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The Castlevania Dungeon Forums => General Castlevania Discussion => Topic started by: cecil-kain on August 31, 2011, 11:40:33 AM

Title: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: cecil-kain on August 31, 2011, 11:40:33 AM
It started here on the Dungeon, grew on Facebook, and now...

Operation: Akumajo "Do you Love Castlevania?" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_JF6OVlLY4#ws)

Also took some of the criticism to heart and adjusted the Mission Statement.

Quote
Welcome to Operation: Akumajo!

We are an activist community dedicated to preserving the heart and soul of Castlevania as we have known it for 25 years.  We fully embrace the legacy of 2-D action-platforming, as well as the legendary rivalry between Count Dracula and the Belmont Clan.  We have named ourselves "Akumajo" in honor of Castlevania's Japanese origins, but also as a counterpoint to Konami's recent attempt to reboot and westernize the Castlevania brand.  Although we accept Lords of Shadow as a fine game in its own right, we cannot accept the desecration it brings to the Demon Castle mythology.

For years, we have endured a love/hate relationship with our friends at Konami over their treatment of Castlevania.  We remember waiting 14 years for Rondo of Blood to reach western shores.  We lamented multiple attempts to reinvent Castlevania in 3-D.  We grumbled over cheapening production values and shamelessly recycled content.  And now we gnash our teeth at the possibility that Lords of Shadow may indeed be replacing the Castlevania legacy we know and love.

Recently, we were outraged to learn that Konami had not announced any plans to celebrate Castlevania’s 25th Anniversary in any meaningful way whatsoever.  After so many years of loyal support on our part, we felt this particular oversight was one dishonor too many.  Therefore, we have finally joined together to make our displeasure known, and to challenge Konami to hold itself and Castlevania to a higher standard.

First, we believe Konami should finish the original continuity by reinstating Koji Igarashi to produce the "1999 Demon Castle War" as it was originally foretold by Aria of Sorrow over 8 years ago.  Naturally, we expect this game to honor the Castlevania legacy by embracing the highest standards of 2-D gameplay, graphics, and design.

Secondly, we concede the Castlevania brand needs a reboot --however, we insist the traditional mythology be respected in doing so.  Therefore, we believe Konami needs to redesign and remaster Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse.  Revisiting these old roots will properly introduce a new generation of players to the Castlevania story, and also pay appropriate tribute to longtime fans of the series.  We expect this remake to honor the original, but also demonstrate the same high standards desired of the Demon Castle War.

Castlevania has been in decline for a very long time.  Therefore, these games must be treated as serious investments with adequate resources, time, and attention to reach their full potential.  Moreover, we also insist that both games be developed in high definition for release on modern home consoles.  Over 14 years have passed since Symphony of the Night, and we have waited far too long...

If you agree with our aims and objectives, please “like” our page on Facebook to help us grow.  Castlevania’s 25th Anniversary arrives officially on September 26, 2011 and we’re planning to celebrate...

Thank-you for watching our video,
Operation: Akumajo
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: crisis on August 31, 2011, 12:36:17 PM
This is fantastic my friend. I fully support your endeavors and will promote this to my friends as well.


Long live Akumajo Dracula!!!!
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: C Belmont on August 31, 2011, 01:09:59 PM
What a pity I'm not on facebook, any alternate ways to show support?
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Profbeanburrito on August 31, 2011, 03:48:48 PM
I do agree with some of the things stated in this, like finishing the classic timeline and a remake CV3. but that's about it.

right at the end it seems to say, or at least I get the impression, that the hasn't been a single good Castlevania since SotN, and while some of the games have been lacking, I wouldn't go as far as to say there hasn't been a decent new castlevani since then.

but the thing I really disagree with, and the main reason why I won't support this is the strong dislike for Lords of Shadow. I recognize that it's missing some classic elements from the series that I love. Mainly enemies and music. But at some point, which I feel we've just about reached, you run out of space and ideas in the classic series nd need to do something new and different, hence, lords of shadow. From what this statement says, it seems like "the fans" want nothing to do with LoS, and do not want to see a sequel or at least not have the Castlevania name on it. We all knew from the start that it would be a different take on the series, so why all the bitching?

I look forward to a new LoS and as a longtime Castlevania fan, I just feel like I can not support this point of view
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Successor The Cruel on August 31, 2011, 03:58:34 PM
We all knew from the start that it would be a different take on the series, so why all the bitching?

It's pretty clear to me. Some of us "fans" don't want Castlevania that isn't like Castlevania, and we don't want to see Konami continue this misguided course.

I don't totally agree with this... uh... movement, because it seems to have the philosophy that 3-D Castlevania games cannot ever work. I find that close minded. All of the 3-D games have been plagued with serious problems, but that's not because Castlevania, in and of itself, can't be successful in 3-D. It's because the people who have made 3-D Castlevania games have been inept at doing them.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: DarkPrinceAlucard on August 31, 2011, 04:00:33 PM
I fully support this. ;)
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Chernabogue on August 31, 2011, 04:12:11 PM
I support it, though I do not totally agree with every point you're talking about in the video (especially the 3D part), but I guess everyone has different opinions on it.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Eric Roman on August 31, 2011, 04:36:25 PM
While I've always been in agreement that Dracula's Curse would be even more wonderful remastered, the video had me until it took a sloppy shit all over Lords of Shadow.  That episode--to me--feels like the most significant CastleVania event since Symphony of the Night and JUST the testosterone shot the franchise needed after all these years of wussy, whiteface heroism...especially that Wii-Wii fashion show called Judgment.

That blue Grim Reaper was badass.  Where in the realm did he come from?
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Maedhros on August 31, 2011, 04:53:24 PM
I don't support most of the points in the video at all. This fanbase is too fragmented and the video is mostly composed of the oppinions of one guy, not the fanbase.

But, anyway, I'll support this.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: X on August 31, 2011, 05:03:44 PM
Quote
right at the end it seems to say, or at least I get the impression, that the hasn't been a single good Castlevania since SotN, and while some of the games have been lacking, I wouldn't go as far as to say there hasn't been a decent new castlevani since then.

I believe Cecil-Kain is talking about the lack of Console for 2D CVs in this statement. And I agree with him. Since SotN, No real 2D game has ever appeared on a console again (Excluding HD). This is a serious disappointment to me and I fully endorse the Operation: Akumajo.

PS In terms of IGA coming back, I'd have to disagree. We need someone who can come up with the story FIRST and THEN build the game around it.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Gunlord on August 31, 2011, 06:08:25 PM
"We grumbled over cheapening production values and shamelessly recycled content.  And now we gnash our teeth at the possibility that Lords of Shadow may indeed be replacing the Castlevania legacy we know and love...First, we believe Konami should finish the original continuity by reinstating Koji Igarashi"

Forgive me for sounding snarky, and I don't mean to troll folks, but I think this is a legitimate question: Isn't the first part of the quoted statement incompatible with the second? IGA was, in large part, a reason Lords of Shadow was made in the first place. He was known for cheap productions (reused sprites, reused sprites everywhere) and his consistent failures in 3D were, I assume, encouragement for Konami to hand things over to the LoS guys. Do we really want IGA back? And I say this as a Gunlordaboo who really loves IGA. Prunyuu~ :o
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Maedhros on August 31, 2011, 06:32:50 PM
"We grumbled over cheapening production values and shamelessly recycled content.  And now we gnash our teeth at the possibility that Lords of Shadow may indeed be replacing the Castlevania legacy we know and love...First, we believe Konami should finish the original continuity by reinstating Koji Igarashi"

Forgive me for sounding snarky, and I don't mean to troll folks, but I think this is a legitimate question: Isn't the first part of the quoted statement incompatible with the second? IGA was, in large part, a reason Lords of Shadow was made in the first place. He was known for cheap productions (reused sprites, reused sprites everywhere) and his consistent failures in 3D were, I assume, encouragement for Konami to hand things over to the LoS guys. Do we really want IGA back? And I say this as a Gunlordaboo who really loves IGA. Prunyuu~ :o

LOL, IGA isn't Konami, he doesn't choose the amount of money and resources he can use for a Castlevania game, that's not how it works.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: DarkPrinceAlucard on August 31, 2011, 06:35:13 PM
LOL, IGA isn't Konami, he doesn't choose the amount of money and resources he can use for a Castlevania game, that's not how it works.

I have always thought that IGA has had a MUCH smaller budject then what they give the MGS series.

IGA has to work with what little he most likely is given.

Some people fail to realize that.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Odile Kuronuma on August 31, 2011, 07:06:01 PM
What a pity I'm not on facebook, any alternate ways to show support?
This. I'd like to help, but I really hate Facebook. Isn't there any other way to show my support to the Operation?
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Munchy on August 31, 2011, 07:07:47 PM
That blue Grim Reaper was badass.  Where in the realm did he come from?

And why does it look like he has a Mickey Mouse glove on one hand?
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Jorge D. Fuentes on August 31, 2011, 07:38:17 PM
Although I don't agree with all the points, I linked this on my Facebook wall, and on two Castlevania walls I know of.

I understood it as "not enough 2D games for consoles" but it really should not have had a pic of Gabriel as if the game was horrible (it's really not that bad, you guyz). :P

I put it up on my Twitter account as well.  Hopefully people will pick it up a little from there.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: cecil-kain on August 31, 2011, 07:47:47 PM
What a pity I'm not on facebook, any alternate ways to show support?

Just viewing and sharing the Youtube video shows support.  Once word of our existence has had some more time to circulate, there will be an email campaign to help send Konami a message.  You can still participate by sending Konami email in support of our objectives.  Look for this to start happening sometime after the Tokyo Game Show, but no later than the official Anniversary Date Sept 26th.

I do agree with some of the things stated in this, like finishing the classic timeline and a remake CV3. but that's about it.

right at the end it seems to say, or at least I get the impression, that the hasn't been a single good Castlevania since SotN, and while some of the games have been lacking, I wouldn't go as far as to say there hasn't been a decent new castlevani since then.

but the thing I really disagree with, and the main reason why I won't support this is the strong dislike for Lords of Shadow. I recognize that it's missing some classic elements from the series that I love. Mainly enemies and music. But at some point, which I feel we've just about reached, you run out of space and ideas in the classic series nd need to do something new and different, hence, lords of shadow. From what this statement says, it seems like "the fans" want nothing to do with LoS, and do not want to see a sequel or at least not have the Castlevania name on it. We all knew from the start that it would be a different take on the series, so why all the bitching?

I look forward to a new LoS and as a longtime Castlevania fan, I just feel like I can not support this point of view

The decline mentioned toward the end of the mission statement refers to 2 things.  First how the 2-D games have been plagued by cookie-cutter copy/paste content (as mentioned in the second paragraph).  Secondly *and far more importantly* how subpar 3-D games have dominated the consoles for 14 years since SotN.  Just to give an example, I think AoS had the potential to dethrone SotN, but it failed because of the limitations of vastly inferior GBA hardware.  Also some of our members feel the same way you do about Lords of Shadow...  We are NOT calling for LoS2 to be abandoned --we can live and let live.  What we stand for the preservation of the traditional gameplay and mythology --we object to the LoS universe replacing Castlevania and that's the extent of our intended hostility.  If a multiversal approach is acceptable to you, our door is wide open.

I support it, though I do not totally agree with every point you're talking about in the video (especially the 3D part), but I guess everyone has different opinions on it.

Here's the thing.  Most of us have enjoyed at least one of the 3-D games, but few would disagree that 2-D is Castlevania's superior artform.  The 3D games have consistently divided the fanbase, instead of uniting us --and THAT is 3-D's biggest failure.  Konami has released 6 different 3-D Castlevanias on home consoles. How many second chances are we really willing to give them to get it right?

While I've always been in agreement that Dracula's Curse would be even more wonderful remastered, the video had me until it took a sloppy shit all over Lords of Shadow.  That episode--to me--feels like the most significant CastleVania event since Symphony of the Night and JUST the testosterone shot the franchise needed after all these years of wussy, whiteface heroism...especially that Wii-Wii fashion show called Judgment.

That blue Grim Reaper was badass.  Where in the realm did he come from?

See previous comment about LoS...  As for the Blue Reaper, he is my own personal edit based on his Order of Ecclesia appearance.  The color palette was either SotN Prologue or CV4 --can't remember which.  The Sythe comes from Castlevania Chronicles.  Working on the Death sprite was rather fun, but getting Leon Belmont right was pure hell...

I believe Cecil-Kain is talking about the lack of Console for 2D CVs in this statement. And I agree with him. Since SotN, No real 2D game has ever appeared on a console again (Excluding HD). This is a serious disappointment to me and I fully endorse the Operation: Akumajo.

PS In terms of IGA coming back, I'd have to disagree. We need someone who can come up with the story FIRST and THEN build the game around it.

"We grumbled over cheapening production values and shamelessly recycled content.  And now we gnash our teeth at the possibility that Lords of Shadow may indeed be replacing the Castlevania legacy we know and love...First, we believe Konami should finish the original continuity by reinstating Koji Igarashi"

Forgive me for sounding snarky, and I don't mean to troll folks, but I think this is a legitimate question: Isn't the first part of the quoted statement incompatible with the second? IGA was, in large part, a reason Lords of Shadow was made in the first place. He was known for cheap productions (reused sprites, reused sprites everywhere) and his consistent failures in 3D were, I assume, encouragement for Konami to hand things over to the LoS guys. Do we really want IGA back? And I say this as a Gunlordaboo who really loves IGA. Prunyuu~ :o

IGA is only needed for the Demon Castle War.  After that, we have a clean slate for new blood.  :-)

This. I'd like to help, but I really hate Facebook. Isn't there any other way to show my support to the Operation?

See above.
And why does it look like he has a Mickey Mouse glove on one hand?

this may help...  http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/30851473/ns/today-entertainment/t/longtime-voice-mickey-mouse-dies/#.Tl6kNL-8e08 (http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/30851473/ns/today-entertainment/t/longtime-voice-mickey-mouse-dies/#.Tl6kNL-8e08)

Ok that's a joke...  :-p  the original OoE sprite had larger hands --I thought that was weird too...
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Successor The Cruel on August 31, 2011, 11:49:16 PM
Just to give an example, I think AoS had the potential to dethrone SotN, but it failed because of the limitations of vastly inferior GBA hardware.

Dethrone it in what sense? Being a game that is more fun to play? I like it better than Symphony of the Night despite the hardware. It is simply more fun to play to me, and a heck of a lot more focused. Or dethrone it in the cultural impact sense of Symphony of the Night being the oft praised Castlevania game over its predecessors? I don't think that's so much a matter of hardware as it is Symphony of the Night being there first (and also being really good).

What do people more often fondly look back to, Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers or Power Rangers in Space? The former, but it isn't necessarily better. It was on the scene first with its new and flashy ideas, whereas the other was a later derivative of it that arrived after everyone was already familiar with the formula. 

Quote
That episode--to me--feels like the most significant CastleVania event since Symphony of the Night and JUST the testosterone shot the franchise needed after all these years of wussy, whiteface heroism...

I will take stylish, beautiful men over Belmonts who are Dracula any day of the week.

Also, I think you (OP) would do well to make this more general and not so focused on what you want. You're making your demographic smaller and smaller.

Otherwise, I'd help you out.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: uzo on September 01, 2011, 12:25:59 AM
The whole attitude of this thing is really jumpy, hyper, and in your face. Feels like some whiny teenage lash out. That's no way to win favors from someone.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Ahasverus on September 01, 2011, 02:08:31 AM
The whole attitude of this thing is really jumpy, hyper, and in your face. Feels like some whiny teenage lash out. That's no way to win favors from someone.
This. You sound like demanding something, like if you were the owners of CV. You are like 100 guys or so, do you think it's your demands what it's really the best for the series? Humility guys!
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: The Silverlord on September 01, 2011, 06:55:33 AM
That episode (Lords)--to me--feels like the most significant CastleVania event since Symphony of the Night and JUST the testosterone shot the franchise needed after all these years of wussy, whiteface heroism

Hear hear.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Nagumo on September 01, 2011, 07:02:56 AM
Hector and Juste are pretty manly. And more realistic then Gabriel bubble chest "my shoulders are 50 inch wide" Belmont.  :)

Then again, Hector has a peahead. : (
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: KaZudra on September 01, 2011, 07:30:21 AM
LoS is a vital game, It shows that (Metroidvania) Castlevania games are pretty much dead since they really do not offer any new or refined experiences, in fact it has become a downgrade from the classics since the adventure and journey feel isn't in the metroidvanias as the classics do. The metroidvania games eventually become an annoying grind-fest until you get the game-breaker equipment, and the rest is map filling.

Going back to linear in Los gave me nostalgia as I felt like I was on a quest again.
Plus its fresh seeing a Manly non-designer clothing Belmont again.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: The Silverlord on September 01, 2011, 07:32:00 AM
Hector and Juste are pretty manly. And more realistic then Gabriel bubble chest "my shoulders are 50 inch wide" Belmont.  :)

Then again, Hector has a peahead. : (

Well, Gabe felt like a back-to-basics no-nonsense hero with a whip, who even looked like old Simon.  The story was a bit drab though.  We got too many moments of melancholy, self-reflection and anguish.  Powerful emotions though.

But overall Lords is a more raw, brutal, and bloody experience than the likes of Lament of Innocence.  Castlevania felt like it had grown up a bit.  Some of the enemy designs were downright crude, same for a lot of the environments (almost washed-out autumnal, brownish tones / winter and vivid landscapes).

It's not a bad game at all, many flaws, but hopeful the sequel will address a lot of fans' complaints.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: C Belmont on September 01, 2011, 09:48:31 AM
Quote
Well, Gabe felt like a back-to-basics no-nonsense hero with a whip, who even looked like old Simon

Yeah and by the games conclusion all that has been conveniently stripped away...
   
LOS sequel will probably feel even less familar than the first game, Mercury Steam has already won over as many old fans as they are going to get & they've got plenty of new ones so why would they bother making any changes just to satisfy fan complaints.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: crisis on September 01, 2011, 11:03:53 AM
Quote from: Kamui Zero
LoS is a vital game, It shows that (Metroidvania) Castlevania games are pretty much dead since they really do not offer any new or refined experiences,

I find your lack of faith disturbing.

Quote
The metroidvania games eventually become an annoying grind-fest until you get the game-breaker equipment, and the rest is map filling.

..and yet you think Harmony of Despair is "fun as shit" and us haters dunno what we're talking about.

Quote
Going back to linear in Los gave me nostalgia as I felt like I was on a quest again.
Plus its fresh seeing a Manly non-designer clothing Belmont again.

So it's come down to this now? Clothing? Really?
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: The Silverlord on September 01, 2011, 11:33:43 AM
Yeah and by the games conclusion all that has been conveniently stripped away...
   
LOS sequel will probably feel even less familar than the first game, Mercury Steam has already won over as many old fans as they are going to get & they've got plenty of new ones so why would they bother making any changes just to satisfy fan complaints.


Well, it clearly looks like they’re not going to be influenced by us here, if that’s what you mean.  Cox has proven he’s bold/brash enough to go his own way, come what may (although I suspect there’s been a bit of late pampering and shoe-horning going on).  He made that clear enough in his Chapel interview.

What I mean is that they may fix a lot of our complaints, but not necessarily by listening to us! ; )  Cox will know what could be improved upon, such as the framerate, and the pacing/length of the game.  He’s no fo ... ahem.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Nagumo on September 01, 2011, 12:07:37 PM
Cox's answer to fan complaints:

Set the sequel in a modern-day metropolis.   
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: The Silverlord on September 01, 2011, 01:19:37 PM
Well, you know he's a proper scallywag.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Kingshango on September 01, 2011, 01:34:56 PM
Cox's answer to fan complaints:

Set the sequel in a modern-day metropolis.

As un Castlevania like as it sounds, the idea of playing as Dracula going around in a modern setting regaining his lost powers and raising a army of the undead to wage war against Satan sounds pretty cool.

Plus, him being a vampire will means the sequel will take place entirely at night so they're wont be anymore bright areas.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Chernabogue on September 01, 2011, 01:39:22 PM
As un Castlevania like as it sounds, the idea of playing as Dracula going around in a modern setting regaining his lost powers and raising a army of the undead to wage war against Satan sounds pretty cool.

Plus, him being a vampire will means the sequel will take place entirely at night so they're wont be anymore bright areas.
I can only agree with what you said.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Nagumo on September 01, 2011, 01:41:26 PM
Let's just say that I don't think it will be an improvement. 
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: crisis on September 01, 2011, 01:45:39 PM
The sequel can have bright areas with Dracula cuz vampires now sparkle in sunlight(duh). Also, Gary Oldman Dracula can walk around in sunlight but his power level is a lot less...
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Kingshango on September 01, 2011, 01:58:26 PM
The idea I had in mind is that Dracula's health will drain slowly while in sunlight and wont be able to go into bat form (or whatever he can transform into) so combat in daylight would be a bad idea.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: KaZudra on September 01, 2011, 02:01:05 PM
I find your lack of faith disturbing.
The only 3D games that got it somewhat right was the 64 ones and LoS.
even though LoI and LoS were baseed on DMC, LoS had soething close to platforming.
CoD.... LOL Konami seriously thought Dynasty Warriors was gonna be a good castlevania game...
Quote
..and yet you think Harmony of Despair is "fun as shit" and us haters dunno what we're talking about.
Harmony of Despair isn't a metroidvania. It may be based off of one, but it only shares Grinding (which is completely different) with metroidvanias.
Of course, I'm wrong and there aren't 11 stages to choose from that end when you kill the boss, oh wait!
Quote
So it's come down to this now? Clothing? Really?
Since SoTN, All Belmonts (except Simon for some odd reason) Have pretty much looked the same clothing wise.
Plus I don't think highly trained Vampire hunters would wear Trench or Tail Coats.
It may have looked cool the first or second time, but its repetitive nature is annoying, OoE was fresh to see a young man who looks like a man.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Munchy on September 01, 2011, 08:23:19 PM
Cox's answer to fan complaints:

Set the sequel in a modern-day metropolis.

Also have no Belmonts or any recognizable Castlevania elements outside of random name drops.

Also also, Gabeula drives a Prius and picks up girls, which becomes a dating game like in GTA4. Your success determines how powerful you can make your magic. Successfully perform elaborate QTE sequences to keep Zobek from cockblocking you.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Kingshango on September 01, 2011, 08:49:10 PM
Also have no Belmonts or any recognizable Castlevania elements outside of random name drops.

Also also, Gabeula drives a Prius and picks up girls, which becomes a dating game like in GTA4. Your success determines how powerful you can make your magic. Successfully perform elaborate QTE sequences to keep Zobek from cockblocking you.

The driving a Prius thing sounds cray(then again he is sitting down weaing jeans with two hell hounds in one the concept art) but the dating sim thing can actually see being done.

And by dating sim I mean luring a female into the shadows and feeding on her in a dark alley for blood or making her his bride.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: KaZudra on September 01, 2011, 10:30:04 PM
Why don't you guys put something like...

Better Alone, Without Hideo Kojima.

Since most of the things people hate LoS for... Is Kojima Productions Fault.

Because everyone knows that the higher budget something gets, the more the producers have control over the project.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: whitedragon_nall on September 02, 2011, 12:24:12 AM
Not this "blame Kojima" shtick again....

Cox has stated many times that Kojima was on board mostly to provide assistance and offer advice. Kojima gets a lot of well-deserved flak for the MGS series and it seems that some just want to push blame on him for LoS now. Now, I can't really say with certainty that he wasn't responsible, but why is it so hard to believe that maybe MS made most of mistakes on the game and not Kojima?

Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Munchy on September 02, 2011, 01:40:16 AM
Kojima did specifically tell Cox that LoS was his project, and that he didn't have to listen to all of KP's criticisms. So while Kojima and company assisted with things like the facial animations and gave the project the KP blessing, that was really the extent of his effect.

What made me doubt this was the insanity of the post credits sequence and Kojima's Shyamalan-esque love of absolutely stupid plot twists. But LoS's plot as a whole was nothing to write home about anyway, so it's not like some masterpiece was ruined or anything.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: KaZudra on September 02, 2011, 01:42:25 AM
Not this "blame Kojima" shtick again....

Cox has stated many times that Kojima was on board mostly to provide assistance and offer advice. Kojima gets a lot of well-deserved flak for the MGS series and it seems that some just want to push blame on him for LoS now. Now, I can't really say with certainty that he wasn't responsible, but why is it so hard to believe that maybe MS made most of mistakes on the game and not Kojima?

Because MS Made the game, Kojima Productions Providied everything else, INCLUDING the Story Script, and Soundtrack.
Of Course Cox will but all the blame on himself, Look at Konami's Attention Toward Kojima, they don't wanna tranish thier golden boy and his accomplishments.
But Using your logic, MS and Cox were Completely in control of everything.... I'm sorry knowing about the process of entertainment I can't let that slide...
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Deko21 on September 02, 2011, 01:48:19 AM
So this thread is just a recap of HD being garbage, blaming kojima for LoS, and a bunch of other stuff that's been talked about for the last month or so...

Figures.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Munchy on September 02, 2011, 01:48:54 AM
Because MS Made the game, Kojima Productions Providied everything else, INCLUDING the Story Script, and Soundtrack.
Of Course Cox will but all the blame on himself, Look at Konami's Attention Toward Kojima, they don't wanna tranish thier golden boy and his accomplishments.
But Using your logic, MS and Cox were Completely in control of everything.... I'm sorry knowing about the process of entertainment I can't let that slide...

Music was done by MercurySteam composer Oscar Araujo.

Cox himself did some of the scenario writing, I think, as well as... someone known for comic books. His name evades me, but Cox mentioned him on his tweets.

I really should find a transcription of the game credits somewhere. Cox had mentioned it before, but Konami wanted pitches for a new Castlevania from the Japanese, European, and American branches. The European side noticed that MercurySteam wanted to work on the series, and their pitch won out with much enthusiasm from Kojima. IGA's teaser for the Alucard game is speculated to have been the Japanese proposition, and no one knows anything about the American one, it seems.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: KaZudra on September 02, 2011, 01:57:21 AM
Fuck it,

LoS Doesn't Suck, and its purely speculation on who to blame.

HD doesn't suck, it could have done better, but it defiantly does not suck.

Every Castlevania game is enjoyable if you get your head out of your ass (except judgement, because broken AI will piss you off quickly)

This Campaign will probably go nowhere since its nowhere near 500 Likes on Facebook.

and all of this has an insignificant meaning because my ship is gone....
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Deko21 on September 02, 2011, 02:07:13 AM
Lets face it, the castlevania franchise has one of the worst fanbases out there second to the sonic fanbase.
We all act like spoiled little children who want konami to do this and that for us and us only. we dont care about anyone else. and we bash the games that arnt terrible but we bash them anyway cause they're not how we wanted them, and thus we must cry and cry and keep crying until konami does what sega did and give us a new platformer for a console or two so we can all just shut up. But then the game will be flawed in some way and we'll continue to cry about it. Dooming us for all eternity.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: KaZudra on September 02, 2011, 02:12:28 AM
Lets face it, the castlevania franchise has one of the worst fanbases out there second to the sonic fanbase.
We all act like spoiled little children who want konami to do this and that for us and us only. we dont care about anyone else. and we bash the games that arnt terrible but we bash them anyway cause they're not how we wanted them, and thus we must cry and cry and keep crying until konami does what sega did and give us a new platformer for a console or two so we can all just shut up. But then the game will be flawed in some way and we'll continue to cry about it. Dooming us for all eternity.

Guilty and agreed, I guess its one of those things when you get tired of the backlashing and you find yourself doing it. Its really horrible.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: crisis on September 02, 2011, 02:19:05 AM
Quote from: Kamui Zero
Plus I don't think highly trained Vampire hunters would wear Trench or Tail Coats.
So you prefer them to wear loincloths (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loincloth) instead?

Quote
It may have looked cool the first or second time, but its repetitive nature is annoying,
I don't see what's so repetitive about those outfits, they all look different. I think about half your posts here thus far have just been complaining bout various stuff, though

I dunno if youre just trying to fit in or just an another one of those temporary members that'll probably stick around for a few more months & join in several discussions until they disappear suddenly (*coughridureyucough*). It happens all the time, don't worry.

Quote from: Deko21
the castlevania fanbase is corrupt blah blah blah
I love it when outsiders join us & then criticize the very forum they're apart of. Are you one of those temp members too?


Like Jorge D. Fuentes once said, "you're not tethered to this place."
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Deko21 on September 02, 2011, 02:22:45 AM
I dunno if youre just trying to fit in or just an another one of those temporary members that'll probably stick around for a few more months & join in several discussions until they disappear suddenly (*coughridureyucough*). It happens all the time, don't worry.
I love it when outsiders join us & then criticize the very forum they're apart of. Are you one of those temp members too?


Like Jorge D. Fuentes once said, "you're not tethered to this place."
Haha very funny.

If more members are not meant for this place, why not lock it so you dont get anymore annoying n00bs, eh?
Or maybe you're just afraid to face the truth?
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: crisis on September 02, 2011, 02:40:18 AM
That doesn't make any sense.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Deko21 on September 02, 2011, 02:41:19 AM
i'm sorry, did i kill one of your braincells?
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: crisis on September 02, 2011, 03:00:36 AM
Anyway I'd like to think MercurySteam & COX are kinda aware of the mistakes they've made (and to a lesser extent, our [valid] complaints aesthetic-wise), the epilogue proved that we will eventually see more of the traditional enemies (Slogra for example) since they are all machinations of Dracula himself, so it sort of makes sense that we don't see any Medusa Heads or Bone Pillars or Dullahans because Dracula hasn't conquered/created them yet. But it's just fucked how it heavily implies the next Belmont would be half-vampire or dhampire or something. However there are still ways they could make "Belmont" work.. probably not likely it'll make sense but whatever.


i wonder how many hits CVReBirth made, did Konami consider it "profitable"

also i like the artstyle they used for the dlc, Gabriel's outfit looks more rugged & like it could've been one of Kojima's designs anyway (flowing hair, trench, etc.)

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Flame on September 02, 2011, 03:18:53 AM
What I disagree with in this operation is that all it really promotes is "we hate change. Give us what we know, fuck change, screw 3D, 2D fo-life."

It talks about disliking Konami's attempt to reboot the franchise- But then describes that it should be rebooted, and basically that the reboot should not really be a reboot at all but pretty much just taking what exists and re-making it.

If you want a reboot, if you want Castlevania to be a big name mainstream game up there with Metal gear and the myriad of other (not all good) names, you are going to have to accept that it might not be the same Castlevania you grew up with. To entice those new players, that current generation, remastering Dracula's Curse alone isn't going to do the trick, you need to appeal to current generation tastes and interests. Otherwise, Castlevania would have already been more of the mainstream big name type you want it to be.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: KaZudra on September 02, 2011, 03:48:21 AM
I don't see what's so repetitive about those outfits, they all look different. I think about half your posts here thus far have just been complaining bout various stuff, though
Leon - Tail Coat
Trevor - Tail Coat
Juste - Tail coat
Richter - Tail coat (DXC)
Julius - Trench coat
Richter - Trench coat (SoTN)

with 1 exception, all these are both SoTN and Post-SoTN and Ayami Kojima's designs.
Don't see the repitition? Gimme a break...

Quote
So you prefer them to wear loincloths (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loincloth) instead?
1. I know what a loincloth is.
2. I was nowhere close to implying that.

Quote
I dunno if youre just trying to fit in or just an another one of those temporary members that'll probably stick around for a few more months & join in several discussions until they disappear suddenly (*coughridureyucough*). It happens all the time, don't worry.
I love it when outsiders join us & then criticize the very forum they're apart of. Are you one of those temp members too?
That's very unrelated.... and I've yet to criticize the forum, that is if everyone here hate Hd and LoS and Backs up this Campaign thing 100%.
Otherwise, your just bring up unrelated stuff to make my opinion seem void, which means it must affect you.

Quote
Like Jorge D. Fuentes once said, "you're not tethered to this place."
YOU HAVE PLAYED ALL CATSLEVANIA GAMES AND LOVE THEM, YOU MUST HATE WHAT WE HATE AND YOU MUST NOT HAVE AN OPINION OF YOUR OWN, OUTSIDER!
I've translated that from the context of how you used it, I hope you like how your presenting the forums to everyone, GOOD JOB!
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Sindra on September 02, 2011, 03:50:36 AM
I would implore people to stay on the topic of Operation: Akumajo and stop letting every topic eventually wonder to debated about Lords of Shadow or Harmony of Despair or whatever crap that's already got several dozen topics already perforated.


If you people are so fed up with the fanbase being broken, and are so willing to debase the fandom you yourselves are a part of, then fucking do something about it.


I do not agree 100% with the declarations of Operation Akumajo, and I do think that there has to be less of a demand for certain things and more of a "Comeon Konami, just please cut us a damn break" air to the true message that needs to be pressed much harder....but at least this whole thing at its core is an ATTEMPT to try and shake up the status quo and do something other than sit on a forum and bitch either about the franchise heads or about each other.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Munchy on September 02, 2011, 03:54:59 AM
Anyway I'd like to think MercurySteam & COX are kinda aware of the mistakes they've made (and to a lesser extent, our [valid] complaints aesthetic-wise), the epilogue proved that we will eventually see more of the traditional enemies (Slogra for example) since they are all machinations of Dracula himself, so it sort of makes sense that we don't see any Medusa Heads or Bone Pillars or Dullahans because Dracula hasn't conquered/created them yet. But it's just fucked how it heavily implies the next Belmont would be half-vampire or dhampire or something. However there are still ways they could make "Belmont" work.. probably not likely it'll make sense but whatever.


I'm still guessing that since Belmont wasn't Gabe's real surname anyway, his exploits before becoming a vampire will be legendary, and perhaps someone will be given the name Belmont to honor Gabe's memory or something. It's convoluted, but we could see a "reluctant hero" angle on the story, as I can't imagine being eager to get thrust into that sort of role without any kind of consent.

I'll be pleased as long as we still play as a guy whipping undead/mythological shit in the sequel. LoS has definitely grown on me in some ways.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: JR on September 02, 2011, 06:09:00 AM

I do not agree 100% with the declarations of Operation Akumajo, and I do think that there has to be less of a demand for certain things and more of a "Comeon Konami, just please cut us a damn break" air to the true message that needs to be pressed much harder....but at least this whole thing at its core is an ATTEMPT to try and shake up the status quo and do something other than sit on a forum and bitch either about the franchise heads or about each other.

That's kind of how I feel about the whole thing. I like that its statement is less demanding now, but I still don't completely agree with the urging to remake Dracula's Curse (too specific) or the reinstatement of IGA (he may not want to do any more CV games, for all we know). And I liked Lords of Shadow...it wasn't the ideal CV game by a long shot, but it could've been worse.

But I still like the general idea of the whole campaign, I guess. Even if Konami's laziness continues with the series (as it's seemed to permeate their more esteemed franchises now, too), it's nice to let them know how some of us feel publicly.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Kale on September 02, 2011, 06:15:17 AM
As un Castlevania like as it sounds, the idea of playing as Dracula going around in a modern setting regaining his lost powers and raising a army of the undead to wage war against Satan sounds pretty cool.

Plus, him being a vampire will means the sequel will take place entirely at night so they're wont be anymore bright areas.

Uh... unless he sparkles.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Deko21 on September 02, 2011, 06:27:47 AM

YOU HAVE PLAYED ALL CATSLEVANIA GAMES AND LOVE THEM, YOU MUST HATE WHAT WE HATE AND YOU MUST NOT HAVE AN OPINION OF YOUR OWN, OUTSIDER!
I've translated that from the context of how you used it, I hope you like how your presenting the forums to everyone, GOOD JOB!
From what Crisis said, its as he's telling me that everyone on this forum that have over 1000 posts are a bunch of assholes and anyone who opposes them must be destroyed. And for the most part... i almost believe it.

With that aside, i really don't care what konami does with the franchise anymore. They can go ahead and make a new LoS or make another HD (highly doubt it though). If a new CV game based on the original timeline comes, then its because konami decided to do it, not because of 30 or less people demanded it. And if castlevania burns to the ground like megaman, then so be it. Only reasons LoS and HD were bashed on was becuse they wern't "what us REAL fans wanted" and that they were "just a waste of time".

As much as i want a new sidescroller to appear on a console in 2.5D, lets face it. It'll never happen cause sidescrollers are only made for portables and not the consoles themselves unless it has "wii" written on it. You want a new console 2D platformer on the 360 or PS3? tough luck, because all you'll get is another 3D adventure or hack n slash game, because who in the right mind that owns a console want to play a genre that's over 20 years old? Yes, we do, but what about everyone else?

All in all, we fans don't really deserve a new game with the way we're acting now. Another LoS is fine to a degree, but nothing from the original timeline cause for all we know, it'll have RECYCLED SPRITES and REUSED LEVELS and we'll get ANGRY if they do that again.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: C Belmont on September 02, 2011, 07:23:44 AM
Quote
It'll never happen cause sidescrollers are only made for portables and not the consoles themselves unless it has "wii" written on it

Regardless of how low an opinion some people may have of the Wii it is still ultimately a Console which just makes your point sound silly.
Furthermore Toki Remix, Dust: an elysian Tale, Bloodrayne Betrayal & Rayman origins are all great looking 2D platform games soon to be available on home CONSOLES including your oh so superior PS3's and Xbox360's.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: crisis on September 02, 2011, 10:43:12 AM
In Reply To #57,

Nah dude, I don't hate on anyone with a low post count, I could care less. It's just that when a new member (i.e. you) joins & then badmouths the community like "you guys are corrupt, just like whiny Sonic fans, all the same blah blah" it aggravates me and I'll call you out on it. I don't visit any other forums at all so I have no idea or care how other fan bases act, all I care about is this one. I get along with pretty much everybody here and I don't discriminate against n00bs at all. Yeah I like to bust some chops from time to time but it's mostly in good fun & everyone knows that. If you don't like what we post then why are you still here? This forum is great and when someone keeps saying "this place is just like Sonic/Ninja Turtle/MM fans you guys don't deserve nothin," you make it seem like you're somehow better or more rational than us and I'll defend this community. And I'll continue to defend us cuz I'm God-damned passionate about it.

But as I say, I have it all figured out, exactly how Julius manages to defeat Dracula forever, so please wait a little bit longer.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Sindra on September 02, 2011, 11:35:53 AM
All in all, we fans don't really deserve a new game with the way we're acting now. Another LoS is fine to a degree, but nothing from the original timeline cause for all we know, it'll have RECYCLED SPRITES and REUSED LEVELS and we'll get ANGRY if they do that again.

Deko, stop being a fandom-deprecating prick and actually try suggesting something constructive and useful to discuss, instead of warring it out with Crisis. Your last few posts have just been repeats of the same thing.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Kingshango on September 02, 2011, 12:38:34 PM
And on that note it's time to get back on topic, I believe I didn't really say anything bout the operation so here goes:

I support you guys as much as the next fan for wanting more Castlevania goodness but the whole campaign comes off as a pre teen temper tantrum.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Nagumo on September 02, 2011, 12:39:37 PM
*bangs Deko's and Kamui Zero's heads against each other*

Shush!
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Flame on September 02, 2011, 03:03:41 PM
You know, rather than keep fighting for the past, and complaining about how you dont like Lords of Shadow,

Why dont we as fans instead try to gear a campaign more towards giving MS and Cox massive feedback and showing them the things that need to be addressed for any LoS sequels?

instead of fighting for stagnation and "no change" we should embrace change and instead channel our energy towards making that change into something that retains the gothic and highly atmospheric essence that has defined Castlevania for almost its entire life?

Im certain that if managed right, the series can be both gothic AND still appeal to the current generation. The art style now, IS something that might have to remain as it is right now. it wasn't that bad, it is actually really cool looking, and Kojima's art, no matter how great is still anime influenced, with bishoiunen pretty boys which will not appeal to everybody.  I only wish that they had gone the Japanese route and actually used that amazing Gabriel cover art for the regular version release, rather than saving it for the special editions. But its understandable why they went that route, since nowadays thats how the devs handle it. renders for cover art.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: DarkPrinceAlucard on September 02, 2011, 03:24:58 PM

instead of fighting for stagnation and "no change" we should embrace change and instead channel our energy towards making that change into something that retains the gothic and highly atmospheric essence that has defined Castlevania for almost its entire life?


I actually do not mind change.

I am willing to embrace it ONLY if its something that appeals to me as a longtime CV fan.

And LOS just did not sadly.

I agree that we should try to give MS feedback on what they did wrong and what they can do in the future, but the thing is how do we even know they will even listen?

And even if they did I still do not want the previous genre of games to die, such as the metroidvania and classicvania video games.

I still would like to see a 2.D CV experiance finally make its way back to consoles.

So even if LOS2 does do well and finally does appeal to me as a CV fan I still will never forget what I know about the classic  Castlevania. ;D

And I will still want the older CV genre to be further expanded upon.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: whitedragon_nall on September 02, 2011, 04:06:33 PM
You know, rather than keep fighting for the past, and complaining about how you dont like Lords of Shadow,

Why dont we as fans instead try to gear a campaign more towards giving MS and Cox massive feedback and showing them the things that need to be addressed for any LoS sequels?
This is a good idea, but I have no idea where to even begin. Post on the LoS Facebook page? The MS website is in Spanish, so I have no idea how to give them feedback since I don't speak Spanish. Maybe we throw all the feedback in Konami's direction, but I don't even know if they're willing to listen.

I actually do not mind change......


......And I will still want the older CV genre to be further expanded upon.
I pretty much agree with everything stated here. IMO, LoS is a fun game and I can't say I didn't enjoy playing it, but as a fan, I was left disappointed. Plus, I love the older games and their genre far too much to just forget about it completely. A 2D return to consoles would be glorious.

A LoS sequel does have a lot of potential, especially if they address our concerns, but, like I said above, we need a better place to put our feedback.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Chernabogue on September 02, 2011, 04:32:46 PM
This is a good idea, but I have no idea where to even begin. Post on the LoS Facebook page? The MS website is in Spanish, so I have no idea how to give them feedback since I don't speak Spanish. Maybe we throw all the feedback in Konami's direction, but I don't even know if they're willing to listen.
Make a big post here, or on the CV Dungeon website (or anywhere else) and tweet/send a message to Cox/MS with a link to that website/post. It's worth a try, isn't it?
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Successor The Cruel on September 02, 2011, 04:48:49 PM
You know, rather than keep fighting for the past, and complaining about how you dont like Lords of Shadow,

Why dont we as fans instead try to gear a campaign more towards giving MS and Cox massive feedback and showing them the things that need to be addressed for any LoS sequels?

Seeing as how Cox has been known to visit fan forums, I'm sure he's gotten all the feedback from fans that he needs to know what they think. He's well aware that many fans feel the game is "not Castlevania enough." When you simplify his responses to that sentiment, they basically amount to him saying that he doesn't care and he doesn't think the Castlevania aesthetic is marketable.

I think it's dumb to think that gothic vampire stuff won't sell well. If ogre fantasy like Lord of the Rings (which LoS tries to be like) sells, then vampires should be able to as well. It's just that there have been so few excellent Castlevania games in recent times and the marketing for the series has been really poor. When Konami doesn't put enough into the projects to make them a big deal, they won't be a big deal. The subject matter doesn't matter (unless taken to some bizarre extreme). People will buy and play good games, whether they are about robots, mermaids, trolls, plumbers, space men, pilots, gang bangers, bounty hunters, bears, kingdom managing, or whatever.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Flame on September 02, 2011, 05:10:25 PM
Gothic is something that not everyone likes. Its harder to market than high fantasy or dark fantasy, which has been popularized already by Hollywood and countless games and media in that style. Gothic is something a bit less "mainstream" as it were. the word itself to the common person, brings to mind "Goth" and images of teenagers dressed in black clothes writing depressing poetry, not the likes of Edgar Allan Poe's works, or the architecture.

Doesnt help that bastardizations of the Goth style such as Emo, have sort of tarnished public view of "Goth" and thus subsequently, "Gothic".

TL;DR, it also has to be done RIGHT. Not just anyone can do Gothic right. Look at movies like Van Hellsing, or a Russian movie called Vedma, those are movies that get the atmosphere and style right.

If you think Cox wont listen, what the hell makes you think Konami will? they obviously support his direction, if it won out over IGA's more traditional one. And LoS made enough money that Konami will continue it.

Quote
This is a good idea, but I have no idea where to even begin. Post on the LoS Facebook page? The MS website is in Spanish, so I have no idea how to give them feedback since I don't speak Spanish. Maybe we throw all the feedback in Konami's direction, but I don't even know if they're willing to listen.
the same exact shit you are all doing with Operation Akumajo. Only geared towards LoS. that simple.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Sindra on September 02, 2011, 05:19:46 PM
You guys want to help do something without needing to put forth a lot of effort? Retweet shit like this that you want Konami/Cox/MS to know irks you, but without being demanding - http://twitter.com/#!/CVSyndicate/status/109691359803359232 (http://twitter.com/#!/CVSyndicate/status/109691359803359232)

Seems like a good example. It's not demanding anything, but calls Konami on their crap. Retweeting/Facebook-Liking/Spreading the Word really does help spread stuff around, even to casual fans who may not keep on top of stuff like we do. (if you search "Castlevania" on Twitter, you find a LOT of people like that)

But yeah, THIS is the kind of irksome stuff we should be decrying. Not petty arguments about Lords of Shadow or Harmony of Despair that have been beaten like a dead horse.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: crisis on September 02, 2011, 05:51:24 PM
Quote
Hey @Konami - you have a website for Frogger's 30th Anniversary but not even an Facebook page for Castlevania's 25th?

LOL, that's so sad that it just makes me laugh.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Deko21 on September 02, 2011, 06:15:31 PM
Deko, stop being a fandom-deprecating prick and actually try suggesting something constructive and useful to discuss, instead of warring it out with Crisis. Your last few posts have just been repeats of the same thing.
*bangs Deko's and Kamui Zero's heads against each other*

Shush!
Alright alright, i'm sorry for being a prick, ok? I'll try not to lose my head next time.

Regardless of how low an opinion some people may have of the Wii it is still ultimately a Console which just makes your point sound silly.
Furthermore Toki Remix, Dust: an elysian Tale, Bloodrayne Betrayal & Rayman origins are all great looking 2D platform games soon to be available on home CONSOLES including your oh so superior PS3's and Xbox360's.

I was actually referring to the people who don't look at the wii as a good console, not including myself cause i still play mine, least the emus since its hacked. And i almost forgot about those games, so no need to lash at me like i'm some bad guy.

Anywho, LoS was a good game. The only problem it had was that it was just a mish mash of a number of existing hack n slash games. I didn't mind the linearity but it just irks me that its trying to be a ripoff (or is).
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Successor The Cruel on September 02, 2011, 07:33:18 PM
Gothic is something that not everyone likes.

Perhaps the same can be said of all religions.

Quote
Its harder to market than high fantasy or dark fantasy, which has been popularized already by Hollywood and countless games and media in that style.


I don't really believe that. Since when was Dracula ever hard to market? He's a literal icon (like Darth Vader and Superman). I don't see what makes vampires and castles harder to market than tactical espionage action. Castlevania has nothing to do with emo. People who are into vampires and castles will immediately be intrigued, and people who like good games will play it if it's a good game and they will tell their friends to play it.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: KaZudra on September 02, 2011, 07:42:25 PM
Its acutally pretty easy to market castlevania, Do what God of War did (advertisement wise)
Castlevania is a game where the main character beats up zombies, Werewolves, Movie monster/demons, and Mythological creatures.
Like GoW, Just showcase the action and a little on the plot, but not page by page of GoW.

GoW was an overhyped Copy of DMC, Rygar and Castlevania, it mostly got popular by the hype and advertisement.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Successor The Cruel on September 02, 2011, 08:10:14 PM
I don't think Castlevania's marketing problems are to do with vampires and stuff. It's more about un-aggressive advertising campaigns and boneheaded moves, almost as if Konami doesn't really care. Take Adventure ReBirth, for example. If memory serves, it was announced roughly about two weeks before its release, and it was in some kind of offhand manner (I think it was a small blurb in a magazine, or something). Then, no one really knew the release date. Even when the game was out, plenty of people (even hardcore Castlevania fans) weren't really sure it was even out. There was confusion galore. No promotional art, no ads in magazines, no hype... nothing. It was just there. Quietly.

But yeah, for the most part, Castlevania is played by, for lack of a better term, ordinary people who like video games. Not primarily vampirefreaks.com people who are a part of a very distinctive "scene" or indulge in some weird alternative lifestyle. I hold that people who like great games won't be turned off by vampires, decrepit castles, and other horror monsters.

Aside from marketing issues, the problem with Castlevania is that there hasn't been anything earth shattering and status quo breaking while at the same time being GOOD since Symphony of the Night. While good games have been released, there hasn't been anything that makes a huge statement and puts the series in a new and fresh direction that has been generally pleasing. Lords tried to do that, but it failed. Because of this stagnation, some people don't feel the need to pay attention to Castlevania. Now, things are worse than ever before, because the games aren't even good.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Sindra on September 02, 2011, 08:26:45 PM
Now, things are worse than ever before, because the games aren't even good.

Bitch to Konami then, not us. Saying over and over "Well this sucks and that sucks and the franchise is going down the shitter...yadda yadda...." doesn't do dick unless communicated to the right people.

How about actually doing something?




Like getting your goddamn website and forums up active again. Just saying.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: whitedragon_nall on September 02, 2011, 08:33:27 PM
You guys want to help do something without needing to put forth a lot of effort? Retweet shit like this that you want Konami/Cox/MS to know irks you, but without being demanding - http://twitter.com/#!/CVSyndicate/status/109691359803359232 (http://twitter.com/#!/CVSyndicate/status/109691359803359232)
I saw this earlier and did retweet it. It's so, so sad though. It really does seem like Konami just doesn't care about the series anymore.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Munchy on September 02, 2011, 08:54:05 PM
I also retweeted the thing, because that really is sad. Who the fuck cares about Frogger anymore?
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Jorge D. Fuentes on September 02, 2011, 09:44:25 PM
I, too, retweeted it.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Claimh Solais on September 02, 2011, 10:11:26 PM
I read nigh six pages of more of the same stuff that's been said over 9000 times elsewhere on this board, with only a few people like Sindra actually trying to stay on topic. >.>

Seriously guys? Try not to let a lot of the threads here derail into LoS hate, we hate change, HD sucks, Judgment sucks etc. etc.

And now, back on topic:

I think that some stuff could be done to change the mission statement. Though I am an admin for OP: Akumajo, I don't think I'mma go changing things up without talking to Cecil about it first, though. What OP: Akumajo should be doing is encouraging all of the types of CV that we have thus far. You know, Classicvanias, Metroidvanias, 3DVanias, MSVanias, etc. We shouldn't diss one and favor another, because it's ridiculously unprofessional and makes us look like total douchebags, not that I'm saying anyone here actually is.

I'll try my best to promote this on other places.

Oh and... How about a website or something? That might be good, or even OP: Akumajo's own forum, so that others can join it without being arsed to make Facebooks, since I know a lot of us here don't like Facebook.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: C Belmont on September 02, 2011, 11:12:48 PM
So then your saying what we should be doing is encouraging Konami to embrace Castlevania's diversity as opposed to throwing all of it's previous genres (?) out with the trash? which is what it currently looks like.

Quote
Oh and... How about a website or something? That might be good, or even OP: Akumajo's own forum, so that others can join it without being arsed to make Facebooks, since I know a lot of us here don't like Facebook
I absolutely agree with this

Of course I think the only way Konami would ever listen to us is if we all promised to give them a ridiculously large sum of money...    and then they would probably just use it to make  a new frogger game :-\
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: crisis on September 02, 2011, 11:15:43 PM
Or we could just make a "100,000 strong for WayForward to make a Castlevania game" lol


only in my wildest dreams
that's why we must vote for pedro

the pedro president thing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TA42woVsqc#ws)
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: C Belmont on September 02, 2011, 11:26:58 PM
Quote
Or we could just make a "100,000 strong for WayForward to make a Castlevania game" lol


only in my wildest dreams

Heh after hearing about the absurdly high levels of gore they've put into Bloodrayne: betrayal I actually don't think I could get behind a Wayforward Castlevania game for fear of it being turned into a shallow blood filled beat'em up game. Mind you in Bloodraynes case they are probably just matching the content of it's source material, still irks me though.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: KaZudra on September 02, 2011, 11:58:11 PM
Its all about advertising, look at all the Hype GoW3 got and that shit stunk, Look at all the hype of MGS4 and it stunk too
Look at MvC3, It was overhyped and it was a shitty Beta!

My point is, Even if the is horrible, Its all about advertising and Paying reviewers to Hype it up.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Rugal on September 02, 2011, 11:59:59 PM
You're all wasting your time.

Castlevania is dead and it's not coming back after 100 years either.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Koutei on September 03, 2011, 12:03:26 AM
Konami (Japan) twitter policy

http://www.konami.jp/tw/policy/ (http://www.konami.jp/tw/policy/)

google translation (http://translate.google.co.jp/translate?sl=ja&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=ja&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.konami.jp%2Ftw%2Fpolicy%2F)

The inquiry of Twitter might be meaningless.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Munchy on September 03, 2011, 12:15:40 AM
What I don't understand is Konami's apparently "very pleased" with the sales performance of LoS - best selling entry in a while - and then they decide "herp derp, better not give any news for about a year amirite lol?"
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Sonic_Reaper on September 03, 2011, 12:32:25 AM
We already know that a sequel is coming though.  The writing is on the wall.  If Konami is pleased with the sales of LoS, well guess what, that's where Castlevania is headed.  The "fans" are going to continue to get HoD and similar titles to tide them over, but all the resources will be put into LoS, and crafting that as a reboot of the series.

On topic ... if you want this movement to even succeed in the slightest, you're going to need waaa-haaay more members.  I would support it, but I neither use Facebook or Twitter.

There was a similar campaign for Xenoblade, where preorders were actually made, and Nintendo still said no.  I don't know how pigheaded Konami is, but it seems 99% of all companies are the same, so I doubt there will be any change.  I mean, the suits know these campaigns exist, it's not like they're blind to them.  Unfortunately, numbers is all that speaks, and to the Konami suits, it says that LoS is where the series is headed, whether we like it or not!
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: KaZudra on September 03, 2011, 12:56:44 AM
We already know that a sequel is coming though.  The writing is on the wall.  If Konami is pleased with the sales of LoS, well guess what, that's where Castlevania is headed.  The "fans" are going to continue to get HoD and similar titles to tide them over, but all the resources will be put into LoS, and crafting that as a reboot of the series.

On topic ... if you want this movement to even succeed in the slightest, you're going to need waaa-haaay more members.  I would support it, but I neither use Facebook or Twitter.

There was a similar campaign for Xenoblade, where preorders were actually made, and Nintendo still said no.  I don't know how pigheaded Konami is, but it seems 99% of all companies are the same, so I doubt there will be any change.  I mean, the suits know these campaigns exist, it's not like they're blind to them.  Unfortunately, numbers is all that speaks, and to the Konami suits, it says that LoS is where the series is headed, whether we like it or not!

all except SEH-GAH!
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Sonic_Reaper on September 03, 2011, 01:19:29 AM
Funny you should mention that, since Sega's money woes are legendary.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: C Belmont on September 03, 2011, 01:55:23 AM
Would it be silly to scale the operation down to being just about convincing konami to put a decent effort into a 2d Castlevania game for home consoles and that alone? even just a downloadable title.

No LOS bashing, no wet dream titles like the Demon Castle Wars, or a LOS game in 2D, (these things could be pushed for further down the track) just Castlevania in 2D & back on a home console. Surely that would be something that the majority of fans could get behind.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Deko21 on September 03, 2011, 03:50:57 AM
Would it be silly to scale the operation down to being just about convincing konami to put a decent effort into a 2d Castlevania game for home consoles and that alone? even just a downloadable title.

No LOS bashing, no wet dream titles like the Demon Castle Wars, or a LOS game in 2D, (these things could be pushed for further down the track) just Castlevania in 2D & back on a home console. Surely that would be something that the majority of fans could get behind.
That'd be great. Its best to see a new idea rather than a rehashed one or one that's been talked about for 100 times.
Though it makes me think, what will it have that'll set it aside from the other CVs? Cause you know, every CV has a neat little feature that sets it apart from the other games (SCV IV with its 8 directional whip, CotM and its DSS system, etc)
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: X on September 03, 2011, 04:33:33 AM
Quote
Would it be silly to scale the operation down to being just about convincing konami to put a decent effort into a 2d Castlevania game for home consoles and that alone? even just a downloadable title.

No LOS bashing, no wet dream titles like the Demon Castle Wars, or a LOS game in 2D, (these things could be pushed for further down the track) just Castlevania in 2D & back on a home console. Surely that would be something that the majority of fans could get behind.

I would like very much to see this too.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Flame on September 03, 2011, 04:37:03 AM
What OP: Akumajo should be doing is encouraging all of the types of CV that we have thus far. You know, Classicvanias, Metroidvanias, 3DVanias, MSVanias, etc. We shouldn't diss one and favor another, because it's ridiculously unprofessional and makes us look like total douchebags, not that I'm saying anyone here actually is.

Listen to him-

He knows what he's saying.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: C Belmont on September 03, 2011, 04:58:05 AM
I agree that Operation Akumajo could be far less hostile toward particular entries in the series
However it does still need objectives, and I don't know about anybody else but I find it rather difficult to imagine what a satisfactory response from Konami would be for a Operation aimed at simply encouraging everything Castlevania, except maybe them going about business as usual.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: KaZudra on September 03, 2011, 05:06:53 AM
Simple Objectives:
Anniversary Fan Appreciation Project of any kind.
Any New Game Featuring Canon Timeline.
Just a slightest of focus on Castlevania as opposed to 95% up Kojima's ass, 5% in bad remakes that spew with potential to be better.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Deko21 on September 03, 2011, 05:20:09 AM
That's a good way to start. Though i think it'd be best to have the person in charge of Operation Akumajou see that and convince him to make those their objectives rather than a new game with "state-of-the-arts graphics". Sounds rather too demanding and childish.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: JR on September 03, 2011, 06:55:52 AM

I think that some stuff could be done to change the mission statement. Though I am an admin for OP: Akumajo, I don't think I'mma go changing things up without talking to Cecil about it first, though. What OP: Akumajo should be doing is encouraging all of the types of CV that we have thus far. You know, Classicvanias, Metroidvanias, 3DVanias, MSVanias, etc. We shouldn't diss one and favor another, because it's ridiculously unprofessional and makes us look like total douchebags, not that I'm saying anyone here actually is.

Would it be silly to scale the operation down to being just about convincing konami to put a decent effort into a 2d Castlevania game for home consoles and that alone? even just a downloadable title.

No LOS bashing, no wet dream titles like the Demon Castle Wars, or a LOS game in 2D, (these things could be pushed for further down the track) just Castlevania in 2D & back on a home console. Surely that would be something that the majority of fans could get behind.

I enthusiastically agree with both of these posts.

Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: whitedragon_nall on September 03, 2011, 01:30:31 PM
I enthusiastically agree with both of these posts.

As do I.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Deko21 on September 03, 2011, 07:29:49 PM
As do I.
same over here.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Flame on September 03, 2011, 09:20:09 PM
I suppose I can get behind the second post too.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: cecil-kain on September 03, 2011, 11:43:01 PM
WOW! lots to catch up on here...

Rather than address each and every post let's cover some of the consistent points that have been made here...

First thing I notice reading over the past few pages is that some of you are uncomfortable supporting Operation Akumajo due to philosophical disagreements over this or that.  LoS, 3-D games, specific demands, the tone...  etc...  I'm feeling Cox's pain just a little bit when he says you can't please everybody, but I have an advantage that he doesn't --several years communing with the fanbase and polling its opinions on this very forum.  We have alot of disagreement within our ranks, so when it comes to building a coalition --my challenge is to find those key areas of agreement that can actually unite what appears to be a broken fanbase.

If you look at the big picture, Operation Akumajo is..
1. Pro Mythology
2. Pro 2D Gameplay
3. Pro Quality
4. Pro Fanservice

Everything in the mission statement revolves around those key points.

I notice LoS keeps coming up, so I'd like to put that topic to rest.  Konami is happy with the sales from Lords of Shadow --there will be a sequel, and there's nothing any of us can do about it.  Most of us would be perfectly happy to live and let live --unfortunately, Konami has positioned LoS to replace our traditional Castlevania experience.  Therefore, Operation Akumajo needs to acknowledge the threat, and respond strongly in support of the traditional mythology and 2D gameplay.  The alternative is to be quietly complacent while Mercury Steam hijacks the Castlevania brand and takes it God knows where...  Some of you have suggested (and I agree) that Konami should take a multiversal approach, where LoS can coexist side by side with more traditional games.  Multiverses have been successfully used in comic book media for quite awhile now..  Although it's not seen too often in gaming, Capcom made it work for Megaman -why can't Konami do the same for Castlevania?

There have also been concerns raised about the group's position on the 3D games.  Put simply --we believe 2D gameplay is the superior artform for Castlevania.  Although the 3DVanias have dedicated cults, these games have consistently divided the fans.  After 3 major attempts and 6 individual games, Konami consistently failed to unite us behind a 3D game befitting Castlevania's legacy.  LoS is also the only real sales success to speak of, but even casual fans are asking themselves "is this even Castlevania?"  If you believe CV64, LoD, LoI, CoD, CVJ, or LoS are superior to games like CV3, SCV4, SotN, AoS --then I'd agree you don't want to join...

I really don't understand the complaints about the demands --a movement needs a cause.  Demon Castle War has been discussed, speculated, and requested ad nauseum on this forum for all the years that I've been around.  Moreover Dracula's Curse is just about the only game everyone agrees needs some kind of Chronicles treatment.  I also polled demand for both games as a 25th Anniversary tribute --and both came back quite favorably.  Moreover, Dracula's Curse has the potential to solve one of Konami's biggest problems --drawing people into the Castlevania story to grow the brand and improve sales.  It's rather daunting for the average joe gamer (particularly one in their teens) to get caught up on the past 25 years of Castlevania backstory.

The tone of our propaganda has been criticized since the beginning, and some changes have been made for consistency with the mission statement.  But one thing to remember is that this isn't a lazy online petition --this is activism.  The propaganda is pointed and aggressive to reflect the passion of a fanbase that loves Castlevania and expects more from Konami.  Let's suppose for example, that the recent rumors are true and Konami has some kind of Chronicles game in the works --how many of you think we're really going to see another quality product like the DXC?  Harmony of Despair may well have been a trial balloon to see how much should be invested --but who knows... Considering there's been so much anonymous complaining about the quality of the games on this forum the past few years --why not take the extra step and make sure Konami hears you?

I was wondering just recently...  All of you that are passionate about Castlevania, but have complaints, and don't 100% agree with our mission...  How would you bridge all of the disagreements to try and unite your fellow fans?  And what would you be willing to do for Castlevania?  Online petitions, email campaigns, facebook campaigns --all of these things have been tried before for similar causes, and I think we will too but Operation Akumajo needs a little something extra...

This is the 25th Anniversary.  Suppose each of us were to take a few minutes to post our own Castlevania testimonials on Youtube.  These personal monologues would be your big chance to tell Konami what you think they need to hear.  We could talk about a variety of different things.  What we enjoy about Castlevania and why -our favorite games -our praises and criticisms -what we want to see in the future etc...  Operation Akumajo would be happy to post and circulate these videos as part of a larger viral campaign --but none of this has been decided for certain yet...  Just some new ideas to consider...

Well I hope that helps --what do you think?
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Sonic_Reaper on September 04, 2011, 12:21:51 AM
As I said I have neither Facebook or Twitter, but I agree with your points.  It's good to know the movement has someone so eloquent behind it.  My only criticism was that your numbers are embarrassingly low in comparison to your aspirations.  There was some odd hundred members on the Facebook list last I checked.  That's just too small of a number, no matter how well written your argument, to make Konami give a damn.  I guess the question becomes, how do we get at least 100,000 behind this movement?  I think that's a reasonable goal, given what it is you're asking for.  In my mind, it seems a difficult number to amass, given this franchise.  And now especially since those who enjoyed LoS, and it being their first Castlevania, wouldn't support such a movement. 
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: cecil-kain on September 04, 2011, 12:35:49 AM
As I said I have neither Facebook or Twitter, but I agree with your points.  It's good to know the movement has someone so eloquent behind it.  My only criticism was that your numbers are embarrassingly low in comparison to your aspirations.  There was some odd hundred members on the Facebook list last I checked.  That's just too small of a number, no matter how well written your argument, to make Konami give a damn.  I guess the question becomes, how do we get at least 100,000 behind this movement?  I think that's a reasonable goal, given what it is you're asking for.  In my mind, it seems a difficult number to amass, given this franchise.  And now especially since those who enjoyed LoS, and it being their first Castlevania, wouldn't support such a movement.

Just to put the numbers in perspective, Konami has almost 135,000 fans on their Castlevania page --and we currently have 145.  And yes that is embarassing..  :-S  I imagine quite a few would be open to joining Operation Akumajo, but it's difficult to make that connection since fan posts are not on the hit screen, and many Facebook users filter out non-friend pages from their news feeds. So how does something like this really take off?  The correct answer is media coverage --that's what really got Operation Rainfall off the ground...  This is why the viral campaign is so important.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: C Belmont on September 04, 2011, 12:52:49 AM
Quote
If you look at the big picture, Operation Akumajo is..
1. Pro Mythology
2. Pro 2D Gameplay
3. Pro Quality
4. Pro Fanservice

Well then I think your statement should be more about the big picture & less about the small stuff because it could be costing you valueable followers.
Have you thought about simply asking what it is that people want from Operation Akumajo? not specifically what dream game they'd like made but the general response they'd like to see from Konami.

Also how about trying to give Operation Akumajo a presence on frequented Castlevania websites? like a banner or something? that way there is a greater possibility that people interested in Castlevania will see it.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: cecil-kain on September 04, 2011, 01:04:13 AM
Well then I think your statement should be more about the big picture & less about the small stuff because it could be costing you valueable followers.

Well, the LoS sequel appears to be quite secure, and the older 3D Castlevanias don't have enough support with our own fanbase...  What more can we be reaching for besides a brighter future for the 2D games?

Quote
Have you thought about simply asking what it is that people want from Operation Akumajo? not specifically what dream game they'd like made but the general response they'd like to see from Konami.

This could make for some good polling, but let me ask you --what options would you give everyone?

Quote
Also how about trying to give Operation Akumajo a presence on frequented Castlevania websites? like a banner or something? that way there is a greater possibility that people interested in Castlevania will see it.

I like this idea!  :-)
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: C Belmont on September 04, 2011, 01:23:39 AM
I think that a poll might be far too restrictive
Asking for a response in 25 words or less & encouraging carfull consideration before posting might would be a alternative approach, however it doesn't take much for topics to become side tracked and difficult to interpret.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Flame on September 04, 2011, 01:55:57 AM
Quote
1. Pro Mythology
A mythology which is already incredibly bloated and ended. Aria of Sorrow has written the end of the castlevania timeline much in the way Mega Man Legends has written the end of the Mega Man Timeline as we know it. There is very little room left for games considering the 100 year resurrection rule, which keeps getting broken anyway. After a few more games to fill gaps here and there, a reboot is going to be something that is NEEDED. Its the reason there even is one.
Quote
2. Pro 2D Gameplay
Nothing wrong with that, but Operation Akumajo seems to be almost against 3D gameplay, which is something it needs to learn to survive, or end up like Mega Man.


Operation Akumajo should be Pro Castlevania, period. a movement to have Konami listen to what the fans like to see in Castlevania. An operation to make sure they dont forget anniversaries, A movement to preserve quality so we dont get problems like Dawn of Sorrow or bad 3D games.

I guess what I dislike about OA, is the fixation on 2D and the IGAverse. Both of those are great and I love them as much as the next fan, but that cant be all there is to castlevania.

As is right now, Castlevania is extremely hostile for an outside developer if they wish to make their own game, there is a shitton of continuity clogging up whatever they could think of. Its daunting and unappealing. Which is why we have a fresh re-boot, to start things over again. Say what you will about LoS, but it was something that was needed.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: KaZudra on September 04, 2011, 02:41:05 AM
A mythology which is already incredibly bloated and ended. Aria of Sorrow has written the end of the castlevania timeline much in the way Mega Man Legends has written the end of the Mega Man Timeline as we know it. There is very little room left for games considering the 100 year resurrection rule, which keeps getting broken anyway. After a few more games to fill gaps here and there, a reboot is going to be something that is NEEDED. Its the reason there even is one.Nothing wrong with that, but Operation Akumajo seems to be almost against 3D gameplay, which is something it needs to learn to survive, or end up like Mega Man.


Operation Akumajo should be Pro Castlevania, period. a movement to have Konami listen to what the fans like to see in Castlevania. An operation to make sure they dont forget anniversaries, A movement to preserve quality so we dont get problems like Dawn of Sorrow or bad 3D games.

I guess what I dislike about OA, is the fixation on 2D and the IGAverse. Both of those are great and I love them as much as the next fan, but that cant be all there is to castlevania.

As is right now, Castlevania is extremely hostile for an outside developer if they wish to make their own game, there is a shitton of continuity clogging up whatever they could think of. Its daunting and unappealing. Which is why we have a fresh re-boot, to start things over again. Say what you will about LoS, but it was something that was needed.

I agree, except with the whole Megaman thing (I believe its an Alternate time since Later X or Zero or even ZX games disproves any possibility of Legends "Canonically" whatever that means Megaman wise)

OA Should be about castlevania and the quality of the Games, Protesting that 16 year old, 16-bit Sprites (richter) Don't belong in a 2010-2011 game (HD).
That And We don't want another SoTN with a new grinding Gimmick (Souls, Subweapon/spells, Glyphs) Its old and while each Idea is fresh, the Grinding aspect kills it shortly after.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: cecil-kain on September 04, 2011, 03:21:37 AM
A mythology which is already incredibly bloated and ended. Aria of Sorrow has written the end of the castlevania timeline much in the way Mega Man Legends has written the end of the Mega Man Timeline as we know it. There is very little room left for games considering the 100 year resurrection rule, which keeps getting broken anyway. After a few more games to fill gaps here and there, a reboot is going to be something that is NEEDED. Its the reason there even is one.Nothing wrong with that, but Operation Akumajo seems to be almost against 3D gameplay, which is something it needs to learn to survive, or end up like Mega Man.

Operation Akumajo should be Pro Castlevania, period. a movement to have Konami listen to what the fans like to see in Castlevania. An operation to make sure they dont forget anniversaries, A movement to preserve quality so we dont get problems like Dawn of Sorrow or bad 3D games.

I guess what I dislike about OA, is the fixation on 2D and the IGAverse. Both of those are great and I love them as much as the next fan, but that cant be all there is to castlevania.

As is right now, Castlevania is extremely hostile for an outside developer if they wish to make their own game, there is a shitton of continuity clogging up whatever they could think of. Its daunting and unappealing. Which is why we have a fresh re-boot, to start things over again. Say what you will about LoS, but it was something that was needed.

I think we're in agreement about the bloated timeline.  One of IGA's mistakes was throwing out the 100 year rule and spamming the timeline with all of these nonsensical resurrections.  He obviously wanted to do his own origin story.  That would have been an excellent time to reboot, but considering what Lament turned out to be, maybe it's better that he didn't...  In any case, the original continuity remains unfinished due to the void that is the 1999 Demon Castle War.  Any serious effort to reboot the series should have started by first giving proper closure to the story we've been following up till now...

As for the hostility toward 3D, just remember the context.  Konami has been so bent on 3D Castlevania, that they've been pushing it nonstop since 1999!  No matter how bad the reviews, no matter how poor the sales, they just wouldn't let it go...  All of it would have been amusing if not for the fact that they also condemned the 2D games to portables for 14 years.  Now their final solution is to leverage the brand and reboot beyond recognition...

In any case, the 3D genre is secure.  Konami is pleased by LoS sales and a sequel is definitely going to happen.  The problem is that the future of 2D genre is not secure.  Portables are no longer the safe haven they used to be, and Harmony of Despair bodes for some extremely cheap production values.  It sounds like you might be open to the multiversal approach I mentioned earlier --I think that's the sort of thing any reasonable fan should be able to agree on...  But this is looking more and more like a scenario where 3D will have a seat at the table with a plate of Prime Rib, while 2D (if it exists) will be the mangy mut under the table who's lucky to get a bone.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Pemburu Vampir on September 04, 2011, 03:44:15 AM
Sadly, this is also what happened to Metroid.

Where is my 2D Metroid for home consoles?
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: KaZudra on September 04, 2011, 04:56:12 AM
Alas, I highly doubt the Demon Castle wars would exist, It's simply too much effort for Iga.
Sure he took a Step forward in OoE, but that's ONE STEP in 11 years.
Making a Castlevania game that demands to be Large Scaled and have strategy Gameplay as well as the Castlevania feel to it Simply can't be done by this man and his team.

However, IF Demon Castle Wars or Castlevania Wars were to come out, The 3DS or Wii-U would be perfect.
The Top Screen is the Normal Game which you control Julius and such
The Bottom Screen uses Real Time Strategy as you command your troops to battlements
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Flame on September 04, 2011, 06:35:49 AM
Quote
I agree, except with the whole Megaman thing (I believe its an Alternate time since Later X or Zero or even ZX games disproves any possibility of Legends "Canonically" whatever that means Megaman wise)

The Legends Series is set far into the future of the Mega Man timeline. Far faaar into the future. Like, thousands of years, far.

The Legends world is covered by mostly water, Humans are extinct, and have been replaced by Carbons, who are basically like Humans (enough that they dont know it themselves) but apparently different somehow.

The Humans created some sort of perfect world, (elysium) and had Humanoid Robots to serve them. they also had what in japan were called Irregular Hunters (hint hint) who hunt down malfunctioning units in the system. Somehow they all died off, and the master, aftyer having lived for thousands of years, died after asking Mega Man Trigger to take him to Terra, since he cannot survive long outside of Elysium.

Elysium had a program set up that upon the death of the last Human, would purge terra of it's inhabitants and clone new humans from the DNA library stored on Elysium. The Mankind Playback program. The master asked Trigger to destroy the library and the system, sparing the Carbons he had grown fond of, realizing his perfect world without death or hardships was empty and cold in comparison with normal life. Trigger failed upon fighting to a standstil with one of the Mother units, the one in charge of Elysium, and twas forced to reset his parameters to the configuration of a newborn. the remaining one sealed them both away.

And to all of this, we have NO knowledge of HOW the world got that way in the first place.

And yet, Trigger is a robot, but so similar to Carbons that nobody was able to tell the difference.
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The Stage for Adventure

Okay, up next we’ll examine the mystery concerning this adventure’s setting. The world we live in is, simply enough, the Earth. It happens to be the same Earth that the Rockman series and X series took place on! But as to whether this takes place in the future or the past of those events… I’m actually not allowed to tell you yet. It’s a splendid tidbit of key importance. Although it’s not really brought up in the basic story outline, just the fact that this connection exists behind the scenes adds a spicy layer of tension to the narrative, don’t you think?

Uh oh, maybe I’ve said a little too much on the subject. The project manager is giving me an angry look…
http://kobun20.interordi.com/2011/04/06/dr-datas-dash-dissertation/ (http://kobun20.interordi.com/2011/04/06/dr-datas-dash-dissertation/)

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Aizu- Well this is just our own personal opinion, but the way we see it, the end of the Mega Man series has already been written in the form of [the] "Mega Man Legends" [series]. We feel that no matter how you continue the Mega Man series, you'll always end up at Legends. Therefore we feel that everything we have created has, in a way, laid the ground work for that world to come into existence. We have to make sure that things like the environment and Human-Reploid relations that we establish will be able to make a comfortable transition to that future world.
Mega Man Zero Official Complete Works, said by Takuya Aizu, the president of Inticreates and Producer of the Mega Man Zero series.

do note they also made the ZX series.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: KaZudra on September 04, 2011, 09:39:21 AM
The Legends Series is set far into the future of the Mega Man timeline. Far faaar into the future. Like, thousands of years, far.

The Legends world is covered by mostly water, Humans are extinct, and have been replaced by Carbons, who are basically like Humans (enough that they dont know it themselves) but apparently different somehow.

The Humans created some sort of perfect world, (elysium) and had Humanoid Robots to serve them. they also had what in japan were called Irregular Hunters (hint hint) who hunt down malfunctioning units in the system. Somehow they all died off, and the master, aftyer having lived for thousands of years, died after asking Mega Man Trigger to take him to Terra, since he cannot survive long outside of Elysium.

Elysium had a program set up that upon the death of the last Human, would purge terra of it's inhabitants and clone new humans from the DNA library stored on Elysium. The Mankind Playback program. The master asked Trigger to destroy the library and the system, sparing the Carbons he had grown fond of, realizing his perfect world without death or hardships was empty and cold in comparison with normal life. Trigger failed upon fighting to a standstil with one of the Mother units, the one in charge of Elysium, and twas forced to reset his parameters to the configuration of a newborn. the remaining one sealed them both away.

Gotcha, but which Timeline does it fall under since both CM and ZERO Timelines seem probable, or does it even matter?
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Flame on September 04, 2011, 01:21:36 PM
CM and Zero are both part of the same timeline. CM is set near the end of the X series, before Zero's first seal.

MegaMan ->100yrs -> MegaMan X -> century -> Command Mission ->unknown amount of time -> Zero discovered as source of Sigma Virus, and sealed -> 50yrs -> Mother Elf created, Weil instigates Elf wars -> 4yrs -> Zero awakens in copy body, aids X in capturing Dark Elf and defeating Omega, ending Elf Wars -> Zero seals himself for the second time ->century (I think?) -> MegaMan Zero -> 200yrs -> Mega Man ZX -> unknown amount of time, possibly thousands of years -> Mega Man Legends
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: crisis on September 04, 2011, 01:54:31 PM
THIS IS NOW A MEGAMAN THREAD
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Kingshango on September 04, 2011, 02:33:23 PM
Where is my 2D Metroid for home consoles?

More like, where's my 2D Metroid PERIOD!?
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: DarkPrinceAlucard on September 04, 2011, 02:39:23 PM
More like, where's my 2D Metroid PERIOD!?

What about Metroid Other M?

It has 2.5D gameplay in the game.

Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Jorge D. Fuentes on September 04, 2011, 02:53:41 PM
I wouldn't call that 2.5D gameplay, but rather 3D gameplay like Final Fight, only far more advanced & fluid... though there are some strictly-sidescrolling parts at times.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Successor The Cruel on September 04, 2011, 03:33:08 PM
THIS IS NOW A MEGAMAN THREAD

Yes. Enough with this tiresome Mega Man nonsense, please.

The thing about 2D is a problem (if you want to call it that) not just with Castlevania, but the entire industry. Not a lot of companies have faith in 2D games on home consoles, and it's been this way for many, many years. It's detrimental to Castlevania because the series never comfortably converted to the 3D format the way its long time contemporaries like Mario, Metroid, Zelda, Metal Gear, Final Fantasy, Ninja Gaiden, and so many others have. I think it would be great to have a 2D Castlevania game on a home console, but in this day and age, I think it's a bit unrealistic, unless we're talking about a downloadable game. If the handheld games did major, major sales, then perhaps Konami would have enough faith in the series to try that big experiment. I think the most realistic solution for the current lame state the Castlevania series is in is for Konami to start putting out really, really good 3D games.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Flame on September 04, 2011, 03:35:54 PM
*bitchslap*

what nonsense joo talkin' bout boi
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Maedhros on September 04, 2011, 03:40:28 PM
Outsource the 2D series for Wayforward if they don't think Iga can make a good game anymore. I would be more than satisfied.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Neobelmont on September 04, 2011, 05:34:36 PM
Outsource the 2D series for Wayforward if they don't think Iga can make a good game anymore. I would be more than satisfied.

Not just Wayfoward there are a number of people to outsource to and while I think arc systems and vanillaware would do good I think Inti Creates would take a big piece of the cake.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: DarkPrinceAlucard on September 04, 2011, 07:20:07 PM
I actually do not have a problem with letting someone else handle the 2.D castlevania games.

However, I stilll want IGA back long enough to finish the Demon Castle Wars game.

Afterwards they can outsource it and see how it goes.
Title: Re: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign
Post by: Chernabogue on September 05, 2011, 02:27:32 PM
As long as IGA has a role as an advisor and makes a good script/scenario, I don't see any problem for Metroidvanias/2DVanias/DCW to be done by another studio.