Topic: Masahiro Ueno interview, Retro Gamer 119 (August)

[Lelygax]

In these 2 interviews she says (yeah, so she is the source) that the first Castlevania project that she worked was Bloodlines. In Koutei link you can even read she mentioning what another titles that she worked while in KKC.

Its worth reading.

[Nagumo]

I've read the article already. Although the scans have not been posted yet, I hope nobody minds if I share some interesting bits already. Apperently, this game started production alongside Castlevania III. Ueno says they started working on it as soon as they heard about the creation of the SFC, and they had people from CV1 and 2 on the team. He's also asked if SCIV is truly a remake, and he says he considers it partially to be so. Sadly, he doesn't really elaborate on it.       

[Pfil]

Dude she literally says in the interview I quoted that the very first Castlevania she ever worked on period was Bloodlines. Not the first one she did solo, but the first one ever.

Alright, I guess we have our answer. Thanks.
But not "dude", more like... I don't know... "gal"?
Yesterday I've been told I am flatchested, and now they are already calling me "dude"... I mean... really?
Not for liking girls and having small cup I become a "dude".
I like to think that, despite my jokes, I'm pretty feminine 

[Shiroi Koumori]

"Dude" for me and perhaps for him is a generic term. Don't take it too seriously. The female form is "dudette".

Besides, you have bigger breasts than normal east asian women. (do not count those gals who did plastic surgery)

[C Belmont]

He's also asked if SCIV is truly a remake, and he says he considers it partially to be so. Sadly, he doesn't really elaborate on it.   

 

In the interview he says he considers it a remake to an extent and then explains how they made gameplay improvements and additions but wanted to keep it aligned with the original. I think that is a pretty sufficient elaboration on the matter.

[Dark Nemesis]

Alright, I guess we have our answer. Thanks.
But not "dude", more like... I don't know... "gal"?
Yesterday I've been told I am flatchested, and now they are already calling me "dude"... I mean... really?
Not for liking girls and having small cup I become a "dude".
I like to think that, despite my jokes, I'm pretty feminine 

Hey, don't get mad, you are very sweet for your age.

[Abnormal Freak]

Hey, none of that sweet shit in this thread, it's all SRS GAMIN' BZNS HERE.

I thought Ueno had commented on the whole remake thing before. Thought it was in play, August 2003 issue, but it ain't there. But I think I read something once that caused some confusion. The game's a remake in the sense that the story is such, but the play mechanics are far from being like the original's while still retaining its atmosphere and linear, non-RPG style. So I think a Japanese developer might have qualms with calling it a remake because they factor in that stuff.

Or maybe I made all that up? Or IGA said something similar to that.

Anyway, the fact that in Japan it has the exact same name as the original game and all the other reimaginings, I don't know why there would be any question to its (story) remake status.

[Nagumo]

Really? If you find out more, please let us know.

Of course the story is the same but that is not sufficient reason to call it a remake. That's why I'm always annoyed when people call it that. I'm curious though, why reuse the same story for a new game? In case of Akumajo X68000 it's because the project evolved from being an enhanced port (source is an interview with the game's director), and I'm guessing in case of Vampire Killer and Haunted Castle because versions for arcade and MSX were requested that intentionally differed from the Famicom version (which was common practice for Konami at the time). But what's the deal with CVIV?

On another note, I was thinking that if CVIV has the same staff from CV1 and CV2, if we are able to find out their real names we find out who the original creators of Castlevania are. Didn't part of the team leave Konami to begin Treasure or something? There might be a lead there. I also noticed one person of the staff, Satoshi Kushibuchi, is still frequently involved with the series. I wonder if his involvement in the series dates back to the first game?

[shelverton.]

What if every Castlevania game would have had the same story? It was always Simon Belmont going up against Dracula, but the gameplay and setting would vary. Also, Simons powers (and appearance) would have to vary greatly in order to fit something like Symphony and the Sorrow games.

We wouldn't have the problem with different timelines. We would, however, be pretty tired of the same story over and over, lol! I can't think of another series that has done this. Maybe because the idea flat out sucks

But it worked with CV4, at least.

[Rugal]

I wonder if the article explains how the old developers feel about Lords of Shadow and how disgusted they are with the series.. 

I know I'd be livid if my once masterpiece of a series of games became something so putrid. Not trying to start anything here, but in my eyes it is a shame. Perhaps the developers think Lords of Shadow is amazing, though. If that's they case, good for them and at least they are happy.

[Lelygax]

@Koutei: Hey, how about sharing this PDF with us, its possible? I want PFG9000 scans and keep them in my HDD, but I want to read it while PFG9000 doesnt scan it.

[Abnormal Freak]

Nagumo, I believe Koutei commented on the Treasure thing before. If I recall, the ties to Castlevania are very thin. The lead programmer on The Adventure was one of the founders and possibly CEO, and I think one or two of the programmers on IV left for Treasure. I think the latter hadn't worked on Konami games prior to the Super Nintendo but I could be wrong.

If I had to guess, since Simon was the most well-known Belmont, Konami just figured, "Let's do a souped-up 16-bit version of his adventure," almost like how Mega Man's first proper game on the console was a darker reimagining with new moves and that.

[Pfil]

Hey, none of that sweet shit in this thread, it's all SRS GAMIN' BZNS HERE.

♥♥♥♥ pru-nyaa ♥♥♥♥

[Koutei]

@Koutei: Hey, how about sharing this PDF with us, its possible? I want PFG9000 scans and keep them in my HDD, but I want to read it while PFG9000 doesnt scan it.

retro gamer 119 pdf download
Google search.

[Lelygax]

Thanks, I never thought it could be so easy.