Topic: Operation: Akumajo commencing Viral Campaign

[cecil-kain]

It started here on the Dungeon, grew on Facebook, and now...

Operation: Akumajo "Do you Love Castlevania?"

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

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

[crisis]

This is fantastic my friend. I fully support your endeavors and will promote this to my friends as well.


Long live Akumajo Dracula!!!!

[C Belmont]

What a pity I'm not on facebook, any alternate ways to show support?

[Profbeanburrito]

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

[Successor The Cruel]

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.

[DarkPrinceAlucard]

I fully support this.

[Chernabogue]

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.

[Eric Roman]

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?

[Maedhros]

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.

[X]

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.

[Gunlord]

"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~

[Maedhros]

"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~

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.

[DarkPrinceAlucard]

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.

[Odile Kuronuma]

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?

[Munchy]

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?