sorely missed. /sob


@Kaori: Me too. My heart is breaking right now... /sigh

But I leave my hopes high for a kick starter Metroidvania game in the future since most of the original Castlevania team is on freelance mode. oh yeah~!

Now... upon further analysis of the GDC 2014 session speakers list here: http://schedule.gdconf.com/speakers (http://schedule.gdconf.com/speakers)
Jump to "Igarashi, Koji". Look, there's no company listed!
That is why I was wondering back in February why on earth was not Konami listed.
Argh... I should have spoken about it beforehand. Oh well, some things are better in hindsight.

Now, is there anyone who would be going to the GDC?
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: NagoriyukiSlayer on March 17, 2014, 11:45:39 PM
Heard about this when my older brother looked Koji Igarashi up on Twitter. I was shocked to hear the news myself, but not necessarily surprised. It seems a lot of the major figures in video game development in Japan (Hideki Kamiya, Shinji Mikami, Keiji Inafune) have been leaving in the past few years. I remember Mikami saying that he left Capcom because it simply wasn't fun to work there anymore. With there not being any sufficient talent to replace them, look where Capcom and Konami are at.

Either way, while I'm not sad to see that we won't be getting a 1999 game, I do think that, had Igarashi been given better opportunities while working at Konami, we could have seen better Castlevanias than what we got. Makes me wonder about games like Curse of Darkness. Could that game had been rushed due to one of the DS (POR, I believe) titles coming out the same year? It's not unreasonable to think there was some kind of development hell similar to what seemed to happen with LOS2. (although LOS2 turned out much better, IMO) Either way, one can only hope that we can get a good Metroidvania, as, while the handheld entries ranged from good to "meh...," the thought of a good 2D "Castlevania" on consoles with HD graphics and excellent gameplay is something that I would love to see become reality.

One can only wish Igarashi luck in all of his future endeavors at this point!
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Flame on March 18, 2014, 12:07:10 AM
It seems a lot of the major figures in video game development in Japan (Hideki Kamiya, Shinji Mikami, Keiji Inafune) have been leaving in the past few years. I remember Mikami saying that he left Capcom because it simply wasn't fun to work there anymore. With there not being any sufficient talent to replace them, look where Capcom and Konami are at.

Only a matter of time before Ono takes the long walk... Capcom's running him into the ground. I recall him talking about how ridiculous his schedules and stresses were, that when he spoke to the doctor after collapsing, the doctor said his stress was on par with a marathon runner or something like that.

he's lucky he got that last SF game out the door too. he practically had to drag it out kicking and screaming, while people around him chided him and asked why he wasnt doing something more profitable. (Then it sold like hotcakes and Capcom ate those words. Now if only Mega Man could have gotten that chance... )
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Chernabogue on March 18, 2014, 01:09:59 AM
Not having the 1999 game isn't that bad (but it can still happen, they don't need IGA to do it). After all, we already know (almost) everything that happened on that year.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: GuyStarwind on March 18, 2014, 01:27:49 AM
^I was talking to a buddy about this and he pretty much said the same thing. They could still do 1999 but it just wouldn't be Iga behind it.

I got into CV during the Iga era so yeah I'm a little bummed to see him go.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Shiroi Koumori on March 18, 2014, 01:55:06 AM
^I was talking to a buddy about this and he pretty much said the same thing. They could still do 1999 but it just wouldn't be Iga behind.

I got into CV during the Iga era so yeah I'm a little bummed to see him go.

Yeah it is possible for them to make that 1999 game. It is sad though since that game's storyline was developed by IGA.

Me too. It feels like a hole for the series to lose IGA after all those years.
Anyway, we can expect a new game developed by him in the future. That is a good thought we can keep in our hearts.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Abnormal Freak on March 18, 2014, 02:02:50 AM
I don't think it would reach MN9 heights, but if IGA did a kickstarter by the end of the week I'd say he'd get a pretty penny. I mean, Yamane is now freelance and both of them are on good terms with Ayami Kojima, so conceivably he can get that 'gang'

bang.

FUUUUUUUUUUCH, I'd Dickstart that.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: JR on March 18, 2014, 02:06:55 AM
I'd definitely be down for a not-CV *winkwink* title, if that's what he was alluding to. His games were fun to play.

In all honesty, though, I hope he'd have someone help him out with a decent plot and characters.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: riverman on March 18, 2014, 02:40:31 AM
Would be cool if he literally named his new game "MetroidVania"
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 18, 2014, 05:22:56 AM
Nintendo might have a problem with that.

Well now that he's gone, I'm even more excited to hear what's going to happen next to the series because I pretty much expected the next game to be a 2D title again, while the next 3D installment is in the works for the PS4/XB1.

But now? Who knows. Hopefully they'll keep the combat engine from Lords of Shadow 2 and put it in a good game featuring Gabula and Alucard that does something to set up a better continuity and fix the idiotic ending to the last game. I'd just like game with Gabriel as Dracula where he's not trying to figure out who he is, or if he wants to die or not, but accepts his fate as a vampire and his role as gods apparent chosen one at the same time. He'll take care of super big bad things, but in return you stay the hell out of his castle and off his land kind of set up.

Hell I'd even pay full retail price for Lords of Shadow 2: The Un-Alvarez'd Edition.

But even if they change it all around, or reboot it again, whatever they do I hope they keep that combat that MS refined for the second game because that was at least one thing they nailed. They just need a not pants on head stupid setting to put it in.


Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Shiroi Koumori on March 18, 2014, 05:29:32 AM
I'm calling IGA's next game title as musical term of something or something of musical term.  ;D
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: crisis on March 18, 2014, 05:32:12 AM
Quote from: Foofy
Irregardless of this,

did foofy really just use this word in his argument?

Irregardless (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKP_pZ3WgnM#)
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: beingthehero on March 18, 2014, 05:37:50 AM
I'm calling IGA's next game title as musical term of something or something of musical term.  ;D

TransylCastle: Counterpoint to the Konami
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Shinobi on March 18, 2014, 06:04:45 AM
Maybe IGA will make games that he did before he handle Castlevania and possibly his true passion all along...........

Dating sims or visual novel ala Tokimeki Memorial.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: beingthehero on March 18, 2014, 08:06:04 AM
http://kotaku.com/the-challenge-of-leaving-castlevania-and-konami-behin-1544855373?utm_campaign=Socialflow_Kotaku_Facebook&utm_source=Kotaku_Facebook&utm_medium=Socialflow (http://kotaku.com/the-challenge-of-leaving-castlevania-and-konami-behin-1544855373?utm_campaign=Socialflow_Kotaku_Facebook&utm_source=Kotaku_Facebook&utm_medium=Socialflow)

His interview with Kotaku. It's pretty fascinating. He really did leave for the fans. He apparently requested to be moved from Castlevania to social games. And apparently Operation Akumajo may have had an effect: he cites the constant messages on Facebook for him to make another Metroidvania as a reason for striking out on his own. And you were right, Flame- the failure of his 3D Castlevania games was way he was passed over for Lords.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: KaZudra on March 18, 2014, 08:17:59 AM
Let's not rule out the possibility of something much better than SoTN given IGA now has creative time and space and no-one to answer to but himself.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Ahasverus on March 18, 2014, 08:19:16 AM
Respect x1000. I felt bad when he said he was depressed after leaving the series :(
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 18, 2014, 08:19:42 AM
Quote
I asked Iga why he wasn't in charge of Lords of Shadow. "We made two 3D Castlevania games," he said. "And to be honest, they didn't turn out so well. Mercury Steam is very skilled at creating beautiful 3D images, so they were brought in to develop the game."

In 2010, Konami didn't quite yet have its own game engine that could handle Castlevania. Remember, this was years before the Fox Engine.

"Couldn't you still have been in charge?" I asked.

"It would've been difficult, with them in Europe and me in Japan," he said. "And since the quality for our 3D Castlevania games wasn't that high, it wasn't really our place to tell them how to do one. They had that expertise."

"Looking from the outside, I think they did a good job," Iga said. "But for many fans, they automatically think 2D when they hear Castlevania. So there's that to overcome."

"When we did our 3D versions, many fans said they preferred 2D. So because of that, it might be difficult to make 3D Castlevania games."

"Were you depressed when you were no longer in charge of Castlevania?" I asked.

"Yes, of course, I was depressed," he replied, grinning. "But, I am a huge Castlevania fan. I want there to be Castlevania games for the next one hundred years. I want them to continue making those games."

"Were you bitter?" I asked.

"Certainly not. I didn't create the franchise. It was something I worked on."

"But you made it your own."

"Well, this is the next phase of Castlevania," said Iga. "I have a lot to be grateful for because of Castlevania."

I really hope this line of questioning and his responses  can do a lot to temper much of the irrational spite, that Lords of Shadow as a series seems to garner.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Kingshango on March 18, 2014, 08:41:58 AM
Regardless of what people have said about his games, he really did care for Castlevania.

Quote from: Viskod
I really hope this line of questioning and his responses  can do a lot to temper much of the irrational spite, that Lords of Shadow as a series seems to garner.

I feel that the damage has long been done and they have made up their minds regarding the Lords of Shadow games.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Dremn on March 18, 2014, 08:43:37 AM
IGA is a real trooper.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Ahasverus on March 18, 2014, 08:46:00 AM
He sounds far more passionate here than years ago, but yeah we never doubted the man intentions, he liked the series a lor, wether we agreed or not with his reasoning is another thing. I'm still sad that we never got a LoS Igavania, imagine if he had made Mirror of Fate, but I'm kinda having the impression Alvarez wanted to be the hero and that's why he downplayed IGA's times and denied any help (even Kojima's help).
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 18, 2014, 08:49:40 AM
I would have absolutely loved a beautiful 2D Lords of Shadow using animation quality found in the menus for the combo demonstrations.

Seeing those there I always thought was a nice nod to the old games but seeing a beautifully animated 2D Gabriel and Dracula just made me want a 2D version more and more.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Rugal on March 18, 2014, 08:50:32 AM
Guys guys! Fellas..

We have a new Castlevania game already. It's called Dark Souls 2! You see, all you have to do is find the whip weapon, upgrade it with fire damage (FLAME WHIP), get some throwing knives and witch flasks.

Here it is done in Dark Souls 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUZmridPRic (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUZmridPRic)
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: crisis on March 18, 2014, 08:54:40 AM
i remember when Ahasverus hated IGA with extreme passion & dissed his games & tenure with castlevania left n right

i am glad to see you have fully crossed over & come to your senses my friend.  Thomas Belmont, youre next @_@
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Anglachel on March 18, 2014, 08:58:24 AM
I am interested in what he has planned. Despite being a fan of Lords of Shadow and Mirror of Fate, the sequel put a bad taste in my mouth and I would like to see some side-scrolling games again.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Ahasverus on March 18, 2014, 09:08:17 AM
i remember when Ahasverus hated IGA with extreme passion & dissed his games & tenure with castlevania left n right

i am glad to see you have fully crossed over & come to your senses my friend.  Thomas Belmont, youre next @_@
Eh I still hate his later years and his recycling and unambitious attitude.. but it's not out of bad intentions, he's a purist and a humble man who knows not to go far of what he masters. Now I can respect that. And I kinda miss his games now, however by LoS1 announcement I had a metroidvania overdose :P

Guys guys! Fellas..

We have a new Castlevania game already. It's called Dark Souls 2! You see, all you have to do is find the whip weapon, upgrade it with fire damage (FLAME WHIP), get some throwing knives and witch flasks.

Here it is done in Dark Souls 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUZmridPRic (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUZmridPRic)
It's so Castlevania, it will remind you the times when bad Simon animations were getting you killed, and the cheery times when you couldn't past the third boss. Fun. (And the whip is like the worst weapon of the game)
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Rugal on March 18, 2014, 09:18:10 AM
Your post didn't make any sense. Please try again later.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Ahasverus on March 18, 2014, 09:21:04 AM
Your post didn't make any sense. Please try again later.
I'm sure there is a Dark Souls forum out there.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: affinity on March 18, 2014, 09:34:48 AM
Mainstreamers don't realize Harmony of Despair is the ultimate Castlevania and deserves its own series, it has the perfect combination of classic, rondo and metroidvania gameplay design, plus with an all star cast of legendary playables, and 6 players co-op unlike anything else. 

Even now years later it's still played online.   ;D   IGA should make more games like Harmony of Despair instead of SOTN.


Harmony of Despair is the essence of pure Castlevania gaming.  stories just get in the way of the fun.   While stories do flesh out characters more, they do limit the structure of the gameplay and replay value, so the more story driven videogames are, the more likely they'll be shelved indefinitely than continued to be played.       
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Kingshango on March 18, 2014, 09:34:56 AM
ffs Let Dark Souls be Dark Souls. Why does it always have to come down to "Castlevania should be more like Dark Souls."? Or do you want another uninspired Souls ripoff like that Lords of the Fallen, only with the Castlevania slapped name on it. How about we get a Castlevania clone with the Castlevania name slapped on it instead?

Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Flame on March 18, 2014, 09:37:33 AM
Guys guys! Fellas..

We have a new Castlevania game already. It's called Dark Souls 2! You see, all you have to do is find the whip weapon, upgrade it with fire damage (FLAME WHIP), get some throwing knives and witch flasks.

Here it is done in Dark Souls 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUZmridPRic (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUZmridPRic)
yeahno.

unless bullshit difficulty and a whip are all that makes a cv game.

i still don't see what people see in the souls series that makes them praise it as the second coming of simon.
Quote
lords of the fallen
imo im liking lotf more than ds from what i see.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Nagumo on March 18, 2014, 09:41:45 AM
Or do you want another uninspired Souls ripoff like that Lords of the Fallen, only with the Castlevania slapped name on it.

Yes.

Because Dark Souls.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Chernabogue on March 18, 2014, 10:00:23 AM
IGA making new games similar to CV only means one thing. We'll get more CV games in the future. :)

hey IGA, if you're reading, get Yamane and Kojima back. Plzthx.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: X on March 18, 2014, 10:03:05 AM
I don't mind if IGA is gone or retired from doing CV. It's better this way I feel. Half of his games, though retaining that CV feel were not stellar successes. And the Man was making far more plot holes then he was able to fill. We need someone new to take the series in an acceptable direction for the fans whomever it may be. Someone who can bring CV back to it's core but make it new and exciting at the same time. someone who can tell a good story without using shoehorn tactics, and is able to keep things in line to make it all work out.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 18, 2014, 10:17:25 AM
I think he did what he could so that each game could have a different cast of characters and be more than just "This years Belmont". Which is why we have Jonathan and Charlotte, Shanoa, and Soma. I liked how he kept the Morris and Belnades families relevant and I liked the idea of Alucard being active under disguised identity rather then just being in some kind of mopey self imposed coffin based isolation.

Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Thomas Belmont on March 18, 2014, 10:33:42 AM
1. Richter was being controlled by shaft so his powers were not under his own control.

Where in the game is it implied that his powers were weakened because of the spell? Shaft's goal for Richter was to keep everybody away. Why would Shaft make him weaker? I know that Alucard never defeated Richter but it pisses me off that many people think he did. Ask any average person who played SotN and they are going to say that Alucard won, and If the spell made him weaker then state it in the game.
2. 3d vanias suck.
I wouldn't say that the games are terrible, just their stories.
3. refer to number 2
4.jonathan was of the belmont bloodline somehow
So? That shouldn't give him the ability to defeat the whip's memory of Richter. Somebody on here posted that the whip's memory of Richter was weaker than the real Richter. Where was this stated in the game?
5.julius subconsciously probably knew what he was doing was wrong and the whip failed him.
No way should a teenager with only a small fraction of Dracula's power at the time be able to beat the, according to Aria of Sorrow, strongest Belmont of all in a fight. I don't care if Julius didn't give it his all. Julius should have defeated Soma and then Soma should have questioned why Julius didn't kill him.
6.I know I hated that too. but once you know soma is a possible succesor to dracula I guess it's o.k.
7.so what some dark preists are assholes who want attention
That was just one of the many times that Dracula was prematurely resurrected. In fact, I'm having a difficult time thinking of one of Iga's games where he wasn't prematurely resurrected.
8.*coughs* ERIC LACARDE
John Morris was the one who defeated Dracula.
9.I want the 1999 battle too
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Thomas Belmont on March 18, 2014, 10:35:20 AM
IGA making new games similar to CV only means one thing.

Yeah. That he can't come up with an original idea of his own.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Dremn on March 18, 2014, 10:40:27 AM
Yeah. That he can't come up with an original idea of his own.
Just stop.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Thomas Belmont on March 18, 2014, 10:41:16 AM
http://kotaku.com/the-challenge-of-leaving-castlevania-and-konami-behin-1544855373?utm_campaign=Socialflow_Kotaku_Facebook&utm_source=Kotaku_Facebook&utm_medium=Socialflow (http://kotaku.com/the-challenge-of-leaving-castlevania-and-konami-behin-1544855373?utm_campaign=Socialflow_Kotaku_Facebook&utm_source=Kotaku_Facebook&utm_medium=Socialflow)

His interview with Kotaku. It's pretty fascinating. He really did leave for the fans. He apparently requested to be moved from Castlevania to social games. And apparently Operation Akumajo may have had an effect: he cites the constant messages on Facebook for him to make another Metroidvania as a reason for striking out on his own. And you were right, Flame- the failure of his 3D Castlevania games was way he was passed over for Lords.

Thanks for posting the link. You know what? As much as I hate what he did to the series, story line wise, he seems like a really nice guy.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: machetespeghetti on March 18, 2014, 10:43:03 AM
Die Thomas Belmont you don't belong in this world!
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Thomas Belmont on March 18, 2014, 10:43:28 AM
Just stop.

Stop what? Out of all my posts, I made one smart ass reamrk. You may not like that I have an opposing opinion to yours, but at least I give my reasons, which many are valid, why.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: machetespeghetti on March 18, 2014, 10:45:09 AM
You steal gamer's souls and make them your slaves. Mankind ill needs the opinions of you.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Thomas Belmont on March 18, 2014, 10:46:15 AM
Die Thomas Belmont you don't belong in this world!

Geez, you don't have to be so mean. Again, as I said earlier, you may not like that I have a different opinion than yours, but at least I give my reasons why.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: machetespeghetti on March 18, 2014, 10:48:05 AM
Shit is getting serious around here.
Super Castlevania IV OST: Stage 1 Dance of the Holyman (1-2) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWMN91gMD_4#)
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Nagumo on March 18, 2014, 10:53:12 AM
You guys can stop now.

Anyway, it's funny in hindsight how all those "Please make 1999 IGA" comments on his Facebook wall actually had effect on him, despite that he ignored them all. Heh. 
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: beingthehero on March 18, 2014, 10:53:41 AM
I will always be eternally baffled why everyone suddenly renamed Simon's theme to Dance of the Holy Man. Like every single OST and in-game sound test has always had it as Theme of Simon Belmont. I'M AN OLD MAN AND I DON'T LIKE THIS CHANGE
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: crisis on March 18, 2014, 10:59:25 AM
The Emperor - 'Let the hate flow through you' (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Avn2nT16FA#ws)
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Oniros on March 18, 2014, 11:09:11 AM
Thanks for posting the link. You know what? As much as I hate what he did to the series, story line wise, he seems like a really nice guy.
Absolutely. C'mon people, at least lets acknowledge that IGA was as much of a fan of Castlevania as you or me.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Dremn on March 18, 2014, 11:10:46 AM
Anyway, it's funny in hindsight how all those "Please make 1999 IGA" comments on his Facebook wall actually had effect on him, despite that he ignored them all. Heh.
He has a facebook?
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: crisis on March 18, 2014, 11:17:29 AM
Quote
Absolutely. C'mon people, at least lets acknowledge that IGA was as much of a fan of Castlevania as you or me.

iGA doesnt wear custom made Simon Belmont underwear


>_>
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Trevelyan on March 18, 2014, 11:19:56 AM
I hope people pay attention to his interview.  He's got a lot of good stuff to say there. 

Anyone else feel it's a little disrespectful to him for the interviewer to keep going "but why weren't you working on it?", he's not going to want to say "Yeah they took the franchise away from me and that sucked", even if that was true.

On an off-topic note it's also sad how he compliments MS's skill at art, because now that lead artist is gone...
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: beingthehero on March 18, 2014, 11:20:13 AM
He has a facebook?

https://www.facebook.com/# (https://www.facebook.com/#)!/koji.igarashi1?fref=ts

You can friend him if you want, he likes all fans and approves everyone. 
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Dremn on March 18, 2014, 11:23:54 AM
Anyone else feel it's a little disrespectful to him for the interviewer to keep going "but why weren't you working on it?", he's not going to want to say "Yeah they took the franchise away from me and that sucked", even if that was true.
That's Kotaku for you.
Quote
On an off-topic note it's also sad how he compliments MS's skill at art, because now that lead artist is gone...
RIP Mercury Steam.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 18, 2014, 11:39:15 AM
I feel like the interviewer wanted Igarashi to be bitter or say that he had the series taken from him against his wishes. I also feel like he missed the point of Cox's statement on Mega Man. There's nothing wrong with being like Mega Man but Cox meant that, he didn't want Castlevania to end up dead.. deader... undeader? ..est?

Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: crisis on March 18, 2014, 12:05:18 PM
Quote
RIP Mercury Steam.

months before los2 was released cox had already confirmed mercurysteam was already knee-deep in a new project
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Flame on March 18, 2014, 12:27:21 PM
I feel like the interviewer wanted Igarashi to be bitter or say that he had the series taken from him against his wishes. I also feel like he missed the point of Cox's statement on Mega Man. There's nothing wrong with being like Mega Man but Cox meant that, he didn't want Castlevania to end up dead.. deader... undeader? ..est?
agreed. author totally missed the point of cox's Megaman comparison.

on bitterness, i think it was meant to emphasize or show that he was really NOT bitter, despite fans calling bloody murfer and conspiracy. that it was partially his decision and that he was completely ok with los and his "replacement"
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: machetespeghetti on March 18, 2014, 12:30:34 PM
The Emperor - 'Let the hate flow through you' (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Avn2nT16FA#ws)
Lol
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Ahasverus on March 18, 2014, 12:47:39 PM
That's Kotaku for you.RIP Mercury Steam.
The lead artist is sorely missed as a director, bur Mercury still has the best artists. LoS2 problem was not about lack of beautiful art, it was about lack of cohesion in the art.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 18, 2014, 12:50:29 PM
agreed. author totally missed the point of cox's Megaman comparison.

on bitterness, i think it was meant to emphasize or show that he was really NOT bitter, despite fans calling bloody murfer and conspiracy. that it was partially his decision and that he was completely ok with los and his "replacement"

That could work to. Either way it showed that Igarashi thinks Mercury Steam did a good job with Castlevania and bears neither them nor Konami any ill will. Which I think is what some of his fans desperately needed to hear from him.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: machetespeghetti on March 18, 2014, 12:57:57 PM
Now we wait and see castlevania become what has been feared for years.
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
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Intersection on March 18, 2014, 01:01:23 PM
From Kotaku:

http://kotaku.com/the-challenge-of-leaving-castlevania-and-konami-behin-1544855373 (http://kotaku.com/the-challenge-of-leaving-castlevania-and-konami-behin-1544855373)
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Foffy on March 18, 2014, 01:09:35 PM
Guys guys! Fellas..

We have a new Castlevania game already. It's called Dark Souls 2! You see, all you have to do is find the whip weapon, upgrade it with fire damage (FLAME WHIP), get some throwing knives and witch flasks.

Here it is done in Dark Souls 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUZmridPRic (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUZmridPRic)

Homie, Dark Souls is King's Field more than it is Castlevania.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: beingthehero on March 18, 2014, 01:49:03 PM
I think you are slightly late to the party, intersection-sama
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Intersection on March 18, 2014, 01:51:44 PM
I think you are slightly late to the party, intersection-sama
I woke up and realized that I'd missed 10 pages of discussion. So yes, you could say that.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: machetespeghetti on March 18, 2014, 01:54:01 PM
Los is *coughs* GAY
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 18, 2014, 01:57:03 PM
Awesome. So am I.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: machetespeghetti on March 18, 2014, 02:01:20 PM
I have nothing against gays and I did not mean it that way back in the day we used that term to insult friends. I just don't like the way Los is copying the series that ruined vampires with men walking around without a shirt on. It doesn't appeal to me.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Intersection on March 18, 2014, 02:09:28 PM
I have nothing against gays and I did not mean it that way back in the day we used that term to insult friends. I just don't like the way Los is copying the series that ruined vampires with men walking around without a shirt on. It doesn't appeal to me.
You declare that LoS2 is gay, and then complain about shirtless men. Speaking of connotations...
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Dremn on March 18, 2014, 02:12:22 PM
What the hell man.

You're talking about a series about manly men going to whip a vampire every 100 years based on some promise.

Castlevania is gay enough as it is.

Seriously don't post at all if you're just gonna bump this thread with dumbass comments like that.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: machetespeghetti on March 18, 2014, 02:15:08 PM
Fuck you
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: theANdROId on March 18, 2014, 02:16:44 PM
I enjoyed that interview article with Iga.  Thanks for sharing that.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: machetespeghetti on March 18, 2014, 02:18:55 PM
Since when is sending dracula back to hell gay?
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 18, 2014, 02:19:27 PM
I have nothing against gays and I did not mean it that way back in the day we used that term to insult friends. I just don't like the way Los is copying the series that ruined vampires with men walking around without a shirt on. It doesn't appeal to me.

Oh well, if you only used it as an insult...

I didn't even think about Gabriel and Alucard not wearing shirts beyond the way they designed Alucards chest makes his torso appear like some kind of crustaceous exoskeleton.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Mike Belmont on March 18, 2014, 02:36:09 PM
I remember others interviews with IGA, and I see not differences in the new one.  But the answers to the questions he have, I think they are all brilliant.

Hearing about his departure from Konami, brings me the same vibe that I have when Inafune lefts Capcom. My two all-life favorites franchises comes from Konami and Capcom (Castlevania and Megaman), so I think the same when I know the situation with Inafune, and now with IGA: game development in Japan continue in crisis. In my opinion, is trying to be in pair of western development, in terms of story and gameplay (in that order). Final Fantasy is not the same anymore, too. So, let´s see whats hapen in the next days, weeks, months...

...But, was IGA been awaiting the end of the LoS games to give his announce?   Too much coincidence...
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Flame on March 18, 2014, 02:48:28 PM
Fuck you
I didn't realize shirtlessness was gay.

I'll keep that in mind the next time I take my shirt off, that it makes me gay.

seriously, get out

also,

Now we wait and see castlevania become what has been feared for years.
(click to show/hide)

the fuck is this
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: machetespeghetti on March 18, 2014, 03:08:20 PM
666 hail Satan my dark lord and master. Come into me and I will serve you.

WTF is this.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Foffy on March 18, 2014, 03:27:47 PM
Fuck you

Are you the boss of this gym? :3c
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: machetespeghetti on March 18, 2014, 03:30:00 PM
I'm gonna go play Super Castlevania 4 Have fun with Lords of Shit.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Jorge D. Fuentes on March 18, 2014, 03:52:54 PM
Los is *coughs* GAY

Next time you have a thought like this, do us all a favor and let it go.
People still calling something Gay is an insult?
Quit being intolerant and get used to respecting people here.

You're new so I'm not going to give you an actual warning, but this behavior needs to stop and now.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: machetespeghetti on March 18, 2014, 03:57:13 PM
Sorry man I just like to defend the original games even if it means trolling the supporters of Los. I'll cut it out.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: crisis on March 18, 2014, 04:04:15 PM
IM the only one that trolls all fans of all types of cv games


i gotta feeling this hypothetical metroivania successor will be for 3DS, as it should be. i just hope the nw iga game will be released as a physical cartridge/disc instead of download-only
i like physically holding my games, and other things
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Kamirine on March 18, 2014, 04:06:38 PM
It's getting way too ugly in here.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: e105beta on March 18, 2014, 04:11:34 PM
It's getting way too ugly in here.

That's because I just walked in

Ba dum tssshhh (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcYppAs6ZdI#)
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: beingthehero on March 18, 2014, 04:12:48 PM
I actually laughed out loud at that, e105.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Flame on March 18, 2014, 04:17:42 PM
Sorry man I just like to defend the original games even if it means trolling the supporters of Los. I'll cut it out.
You're not defending anything, you're just flamebaiting.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: machetespeghetti on March 18, 2014, 04:27:21 PM
you've got a point  ;D
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Kamirine on March 18, 2014, 04:34:42 PM
You're not defending anything, you're just flamebaiting.

To be fair, he was stupid enough to say he was trolling.  And you know we aren't suppose to feed trolls.  Just wish he'd stop making classic fans look bad.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: e105beta on March 18, 2014, 04:43:51 PM
Seriously, the best quote from that Kotaku interview was:

Quote
He even wrote the groundbreaking dating sim Tokimeki Memorial.

The Man. The Myth. The Legend.

This is why we remember him ladies and gentlemen.

Seriously, though, I hope he has a lot of success on his new venture. It takes a lot of courage to leave the company you've worked at for 24 years to do a start-up. I also think it's mighty big of him to not be bitter at all over LoS taking over. I know if I was him, I'd probably be a bit bitter, but who knows. I think he has the talent to make something really cool, and I think this will create the best situation for everyone.

On an off-topic note it's also sad how he compliments MS's skill at art, because now that lead artist is gone...

Jose Luis Vallejo was a huge part of the overall art direction of LoS1, but there are plenty of artists who are also extraordinarily talented. I think what hurt LoS2 was the fact that non-artists were trying to dictate artistic direction *coughALVAREZcough*

I actually laughed out loud at that, e105.

Glad I could brighten up this thread a little bit.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: DoctaMario on March 18, 2014, 04:46:45 PM
Guys guys! Fellas..

We have a new Castlevania game already. It's called Dark Souls 2! You see, all you have to do is find the whip weapon, upgrade it with fire damage (FLAME WHIP), get some throwing knives and witch flasks.

Here it is done in Dark Souls 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUZmridPRic (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUZmridPRic)

I don't understand how anyone could think Dark Souls even REMOTELY resembles Castlevania, much less would want a Castlevania game like that. >_< No more RPG elements in my CV plz.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Gunlord on March 18, 2014, 04:52:03 PM
Remember, Flame, don't feed the trolls, if someone admits to doing it that's a sign to ignore 'em, not egg 'em on. And machetespaghetti, don't try our patience, Jorge has already warned you once. Let's get back on topic.

Doctamario, I think I lot of people find similarities between the Souls game and Castlevania due to the aesthetics and level design. While there's not so much platforming, since you can only do running jumps (unlike in CV), there are lot of giant old castles in Lordran/Drangleic that would serve as Dracula's in a pinch. They're also filled with Castlevania style enemies, like skeletons and zombies and such. So it makes sense that people might like both :)
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: crisis on March 18, 2014, 04:59:33 PM
Quote
I know if I was him, I'd probably be a bit bitter, but who knows.

not bitter, but bittersweet. yeah hes bummed that hes moving on from the series he loves the most, but in turn he has much more freedom now to create stuff his fans want to see that werent possible under Konami's management.

about tokimeki memorial, fun fact, beating Akumajo Dracula The Arcade with the "little Witch" character triggers an ending where Dracula resembles a tokimeki character. the entire ending is an homage to Tokimeki Memorial

i wont be surprised if iga's game resembles this

Koumajou Densetsu Scarlet Symphony | Stage 3 ~ Scarlet Bloodlines (HD) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvnXpgQA3tU#ws)
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: DoctaMario on March 18, 2014, 05:01:20 PM
Remember, Flame, don't feed the trolls, if someone admits to doing it that's a sign to ignore 'em, not egg 'em on. And machetespaghetti, don't try our patience, Jorge has already warned you once. Let's get back on topic.

Doctamario, I think I lot of people find similarities between the Souls game and Castlevania due to the aesthetics and level design. While there's not so much platforming, since you can only do running jumps (unlike in CV), there are lot of giant old castles in Lordran/Drangleic that would serve as Dracula's in a pinch. They're also filled with Castlevania style enemies, like skeletons and zombies and such. So it makes sense that people might like both :)

I just think it's funny that someone (Rugal) who complained about not liking LoS's art direction and the fantasy bits of it would go an compare Dark Souls to CV. I dunno, I dont' find RPG elements fun in the least, and I don't really get what people like about them, but meh, to each their own.

And speaking of Akumajo The Arcade, when is someone going to port/emulate that?? As a huge House Of The Dead fan, I REEEEAAALLLYYYYY want to try that game out!

EDIT: Wow, that Scarlet Symphony game is a lawsuit perfect CV type game. Even the music in that stage is almost a dead rip of the Entrance music from SoTN. O_o Looks like a fun game though.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: crisis on March 18, 2014, 05:08:09 PM
Akumajo the Arcade woulda worked great with the playstation Move, why konami hasnt capitalized on this idea is beyond me
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: DoctaMario on March 18, 2014, 05:09:15 PM
Akumajo the Arcade woulda worked great with the playstation Move, why konami hasnt capitalized on this idea is beyond me

Cuz Konami is dumb. I can't figure out how one of the most innovative and interesting game companies in past generations shit the bed so hard this past one. It's like they weren't even trying sometimes.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Mike Belmont on March 18, 2014, 05:13:13 PM
Akumajo the Arcade could be played too in MS Kinect, isn´t? :P

I like the bosses, ambience, graphics, enemies and other things in Dark Souls. But I think that the distinct of these games are the difficulty. I see gameplays from that games, and I simply don´t like that you have a meter of the "strenght", that can be consume when you hit the enemies. It´s refill after a few seconds, but I dont like that feature in Dark Souls.

Ok, let´s think in a Castlevania from From Software, with the Dark Souls´s engine, but use another gameplay mechanics, please...
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: DoctaMario on March 18, 2014, 05:18:41 PM
I dunno, like I said, I don't find tons of RPG elements much fun. I started a game of DS and it just didn't connect with me (I was playing the PC version so that may have had something to do with it.) SoTN actually is one of the few games I like that has RPG elements because they aren't overbearing.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: DarkPrinceAlucard on March 18, 2014, 05:25:23 PM
I not like LoS I thinking Machiete spighitti is right

If this is a dupe account from machetespeghetti than I must let you know that the staff can tell.

If not than ignore this post.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Shiroi Koumori on March 18, 2014, 05:29:28 PM
Back on topic kiddos.

I just read the Kotaku interview.
IGA really is humble. I remembered talking to him on i-revo way back in 2005 with my rudimentary Japanese. I wish I wasn't swamped by school work at that time in order to ask him more questions....
I can't wait for his next game!

@Crisis: The Tokimemo Drac. I think I read the concept of it somewhere...
AHA! http://castlevania.neo-romance.net/cv/magazine/egm07.jpg (http://castlevania.neo-romance.net/cv/magazine/egm07.jpg)
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: X on March 18, 2014, 05:35:43 PM
Quote
666 hail Satan my dark lord and master. Come into me and I will serve you.

*Chuckle* You do realize that 666 or 616 is actually the address of Rome's most notorious Emperor; Nero right? In reality it's got nothing to do with Satan.

I can agree that Dark Souls has visual aesthetics and atmosphere almost exactly like CV. However the play mechanics and the ludicrous difficulty are entirely in a league of there own. I definitely don't want my future Cv experience to have such difficulty. As it is I'm struggling to get through Dark Souls. Games like that are what cheat devices (Game Genie, Game Shark) were invented for. I want my infinity energy code.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Gunlord on March 18, 2014, 05:40:21 PM
Squidward and Machetespaghetti were the same person, and both have been banned for sockpuppeting/trolling. Everything's back to normal, friends, we can get back to the discussion without worrying about any trolling nonsense :)
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Shiroi Koumori on March 18, 2014, 05:42:27 PM
Thanks Gunlord.
I just deleted squidward's posts here since it disrupts the thread flow.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: DarkPrinceAlucard on March 18, 2014, 06:06:16 PM
Squidward and Machetespaghetti were the same person, and both have been banned for sockpuppeting/trolling. Everything's back to normal, friends, we can get back to the discussion without worrying about any trolling nonsense :)

So I was right. ;D


OK BACK ON TOPIC NOW,

How many think that IGA is going to make something that resembles castlevania with his new studio or something new altogether?

Either way i still hope its a metroidvania style game.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Mike Belmont on March 18, 2014, 06:27:46 PM
^Me...

I think that IGA will follow the way of Keiji Inafune with MN9 and his other game (I can´t remember the name, but resembles Megaman ZX and ZX Advent) creating a game where he is good and passionate.

I can imagine a new trailer of the project (like the MN9 one), with real Castlevania music (don´t need to be an original remix, just something in the vibe of Castlevania, like Dusk Falls from Bloodrayne Betrayal :P), 2D gameplay, leveling up, minor RPG elements... ending with a petition to suport his project...
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: beingthehero on March 18, 2014, 06:39:04 PM
I was surprised how coy IGA was in that interview when he was asked about doing a kickstarter. IGN's announcement about him leaving seemed to imply the other day that he'd be announcing something at the GDC, though they could've just been jumping the gun. But he has to have something lined up and soon, I mean he has bills to pay and a family to support too.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: EstebanT on March 18, 2014, 06:47:01 PM
Best news i've heard in a while. Hopefully Konami will keep making Big budget Castlevanias...and Iga making sure Metroidvanias dont die out.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: beingthehero on March 18, 2014, 06:52:52 PM
http://castlevania.neo-romance.net/cv/magazine/egm07.jpg (http://castlevania.neo-romance.net/cv/magazine/egm07.jpg)

http://castlevania.neo-romance.net/cv/magazine/egm03.jpg (http://castlevania.neo-romance.net/cv/magazine/egm03.jpg)

Well, now he has the perfect opportunity to use the "Beyond Castlevania" ideas he had back in 2003, like a Matrix-style Dracula's Castle, and a Dracula Dating Sim.

...reading through the whole scan of that Lament story fills me with both a ton of nostalgia and a bit of sadness to see how excited everyone was for Lament. And that was 11 years ago. ;____;
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Shiroi Koumori on March 18, 2014, 07:03:32 PM
I've read all of those articles that were scanned on that site yesterday. Oh, that strong pull of nostalgia...

Oh I read this commentary: http://www.gamerheadlines.com/2014/03/castlevania-to-become-kickstarter-vania-iga-departs-konami/ (http://www.gamerheadlines.com/2014/03/castlevania-to-become-kickstarter-vania-iga-departs-konami/)

The best part for me was this quote:
Quote
Imagine the man behind one of your biggest franchises just takes the ball and leaves, no doubt to make a game to serve as a direct competitor to your products. Even if you two part ways on amicable terms (as opposed to the unceremonious breakup between Inafune and Capcom) you’ll be scrambling to fill that void and remind gamers who the real house of Castlevania is, right? Maybe this will lead to something of a 2D Castlevania resurgence as Konami scrambles to fill the void. We could be looking at dueling studios, striving to provide the best action game with whips and Draculas they could. Or maybe they’ll just pull a Capcom and look the other way, not paying IGA’s new studio any mind one way or another. Either way, IGA surely has big things planned and his departure should bring about awesome announcements in the coming months.

And I fully agree on it.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Maedhros on March 18, 2014, 07:34:35 PM
One of the best news of this week.

Everyone gets what they want.

It almost like Konami don't want anything to do with Castlevania in 2D anymore. Well... if they don't care, so do I, it's not like I still like this series as I did in the past. I'll certainly keep an eye in what Iga will be doing and will support him. I'll continue to keep an eye at Castlevania too, to see if it can get on the track (aka something that I can actually play and like, instead of LoS).
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Shiroi Koumori on March 18, 2014, 07:36:57 PM
Exactly.

Competition benefits customers more than a monopoly.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: theANdROId on March 18, 2014, 07:45:15 PM
It's amazing and hilarious how much has happened here in just a few hours since I checked last! X-D


How many think that IGA is going to make something that resembles castlevania with his new studio or something new altogether?

I do too!  In the article, Iga's mention of Inafune, and the way he answered the question about doing a kickstarter...both strike me as a sort of hint to his plans for the future.  By not directly saying anything, it doesn't ruin the surprise for the fans.  I mean, wouldn't it be more exciting to discover a kickstarter or something like that as opposed to being directly told what he was gonna do?

Of course, he may have to get his resources built up too...not able to say or do anything immediately since he recently left Konami.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: knightmere on March 18, 2014, 07:46:30 PM
I don't know why anyone has any faith left in Konami... Maybe if Kojima Studios took over the series they could make a good Castlevania..
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Kale on March 18, 2014, 07:48:54 PM
While I loved MGS, I don't seem to have the same love everyone seems to have for Kojima.

And I have no doubt Iga will do more Metroidvania type games. I can see him trying more 3d games though. It's something I'm sure he'll want to get "right." Although... I did really like Curse of Darkness, aside from the story, I felt it was pretty solid.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Dremn on March 18, 2014, 07:50:06 PM
Exactly.

Competition benefits customers more than a monopoly.
Now we have the likely scenario of IGA making the kind of games fans want while Konami can do what they please with Castlevania.

Who's ready for the inevitable MOBA?

 :(
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Shiroi Koumori on March 18, 2014, 07:52:16 PM
I don't know why anyone has any faith left in Konami... Maybe if Kojima Studios took over theh series they could make a good Castlevania..

Wait?! What!? Kojima Productions will always devote all of their money making Metal Gear and nothing else.

And I have no doubt Iga will do more Metroidvania type games. I can see him trying more 3d games though. It's something I'm sure he'll want to get "right."

IGA is an advocate of 2D. He said so before in a previous GDC.
As for him doing 3D, he might try it, but it would be far into the future.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Maedhros on March 18, 2014, 07:54:03 PM
OR they can continue LoS. Which, for me, is the same as staying dead. I'm done with LoS, I really need something new, FAST.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: crisis on March 18, 2014, 08:03:27 PM
quality takes time, maedhros-sama...
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: GuyStarwind on March 18, 2014, 08:06:25 PM
Yeah I hope the next CV is good. I'm willing to wait for a good game rather than a rushed half ass'd game
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Dremn on March 18, 2014, 08:09:40 PM
I'm done with LoS, I really need something new, FAST.
I'm willing to wait however long it takes for them to make the next inevitable reboot something I will really enjoy.

They have the LOS2 engine at their disposal, I would love to see them work with it and help evolve it into the prime engine used for future entries. Doesn't mean I want more LOS games though.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Maedhros on March 18, 2014, 08:18:52 PM
It's enough time for me to completely lose interest on the series.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: DragonSlayr81 on March 18, 2014, 09:29:56 PM
I'm willing to wait however long it takes for them to make the next inevitable reboot something I will really enjoy.

They have the LOS2 engine at their disposal, I would love to see them work with it and help evolve it into the prime engine used for future entries. Doesn't mean I want more LOS games though.
I hear people say this, but is the LoS2 engine PS4/XBONE compatible? I'd imagine the next 3D CV, if they have it in mind, would be for THOSE consoles. PS3 and X360 are all but finito!

As for waiting for CV, it depends on whether or not the next turn fits along with my liking. While I love Castlevania(among other game franchises), over the past years my brand loyalty has died. For me, it's more about going where I can find enjoyment and games that resonate with my tastes rather than stick with a series(or more) that change into something that doesn't appeal to me. If CV delivers something that turns me onto it, by all means, I'm there. If not, I'll be on the winds!
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Shiroi Koumori on March 18, 2014, 09:36:06 PM
A slightly new tidbit of info that no one has posted yet.
http://www.usgamer.net/articles/gdc-2014-why-koji-igarashi-is-grateful-for-the-word-metroidvania (http://www.usgamer.net/articles/gdc-2014-why-koji-igarashi-is-grateful-for-the-word-metroidvania)

Quote
"When I left Konami, they told me I couldn't use the name Castlevania when talking about my plans. So it was actually really handy that the word 'Metroidvania' existed!"

So yup, his next game is confirmed to be a Metroidvania.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: GuyStarwind on March 18, 2014, 09:47:34 PM
I admit I enjoy Metriodvania games but I don't think I've played one that wasn't CV or Super Metriod
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Dremn on March 18, 2014, 10:01:46 PM
A slightly new tidbit of info that no one has posted yet.
http://www.usgamer.net/articles/gdc-2014-why-koji-igarashi-is-grateful-for-the-word-metroidvania (http://www.usgamer.net/articles/gdc-2014-why-koji-igarashi-is-grateful-for-the-word-metroidvania)

So yup, his next game is confirmed to be a Metroidvania.
I really hope his new game uses the same setting.

Crossing my fingers for the protagonist to use a whip of some sort too.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: crisis on March 18, 2014, 10:05:02 PM
or whipsword
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: JR on March 18, 2014, 10:13:45 PM
I admit I enjoy Metriodvania games but I don't think I've played one that wasn't CV or Super Metriod

No Shadow Complex? That one was pretty fun. Outland was okay, too...never finished it though...
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Ahasverus on March 18, 2014, 10:17:33 PM
A slightly new tidbit of info that no one has posted yet.
http://www.usgamer.net/articles/gdc-2014-why-koji-igarashi-is-grateful-for-the-word-metroidvania (http://www.usgamer.net/articles/gdc-2014-why-koji-igarashi-is-grateful-for-the-word-metroidvania)

So yup, his next game is confirmed to be a Metroidvania.
TransylFortress coming to a PC near you.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: GuyStarwind on March 18, 2014, 10:21:43 PM
No Shadow Complex? That one was pretty fun. Outland was okay, too...never finished it though...
Sadly no. It looks fun though.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Shinobi on March 18, 2014, 10:22:42 PM
It's enough time for me to completely lose interest on the series.

You can replay an almost lifetime numbers of Castlevania games, either the classicvania, metroidvania or 3dvania.

Anyway here's my thoughts on IGA's decision to leave Konami, I hope he won't gets bankrupt in his own company to build yet, or if he decided to work on the other company or return to Konami with a stable job if things doesn't work out, I hope he gets accepted or reconsider.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Flame on March 18, 2014, 10:31:40 PM
Am i one of the few people who aaaactually would be genuinely curious about a Kojima helmed Castlevania?
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Ahasverus on March 18, 2014, 10:35:56 PM
Am i one of the few people who aaaactually would be genuinely curious about a Kojima helmed Castlevania?
He's eyeing Silent Hill now.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Zetheraxza on March 18, 2014, 10:39:58 PM
Y'know now that he can make the games he wants to, why should he have to go the "Castlevania" experience since he can no longer even associate with the series anymore? Having Whip, Dracula and Castle and not being a Castlevania would make me personally even sadder for what has happened. He doesn't need to tie these things in his games anymore. Make a fresh new metroidvania with the budget you always wanted to work with! Make a kickstarter. Have a completely new plot, gameplay, characters and RPG elements that would change the metroidvania genre into something alot bigger that would put Konami to shame for not having enough faith on the guy. Despite his flaws and repetition of using same sprites and milking the metroidvania formula, I had NO COMPLAINTS with the GBA titles and especially the DS titles. All three games were tight, regardless of PoR's artstyle and Edward Elric. Koji Igarashi should make something fresh and if Konami wants to make a Classicvania or Metroidvania, they can hire Koji and Co. No need for a "Castlevania clone" that is created by one of its Ex-Official Member. If Koji Igarashi makes this "Metroidvania" of his and gets kickstarter and defeats the goal AND break reviews in positive reception, Konami could definitely contract Iga.

Am i one of the few people who aaaactually would be genuinely curious about a Kojima helmed Castlevania?

As much as I love Hideo Kojima and MGS, I'm not too sure for some of the Fans' response. MercurySteam has left a sour taste after LoS2 and not many people realize that Hideo Kojima had very little to do with LoS series and it was only the first game and I can see people be like "FUCKING KOJIMA!", "You killed Castlevania!" and one of my favourites, "KOJIMA WORLD ORDER". I think another respectable, proven and worthy studio should pick up the torch. But otherwise, I have confidence in... "Wat tuuk yuu sou loung" ;)
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Nagumo on March 19, 2014, 02:23:34 AM
It's a bit sad people here and on NeoGaf seem more excited for IGAvania instead of what Konami will do with the series next. Can't say I blame them, but the large following IGA still seems to have makes me think Konami messed up a little bit by letting him, by all means a respected and charismatic producer, and let the bumbling duo Cox and Alvarez step up and produce their highly polarizing reboot. Especially since LoS and MercurySteam may have turned out to be a one-trick pony in the end, perhaps Konami should have just played it safe from a business point of view and should have left IGA doing was he did best, instead of getting greedy. I'm an optimist, so there's definitely potential to get the series back on track, but on the other hand there's also potential for great disaster.     
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Shiroi Koumori on March 19, 2014, 02:35:27 AM
It is not just here or there. A lot of people are excited for IGAvania all over the internet that is because a lot of Castlevania fans in this generation were weaned on IGAvanias, myself included, and it is obvious that these fans will follow where IGA is heading.
I am really looking forward to his talk at the GDC, and I hope they stream it somewhere.

Konami messed up big time, not a little bit, in my opinion, by ignoring IGA. But due to the insistence of Konami to produce a 3Dvania, that is what they got, disappointed fans and the IP now in limbo.

Here's an IGN commentary.
Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami - IGN Conversations (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpXcsFeujDI#ws)

I hope Konami gets its act together and create a great Castlevania game or else the franchise we love would vanish like Suikoden. And we might have to change our forum name.  :'(
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Chernabogue on March 19, 2014, 02:41:30 AM
What Konami should have done is putting IGA at the head of MercurySteam.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Shiroi Koumori on March 19, 2014, 02:48:33 AM
It would not be possible as said by IGA himself, and I quote from Kotaku.
Quote
"Couldn't you still have been in charge?" I (Brian Ashcraft) asked.

"It would've been difficult, with them in Europe and me in Japan," he said. "And since the quality for our 3D Castlevania games wasn't that high, it wasn't really our place to tell them how to do one. They had that expertise."
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: beingthehero on March 19, 2014, 04:52:22 AM
Quote
I am really looking forward to his talk at the GDC, and I hope they stream it somewhere.

Or at least have a transcript of it. The only reason I think it'd be hard to get a recording or stream is that GDC tends to hide their stuff behind a paywall, and that paywall is about $400-$500. Not even kidding.

I also realized that this would be a golden opportunity for him to bring back Hirooka Masaki for a project. His art is still probably the best Castlevania has had.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Shiroi Koumori on March 19, 2014, 04:55:07 AM
Or we can just wait for the interviews at the end of the conference.

Oh and AlphaOmegaSin also gave a comment regarding this news and surprisingly with lesser expletives than usual.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: zangetsu468 on March 19, 2014, 05:00:47 AM
Thing with Iga is, he would have come good in the end, 3D, 2D, whatever. When MS had their glory and what went up needed to eventually come down, he was CV's proverbial rock. It's incredibly ironic that he's leaving right now and I believe Konami deserve it tbh. Rather than trying to reboot the series again, Konami really need to sort this out, or just let the series rest in peace. The Dracula Belmont reboot was a one trick pony which will not work again, because the backbone of CV fans are not swayed by such tactics.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Ahasverus on March 19, 2014, 06:32:06 AM
I don't agree with IGA vcontonuing the series. At the time IGA's ideas were getting stale and there was simply not excitement anymore. Also, Castlevania HAD to work in 3D and MS at thr least showed that it indeef worked. We just need a new not arrogant producer and studio director who can respect the series legacy and stop the "forget everything". and "we can do better". I feel that the resentment to the new series comes more from the arrogance because gameplay wise stealth side it's good. Hopefully the new studio will respect the series and not trash talking it and build over its foundations. And hopefully Konami gives the 2D games to a 2D studio. That is the only way to regain some goodwill and not losing new fans.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 19, 2014, 06:42:08 AM
God, a 3D Castlevania game with Lords of Shadow 2s combat engine, and all of the fun and varied sub-weapon attacks from Lament of Innocence, with classic music. Dream come true.

From Igarashi, I would love something akin to a 2D survival horror game with his typical RPG elements. Maybe give weapons durability so you can't just mindly hack/slash/shoot your way through everything and really up the horror atmosphere all while keeping it done in excellent sprite work.

I'd love it if Igarashi could cooperate on something like that with that excellent sprite artist that worked on that Mercenary Kings game and the Scott Pilgrim game.


Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: ChibiMaddiChan on March 19, 2014, 06:53:00 AM
I leave for a few days, and IGA leaves Konami?!  THE FUCK?!  No more Metroidvania ala with Castlevania in the title?!  No 1999 game?!  My heart...it hurts. What happened man...I thought things would get better with Konami getting a new President! (Insert Obama joke here.)

...Well there went my dream if back to back Alucards or Draculas fighting each other before putting differences aside to kill Galamoth once and for all. 

Okay, seriously, where the hell is the series going now?  LoS is done--they just gonna continue on that universe and milk it, change it into something MS never intended?  Drive CV to the state the Silent Hill series is in now?  Go back to Classicvania (yeah, wishful thinking)? Try something brand new? 

Am I the only one scared shitless on where my beloved series is going?  I know it's ever changing, mind you, but I've been with this series since CV III (I went back and played 1 and Simion's Quest), and I'm getting worried.  I really hope we hear something at E3 or TGS...with MS leaving to work on other stuff, IGA leaving Konami to make Van Hellsing fights Dracula just like in that CVM games, and no sign of returning to Classicvania...what's CV gonna do now?
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: ChibiMaddiChan on March 19, 2014, 06:55:33 AM
God, a 3D Castlevania game with Lords of Shadow 2s combat engine, and all of the fun and varied sub-weapon attacks from Lament of Innocence, with classic music. Dream come true.

From Igarashi, I would love something akin to a 2D survival horror game with his typical RPG elements. Maybe give weapons durability so you can't just mindly hack/slash/shoot your way through everything and really up the horror atmosphere all while keeping it done in excellent sprite work.

I'd love it if Igarashi could cooperate on something like that with that excellent sprite artist that worked on that Mercenary Kings game and the Scott Pilgrim game.

And just like that, you are now my favorite person.  Have a cookie you sexy beast you!  I have two now, fuck yeah!

But seriously, I love the sound of your LoS idea.  Sounds like a 3D Simion's Quest on roids.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 19, 2014, 06:57:46 AM
Well, again. There's no reason we can't get those games. Igarashi doesn't own any of that. And I wouldn't call adding a 4th game to a second timeline "milking" it, when the traditional timeline has many more under its belt.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Kingshango on March 19, 2014, 07:03:45 AM
IIRC, Mercurysteam owns the LOS engine so I doubt the next 3D Castlevania game will look/play like the Lords of Shadow games.

Either the next Castlevania will run on the FOX Engine or (if outsoruced) some other 3rd party engine.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Ahasverus on March 19, 2014, 07:04:06 AM
If LoS2's ending weren't such a clusterfuck I'd like a continuation, but it really did its work on closing the trilogy.. by making impossible to make it better. If I was the new Director I'll kind of merge LoS and LoI origin story and continue from there, but not starting with an origins story but with an exciting reimagining and then tell the story by pieces.

I'd start with a Bloodlines reimagining, for example, that way you introduce The Belmonts as a legend already, could tell a tragic story because Eric's and Jonh's desmise and of course surprise because its setting is amazing and could be exciting for the general public.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: The Silverlord on March 19, 2014, 07:17:01 AM
I'm very curious about the timing of this.  Did he wait to until the Castlevania IP was up for grabs again, and Konami denied it to him?

That's a possibility, given the timing.  I'll sure bet it wasn't a decision to be taken lightly, to leave Konami.

Perhaps IGA got wind of what was on the horizon (which may be nothing at all!), and either he wasn't going to be part of it, or he didn't like it—the straw that broke the camel's back.  Maybe the Lords of Shadow 2's release played a factor in his thoughts, made him reflect on what once was.

Speculation . . . but all the best to him.  Will be very intriguing to see what happens next . . .



DMC4 ... a rushed, hot-garbage attempt at bringing back elements of DMC1 but done badly

DMC4 ran at a stupidly slick 60fps and its combat system was (and still is) an absolute delight to play.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 19, 2014, 07:22:39 AM
IIRC, Mercurysteam owns the LOS engine

Well that is very very unfortunate for Konami then.

That's a possibility, given the timing.  I'll sure bet it wasn't a decision to be taken lightly, to leave Konami.

Perhaps IGA got wind of what was on the horizon (which may be nothing at all!), and either he wasn't going to be part of it, or he didn't like it—the straw that broke the camel's back.  Maybe the Lords of Shadow 2's release played a factor in his thoughts, made him reflect on what once was.

Speculation . . . but all the best to him.  Will be very intriguing to see what happens next . . .

I don't see any reason to not take the man at his word.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: beingthehero on March 19, 2014, 07:42:51 AM
I guess it's worth noting that the failure of Lament and Curse probably had more to do with KCET overall than specifically IGA, because every 3D game they made - whether IGA was involved, like Nanobreaker, or not, like Sword of Etheria/Over Zenith, were beat em ups consisting of long hallways and sparse enemies that you slowly trudge through:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKMvaMgtrdo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKMvaMgtrdo)

IGA wasn't involved at all with Over Zenith, yet it had all the same faults as Curse and Nanobreaker.

On the other hand, Michiru Yamane did the music to that game as well. The conspiracy grows deeper.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: The Silverlord on March 19, 2014, 07:51:59 AM
I don't see any reason to not take the man at his word.

This new Polygon interview seems to sums it up:
http://www.polygon.com/2014/3/19/5523676/koji-igarashi-interview-castlevania-konami-and-going-independent (http://www.polygon.com/2014/3/19/5523676/koji-igarashi-interview-castlevania-konami-and-going-independent)

Quote from: Polygon
Igarashi's move from creating core games to social games was largely driven by Konami's internal direction, he said. He stepped away from making 2D Castlevania games because, he said, while Konami recognized that its 2D legacy franchises had a passionate fanbase, it saw the video game business moving in a different direction.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: beingthehero on March 19, 2014, 08:03:23 AM
Damn dude, IGA's flinging interviews left and right. I hope the IGN one is even more in-depth.

Quote
One of the things, that made me happy is [that] a lot of people said, 'Hey, I want you to hire me, take me with you.' So that felt good."

Hahaha, that's kind of awesome
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Chernabogue on March 19, 2014, 08:11:29 AM
I want the next CV to have the soul of an IGA game and the produciton of a MS game. That'd be glorious.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Ahasverus on March 19, 2014, 08:12:23 AM
I want the next CV to have the soul of an IGA game and the produciton of a MS game. That'd be glorious.
AMEN
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: The Silverlord on March 19, 2014, 08:27:43 AM
Quote
... it was two years of making a game that leaned too 'hardcore' for the social market. So it was canceled. Then I'd try again and be canceled. And again and be canceled.

Worryingly, for all that time/money/effort spent working on cancelled projects (probably with small teams), Konami could have just as easily given IGA a CV side-project.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 19, 2014, 08:35:42 AM
Well he wanted to do social games because that's the trend Japan itself is going in and welcomed doing something new, but I guess his personal design tastes didn't fit their social game mold.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Ahasverus on March 19, 2014, 08:47:10 AM
Fuck social games. I wish Konami just sold the Castlevania IP. I'm counting days for Castlevania FTP, 50 hearts for $0.99.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 19, 2014, 08:59:55 AM
Well Konami is a Japanese game company and that's where Japan is headed. Fewer and fewer AAA and console titles and more and more handheld and mobile games.

Take a look at the most recent sales data there.
Quote
Media Create Sales: Week 11, 2014 (Mar 10 - Mar 16)

01./00. [PS3] Dark Souls II <RPG> (From Software) {2014.03.13} (¥7.800) - 255.197 / NEW
02./02. [3DS] Yo-kai Watch <RPG> (Level 5) {2013.07.11} (¥4.800) - 37.247 / 569.720 (+3%)
03./03. [3DS] Dragon Quest Monsters 2: Iru to Ruka no Fushigi na Fushigi na Kagi # <RPG> (Square Enix) {2014.02.06} (¥5.490) - 18.728 / 737.593 (-40%)
04./01. [PSV] Soul Sacrifice Δ <ACT> (Sony Computer Entertainment) {2014.03.06} (¥4.980) - 17.357 / 66.143 (-64%)
05./04. [3DS] Harvest Moon: Linking The New World <SLG> (Marvelous AQL) {2014.02.27} (¥5.040) - 15.883 / 176.180 (-46%)
06./06. [3DS] Fossil Fighters: Infinite Gear <RPG> (Nintendo) {2014.02.27} (¥4.800) - 13.362 / 93.900 (-40%)
07./09. [3DS] Kirby Triple Deluxe <ACT> (Nintendo) {2014.01.11} (¥4.800) - 12.225 / 501.835 (-13%)
08./10. [3DS] Pokemon X / Y # <RPG> (Pokemon Co.) {2013.10.12} (¥4.800) - 10.106 / 3.994.938 (-6%)
09./07. [PS3] Yakuza: Ishin! <ADV> (Sega) {2014.02.22} (¥8.600) - 10.034 / 222.147 (-49%)
10./14. [PS3] Grand Theft Auto V <ACT> (Take-Two Interactive Japan) {2013.10.10} (¥7.770) - 7.910 / 736.810 (+8%)
11./11. [3DS] Puzzle & Dragons Z <RPG> (GungHo Online Entertainment) {2013.12.12} (¥4.400) - 7.755 / 1.407.075 (-26%)
12./12. [PS4] Battlefield 4 <ACT> (Electronic Arts) {2014.02.22} (¥7.665) - 7.539 / 55.286 (-23%)
13./05. [PS3] Ar Nosurge: Umareizuru Hoshi e Inoru Uta # <RPG> (Gust) {2014.03.06} (¥7.140) - 6.751 / 33.787 (-75%)
14./00. [360] Dark Souls II <RPG> (From Software) {2014.03.13} (¥7.800) - 5.950 / NEW
15./13. [PS4] Yakuza: Ishin! <ADV> (Sega) {2014.02.22} (¥8.600) - 5.451 / 119.722 (-41%)
16./21. [3DS] Monster Hunter 4 # <ACT> (Capcom) {2013.09.14} (¥5.990) - 5.132 / 3.239.571
17./15. [WIU] Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze <ACT> (Nintendo) {2014.02.13} (¥5.985) - 5.117 / 72.401 (-29%)
18./23. [3DS] Doraemon: Shin Nobita no Daimakyou - Peko to 5-nin no Tankentai <ACT> (FuRyu) {2014.03.06} (¥5.229) - 4.813 / 9.665
19./22. [3DS] Animal Crossing: New Leaf # <ETC> (Nintendo) {2012.11.08} (¥4.800) - 4.759 / 3.692.937
20./17. [PS3] Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. Full Boost # <ACT> (Bandai Namco Games) {2014.01.30} (¥7.980) - 4.395 / 338.323 (-25%)


Top 20

3DS - 10
PS3 - 5
PS4 - 2
360 - 1
PSV - 1
WIU - 1

The 3DS is clearly leading the pack.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Ahasverus on March 19, 2014, 09:06:57 AM
Fuck Japan. I can't take the market seriously. They just elected Lightning from FFXIII best charater of the generation. Yeah. I want japanese designers making games for the western world, because Japan just doesn't care about consoles anymore (PS4 sold laughably bad while it's the best selling console in every other country).

Edit: While that list is dominated by 3DS games, they are at the most hardcore 3DS games, not casual stuff. Casual: Farmville, Flappy Birds.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 19, 2014, 09:11:05 AM
If by "laughably bad" you mean "all of the consoles allocated for the region". But this is why we've seen Konami and Capcom reach out to western developers for some projects. They want games that appeal to a wider western audience, because eventually they're going to need games to appeal to a wider western audience.

EDIT: As to your own edit, I'm not entirely sure how I'd find a record of games sales for smartphones and tablets for the same week in Japan, but I would assume that they would be staggering.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: e105beta on March 19, 2014, 09:31:13 AM
Fuck Japan. I can't take the market seriously. They just elected Lightning from FFXIII best charater of the generation.

So THAT'S why Toriyama can get away with saying how Lighting is super popular.

Final Fantasy got so extraordinarily Japanese post Nomura. Even beyond Square Enix, I feel like all of the old Japanese franchises either:

A. Died
B. Went completely insular
C. Outsourced to Western devs

It's like Nintendo is the only company that tries to make games that are marketable overseas and locally, but then again, I remember Miyamoto saying last year how their games are declining in popularity in Japan.

Japan is like the hipster country of the gaming world.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Ahasverus on March 19, 2014, 09:34:53 AM
Japan is just creepy in the gaming world the same it is in everything else.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Nagumo on March 19, 2014, 09:37:34 AM
Hahaha, that's kind of awesome

Ouch, the sympathy for the IGA rebellion is great. This doesn't make Konami look good.

Konami wants to make more social games? Just sell the IP to IGA and let the company wither away.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 19, 2014, 09:43:33 AM
He's not rebelling though. He's 46 and after a long and successful career Konami he figured if he was ever going to try to do something on his own it had to be now, because like he said, right now he appears to have fan support and he wants to strike while its there before those voices go quiet.

Fan support and Inafune's success so far (his Soul Sacrifice is No.4 on those charts) made Igarashi believe now is the right time so its doubly important that these same fans don't let him down. I'd hate for the guy to leave Konami and end up failing in his first solo endeavour.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Nagumo on March 19, 2014, 09:48:42 AM
Yeah, but Konami apparently demanded he made social games while that wasn't what he wanted to do, hence he set up his own company. I still stand by my analogy. :P
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 19, 2014, 09:53:08 AM
That is incorrect. As per the Kotaku interview.

Quote
I remembered hearing a rumor that Iga was working on Konami's social games, which were increasingly profitable for the company. Iga didn't think this was necessarily a bad thing. "I don't dislike social games," he said, adding that he requested to be shifted into the social games section. With social games being incredibly popular in Japan and seeming to eclipse traditional games, Iga thought there was something he could learn and that social games would be a good platform for quirky, unusual titles.

And since social games are so profitable in Japan, the industry is focusing on them. "I think there will be even more of a shift towards social games in Japan," said Iga, putting down his cup of coffee. "And at Konami as well."
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Nagumo on March 19, 2014, 09:59:32 AM
The previous page has a quote where he says Konami denied his social game ideas at least three times because they felt too much like core games. He explicitly said that was one of his motivations to leave.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: X on March 19, 2014, 10:01:26 AM
Quote
I guess it's worth noting that the failure of Lament and Curse probably had more to do with KCET overall than specifically IGA

KCET was no longer involved with Castlevania after CotM. That was their last game. Since then it was IGA's team making CV games.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Nagumo on March 19, 2014, 10:05:32 AM
That's KCEK (Kobe). He's talking about the Tokyo branch.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 19, 2014, 10:23:42 AM
The previous page has a quote where he says Konami denied his social game ideas at least three times because they felt too much like core games. He explicitly said that was one of his motivations to leave.

That is different than this.

Yeah, but Konami apparently demanded he made social games while that wasn't what he wanted to do, hence he set up his own company. I still stand by my analogy. :P

Making social games was what he wanted to do. But as I also said...

Well he wanted to do social games because that's the trend Japan itself is going in and welcomed doing something new, but I guess his personal design tastes didn't fit their social game mold.

I'm sure with how successful they're becoming in Japan there is a typical mold of what makes money already set out and Igarashi probably wanted to do something different and had some ideas rejected. But to say that he had working on social games forced upon him is not true, he wanted to work on them.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Dremn on March 19, 2014, 11:16:01 AM
Konami doesn't have access to the LoS2 engine?

Well shit, they better make a new 2D Castlevania for 3DS then. I'm not sure what else they can do right now. Hope they're not banking on more DLC for LoS2.

Quote
Igarashi doesn't have a name for his new development studio, he says, and he hasn't ruled out collaborating with some of his former colleagues and co-creators, like artist Ayami Kojima and musician Michiru Yamane.

Oh man this would be awesome.

Quote
He'll likely focus on console games at his new studio, as that's where much of his fan base resides. But he doesn't want to exclude other platforms, like PC, mobile or handhelds, and if fans demand it, he'll consider all hardware options. "I don't want to close any doors," he said.

So finally 2D (not) Castlevania on consoles again? :D

I especially love this quote by IGA too:

Quote
"I'm a simple man with simple needs," Iga said. "The process of making something, releasing it, having fans be happy with what you've created, [that's what I want]. The last two years, I haven't been able to finish that process for a variety of reasons. If I can do that, that would make me very happy. That is what I want to do with my studio: release games that make people happy."

The words of someone who truly enjoys what he does. It's great his departure was more heart warming from his colleagues than cold like Inafune's, barely anyone at Capcom bid him farewell or said goodbye when he went on to start Comcept.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 19, 2014, 11:22:05 AM
They could always let Platinum make them a game. At the very least the combat would be top notch and fun.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Rugal on March 19, 2014, 11:22:36 AM
Castlevania is dead. Excuse me while I go play some Dark Souls 2 with my fire whip, holy water, and throwing knives.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Nagumo on March 19, 2014, 12:08:13 PM
Viskod, although IGA worked on social games, Konami rejected his ideas because they felt too much like core games, meaning that was not where his heart lies. I don't get what's wrong about that.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Shinobi on March 19, 2014, 12:10:21 PM
Castlevania is dead. Excuse me while I go play some Dark Souls 2 with my fire whip, holy water, and throwing knives.

I haven't played Dark Souls 1 or 2 yet but as I have seen in the videos, it looks like a 3d version of Diablo than Castlevania IMO.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Dremn on March 19, 2014, 12:11:03 PM
Viskod, although IGA worked on social games, Konami rejected his ideas because they felt too much like core games, meaning that was not where his heart lies. I don't get what's wrong about that.
There was nothing wrong with it, whatever ideas IGA had just didn't fit with Konami's new criteria by the looks of things.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: e105beta on March 19, 2014, 12:15:44 PM
There was nothing wrong with it, whatever ideas IGA had just didn't fit with Konami's new criteria by the looks of things.

Which is why he left. I don't think there's much of an argument here, IGA was fine working on social games until he realized that his idea of a social game and Konami's were too different things.

I think people are trying to turn this too much into a "Konami is a sinking ship! Run into the sunset IGA! Leave those assholes behind!" where Konami is the big bad villain and IGA is the hero because Konami allowed LoS to come into being.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 19, 2014, 12:19:50 PM
Exactly, there's absolutely nothing to suggest that his departure was not completely amicable for both him and Konami. I'm sure if he wanted to stay at Konami and do something else other than social games, he would have been able to.

Viskod, although IGA worked on social games, Konami rejected his ideas because they felt too much like core games, meaning that was not where his heart lies. I don't get what's wrong about that.

There's nothing wrong with this statement but your previous attempts to say this ended up being factually inaccurate.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Nagumo on March 19, 2014, 12:26:49 PM
Not exactly, but whatever you say, I guess.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 19, 2014, 12:48:00 PM
Yeah, but Konami apparently demanded he made social games while that wasn't what he wanted to do, hence he set up his own company. I still stand by my analogy. :P

This was your statement.

Quote
Konami apparently demanded he made social games

This is inaccurate. He asked to make them.

Quote
while that wasn't what he wanted to do

This is inaccurate. He wanted to make them.

The fact that the ones he made, and enjoyed making, where not the kind that Konami had in mind, probably because they just wanted a standard format to cash in on does not imply that he was forced to make anything he did not want to make against his will. Since the games he worked on were of his own personal design, they were just turned down.

Which is why this statement...

Viskod, although IGA worked on social games, Konami rejected his ideas because they felt too much like core games, meaning that was not where his heart lies. I don't get what's wrong about that.

That acknowledges his heart just wasn't in the kind of format that Konami wanted, is a much better representation of his situation and different way of looking at it than your initial statement.



Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Flame on March 19, 2014, 01:26:30 PM
Castlevania is dead. Excuse me while I go play some Dark Souls 2 with my fire whip, holy water, and throwing knives.
Go away Rugal, DS is nothing like Castlevania in anything but the most superficial ways.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Nagumo on March 19, 2014, 01:57:34 PM
Ah, that's right. I read over that bit. But I still think the rebellion analogy is appropriate.

Anyway, I'm feeling the urge to replay alll of IGA's 2D games in chronological order. I'm going to throw in the Arrange version of Chronicles and DXC for good measure as well.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Dremn on March 19, 2014, 02:19:11 PM
Maybe Konami could remake Castlevania 1 again in the mean time. I'd be down for another retelling of Simon's game.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Flame on March 19, 2014, 02:31:54 PM
Maybe Konami could remake Castlevania 1 again in the mean time. I'd be down for another retelling of Simon's game.
The fact that LoS was originally supposed to be that really has left me itching for a current gen CV1 remake
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Dremn on March 19, 2014, 02:34:01 PM
The fact that LoS was originally supposed to be that really has left me itching for a current gen CV1 remake
My 3DS just needs a new Classicvania period.

Man we're running out of things to talk about with this series, I feel like I repeat the same thing almost everyday now. :T
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 19, 2014, 02:45:46 PM
Anyway, I'm feeling the urge to replay alll of IGA's 2D games in chronological order. I'm going to throw in the Arrange version of Chronicles and DXC for good measure as well.

I was thinking the same thing actually and I love DXC but damn if Maria is not insanely too strong for Arrange Mode.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Flame on March 19, 2014, 02:51:39 PM
My 3DS just needs a new Classicvania period.

Man we're running out of things to talk about with this series, I feel like I repeat the same thing almost everyday now. :T
Why does it have to be a handheld?

I want a console/PC release that actually takes advantage of what consoles can offer, not a dumbed down portable... I'm real tired of handheld Castlevania.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 19, 2014, 02:57:39 PM
I would love that to, but that will never happen. The only way we'd see a console release like that would be if it was a port from a handheld or a low budget digital release for something like $15 to $20 bucks.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Dremn on March 19, 2014, 03:00:44 PM
Why does it have to be a handheld?
Because my 3DS still needs a truly good Castlevania game. Mirror of Fate wasn't enough to scratch that itch.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: beingthehero on March 19, 2014, 03:39:48 PM
http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/213528/After_leaving_Konami_IGA_takes_a_leap_and_trusts_his_fans.php? (http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/213528/After_leaving_Konami_IGA_takes_a_leap_and_trusts_his_fans.php?)

Another interview.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: crisis on March 19, 2014, 03:46:08 PM
someone needs to try & get him to do an interview for the Dungeon, kinda like how Cox did an interview with the CHapel several years ago. Nagumo, beingthehero, Shiroi, etc. MAKE IT HAPPEN
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Inccubus on March 19, 2014, 03:47:40 PM
I just read an interesting tidbit on Nintendolife that will be of interest to the metroidvania fans... assuming this hasn't already been brought up here.

Anyway, to paraphrase:
Konami told Igarashi he couldn't mention castlevania when talking about his plans. So he is glad that the term "metroidvania" exists.

Sounds like some are going to get exactly what they want out of this turn of events after all.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Charlotte-nyo:3 on March 19, 2014, 05:10:26 PM
ANOTHER interview. He's going all out. I don't think this one has been posted here yet and it was just put out 3 hours ago. This one with Jeremy Parish, one of the popularizers of the Metroidvania term.

http://www.usgamer.net/articles/the-resurrection-of-koji-igarashi (http://www.usgamer.net/articles/the-resurrection-of-koji-igarashi)
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Dremn on March 19, 2014, 05:23:51 PM
ANOTHER interview. He's going all out. I don't think this one has been posted here yet and it was just put out 3 hours ago. This one with Jeremy Parish, one of the popularizers of the Metroidvania term.

http://www.usgamer.net/articles/the-resurrection-of-koji-igarashi (http://www.usgamer.net/articles/the-resurrection-of-koji-igarashi)
Quote
USG: I noticed you did seem to focus on appealing to Japanese gamers in some ways. The anime art style of Dawn of Sorrow, for instance...

IGA: This is actually a common misconception that occurs. And that is the anime style chosen in Dawn of Sorrow - it wasn't to make it appeal more to the Japanese market, it was to make it appeal more to the DS market...

USG: Ahh, I see...

IGA: ...and the rationale there was that people who were gaming on the DS continue to get younger and younger versus previous handhelds. And if you, with the franchise, don't continue to try and get new fans and new customers, then you just end up with older and older gamers that sometimes stop gaming or peter off. So that was pretty much us trying to appeal to new, younger users, to try to get them interested in that series. Though it didn't really work. 

Interesting.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Flame on March 19, 2014, 05:32:14 PM
thats not new. its old news actually. hes said before that it (and por) was meant to appeal to a younger audience. i would wager the same for the plot actually. (for both games)
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: beingthehero on March 19, 2014, 05:43:47 PM
That whole bit about Ayami Kojima was the best.

EDIT: whoops, now that I reread it, he was talking about Yamane.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 19, 2014, 06:06:44 PM
Definitely
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: DoctaMario on March 19, 2014, 06:25:40 PM
I'm interested to know how close a resemblance his new project will bear to CV and if it does, how Konami will react. That Koumajou Densetsu game bears a preeeeeetty close resemblance to CV (Sotn) and I'm wondering if IGA will go that route.

Far as Japan and social games go, it seems pretty obvious that games like that appeal to people who aren't gamers. my girlfriend's GRANDMA plays Farmville religiously. iOS games are games you can sell to people who would probably never buy a console but still might want to play a game, and with phones being more powerful than portables now, it makes sense.

DMC4 ran at a stupidly slick 60fps and its combat system was (and still is) an absolute delight to play.

Doesn't matter how many fps the game plays at or that Dante was an amazing character when you consider the level design was CoD-tier and you played half the game with Nero, a pretty underwhelming and limited character, considering it was the 4th game in the series.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Mike Belmont on March 19, 2014, 06:41:28 PM
I'm interested to know how close a resemblance his new project will bear to CV and if it does, how Konami will react. That Koumajou Densetsu game bears a preeeeeetty close resemblance to CV (Sotn) and I'm wondering if IGA will go that route.

Taking Inafune Mighty Number 9 project as example, I can imagine a 2D platform, metroidvania style. As its said here in the forum, Konami doesn´t own the name Dracula, so IGA can make a game involving Dracula as an antagonist (or protagonist :P). The problem would be if, in pair with IGA, Konami anounces a similar 2D game (I really doubt) with Dracula in it.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: justin312 on March 19, 2014, 06:51:42 PM
Before everyone gets too excited fantasizing the new dream IGA metroidvania like its 1999, just remember that the majority of video game startups fail before getting off the ground. Also, fans always seem to complain that Konami never gave IGA enough of a budget, which in theory is the reason many of his his games were flawed. Running a startup, I doubt he would have anywhere near the budgets that Konami gave him to produce gems like Judgment or Harmony of Despair.

Remember, he can't take the sprites with him...
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Mike Belmont on March 19, 2014, 06:54:19 PM
True, but for that reason, Kickstarter exists ;).

Just see how much Inafune gets for the MN9 project. Yes, we can just wait to see if IGA start a Kickstarter´s project, and his budget vision...
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: beingthehero on March 19, 2014, 07:16:05 PM
And he said he's talking to publishers and other developers at GDC for that very reason.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: crisis on March 19, 2014, 07:17:37 PM
story-wise, i dunno... im kinda torn on whether i would like to see iga take on the vampire mythos again, continuing to use dracula or anything. then again, i dont wanna see more "Nanobreaker" nonsense either. however vampire mythos is what hes accustomed to, i just not sure if i want it to be too derivitive of traditional castlevania. he has an opportunity to give us something completely original, and that concept seems more intruiging than anything else

i guess we'll see soon eounugh
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Neobelmont on March 19, 2014, 07:22:41 PM
Is it odd that I was playing harmony of dissonance today on my statistics break?

Santa belmont. But anyways bring a whip and whip it good IGA lord knows you want to.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Maedhros on March 19, 2014, 07:48:31 PM
He could make something with Wayforward guys... I'm sure they will try to look for him. Not only them, though.

The possibilities are very interesting. Maybe he can try to make a new series, without a gothic look and more of a horror, or something Lovecraftian inspired or something. I know that I'll fully endorse his new endeavor.

While Castlevania I'll be approaching with caution, since the last thing the series gave to us was LoS... which I don't like at all.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Neobelmont on March 19, 2014, 07:52:36 PM
I just thought what if he made a getsu fuma like game or gradius, or contra like game? He could be the answer to other players prayers as well. 
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: ganonfloyd on March 19, 2014, 07:55:11 PM
Lovecraft can be a difficult tone to nail down, especially in an action game. Although a boss fight against the Colour Out of Space would make the entire thing worthwhile.

I just thought what if he made a getsu fuma like game or gradius, or contra like game? He could be the answer to other players prayers as well. 

I miss Gradius.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 19, 2014, 08:51:31 PM
After reading these interviews and seeing how Igarashi left on quite amicable terms, and how he was pleased with Lords of Shadow as a series I don't think he'll try to copy Castlevania or step on their vampire mythos toes just out if respect for Konami and the series.

He's quite grateful to them and wants the series to continue to be successful so I don't see him trying to undermine or sabotage Konami.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: DoctaMario on March 19, 2014, 09:40:42 PM
Before everyone gets too excited fantasizing the new dream IGA metroidvania like its 1999, just remember that the majority of video game startups fail before getting off the ground. Also, fans always seem to complain that Konami never gave IGA enough of a budget, which in theory is the reason many of his his games were flawed. Running a startup, I doubt he would have anywhere near the budgets that Konami gave him to produce gems like Judgment or Harmony of Despair.

Remember, he can't take the sprites with him...

yeah..., but...he has a name. I think a big part of the reason a lot of video game startups fail is because they have no name to attach themselves to. IGA is well known in the business and I think because of that, he won't have a lot of the problems a lot of startups with non-household name people have.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Dremn on March 19, 2014, 10:12:45 PM
After seeing this just now;

Mighty No. 9 GDC Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acQj71oGAB8#ws)

I would so be ok with IGA's first project being a side scrolling 3D Metroidvania if it looks this impressive.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Shiroi Koumori on March 19, 2014, 10:46:47 PM
After reading these interviews and seeing how Igarashi left on quite amicable terms, and how he was pleased with Lords of Shadow as a series I don't think he'll try to copy Castlevania or step on their vampire mythos toes just out if respect for Konami and the series.

He's quite grateful to them and wants the series to continue to be successful so I don't see him trying to undermine or sabotage Konami.

He still might step into the vampire mythos. There are a lot of vampire stories in the world that doesn't involve the European vampire model. And if I can recall correctly in an interview he gave years back, he is well aware of other vampire stories like the ones in Southeast Asia.

Yes, it was a good thing that he left Konami in good terms.

I would so be ok with IGA's first project being a side scrolling 3D Metroidvania if it looks this impressive.

As said in one interview, IGA might not immediately go into 3D. He would go there but not in the immediate future.

Here's an article that might be interesting for those who are wondering what the future might hold for our beloved series.
Well as if we haven't thought of some of the things listed there too.
http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2014/03/19/future-of-castlevania-in-limbo/78550/ (http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2014/03/19/future-of-castlevania-in-limbo/78550/)
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Shinobi on March 19, 2014, 11:45:20 PM
He still might step into the vampire mythos. There are a lot of vampire stories in the world that doesn't involve the European vampire model. And if I can recall correctly in an interview he gave years back, he is well aware of other vampire stories like the ones in Southeast Asia.


It will be more interesting if it will be involve youkai mythos rather than vampire mythos.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: ganonfloyd on March 20, 2014, 04:49:20 AM


It will be more interesting if it will be involve youkai mythos rather than vampire mythos.

This would be rad.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 20, 2014, 04:54:13 AM
He still might step into the vampire mythos. There are a lot of vampire stories in the world that doesn't involve the European vampire model. And if I can recall correctly in an interview he gave years back, he is well aware of other vampire stories like the ones in Southeast Asia.

Well that's what I meant. I don't think he'll make a game involving Dracula or the typical European vampire model. If he does something with Vampires I bet he'll make it distinctly different in tone.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Nagumo on March 20, 2014, 08:19:42 AM
So, would Harmony of Despair qualify as a social game?

Dungeon's worst nightmare: HoD reboot.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: beingthehero on March 20, 2014, 08:27:53 AM
tbh wasn't there kind of a consensus here that hodespair had potential? I mean even Judgment had potential (and that game, along with Curse of Darkness, is my ultimate guilty pleasure).
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 20, 2014, 08:32:53 AM
So, would Harmony of Despair qualify as a social game?

Dungeon's worst nightmare: HoD reboot.

Probably could actually. I'm kind of surprised its considered bad here, while I've never played it myself, I've seen videos and on other forums its generally well received as a really fun multiplayer experience.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Kingshango on March 20, 2014, 08:36:21 AM
Harmony of Despair isn't a bad game but I perfer my Castlevania's to be a single player experience.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Nagumo on March 20, 2014, 08:38:37 AM
Yeah, it has potential. I wouldn't mind if they would use the Castlevania IP to experiment with social games like that. I was afraid by "social" they meant those "pay to keep playing" type games you find on Facebook, etc. Still I would imagine it would get a lot of flack just because it wouldn't be single player.     
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: beingthehero on March 20, 2014, 08:43:28 AM
Probably could actually. I'm kind of surprised its considered bad here, while I've never played it myself, I've seen videos and on other forums its generally well received as a really fun multiplayer experience.

I think it has to do with the fact that it's made entirely out of reused assets, plus the time limit. I actually kind of understand the resuse of sprites and backgrounds, though.

As for the timer, yeah, that's something they should have made optional because it does kind of kill the desire to explore.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: EstebanT on March 20, 2014, 09:25:06 AM
I fear for my favorite series. Being trapped in limbo. It cannot die, yet.... It cannot live.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: beingthehero on March 20, 2014, 09:31:02 AM
http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/03/20/former-castlevania-producer-would-love-to-work-on-metroid (http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/03/20/former-castlevania-producer-would-love-to-work-on-metroid)

Just a brief blurb by IGN. It's pretty much what the title says.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: X on March 20, 2014, 10:07:16 AM
I don't think that would be a good idea. We already know of IGAs reluctance toward female heroes of which Samus is. IGA might just as be inclined to pull something similar to what Yoshio Sakamoto did with the story of Other M and butcher Samus' character even more. The only person whom I could trust for another Metroid game is Gunpei Yokoi since he created the series amongst other things at Nintendo. Unfortunately he's dead now...  :'(
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: beingthehero on March 20, 2014, 10:41:38 AM
An offhand comment made over 12 years ago is probably no longer valid, given how we've since had Shanoa and Charlotte as female Castlevania characters. Charlotte was the voice of reason in PoR and the one who saved the Lecarde sisters, and Shanoa was pretty bad ass.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Flame on March 20, 2014, 10:44:42 AM
I don't think that would be a good idea. We already know of IGAs reluctance toward female heroes
why do people think this? All because he reconnected one game which happened to have a female lead, suddenly he's a woman hater or doesn't like female protagonists.

He made Shanoa didn't he? He retonned Sonia because she really didn't make much sense considering the time period (not that Shanoa would make much MORE, but yknow, whatever),  because it's just a kind of a really boring origin that doesn't explain much the origin of anything, and the shit with Alucard being Trevor's daddy was just weird.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: beingthehero on March 20, 2014, 10:48:29 AM
Well he also said that it was easier to write in female characters as damsels in distress, i.e. Lydie. That was in 2002 and he's since backtracked it. But his other complaints about Legends in the 2008 Nintendo Power interview - it was poorly designed, retconned CV3, and that KCEN should have consulted some of original Castlevania designers - is perfectly valid.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Trevelyan on March 20, 2014, 10:48:50 AM
http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2014/03/19/future-of-castlevania-in-limbo/78550/ (http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2014/03/19/future-of-castlevania-in-limbo/78550/)

Quote
With the original Lords of Shadow, Mercury Steam created a modern day classic that truly honored the Castlevania name and legacy. In fact, I would rate that game as one of my top ten of the entire last generation. Then came Mirror of Fate, a heartfelt homage to classic 2D Castlevania with that ingenious Metroidvania design fused in for good measure. The level design in Mirror of Fate is up there with the best that the series has to offer.
It's strange seeing this kind of talk now, I don't remember such positivity for the series before 2 came out
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: e105beta on March 20, 2014, 11:52:53 AM
It's strange seeing this kind of talk now, I don't remember such positivity for the series before 2 came out

I'm going to coin this right now before anybody else gets to it first:

The Lords Effect

When a game is released that significantly alters a classically cherished canon or continuity in either story or gameplay, it will at first be met with flak equivalent to the intensity of love given to the series by the traditional fans. However, with each game released prior to said reboot, the game will be remembered more and more fondly, eventually being heralded as a "classic" in contrast to the most recent release, which will in turn be regarded as a huge disappointment.

The opposite of this effect is the Sonic Effect, in which a game will be praised greatly upon release as the rebirth of the series, only to become more and more hated with each subsequent release.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Jorge D. Fuentes on March 20, 2014, 01:41:06 PM
I put this on Iga's Facebook wall.  Perhaps I'm one of those people:

Mr. "IGA". Thank you for your years of dedication with my favorite series, Castlevania (Akumajo Dracula), and I wish you luck in the future with whatever you do.
You're Not Alone - Final Dialogue - Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XceEN_2tccs#)
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Kingshango on March 20, 2014, 01:48:57 PM
I'm going to coin this right now before anybody else gets to it first:

The Lords Effect

When a game is released that significantly alters a classically cherished canon or continuity in either story or gameplay, it will at first be met with flak equivalent to the intensity of love given to the series by the traditional fans. However, with each game released prior to said reboot, the game will be remembered more and more fondly, eventually being heralded as a "classic" in contrast to the most recent release, which will in turn be regarded as a huge disappointment.

The opposite of this effect is the Sonic Effect, in which a game will be praised greatly upon release as the rebirth of the series, only to become more and more hated with each subsequent release.

Don't forget, this effect is also prominent to the Zelda series as well.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Nagumo on March 20, 2014, 01:54:07 PM
But the Zelda cycle is pure nonsense. Certainly not something I'm affected by at least.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: e105beta on March 20, 2014, 02:06:44 PM
Don't forget, this effect is also prominent to the Zelda series as well.

I'd never heard of the Zelda cycle before, but after looking it up, it seems more akin to the Sonic cycle.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: X on March 20, 2014, 05:44:40 PM
Quote
why do people think this?

Because IGA admitted it himself.

Quote
He retonned Sonia because she really didn't make much sense considering the time period

With all due respect Flame that's a weak excuse coming from IGA. Do I really need to pull out the Joan of Arch argument again? Or should I let Jorge pull out his bingo card.

Joan of Arch: 1412-1431 AD.

Sonia Belmont (CV Legends) 1450 AD.

I see no problems here in terms of female warriors at this time period. Or any time period at that. It's all about perception which is clouded by man's ego. Lose the ego, gain the perception.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: beingthehero on March 20, 2014, 06:55:57 PM
You do realize that Joan of Arc was charbroiled for her troubles, right
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: e105beta on March 20, 2014, 07:07:14 PM
You do realize that Joan of Arc was charbroiled for her troubles, right

So instead of being removed from the canon, Sonia should have been charbroiled? Works for me.

Honestly, I've never seen what the big deal with Sonia is. It's not like Sonia had some awesome backstory or excellent characterization to be remembered through the ages. Plus, I've never played Legends, but from what I've seen and read, it's not even that good.

She is, from a semi-outsider's perspective, nothing more than Female the Belmont. At least Shanoa had enough personality that they could take it away and make it a plot point.

And why does IGA retconning her make him sexist? Maybe he didn't want Alucard to be great-grandpappy Belmont. Maybe he didn't like the extremely weak origin story for the VK. Maybe he thought that the original Belmont story needed to be a little more substantial than a sub-par GBA game. I see nothing wrong with that.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Abnormal Freak on March 20, 2014, 07:17:06 PM
Sonia was a pretty shitty character and the "Alucard porked Sonia and thus came Trevor" alluded to is even shittier. Let's all just be happy she was retconned. :p

And then after that, realize the bulk of Castlevania's story/timeline is pretty basic and retarded anyway and all is well.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: theplottwist on March 20, 2014, 07:19:35 PM
Sonia was a pretty shitty character and the "Alucard porked Sonia and thus came Trevor" alluded to is even shittier. Let's all just be happy she was retconned. :p

And then after that, realize the bulk of Castlevania's story/timeline is pretty basic and retarded anyway and all is well.

Dude, are you trying to start a war or something?
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: e105beta on March 20, 2014, 07:23:03 PM
Dude, are you trying to start a war or something?

He's right, though.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: EstebanT on March 20, 2014, 07:24:04 PM
I agree. Story has never been a strong point.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Abnormal Freak on March 20, 2014, 07:28:43 PM
Dude, are you trying to start a war or something?

With who, exactly? Take my comment with a grain of salt.

Also, people need to reevaluate themselves if one Internet guy's thoughts on a game would cause serious discontent.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: crisis on March 20, 2014, 07:55:32 PM
i dont think legends was that bad gameplay-wise. for me it was more fun than cv adventure thats for sure (although adventure offers a different kind of challenge in that the poorly programmed sluggy controls limit christophers movements so everything has to be timed perfectly without fault, so i can see how some might enjoy that type of difficulty)
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: the_truth on March 20, 2014, 07:58:19 PM
This news is only a shock to people who do not understand the culture in Japan. Unlike in places like Europe and the US, in Japan it is customary for people to at least work 5 years in any job they take. Generally speaking, employers in Japan will not fire a bad employee, even a very lazy one unless they are doing something extreme or of an illegal nature. In the case of someone in a position of prestige (like IGA), they most certainly wouldn't do it; it would be considered rude and disrespectful, not to mention would reflect poorly on the company. Instead, they would give him a less influential job (which they did) in the background. But make no mistake, it was the equivalent of being fired, and he knew he was done, as did most people in the industry in Japan as well the minute it happened. Which is part of the reason why he chose to leave and create his own studio I'm sure.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 20, 2014, 08:30:39 PM
He asked for the job. He was just unhappy they didn't approve of his approach to the genre.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Flame on March 20, 2014, 08:55:00 PM
Because IGA admitted it himself.
Mind getting me a quote on that?

Quote
With all due respect Flame that's a weak excuse coming from IGA. Do I really need to pull out the Joan of Arch argument again?
*Arc*

Also, she was burned at the stake a heretic for posing as a man in the army, and claiming she heard voices from the heavens.

Speaking of which, Dracula's second wife was also burned at the stake a witch, just for being a healer.

i don't quite think you really understand how fucking oppressed Women were back then. A Woman so much as stepped out of the house without her husband's permission, she was a whore.

Castlevania has never really been very good at era specific details, they fucking got the crusades dates wrong, None of the characters have ever, (save maybe for Alucard, though his fashion's a bit early-) dressed Era appropriately... But for the most part, they try to stick to a somewhat accurately realistic portrayal of the world and it's time periods. CV3 marks Dracula's war on Humanity due to the murder of his wife. She was burned as a witch. Sonia's time is even before that. Think she would have gotten away with being a female action hero? For reference, Joan of Arc died 19 years before CV Legends. yeah. No.

That said, Maria and Shanoa do prove exceptions to the rule, but more on technicality. And I think IGA might have made Shanoa to shut people up about Sonia and him being sexist.

This news is only a shock to people who do not understand the culture in Japan. Unlike in places like Europe and the US, in Japan it is customary for people to at least work 5 years in any job they take. Generally speaking, employers in Japan will not fire a bad employee, even a very lazy one unless they are doing something extreme or of an illegal nature. In the case of someone in a position of prestige (like IGA), they most certainly wouldn't do it; it would be considered rude and disrespectful, not to mention would reflect poorly on the company. Instead, they would give him a less influential job (which they did) in the background. But make no mistake, it was the equivalent of being fired, and he knew he was done, as did most people in the industry in Japan as well the minute it happened. Which is part of the reason why he chose to leave and create his own studio I'm sure.
yeah, they won't outright fire you. They WOULD however, passive aggressively suggest you leave, or make conditions so that you "take the hint".
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: X on March 20, 2014, 10:57:05 PM
Quote
Mind getting me a quote on that?

You also have internet access do you not? If you really want to find, out do the work. It won't kill you.

Quote
Also, she was burned at the stake a heretic for posing as a man in the army, and claiming she heard voices from the heavens.

Not sure where you got that from, but she didn't pose as a man in the army. The French people, knights and Charles VII knew who she was and even their church accepted her. She brought her countries many victories over the invading English forces in the latter bit of the hundred years war. In fact it was the English themselves that wanted Joan dead. Pro-English Bishop of Beauvais was the one to deal the deathblow to her. All because the poor sobs couldn't best her  :P
25 years after her death Pope Callixtus III reexamined the trial, found her innocent and thus elevated her as one of the nine patron saints of France.

Quote
Think she would have gotten away with being a female action hero? For reference, Joan of Arc died 19 years before CV Legends. yeah. No.

Yes I honestly do think so. I'm not sexist.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Flame on March 20, 2014, 11:48:29 PM
I'm not sexist.
Oh, so we're playing this game now?
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Nagumo on March 21, 2014, 12:45:51 AM
Historical accuracy and Castlevania, lol.

If you want to continue this discussion, please make a seperate topic.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: The Silverlord on March 21, 2014, 02:11:18 AM
Instead, they would give him a less influential job (which they did) in the background. But make no mistake, it was the equivalent of being fired, and he knew he was done, as did most people in the industry in Japan as well the minute it happened.

Less influential?  Maybe in respect of Castlevania.  I'm not really up on current affairs, but staff within Konami used to come-and-go on different projects and games all the time.  You only need to look at the staff credits on their games to see that programmers, designers, directors and producers often shuffled around.  And I would think that a good policy to have: keeps the motivation strong. A different team will feel they have to make the best impression/interpretation of a game series.  Dave Cox and Mercurysteam worked very hard on Lords of Shadow.

IGA was entrenched within Castlevania.  For me, he'd been in the position too long.  He had become a well-known and well-loved character to fans and media.  It was never going to be easy for Konami to change that up.

While the formula of IGA, Yamane and Kojima was a powerful one, and was successful, I think the series began to stagnate a bit.  It's not a popular opinion, but I thought a breath of fresh air like Lords of Shadow was overdue.  (I don't care about the money this change may or may not have made.)
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: derision on March 21, 2014, 02:46:19 AM
On the topic of Dracula's wife getting burned at the stake, what was his excuse for this? At that point the dude was extremely powerful and should have been keeping tabs on something like this. What was his excuse for letting a very public ceremony going off without a hitch? I'll tell you.

It was his vampire harem. Dammit Dracula.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Dark Nemesis on March 21, 2014, 03:37:52 AM
About Iga, making a new Metroid game, i'd love to see him having a chance on the franchise and the only reason for this is, because he has great experience with 2D games and the game play style that Metroid plays. If you worry about story, he could just be given only the game play style position.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 21, 2014, 05:02:29 AM
On the topic of Dracula's wife getting burned at the stake, what was his excuse for this? At that point the dude was extremely powerful and should have been keeping tabs on something like this. What was his excuse for letting a very public ceremony going off without a hitch? I'll tell you.

It was his vampire harem. Dammit Dracula.

Being Belmont'd at the time? He does tend to come and go from the earthly plane of existence rather often.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: son_the_vampire on March 21, 2014, 05:10:38 AM
This should be good. wonder what the ole guy has in store
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Abnormal Freak on March 21, 2014, 05:19:59 AM
IGA doing a Metroid game would be kinda cool, but only as like...assistant director or something.

Then again, I don't think he's actually helmed directing since SOTN, so maybe he's still got it. Give it a good budget and a good producer and maybe he could do a nice game; it could be better than Fusion at any rate.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: beingthehero on March 21, 2014, 05:27:34 AM
I liked Fusion. ;____;
It was weaker than Super Metroid, but most things are.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: DarkPrinceAlucard on March 21, 2014, 05:32:45 AM
Being Belmont'd at the time? He does tend to come and go from the earthly plane of existence rather often.

That was supposed to be the time before he met another belmont.

He did not meet another belmont after Leon until Trevor which Leon was way before the wife thing and Trevor was after.

So that does bring up a interesting question on where the hell he was at during this.

Unless he was put "out of commission" by some other vampire hunter (which I kinda doubt).

it was said that Alucard was there, although possibly a little boy at the time.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Shiroi Koumori on March 21, 2014, 05:35:01 AM
He was assumed to be laying low or in hiding at that time.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: DarkPrinceAlucard on March 21, 2014, 05:36:14 AM
He was assumed to be laying low or in hiding at that time.

Yea I remember that, but I still don't see that as a reason to let your beloved and mother of your child get murdered by a mob of people given his power.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Shiroi Koumori on March 21, 2014, 05:38:50 AM
Yea I remember that, but I still don't see that as a reason to let your beloved and mother of your child get murdered by a mob of people given his power.

He must have been busy somewhere else, perhaps in another country, before he noticed that tragedy.

Or we can just say, IGA's oversight, going after dramatic effect > accuracy/logic. hehehe.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Chernabogue on March 21, 2014, 05:41:31 AM
Whatever happens with the new IGA game, we won't have any Belmont and certainely no Dracula. I hope he can come up with a great new idea.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: DarkPrinceAlucard on March 21, 2014, 05:44:39 AM
Whatever happens with the new IGA game, we won't have any Belmont and certainely no Dracula. I hope he can come up with a great new idea.

I understand the belmont part, but why certainly no Dracula?

Care to explain?
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 21, 2014, 05:46:05 AM
The also probably burned her at the stake during the day.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: DarkPrinceAlucard on March 21, 2014, 05:51:45 AM
The also probably burned her at the stake during the day.

Well I assume by then he had gained some loyal minions, if that was the case he could have easily sent them to the town to take care of the villagers who where trying to murder her even if it where during the day.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Chernabogue on March 21, 2014, 05:54:06 AM
I understand the belmont part, but why certainly no Dracula?

Care to explain?
While Dracula isn't "copyrighted" like the Belmonts, I'm not sure Konami would let him make a game with a [protagonist] killing ennemies in a castle with Dracula.

My statement isn't based on anything legal/other, but if IGA's not silly, he should know he has to come with something different.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: DarkPrinceAlucard on March 21, 2014, 05:58:18 AM
While Dracula isn't "copyrighted" like the Belmonts, I'm not sure Konami would let him make a game with a [protagonist] killing ennemies in a castle with Dracula.

My statement isn't based on anything legal/other, but if IGA's not silly, he should know he has to come with something different.

There would be nothing Konami could do since there are plenty of games and movies that have other people taking on Dracula.

And I fail to see how it would be silly of IGA.

It might be more comfortably and right up his ally to have Dracula still as the big bad.

Inafune is still using the whole "robots/androids theme" in Mighty no 9 which is obviously akin to the repload and robots thing from the original mega man series and nobody is calling him silly for it.

Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 21, 2014, 06:00:43 AM
Well I assume by then he had gained some loyal minions, if that was the case he could have easily sent them to the town to take care of the villagers who where trying to murder her even if it where during the day.

If it was during the day, how would he know? It doesn't take long to grab someone throw them to a stake and set them on fire, and I doubt he had Slogra and Gaibon living at her house as her personal bodyguards.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Shiroi Koumori on March 21, 2014, 06:01:56 AM
Well I assume by then he had gained some loyal minions, if that was the case he could have easily sent them to the town to take care of the villagers who where trying to murder her even if it where during the day.

Maybe his minions were with him due to his assumption that the village his wife and son were residing won't harm them.
Besides, I don't think at that time Drac is powerful enough to gather a troop of willing humans.

While Dracula isn't "copyrighted" like the Belmonts, I'm not sure Konami would let him make a game with a [protagonist] killing ennemies in a castle with Dracula.

My statement isn't based on anything legal/other, but if IGA's not silly, he should know he has to come with something different.

He can still make Drac the big bad, but the game takes place outside a castle.
Or you know, he can fill in the hole between LoI and CV3. Vampire hunters killing random evil things (led by Drac) but without the whip, since he doesn't like the whips much.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: DarkPrinceAlucard on March 21, 2014, 06:07:50 AM
If it was during the day, how would he know? It doesn't take long to grab someone throw them to a stake and set them on fire, and I doubt he had Slogra and Gaibon living at her house as her personal bodyguards.

I figured he would have had someone watching over her and his son, after all it was shown that he cared for both of them a great deal back then.

Since he knows he is powerless to do anything to protect them during the day I just guessed that he might have had one of his minions keeping a eye on them.

Quote
Maybe his minions were with him due to his assumption that the village his wife and son were residing won't harm them.
Besides, I don't think at that time Drac is powerful enough to gather a troop of willing humans.

Dracula/Mathias at the end of Lament of Innnocence should have been as powerful as Walter, so I don't think "powerful enough" really fits into the equation here since by then he may have even gathered even more powerful souls given that this isn't to far before CV3.

And regarding the minions part, read above to see my reply towards Viskod.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Shiroi Koumori on March 21, 2014, 06:10:36 AM
Then we can just safely assume that his minions are idiots.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: DarkPrinceAlucard on March 21, 2014, 06:12:21 AM
Then we can just safely assume that his minions are idiots.

Possibly, and they probably where slaughtered for said idiocy.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Koutei on March 21, 2014, 06:34:04 AM
Quote
Lisa
http://www.konami.jp/gs/game/dracula_ps2/ (http://www.konami.jp/gs/game/dracula_ps2/)
World -> Character -> Dracula

This is because it was daytime.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Jorge D. Fuentes on March 21, 2014, 07:06:43 AM
The "killed during daytime" is the easiest explanation.
But also, there's a chance his human minions (Renfield-ish characters) betrayed him.
This would make him rage against humanity even further.

Going back to an earlier recurring point, there is nothing wrong with Belmonts and Dracula being related (the "Sonia" argument).  It happens in Lords of Shadow (although in a different way) and no one cares there.  But bring up Sonia and all of a sudden 'It's such a stupid idea, it would never happen, the thoughy of it makes me barf' blah blah blah.  It's huge hypocrisy.

I say, let it have happened, which makes the Belmonts not-so-pure, which enables Dracula later on to do things like Curse them more easily (already shown with Soleiyu, Simon, Richter), and makes the other bloodlines more important (Lecardes, etc.).

Belmonts are only human... they are not the pure holy warriors people perceive them to be.

In this interview, this question is cool:
------------------
USG: I interviewed her (Ayami Kojima) a couple of years ago and she seemed like she'd be pretty interested in working on another Castlevania-style game.
IGA: Oh, really? Whenever I go drinking with her, she always talks about all the times I screwed up before on the games that we worked together, so it's nice to hear that she's interested in that sort of game, working with me again. [laughs] 'Cause the only image I have is all the times I screwed up.
------------------

I wanna go drinking with these people (although I probably would have to know Japanese to do so).
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Nagumo on March 21, 2014, 07:28:43 AM
Back when I first played Harmony of Dissonance I thought Juste was a vampire because of his pale skin and that weird aura he had around him. I always thought it was a cool idea. Makes me wish they would implement that idea in a future game. It's actually very fitting since dhampirs hunt vampires and stuff. I mean yeah, they would basically combine a Belmont character with Alucard, but still.   
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: crisis on March 21, 2014, 07:39:25 AM
Quote
It happens in Lords of Shadow (although in a different way) and no one cares there.

axtually a lot of ppl here hated that in los too, lol
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: DarkPrinceAlucard on March 21, 2014, 07:49:43 AM
axtually a lot of ppl here hated that in los too, lol

And I was one of them lol.

Did not like Trevor Belmont becoming Alucard at all, but over time I just got over it.

EDIT

Also didn't like the Gabriel becoming Dracula thing.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: derision on March 21, 2014, 07:50:15 AM
Going back to an earlier recurring point, there is nothing wrong with Belmonts and Dracula being related (the "Sonia" argument).  It happens in Lords of Shadow (although in a different way) and no one cares there.  But bring up Sonia and all of a sudden 'It's such a stupid idea, it would never happen, the thoughy of it makes me barf' blah blah blah.  It's huge hypocrisy.

I wouldn't say it's hypocrisy. The biggest problem with Legends' go at the idea is that they tried to pull it so late in the series. None of the other games even hinted at such a relationship, so you suddenly bring that up and it's going to rub a lot of people the wrong way. It's going to change how they view the previous games. Plus, the title that decided to "reveal" this was merely a small little Gameboy release that wasn't very well received. I can see why people would be upset.

With Lords of Shadow, the Belmont/Dracula relationship was revealed at the beginning and was a central plot point for the rest of its series.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Ahasverus on March 21, 2014, 08:00:01 AM
Sonia + Alucard is fine with me, but as usual in the old series it just "happens" and then dissapears,; such thing in LoS was pretty much the point of the series, in the old we're given 2 lines of dialogue and an endgame pic.

Edit: lol Ayami Kojima, what a hater heheh.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Kamirine on March 21, 2014, 08:12:52 AM
Yeah: in LoS, the story was more fleshed out (and tragic) on the entire 'related to Dracula' angle.  With Legends, it felt more 'tacked on at the last minute'-ish.  It was never fleshed out and made me start asking too many questions.

I think Legends should be remade and the story fleshed out.  Got issues with the whole time period/woman fighting thing?  Let her dress up as a male, maybe Alucard figures it out.  She can still have a baby, explains the Belmont power, Trevor beats Dracula with his dad...I dunno.  Working on two hours of sleep and on a cell phone, lol.  You get the gist.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: crisis on March 21, 2014, 08:25:40 AM
theres also no one against trevors mom being named sonia, the issue most people have is that sonia killed dracula first, where it was supposed to be trevor & friends. legends intent was to retcon cv3 as being draculas first defeat

iga made sure loi didnt retcon cv3 either by having leon fight pre-dracula, so he didnt. if they were to remake cv3 & give some insight into trevors lineage (remember the Belmonts were feared & exiled from society at that time due to their reputation) then it would be cool to throw in a rebooted Sonia, i dont think nobody would be opposed to that. JUST DONT MAKE HER FIGHT DRACULA
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Nagumo on March 21, 2014, 08:27:00 AM
I think Legends should be remade and the story fleshed out.  Got issues with the whole time period/woman fighting thing?  Let her dress up as a male, maybe Alucard figures it out.  She can still have a baby, explains the Belmont power, Trevor beats Dracula with his dad...I dunno.  Working on two hours of sleep and on a cell phone, lol.  You get the gist.

Like Oscar from Rose of Versailles? That could be an interesting character arc if they would handle it well.

On another note, I found this quote from Konami magazine from 1997, shortly after IGA published his timeline during SotN:

"The timeline from the previous volume was developed for Symphony of the Night. It's unrelated to Legends."

http://castlevania.wikia.com/wiki/Konami_Magazine (http://castlevania.wikia.com/wiki/Konami_Magazine)

Could Legends originally have been unrelated to the other games? It would explain a lot.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Dremn on March 21, 2014, 08:37:03 AM
If I'm correct, IGA's GDC panel is today right?
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: beingthehero on March 21, 2014, 08:58:53 AM
Yes. If you can scrape together $495, you can watch it on the GDC website too. Start digging around your couch for change.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: crisis on March 21, 2014, 09:02:54 AM
why did i "make it rain" last night

that money coulda been put towards this instead >.<
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: ganonfloyd on March 21, 2014, 09:37:05 AM
I liked Fusion. ;____;
It was weaker than Super Metroid, but most things are.

Fusion happens to be my favorite 2D Metroid. Rad game.

Any word on whether there'll be transcripts or reviews of what happens at the panel? I find myself super curious about it, even before the news of his departure was made known.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: EstebanT on March 21, 2014, 09:46:46 AM
I'm sure people attending will give us an idea of what was said.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: X on March 21, 2014, 10:08:12 AM
Quote
Historical accuracy and Castlevania, lol.

If you want to continue this discussion, please make a seperate topic.

Thanks for stepping in Nagumo  :)

Quote
(remember the Belmonts were feared & exiled from society at that time due to their reputation) then it would be cool to throw in a rebooted Sonia, i dont think nobody would be opposed to that. JUST DONT MAKE HER FIGHT DRACULA

Then there wouldn't be much of a game if she was only rebooted for back story purposes. And it wouldn't be fair to her fans if that was the case. Also she's a Belmont. It's her job to kill Dracula if and when he shows up. In terms of 'who fought Dracula first' is no different then kids arguing on a big toy. It doesn't matter about who killed Dracula first, that's just nonsense. The main focus of the Belmonts is that they were there to kill Dracula when he showed up. Simple. But getting back to IGA I honestly wouldn't trust him with Metroid. At least not on the story development. If he were allowed to make a Metroid game then he should be supervised by someone else who would be the director. Someone who'd respect the character of Samus Aran and not maker her the devolved hand-holding girl with daddy issues as Yoshio Sakamoto had done.

Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: crisis on March 21, 2014, 10:27:18 AM
i never said sonia couldnt fight other vampires or monsters. just not Dracula, cuz cv3 said Trevor was the first to fight him, theres no getting around that. had iga made leon the first, then people would be crying fowl how he disrespected cv3, but if sonia fought him first its okay just becuz shes a woman? come on man
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Jorge D. Fuentes on March 21, 2014, 10:31:49 AM
But don't we all know that Dracula always comes back?  What's the deal with her fighting him?
Hell, Christopher fought him TWICE.  Simon fought him TWICE.  Julius technically could fight him TWICE>

It's really no big deal whether she fought him before Trevor, it's not like there's any credible merit to vanquishing someone that can be brought back with the right ingredients/ritual, or just by waiting a while.

If anything, the only one that can say they slayed Dracula for good (and even then, it's a bit superfluous), is Julius Belmont.  THAT Dracula did not come back, not in the normal Castlevania sense of the word.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: DarkPrinceAlucard on March 21, 2014, 10:42:23 AM
Bottom line is her fighting Dracula first contradicted what was revealed in CV3.

And IGA in a attempt to try to add a little bit of a stable continuity decided to correct it by removing Legends which contradicted the CV3 story.

CV3 is MUCH higher regarded then Legends, I'm sorry Sonia fans but to IGA I can see which would be the lesser of two evils, either get rid of mediocre gameboy title which just so happens to feature a female lead, or deal with fan constantly bitching over how Legends contradicts CV3, and lets be honest, the man had enough bitching at him already let alone if he decided to keep Legends in his official canon.

It would have just been 1 more thing for fans to cry fowl over at him for including it.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Nagumo on March 21, 2014, 10:48:03 AM
So, when Legends ignores CV3's original intent it's a problem and the game should be retconned, but when CV3 ignores Adventure's original intent then it's perfectly fine? Using the same logic, shouldn't IGA have removed one of them as well then? Adventure and CV3 can't even exist in the same universe because they are mutually exclusive to each other. 

I actually don't care about Legends getting retconned, but I thought it was interesting to point out.

Also, thread derail lol       
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: DarkPrinceAlucard on March 21, 2014, 10:51:25 AM
So, when Legends ignores CV3's original intent it's a problem and the game should be retconned, but when CV3 ignores Adventure's original intent then it's perfectly fine? Using the same logic, shouldn't IGA have removed one of them as well then? Adventure and CV3 can't even exist in the same universe because they are mutually exclusive to each other. 

I actually don't care about Legends getting retconned, but I thought it was interesting to point out.

Also, thread derail lol     

As i said CV3 is held in high regard while those gameboy titles where not.

So I don't think many would have really cared if he removed or kept adventure since it did not make "to much" of a change to the over all things in my opinion.

But to have Legends have a female belmont kill dracula first and supposedly get knocked up by the SOTN's famed Alucard rubbed a lot the wrong way and apparently it struck true with IGA as well.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: crisis on March 21, 2014, 10:56:47 AM


doesnt legends not work anyway, b/c of Alucard's birth/age & Lisa's death not matching up? or are we just ignoring those little tidbits lol

only other way i could see legends being reinstated is if sonia actually doesnt kill dracula, it ends in a stalemate & he flees, allowing for Trevor to track him down. but if they did that then ppl would say "so a woman isnt strong enough to kill him?!?" lmao damned if you do, damned if you dont
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: e105beta on March 21, 2014, 11:03:12 AM
Also, I do want to point out that there is a distinct difference between the nature of Belmonts being descended from Alucard, and Belmonts being descended from Gabriel, whatever your opinions on either.

In the LoS canon, Gabriel became a vampire AFTER he had Trevor, and Trevor became a vampire AFTER having Simon, so the descendants of Simon, the Belmont clan, are human. There is no "taint", so to speak, in their blood. However, there's nothing inherently special about Belmonts aside from skill, natural prowess, and "fate" which is a bit disappointing.

In the Legends canon, Trevor is the product of a Dhampir, making the root of all the Belmonts' power vampiric in nature, and I think it's totally understandable why some people wouldn't like that. I'm not a huge fan of it myself. Belmonts have always been the holy warriors with the "special powers" that stand opposed to Dracula. They summon giant crucifixes, rain holy water from the sky, and fight with bibles.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Ahasverus on March 21, 2014, 11:05:14 AM
To be honest the best story parts of the old cannon were when the Belmont's were not so pure. I like to imagine them as a flawed lineage, which see themselves as "holy" but in reality they aren't.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Chernabogue on March 21, 2014, 11:07:22 AM
Can this thread reach the 550+ pages of the LoS2 one? :)
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: crisis on March 21, 2014, 11:11:34 AM
but wasnt it said that the Belmonts were feared & exiled becuz of their power, long before Trevor came around? which means even before Alucard was born, Sonia, etc. they were always a mysterious clan, so the vampiric taint from Alucard+Sonia shouldnt matter anyway
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: beingthehero on March 21, 2014, 11:11:51 AM
To be honest the best story parts of the old cannon were when the Belmont's were not so pure. I like to imagine them as a flawed lineage, which see themselves as "holy" but in reality they aren't.

I'm kind of surprised that it wans't until Lords that the series explored the whole 'he who fights monsters eventually becomes one.' Maybe Richter counts, since Shaft exploited his resentment that a Belmont had one shot to shine and once Dracula was dead and waiting for his next ressurection the Belmonts didn't matter.

For all their flaws, Curse and Judgment did illustrate that the original Belmonts weren't perfect. Trevor could be brash and needlessly hostile, and Simon was somewhat insecure (though still pretty heroic and pure).
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: e105beta on March 21, 2014, 11:16:53 AM
I don't mind that the Belmonts are fallible. They're human. They're supposed to be.

I just don't want them picking up the 4e "Vampiric Heritage" feat.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: EstebanT on March 21, 2014, 11:22:09 AM
I know an official timeline exists and all... But I've never given a shit about continuity in the castlevania games. I love most of the games, but I've never seen Mathias and portrait of ruin dracula as being the same guy. To me, it's like every game has its own little universe attached to it. Even sequels like bloodlines and portrait of ruin seem like separate alternate timelines to me. That might be the reason I never gave a shit about lords of shadow rebooting everything. To me every game is a reboot. Specially with characters changing looks at random like alucard, Simon, etc. Ive never pictured devil forgemasters being a thing in cv1. I've never pictured the cv2 castle being the castle that belonged to mathias, it just doesn't make sense to me. The castlevania story is forced and weird because many people have worked on the series. Am I the only one who thinks this? I still have a problem believing aria of sorrow and rondo of blood happening in the same universe. I KNOW OFFICIALLY THEY DO. But symphony of the night alucard is not the same alucard as arikado, who isn't the same as CV3 alucard. Geez, I'm just rambling now...
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: DarkPrinceAlucard on March 21, 2014, 11:27:15 AM
I KNOW OFFICIALLY THEY DO. But symphony of the night alucard is not the same alucard as arikado, who isn't the same as CV3 alucard. Geez, I'm just rambling now...

The bolded part, why do you say that?

They are the same, didn't you play Julius mode in DOS?

Its shown that Arikado is just a disguise and that he can revert back to his vampireic SOTN appearance when need be.

But you have a point about CV3 Alucard, but that had more to do with them wanting to base him on on classic/mainstream interpretation of Dracula's son at the time.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Jorge D. Fuentes on March 21, 2014, 11:31:01 AM
I don't mind that the Belmonts are fallible. They're human. They're supposed to be.

I just don't want them picking up the 4e "Vampiric Heritage" feat.

And that's where I disagree: I think them having a little vamp in 'em explains why they're even more superhuman down the line.  Could be a recessive little trait that comes on occasionally or something.  They're not paragons of Holy Purity at all.

My favorite heroes have a little vamp in 'em (Alucard is one of 'em, Blade is another).

I don't understand why the concept is so icky to you fucking holybelmont purists.

Can we get back to the main topic again? Or is this recurring set of arguments going to happen for ALL ETERNITY?
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Nagumo on March 21, 2014, 11:34:59 AM
I think the Belmonts being descendants of Alucard was a reference to Slavic mythology about Dhampirs, which states that it's their nature to hunt down their vampiric fathers. It's a pretty cool nod, so it's a shame most people don't seem like it very much.   
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: EstebanT on March 21, 2014, 11:35:11 AM
The bolded part, why do you say that?

They are the same, didn't you play Julius mode in DOS?

Its shown that Arikado is just a disguise and that he can revert back to his vampireic SOTN appearance when need be.

But you have a point about CV3 Alucard, but that had more to do with them wanting to base him on on classic/mainstream interpretation of Dracula's son at the time.

I know they are the same, I suck at explaining myself. The whole point of that long rant was to explain that to me, none of the games follow each other, I know I sound crazy. But after years and years of time to get used to it, I still can't see the symphony of the night alucard being the same guy as the Dawn of Sorrow alucard. Am I making myself clear? I know I sound like an idiot right now.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: ganonfloyd on March 21, 2014, 11:35:24 AM
I feel like with Alucard, Soma and other similar characters there's enough of the "hero with a dark side/origin" to scratch that itch, which is why I dig the Belmonts being straight up holy men in a sense.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Nagumo on March 21, 2014, 11:37:52 AM

I know they are the same, I suck at explaining myself. The whole point of that long rant was to explain that to me, none of the games follow each other, I know I sound crazy. But after years and years of time to get used to it, I still can't see the symphony of the night alucard being the same guy as the Dawn of Sorrow alucard. Am I making myself clear? I know I sound like an idiot right now.

I know what you mean. For example, I can't really imagine any of the NES games taking place in same universe as Symphony of the Night. The whole nature of the world just seems too different to me.     
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: beingthehero on March 21, 2014, 11:40:34 AM
I wonder if the protag for IGA's next game is going to be a dhampir. I mean he loves his dark heroes, since we also got Soma and Hector.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: crisis on March 21, 2014, 11:50:30 AM
the whole devil forgemaster plot of cod would actually serve as a nice template for iga's new universe. of course he wouldnt be able to call them devil forgemasters, but anti-hero(s) that betray dracula or an original vampire lord would be a good place to start imo

start a nice simple bloodfued origin story that way, "i once was in league with dracula but when he killed my family, i renounced him & my lineage will forever make sure he wont take over earth"
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: EstebanT on March 21, 2014, 12:23:24 PM
I know what you mean. For example, I can't really imagine any of the NES games taking place in same universe as Symphony of the Night. The whole nature of the world just seems too different to me.   

Exactly. Not that curse of darkness is a bad game or anything. But thinking of it being a sequel to draculas curse is too weird... It like The Thing and the Thing prequel. They make sense together, they're both good, but still can't see one happening before the other. Nobody can convince me that Bloodlines dracula is Mathias.


Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: crisis on March 21, 2014, 12:37:31 PM
Quote
Not that curse of darkness is a bad game or anything

lol so you think its good? i'd say its okay.. "passable" at best. a couple steps back from loi
if it wasnt for the excellent soundtrack & other little things here n there, then the game would be downright terrible in my eyes. but as hard as it is to believe, there are much worse games out there than curse of darkness
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: EstebanT on March 21, 2014, 01:21:11 PM
lol so you think its good? i'd say its okay.. "passable" at best. a couple steps back from loi
if it wasnt for the excellent soundtrack & other little things here n there, then the game would be downright terrible in my eyes. but as hard as it is to believe, there are much worse games out there than curse of darkness

I agree. It's ok at best. But quality has nothing to do with the fact that it doesn't fit at all with draculas curse. Which is understandable because of the age gap, but every recent game before LOS still felt separate from others that came out around the same time. It's hard to take continuity seriously in castlevania games so I don't even try. Which is why the Sonya talks are so silly to me.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Viskod on March 21, 2014, 01:23:12 PM
I know what you mean. For example, I can't really imagine any of the NES games taking place in same universe as Symphony of the Night. The whole nature of the world just seems too different to me.   

I did love how when Maria asked Alucard if he'd heard the name Richter Belmont, and he says "Of the Belmont Clan? Of course." Maria thinks of an actual unique image of Richter, but Alucard thinks of an image of Trevor that's designed after his old NES sprite.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: GuyStarwind on March 21, 2014, 01:41:55 PM
Sorry for beating a dead horse but I was always under the impression that Belmont's got their power through Sypha? Which I guess you could say is another form of holy power.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: thernz on March 21, 2014, 01:45:55 PM
iirc trevor was already an outcast because of his POWER
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: GuyStarwind on March 21, 2014, 01:48:09 PM
Good point. I guess Leon has powers too.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: crisis on March 21, 2014, 01:49:12 PM
belmont warlord chromosones, bro. the belmonts got their power from centuries of monster hunting & pure will. they were only accepted into society again after the church discovered Trevor & he defeated Dracula
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Mangoaxe5 on March 21, 2014, 02:08:37 PM
Sad to see him go. Hopefully Konami will find someone else who will want to continue the real timeline(and maybe give us the 1999 game).
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Mike Belmont on March 21, 2014, 02:48:38 PM
belmont warlord chromosones, bro. the belmonts got their power from centuries of monster hunting & pure will. they were only accepted into society again after the church discovered Trevor & he defeated Dracula

Agree with this ^

When I play the first Castlevanias (before Legends comes to light), I supose that the superhuman powers that the Belmonts has were form the Belmont Chromosomes (as is implied in the CVIII manual or box, I don´t remember). Then, when I played and finished Legends, and I read that Sonia have a baby with Alucard, I learned that "maybe" is because of that the superhuman power of the Belmont, from that part of the history... I accepted, but I don´t like it too much. I like the part of Sonia, beeing a vampire hunter, but the game were not as great as Belmont´s Revenge. But I really like the art of Sonia :D.

As for a new game by IGA (on topic :P), I remember that game for cell phones, in which you take control of some kind of warrior that resembles Alucard, and you fight in the end a vampire, not Dracula, but a vampire. So, I don´t see why IGA can´t make a game involving vampires and a major vampire as an antagonist. After all, that what all we fans want. isn´t???
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: EstebanT on March 21, 2014, 04:39:16 PM
http://www.polygon.com/2014/3/21/5534730/koji-igarashi-symphony-of-the-night-how-to-make-a-metroidvania (http://www.polygon.com/2014/3/21/5534730/koji-igarashi-symphony-of-the-night-how-to-make-a-metroidvania)

That was... Dissapointing....
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: ganonfloyd on March 21, 2014, 04:55:01 PM
"the bosses are the stars of the game."

Always knew there was a reason I liked him.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Dracula9 on March 21, 2014, 04:58:35 PM
Well, if I worked under a company that made me shell out subpar releases every year on budgets so small resource farming from older games was a necessity, I'd leave, too.

Good on him. Hope he'll be able to bring some good stuff to the table from this.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Mike Belmont on March 21, 2014, 05:02:31 PM
"the bosses are the stars of the game."

Always knew there was a reason I liked him.

Yeah, I think the same way. The bosses in a videogame are my favorite part, and in a Castlevania game, since the first games, they ARE my favorite element of the game.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: DragonSlayr81 on March 21, 2014, 05:04:06 PM
belmont warlord chromosones, bro. the belmonts got their power from centuries of monster hunting & pure will. they were only accepted into society again after the church discovered Trevor & he defeated Dracula

I've always had that as an idea as well. It makes sense that it's been a tradition that the Belmonts have been vampire/demon hunters since BEFORE Trevor(and LONG before Trevor).

And personally, I'm still biased regarding Trevor being the first Belmont to kill Dracula. It just fits better that way. Even with Leon written into the mix, it doesn't retcon Trevor being the first, as Leon doesn't even fight Dracula(let alone "KILL" him). And while LoI isn't my ideal origin story, it kept CV3 sacred(which I think is the REAL reason IGA hates Legends retconned Trevor being the first Belmont defeating Dracula, and IGA seems really fanboyish over CV3, which he's said on occasions to be his favorite), as well as established a time period where the Belmonts(who were already knights) could hone their demon/vampire hunting skills for centuries BEFORE CV3. Again, I like to think the Belmont's skills to battle evil is their own, not related(by blood) to Dracula(who is their ancestor, but isn't... hehehe). It just makes matters more interesting. The Belmonts are badass because they just are. They aren't BORN into a family of magical vampire blood, hence are super-human. They work their ASSES off fighting evil and that MAKES them super-human.

I think the whole, "It's because... THIS" theory seems like a cop out. It's the same as the whole, "The reason Cloud is super strong in every FFVII game/story is because.... (Final Fantasy VII and Compilation Spoilers)
(click to show/hide)

Yeah, I think the same way. The bosses in a videogame are my favorite part, and in a Castlevania game, since the first games, they ARE my favorite element of the game.
Whenever I would think up a fan CV idea, after the initial plot idea, the first main thing I'd think up is what bosses I'd love to include! In video games, bosses are ALWAYS a highlight, and Castlevania is no exeption. It's the reason I(among others HERE, and I know for a fact because of it we are all kindred spirits) always stay tuned, eyes peeled and ears to the web when a new CV is released(did it for LoS, MoF and LoS2, despite not liking them much) JUST to get a list of what bosses will be featured in the games.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: ganonfloyd on March 21, 2014, 05:05:42 PM
Yeah, I think the same way. The bosses in a videogame are my favorite part, and in a Castlevania game, since the first games, they ARE my favorite element of the game.

Word. I value bosses to an incredibly high degree in games and I think the Iga produced games have a lot to do with developing that in me. Those and Treasure games.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: ganonfloyd on March 21, 2014, 05:13:42 PM
Also in retrospect I wonder if the "boss programmers have to be able to beat the boss without getting hit" line of thought is where the boss medals from Order of Ecclesia came from.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: beingthehero on March 21, 2014, 05:18:36 PM
http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/213706/Father_and_SON_IGA_talks_Metroidvania.php?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+GamasutraNews+%28Gamasutra+News%29 (http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/213706/Father_and_SON_IGA_talks_Metroidvania.php?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+GamasutraNews+%28Gamasutra+News%29)

Some other stuff here too
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: DragonSlayr81 on March 21, 2014, 05:23:35 PM
Word. I value bosses to an incredibly high degree in games and I think the Iga produced games have a lot to do with developing that in me. Those and Treasure games.
Bosses have always been a "thing" with me and my friends. I remember my friend lending me Kid Niki back in the day(must've been in elementary school) and the first thing I asked as NOT what the game was about, but what the bosses were. "Death Breath, Stone Buddha, Horned Witch, Green Grub, Mad Monk, Samurai Guard and Stone Wizard!". Fuck yeah, now you're playin' with POWER! BOSS POWER!!!  ;D
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Mike Belmont on March 21, 2014, 05:29:43 PM
Bosses have always been a "thing" with me and my friends. I remember my friend lending me Kid Niki back in the day(must've been in elementary school) and the first thing I asked as NOT what the game was about, but what the bosses were. "Death Breath, Stone Buddha, Horned Witch, Green Grub, Mad Monk, Samurai Guard and Stone Wizard!". Fuck yeah, now you're playin' with POWER! BOSS POWER!!!  ;D

I really love bosses in a game. When I decide to buy a new game (new to me) the first thing that I seek is always a boss fight. I search in youtube for "X" game and then type "boss fight". I have to say, that the way that I get involved with the Ys saga for example was precisely the boss fights (also, the incredible boss battle theme :D).

Whenever I would think up a fan CV idea, after the initial plot idea, the first main thing I'd think up is what bosses I'd love to include! In video games, bosses are ALWAYS a highlight, and Castlevania is no exeption. It's the reason I(among others HERE, and I know for a fact because of it we are all kindred spirits) always stay tuned, eyes peeled and ears to the web when a new CV is released(did it for LoS, MoF and LoS2, despite not liking them much) JUST to get a list of what bosses will be featured in the games.

I declare myself guilty of such thing, too ;)...
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: ganonfloyd on March 21, 2014, 05:34:50 PM
http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/213706/Father_and_SON_IGA_talks_Metroidvania.php?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+GamasutraNews+%28Gamasutra+News%29 (http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/213706/Father_and_SON_IGA_talks_Metroidvania.php?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+GamasutraNews+%28Gamasutra+News%29)

Some other stuff here too

This was neat too. Interesting hearing about the decisions that lead to Alucard becoming the playable character.

Bosses have always been a "thing" with me and my friends. I remember my friend lending me Kid Niki back in the day(must've been in elementary school) and the first thing I asked as NOT what the game was about, but what the bosses were. "Death Breath, Stone Buddha, Horned Witch, Green Grub, Mad Monk, Samurai Guard and Stone Wizard!". Fuck yeah, now you're playin' with POWER! BOSS POWER!!!  ;D

Mad Monk sounds like my kind of dude.

I declare myself guilty of such thing, too ;)...

Same.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: DragonSlayr81 on March 21, 2014, 05:45:35 PM
I declare myself guilty of such thing, too ;)...
It's pretty much a religious thing. And yeah, we are not alone. Whenever someone says, "Leak! The game's been LEAKED! Someone got it EARLY!!!", everybody who's anybody is always clawing over each other in the boards wondering if the boss list has been posted yet. Yup, I'm there with bells on!!! :D
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Charlotte-nyo:3 on March 21, 2014, 05:53:19 PM
http://www.polygon.com/2014/3/21/5534730/koji-igarashi-symphony-of-the-night-how-to-make-a-metroidvania (http://www.polygon.com/2014/3/21/5534730/koji-igarashi-symphony-of-the-night-how-to-make-a-metroidvania)

That was... Dissapointing....

While it's disappointing from the perspective of "What will his studio be called? What method will he use for funding? Will he get people who worked on the GBA and DS CVs together in his studio? When will he be able to start developing his next game? Will it be 2D? Will it be gothic in atmosphere?" -- things which even he doesn't fully know yet -- there are some interesting tidbits about his approach to design on the Metroidvanias, at least one which seems to be in interesting tension with OoE.

Quote
Igarashi said in game development, too many action franchises fall into the trap of catering only to mature, dedicated fans. This results in the company making changes that spike the series' difficulty level and heighten the barrier of entry for new players.

This is a weird statement given that was pretty much what happened with OoE compared to the earlier Metroidvanias. I wonder if he views the challenge level of OoE as a mistake or if he was more hands off on that game than the others. While I like OoE and it was about the right level of challenge for me given I had played almost every CV before it, I can imagine it would be quite a trial for someone who picked it up without any prior CV experience. Ideally I'd think there should simply be a three pronged difficulty option open right from the start: beginner difficulty for someone new to the games, normal for someone moderately acquainted with them and hard for the hardcore. I do recognize that there can be problems if the game is designed too much around the easier difficulties though.

The "bosses are the stars" comment is definitely in line with OoE though, or pretty much all the Metroidvanias and CV in general, except perhaps the earlier bosses in AoS and the occasional boss in HoD (like the giant slime didn't seem too great). For some reason I didn't find those too memorable. SotN has some issues with bosses in that if you get too overpowered they are a cakewalk (and some have AI flaws you can exploit like Karasuman) but for the most part they're still visually impressive, leading to some "star" effect. Good, tight challenge levels on bosses isn't something I think they mastered until DoS and PoR. Maybe a bit with some of AoS' later bosses.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Maedhros on March 21, 2014, 06:24:29 PM
That wasn't dissapoiting in any way. He was talking for developers about development, this isn't E3 where he goes to show his game to people liks us.

And he's still looking for people there, publishers/studios that want to fund his game or people who want to make it happen.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: beingthehero on March 21, 2014, 06:25:30 PM
The bosses in SotN, HoD, and AoS were certainly stars in the sense that they were usually well-animated and quite appealing to look at. Like the Max Slimer boss had this quasi-realistic glare effect going on and the way it bounced was very well animated. On the other hand you defeated it by standing in place and just mashing the button until it died. I guess it wasn't until Dawn that KCET realized that the actual fight itself has to be very memorable as well.

And he's still looking for people there, publishers/studios that want to fund his game or people who want to make it happen.

Given the reaction on twitter, i certainly hope so.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: crisis on March 21, 2014, 06:30:56 PM
when i first fought Blackmore from ooe, i was like "how the hell am i supposed to beat this guy??" took me a while to figure it out, lol

i also enjoyed eligor and how interactive he was, although once you figure it out most of the danger fades rapidly

Wallman is probably the easiest/quickest boss in the entire series, tho
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Maedhros on March 21, 2014, 06:35:53 PM
Order of Ecclesia is the pinnacle of the series regarding bosses. I don't remember any other game with so many enjoyable bosses. It's simply the best on the series in this regard. Reason why I love it (other reason being the combat system, more streamlined and relevant than SOTN).
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: DarkPrinceAlucard on March 21, 2014, 06:42:50 PM
OOE proved in many ways that IGA could make a metroidvania that was actually hard and challenging which is something many complained about with previous metroidvanias.

I must say I had not played a metroidvania that hard since COTM.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: EstebanT on March 21, 2014, 06:43:46 PM
That wasn't dissapoiting in any way. He was talking for developers about development, this isn't E3 where he goes to show his game to people liks us.

And he's still looking for people there, publishers/studios that want to fund his game or people who want to make it happen.

"I made symphony of the night, remember guys?"
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Maedhros on March 21, 2014, 06:48:38 PM
"I made symphony of the night, remember guys?"
It was a talk about metroidvania design. The best and most regarded game of this style, SOTN, was his first game. IT was a talk about the game and it's design, for developers.

I dunno what the fuck you expected.

OOE proved in many ways that IGA could make a metroidvania that was actually hard and challenging which is something many complained about with previous metroidvanias.

I must say I had not played a metroidvania that hard since COTM.

And COTM was supposedly hard because of it's design. The way the characters control is more like the older games, even though the control is a bit better.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: EstebanT on March 21, 2014, 07:14:37 PM
I dunno what the fuck you expected.

I expected talks about the future, not about the past.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Maedhros on March 21, 2014, 07:20:50 PM
I expected talks about the future, not about the past.
Yeah, that wasn't what the talk was about, sorry about that. But everyone who actually took part on the talk knew about this. You would have too, if you have readed what it was about.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Kingshango on March 21, 2014, 07:46:02 PM
I expected talks about the future, not about the past.

That's why he was there in the first place.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Harrycombs on March 21, 2014, 08:48:07 PM
His talk seemed rather vague. I found it disappointing, especially after how Naoki Yoshida nailed his talk earlier on MMO design this GDC. Hopefully he'll being doing more interviews while at GDC and we can learn some more information about his approach to game design and his future plans.

Its interesting that he says the boss fights are the most important parts of the game. I can definitely see that when looking at his later work, especially since Dawn of Sorrow and Order of Ecclesia had some very interesting and well designed fights, but his earlier works had atrocious boss fights. Harmony of Dissonance and Aria of Sorrow were generally terrible, and Symphony's were very hit or miss.

Also, in the Polygon interview, he mentioned that some people at Konami asked him if they could go with him. I wonder if anyone decided to quit in the end to join him.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Shiroi Koumori on March 21, 2014, 10:17:32 PM
I don't think there was anything new in his GDC talk except for the bosses part. But at least he is talking, after all, we know him as being recluse.

OH and i would like to comment to some posts a few pages back.
@Jorge: IGA's drinking partner is Michiru Yamane and not Ayami Kojima.
Source: http://www.usgamer.net/articles/the-resurrection-of-koji-igarashi (http://www.usgamer.net/articles/the-resurrection-of-koji-igarashi)
@whoever was complaining Re. IGA's love for CV3, well, it's his favorite Castlevania game. Thus, he would always think of it highly.

NEW Interview:
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/gaming/news/a559424/ex-konami-producer-wants-to-make-new-metroidvania-games-gdc-2014.html (http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/gaming/news/a559424/ex-konami-producer-wants-to-make-new-metroidvania-games-gdc-2014.html)
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Charlotte-nyo:3 on March 22, 2014, 12:26:56 AM
Also, in the Polygon interview, he mentioned that some people at Konami asked him if they could go with him. I wonder if anyone decided to quit in the end to join him.

Probably that's still in the future. He hasn't acquired financial backing to assemble his studio yet so he's probably waiting until that happens to offer them the positions.

Quote
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/gaming/news/a559424/ex-konami-producer-wants-to-make-new-metroidvania-games-gdc-2014.html

[He] revealed the Inverted Castle from Symphony of the Night was a result of designers not wanting to create new characters.

Here's something I don't get just from what is in the article. Maybe's it's just transcribed or phrased wrong, but the inverted castle seems to be saving on tile sets and level layout design time, not characters. Unless the statement is referring to the fact that it's a bit easier to palette swap enemies and get them to thematically fit into an area when it's just an inverted version of an existing area, but even then there were a decent amount of inverted castle-only enemy designs.

Also we should probably keep in mind that this was a 1 hour talk and the articles are just summarizing bits and pieces, so it's possible some other interesting design tidbits were mentioned that the writers of these articles didn't think were important or that they glossed over.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Nagumo on March 22, 2014, 02:00:53 AM
Quote
Igarashi explained the team began creating a new story that accommodated the main Castlevania timeline, but glossed over any inconsistencies between it and their own creation. The team also decided to give the game's visuals a fresh coat of paint, changing the game's look and feel from the main Castlevania line.

This makes a lot of sense since they basically retconned everything about the NES games, lol.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: riverman on March 22, 2014, 02:17:03 AM
If Iga's new game turns out to be a lot like Castlevania.  Will it be considered a Castlevania game as for as this board is concerned,  and treated as all others are?  Even though technically it wouldn't be.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Shiroi Koumori on March 22, 2014, 02:24:44 AM
I will treat it as a Castlevania-like game and would probably get a post on this forum.
It will never get upgraded to official Castlevania status since the original IP is still with Konami and we have heard that Konami might still make some games under that IP.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Jorge D. Fuentes on March 22, 2014, 08:12:19 AM
General games that are not Castlevania would get discussed in the games subforum "Hardcore Gaming 101".
This would include Metroidvania titles (such as Shantae: Risky's Revenge, Soul of Darkness, etc.).

If Iga starts making those games, that subforum will start to gather more attention, methinks.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: crisis on March 22, 2014, 08:25:01 AM
his new company should be called "IGAGINATION"

mixing of his name, and the word imagination
excellent choice, right guys? .....guys?
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Ahasverus on March 22, 2014, 08:46:32 AM
his new company should be called "IGAGINATION"

mixing of his name, and the word imagination
excellent choice, right guys? .....guys?
That would create a paradox and destroy the universe as we know it.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: theANdROId on March 22, 2014, 10:03:44 AM
his new company should be called "IGAGINATION"

mixing of his name, and the word imagination
excellent choice, right guys? .....guys?

It's interesting...looks a bit too close to I-gag-ination though... :-S
"A" for effort though!
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: X on March 22, 2014, 10:19:25 AM
Quote
That would create a paradox and destroy the universe as we know it.

Dr Emmett Brown - Great Scott!! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ej9B99P3lq0#ws)
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: EstebanT on March 22, 2014, 12:08:16 PM
Indie Game Authority or I.G.A
Gigantic games
Eye of the Tiga
Iga Stole my Bike
Innovative Gaming Assets... LOL
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: ganonfloyd on March 22, 2014, 12:53:44 PM
Eye of the Tiga it is then.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: theplottwist on March 22, 2014, 01:15:07 PM
"無知が" or "Muchiga".

Muchi = Whip
Iga = Hurr Durr

IGA seems to like whips (xD). And it has a nice pun when read as an english speaker. Much Iga.

YES I used the translator leavemealone...

I must say though that "Iga Stole my Bike" is extremelly appealing to me.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: zangetsu468 on March 22, 2014, 08:13:36 PM
Order of Ecclesia is the pinnacle of the series regarding bosses. I don't remember any other game with so many enjoyable bosses. It's simply the best on the series in this regard. Reason why I love it (other reason being the combat system, more streamlined and relevant than SOTN).

This. OOE owned the rest of the games with boss fights. Although I likes DOS' bosses (particularly death) and I thought POR's DracDeath was probably the best final boss fight (or close to) OOE really broke the mould with bosses, inclusive of Dracula. Plus it gives the option of a supertough setting, which is great fun.

And COTM was supposedly hard because of it's design. The way the characters control is more like the older games, even though the control is a bit better.

Honestly I thought the only thing COTM was missing was a backdash, the controls felt okay aside from this.

When I play the first Castlevanias (before Legends comes to light), I supose that the superhuman powers that the Belmonts has were form the Belmont Chromosomes (as is implied in the CVIII manual or box, I don´t remember). Then, when I played and finished Legends, and I read that Sonia have a baby with Alucard, I learned that "maybe" is because of that the superhuman power of the Belmont, from that part of the history... I accepted, but I don´t like it too much.

The issue with the Sonia/ Alucard affair is that the VK doesn't work that way, it can't be used by a tainted soul/ blood. If Alucard's blood got into the Belmont's lineage then the direct bloodline would be contaminated. I think CV III as the first showdown with Dracula fits better as well. Which is not to say Sonia shouldn't reappear in the old canon, in a later game. One could say that Legends and the non-canon games simply fit into an alternate timeline, problem solved.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: X on March 22, 2014, 10:30:33 PM
Quote
Indie Game Authority or I.G.A
Gigantic games
Eye of the Tiga
Iga Stole my Bike
Innovative Gaming Assets... LOL
LOL! You had fun, didn't you?

Quote
The issue with the Sonia/ Alucard affair is that the VK doesn't work that way, it can't be used by a tainted soul/ blood. If Alucard's blood got into the Belmont's lineage then the direct bloodline would be contaminated. I think CV III as the first showdown with Dracula fits better as well. Which is not to say Sonia shouldn't reappear in the old canon, in a later game. One could say that Legends and the non-canon games simply fit into an alternate timeline, problem solved.

You know it's not at all impossible for Legends to happen. Alucard and Sonia were lovers, however Alucard (in the SotN story) was very firm on his belief that he did not want his cursed bloodline to continue. Just because to people are lovers doesn't automatically mean sex. If Legends were to remain then the only thing that would require tweaking is the story. And it wouldn't be that hard either. For instance; Sonia and Alucard were lovers but did not have sexual relations with each other based on Alucards personal feelings regarding his bloodline. After he enters his eternal sleep and Sonia kills Dracula she has a child with someone else. Another way to do this would be for Sonia to have love relations with someone else. He is then killed by Dracula's minions and soon after Sonia meets up with Alucard. Him helping her overcome her grief at the loss of her former lover and eventually the two become close. in both these story tweaks Trevor remains fully human and we still have the Sonia/Alucard relationship intact.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Shiroi Koumori on March 22, 2014, 11:13:22 PM
"無知が" or "Muchiga".

Muchi = Whip
Iga = Hurr Durr

IGA seems to like whips (xD). And it has a nice pun when read as an english speaker. Much Iga.

YES I used the translator leavemealone...

I must say though that "Iga Stole my Bike" is extremelly appealing to me.

The translator is a troll.
For those who are interested, what you wrote (the first 2 characters) actually means "Ignorance"

This is the character for whip = 鞭 (muchi)
Then just add in IGA. hehehe.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Nail_Bombed on March 23, 2014, 06:05:39 AM
Here's a small piece on the legacy of IGA.

http://www.bleedingcool.com/2014/03/22/a-beautiful-symphony-a-tribute-to-castlevanias-koji-igarashi/ (http://www.bleedingcool.com/2014/03/22/a-beautiful-symphony-a-tribute-to-castlevanias-koji-igarashi/)
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Koutei on March 23, 2014, 06:30:56 AM
From Japanese media. Japanese language. The contents are the same as other existing appearance pages.

http://www.famitsu.com/news/201403/22050353.html (http://www.famitsu.com/news/201403/22050353.html)
http://www.4gamer.net/games/999/G999903/20140322009/ (http://www.4gamer.net/games/999/G999903/20140322009/)
http://dengekionline.com/elem/000/000/826/826253/ (http://dengekionline.com/elem/000/000/826/826253/)
http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/20140323_640849.html (http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/20140323_640849.html)

Classic "A" is justice vampire. IGA changed it. SoN's "A" is vampire half.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: beingthehero on March 23, 2014, 10:27:03 AM
Thanks, Koutei. Those links seem to have all the slides from the presentation as well.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Charlotte-nyo:3 on March 23, 2014, 04:37:19 PM
From Japanese media. Japanese language. The contents are the same as other existing appearance pages.

http://www.famitsu.com/news/201403/22050353.html (http://www.famitsu.com/news/201403/22050353.html)
http://www.4gamer.net/games/999/G999903/20140322009/ (http://www.4gamer.net/games/999/G999903/20140322009/)
http://dengekionline.com/elem/000/000/826/826253/ (http://dengekionline.com/elem/000/000/826/826253/)
http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/20140323_640849.html (http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/20140323_640849.html)

Classic "A" is justice vampire. IGA changed it. SoN's "A" is vampire half.

The Famitsu one, and perhaps even all of them, look like more in depth summaries than the english language articles describing the talk.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Shiroi Koumori on March 23, 2014, 05:43:00 PM
The Famitsu one, and perhaps even all of them, look like more in depth summaries than the english language articles describing the talk.

Yes. I read the Famitsu one and it is a blow by blow account of the event. The Dengeki has the most complete slides though.
The english reports were the summarized editions and if you are after the meat of the session, the english reports would suffice.

I just have to share some quotes from the famitsu article.
"It wasn't Metroidvania" but "Zeldavania"!
"First let's talk about Alu... oh, let's just call him A."
"There was a programmer within the team who knew how to defeat his created boss theoretically but couldn't execute it during play."
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: theANdROId on March 23, 2014, 06:35:08 PM
From Japanese media. Japanese language. The contents are the same as other existing appearance pages.

http://www.famitsu.com/news/201403/22050353.html (http://www.famitsu.com/news/201403/22050353.html)
http://www.4gamer.net/games/999/G999903/20140322009/ (http://www.4gamer.net/games/999/G999903/20140322009/)
http://dengekionline.com/elem/000/000/826/826253/ (http://dengekionline.com/elem/000/000/826/826253/)
http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/20140323_640849.html (http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/20140323_640849.html)

Classic "A" is justice vampire. IGA changed it. SoN's "A" is vampire half.

...wait...what are we looking at here...am I understanding...this is new stuff?!?!  :o
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: beingthehero on March 23, 2014, 07:03:13 PM
I guess that interview with IGA that IGN said would come by the end of the week never materialized. : /
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Charlotte-nyo:3 on March 23, 2014, 10:24:42 PM
I guess they were too busy doing their tri-daily updates about pointless things in Titanfall.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: DarkPrinceAlucard on March 24, 2014, 05:50:25 AM
Man I hope whatever project he decides to do that he gets Michiru and Ayami back.

Just having the "team" back together for his future project would alone bring in many metroidvania fans even if its not a castlevania'like game.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: beingthehero on March 24, 2014, 11:33:31 AM
So one thing that struck me odd is that in the presentation IGA said that since SotN was originally to be just a gaiden game that they ignored the past titles. But in the Chronicles interview in 2001, he said he deliberately wrote the story so that the disparate Castlevania games would be connected to each other since they all seemed to be all over the place. And SotN did just that, as it tied CVIII and Rondo together. HoD did the same thing later by tying Simon's Quest in with the latter-day Castlevania games, and PoR did the same with Bloodlines. So it seemed pretty odd for him to say that they were kind of laid back about the whole thing.

Also I like the slide that says 'keep one character from start to finish' and SotN's prologue had you playing as Richter. I wonder why he said that they had issues with using a whip-wielder in SotN, since HoD and PoR had similarly-large sprites.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Nagumo on March 24, 2014, 01:17:18 PM
Gaiden can mean both "spin-off" and "alternate universe story", Hero-kun. It can mean a lot of things actually. SotN was supposed to be a spin-off that tied all past games together.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Charlotte-nyo:3 on March 28, 2014, 04:51:04 AM
I took it less as him saying he "ignored" past games and more as him saying they went rather experimental on the story and weren't afraid to step on any past continuity toes since they could just write the game out of the canon later if they wanted (if there was fan displeasure or the like).

Now that you mention it though, beingthehero, IGA may have consciously been following a similar storyline formula that SotN uses for Rondo when it comes to HoD and PoR. Even AoS and DoS sort of refer to the past events of another "game," ignoring the fact that that game doesn't exist but was probably meant to eventually. OoE is the one that kind of breaks the mold. Of course it's also possible that he felt with the timeline as packed as it was, he needed to justify closeness of the newer game to the last game in the canon.

Also, while playing as Richter in the intro may seem like a contradiction, I think he was probably thinking of disallowing playing as multiple characters more in the context of something like 50% of the game as one character, then losing that character and playing the next 50% with another one since it would cut the progression. Richter's bit in the intro doesn't even make up 1% of the game, so it is a technical contradiction but not necessarily one in spirit. The RPG elements of SotN wouldn't really work well with something like a 50-50 pr 60-40 split between characters but they work fine with a short intro stage that doesn't feature them.

Now the whip thing does seem more problematic given what he was saying.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Nagumo on March 28, 2014, 06:07:53 AM
I took it less as him saying he "ignored" past games and more as him saying they went rather experimental on the story and weren't afraid to step on any past continuity toes since they could just write the game out of the canon later if they wanted (if there was fan displeasure or the like).

That could be true. I remember IGA told me in the correspondence that he created the timeline as a reference during SotN's development and that it was later leaked. However, I think what he also meant by the "ignored" part is that they ignored certain details established in the earlier games if that was convenient. For example, like Koutei mentioned, Alucard's backstory from CV3 is incompatible with his backstory from SotN.     
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Dark Nemesis on March 29, 2014, 05:00:48 AM
I don't know if it has been posted, but here is an interview, giving some light why Iga left Konami and what are his next plans.

http://www.polygon.com/2014/3/19/5523676/koji-igarashi-interview-castlevania-konami-and-going-independent (http://www.polygon.com/2014/3/19/5523676/koji-igarashi-interview-castlevania-konami-and-going-independent)
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Reinhart77 on March 30, 2014, 09:24:29 PM
Knowing me, I'll buy Iga's first Metroidvania out of respect and curiosity, give it a spin, but then never finish it, probably because it's not actually Castlevania.  Did that with Nanobreaker once things started getting hard.  Also do that with just about any non-CV action adventure games, like Devil May Cry and Bayonetta.  It'll have to inflame a passion in order to get me to finish it.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Shiroi Koumori on March 31, 2014, 01:53:51 AM
I will also buy his next game. I just hope it won't be as hard as Nanobreaker.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: PyramidHead on March 31, 2014, 03:07:21 AM
Oh! That's some great news! I'm curious what IGA can do without Konami, without being restricted by the setting of C.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: LuxKiller65 on November 29, 2014, 08:06:32 PM
Are we sure he left Konami? What about he was fired?
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Nagumo on November 30, 2014, 06:30:12 AM
The way he formulated it was that he wanted to start his own studio in order to make the games he wanted, which wasn't possible at Konami because they wanted him to make simple and quickly accessible social games. I believe he mentioned discussing it with his family first before making the decesion.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Dracula9 on November 30, 2014, 06:35:22 AM
Are we sure he left Konami? What about he was fired?

I don't believe he was fired. I always got the impression that IGA made a similar decision to that of Keiji Inafune when he left Capcom, with their reasonings being different.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: DragonSlayr81 on December 01, 2014, 06:27:49 PM
I don't believe he was fired. I always got the impression that IGA made a similar decision to that of Keiji Inafune when he left Capcom, with their reasonings being different.
Isn't that what happens in Japanese companies? People are placed in lower positions instead of being let go? Isn't that what happened with Sakaguchi(Square) and Gunpei Yokoi(Nintendo)?
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: shelverton. on December 02, 2014, 06:46:21 AM
Dunno about Sakaguchi but Yokoi retired from Nintendo after creating the Virtual Boy and the Gameboy Color (one failure and one success). I don't think Nintendo ever asked him to leave or "step down" to a lower position. He had already made up his mind to retire years earlier. Though we might never know the full story about that one.

EDIT: Oh, Yokoi worked on the Wonderswan after leaving Nintendo. Didn't know that.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: X on December 02, 2014, 11:38:06 AM
Virtual boy could have been a success. However I think it was too far ahead of it's time. It's not safe to look into the goggles for prolonged periods of time, and the way it's set up you can't wear it on your head like VR goggles. You have to be sitting in front of it. Gunpei Yokoi had made so many successful innovations to Nintendo (and video games in general) that I seriously doubt Nintendo would fire him. Fired for one blunder out of many success stories? Doesn't sound reasonable from a corporate point of view. Unfortunately he was killed so we'll never know what else he could have brought to the table. Especially now in our current era.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: shelverton. on December 02, 2014, 03:47:04 PM
Well, Gunpei Yokoi would've been 74 years old today. I doubt he'd be making video games. But who knows? I wanna resurrect him and have him make a new 2D Metroid.

No but seriously, R.I.P and all :(
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: X on December 03, 2014, 12:06:12 AM
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I wanna resurrect him and have him make a new 2D Metroid.

By all means, go for it! He'd make a much better Metroid then the other guy did with other M :P
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: LuxKiller65 on December 20, 2014, 08:12:13 PM
Well the point is, people can say whatever they want, but as DragonSlayr81 mentioned, Konami may have "invited" him to leave. I'm not trying to stir up a rumour but Japanese society is not one where being fired or asked to leave is a nice thing to share with the public. Thousands of fans know your games and your face, you're surely not gonna say "Hey guys I got fired" or "Hey guys Konami basically forced me to leave". "Hey guys I decided to leave to make games the way I want to" sounds a lot better. Plus, the fact that the guy is all over US now, where most of his fans are. Why not stay in Japan? I bet because no one gives a poop about him over there.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: Belmontoya on December 20, 2014, 10:28:03 PM
I think Metroid is what Iga was always meant to make. I'd love to see that.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: beingthehero on December 21, 2014, 02:42:06 PM
Well the point is, people can say whatever they want, but as DragonSlayr81 mentioned, Konami may have "invited" him to leave. I'm not trying to stir up a rumour but Japanese society is not one where being fired or asked to leave is a nice thing to share with the public. Thousands of fans know your games and your face, you're surely not gonna say "Hey guys I got fired" or "Hey guys Konami basically forced me to leave". "Hey guys I decided to leave to make games the way I want to" sounds a lot better. Plus, the fact that the guy is all over US now, where most of his fans are. Why not stay in Japan? I bet because no one gives a poop about him over there.

Konami might be a front for the yakuza, and IGA is a man on the run now knowing their terrible secret.
He might really be a masked crime fighter, and this is the only way he can safely protect the streets of Japan while keeping his identity a secret.
Maybe he is Jorge D Fuentes. Have you ever seen them standing together in the same place?!?
Now I'm not saying these are valid, but they could be valid.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: X on December 22, 2014, 10:45:51 AM
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I think Metroid is what Iga was always meant to make. I'd love to see that.

I have my doubts. IGA did mention that he has a strong dislike for female protagonists so working on a Metroid title might be a bit of a stretch for him. He did give us Shinoa in OoE however she was no Belmont. I'd be worried he might do something similar by making a Metroid game without Samus. Then again both Samus and Metriod are property of Nintendo so he would be monitored by them.
Title: Re: Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami, Founding New Studio, Metroidvania GDC
Post by: LuxKiller65 on December 22, 2014, 06:45:04 PM
Konami might be a front for the yakuza, and IGA is a man on the run now knowing their terrible secret.
He might really be a masked crime fighter, and this is the only way he can safely protect the streets of Japan while keeping his identity a secret.
Maybe he is Jorge D Fuentes. Have you ever seen them standing together in the same place?!?
Now I'm not saying these are valid, but they could be valid.

you funnies