Topic: How about a name change? Is it possible?

[Ahasverus]

To put it simple. Castlevania is not the most commercial name out there.
I was watching that new (pretty good) fan made live action web series these days and wondered why it didin't have many views while at the same time being a quality product. The same case applies to some games of the series too, good, even great ones, not played by enough people. It's not about the theme, I think, vampires/werewolves/zombies are VERY popular right now. It's not about the gameplay, because it's solid. It might be about marketing, sure, but then, it got me, the name... Castlevania.
Not only it sounds kind of dorky, it limits the appeal to Castle, and Vania, two cliches associated to old Dracula old movies done and redone many times, what in the name incites to novelty and experimentation? To mistery and fun?
And as many of you know Castlevania was called Demon Castle Dracula in japan, so it's not that of a sacred name to Konami.

Personally  I'd try with a more global name, a la "Legacy of Kain" which in three words sounds open ended, intriguing and makes a case of a prominent figure within the series. Or A new sub series, an "Spiritual successor" not limited to Dracula and Castle exploring new mythologies while having the series recurring themes, taking place in the same world following the "Chaos" and "Dark Lords" plotline.

So, what if Konami decided to change the name of the series to make it more appealing? do you agree with the idea, or are you against? it? what suggestions do you have for it? Voice your opinion here!

[beingthehero]

DarkBoner: What A Bloody Mess Chronicles

Alternatively, VAMPIRE KILLER

[X]

I like the name 'Castlevania' as it sums up exactly what the series is about. It may be cheesy but that's part of the charm about it. And since it's been called Castlevania for over 25 years, a name change will probably be a disaster in my mind. To simply change an infamous title to something else is not easy. In fact I'd say it's impossible to do so without ticking off the fans.

[Ahasverus]

Another option would be relegating Castlevania to the pre-title, I mean, kinda like what  it is now, for example, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, but less emphasis on Castlevania and more in Lords of Shadow, like -Castlevania series - Lords of Shadow .. I dunno. But yeah I'd miss it. It's not that I wantit to be  changed, it's thought that came through my mind. Konami seems pretty agressive in the "reimagining" stuff, I mean, they created a NEW series of Metal Gears (Metal gear RISING) after, what, 15 years of Metal Gear Solid?

[Lashen]

What with all of the changes that the franchise has seen over the years in order to appeal to the current generation, I'd rather not abandon one of the few things that still bear that "classic" vampire/horror atmosphere.

Even something as simple as namesake can uphold it, and the title "Castlevania" certainly is reminiscent of such things. (Maybe it's selfish.)

[GuyStarwind]

The answer X gave is how I see it. Castlevania just has a certain charm to its name. I mean maybe if it was earlier in the life of CV I could maybe see a name change but not after 25 years.

Someone brought up Metal Gear Solid and it makes me think why the name "Solid"? Did they make the game saying this game is pretty cool and suddenly the surfer employee comes out of nowhere and says "Solid"? Next think you know everyone loves it.

[Claimh Solais]

The answer X gave is how I see it. Castlevania just has a certain charm to its name. I mean maybe if it was earlier in the life of CV I could maybe see a name change but not after 25 years.

Someone brought up Metal Gear Solid and it makes me think why the name "Solid"? Did they make the game saying this game is pretty cool and suddenly the surfer employee comes out of nowhere and says "Solid"? Next think you know everyone loves it.

They called it Metal Gear Solid for the reason that it was the series' entry into the third dimension, as well as the fact it was the first ACTUAL Metal Gear in America (not the shitty NES port or the even shittier "sequel" Snake's Revenge), and it "solidified" the direction of the series.

Or something like that.

[K.G. Morder]

Vampire Killer works. having "Killer" in the title is a total buzzword. So's Vampire for that matter.

[Shiroi Koumori]

"Castlevania" has that charm that appeals to those who played the game from 1986.
Changing the name makes it lose that legacy of being a long running series.

As for Vampire Killer as the new title, I think it doesn't do the series justice. You don't kill vampires all throughout the castle right? There are other enemies to destroy. Vampire Killer gives out the impression that the only thing you kill are vampires.

[Ratty]

The answer X gave is how I see it. Castlevania just has a certain charm to its name. I mean maybe if it was earlier in the life of CV I could maybe see a name change but not after 25 years.

Someone brought up Metal Gear Solid and it makes me think why the name "Solid"? Did they make the game saying this game is pretty cool and suddenly the surfer employee comes out of nowhere and says "Solid"? Next think you know everyone loves it.

Well it's in reference to the main character "Solid Snake" who as Yahtzee once pointed out might as well be named "Erect Cock". So it's a Metal Gear... that's Solid. The "Solid" was I believe added to the name to distinguish it from the original Metal Gear series which appeared on the MSX. Funnily enough, a "metal gear" that's "rising" still sounds extremely phallic.

As for the topic at hand well, I've contemplated this before myself and it makes you wonder how far the series can stretch and still be true to what we love about it.
Some of the best (or at least most interesting) games in the series have allowed for exploration beyond the walls of Dracula's castle. But when you get down to it the castle, Dracula/other trademark monsters (Medusa heads/flea men etc.) and the old European setting are the 3 big constants that have always defined Castlevania. Without those three elements the Metroidvanias might as well be a different series from the Classicvanias, and vice versa. The name embodies all that is goofy and wonderful about the monster movie mentality of the original games, and the setting and theme of the later titles. Changing this name would suggest changing all of those things to suit modern tastes in vampires as well.

[Nagumo]

Castlevania is fine, but if I would have to change it into something different, I would choose for "Akumajo Densetsu", and then localize it as "Legend of the Demon Castle" or something. It would still evoke the same amount of campiness, and it's arguably a more encompassing way to describe the series then "Akumajo Dracula".

[JR]

I don't think it's the name...I think it's just plain old marketing failure.

If the name Castlevania sounds dorky and uninteresting to the general public, Konami should be responsible for showing them what the series is all about through advertising. I honestly think that this is mostly why the series doesn't have much popularity today.

I'd hate to see a name change. It would be more fuss than it's worth, I think.

In the event of a name change, though, I'd prefer Demon Castle Dracula over anything else.

[mistressalucard]

If they changed the name of the series it wouldn't be Castlevania it would be Some Other Name:  Harmony of Mists or whatever.  Would it sell?  Probably if it was a good game but it wouldn't be Castlevania so what would be the point?

The series is Castlevania so the name should stay the same. 

I remember when Lords of Shadows' first trailer came out and everyone said nearly the same thing, that it looked like a Castlevania title.  Had no CV on it at the time but people did not consider it a CV and thought ok will check it out, but the talk still centered around the current titles and the rumored IGA one.  Then a few months later it was a CV title the fandom really sat up and started to research it ect.  Prior to that it was an interesting game, reminded people of CV, some will buy it ect.

The point I am trying to make until Lords of Shadow was changed and made a CV title there was interest in the game due to the content/style but it was not a 'Castlevania' title.  If it had been released as it was and been a huge, huge hit it would not have been counted as a CV title.  It would have been Lords of Shadow the newest hit title, with vampires in it.

Am I making sense?

[GuyStarwind]

If they changed the name of the series it wouldn't be Castlevania it would be Some Other Name:  Harmony of Mists or whatever.  Would it sell?  Probably if it was a good game but it wouldn't be Castlevania so what would be the point?

The series is Castlevania so the name should stay the same. 

I remember when Lords of Shadows' first trailer came out and everyone said nearly the same thing, that it looked like a Castlevania title.  Had no CV on it at the time but people did not consider it a CV and thought ok will check it out, but the talk still centered around the current titles and the rumored IGA one.  Then a few months later it was a CV title the fandom really sat up and started to research it ect.  Prior to that it was an interesting game, reminded people of CV, some will buy it ect.

The point I am trying to make until Lords of Shadow was changed and made a CV title there was interest in the game due to the content/style but it was not a 'Castlevania' title.  If it had been released as it was and been a huge, huge hit it would not have been counted as a CV title.  It would have been Lords of Shadow the newest hit title, with vampires in it.

Am I making sense?

Yes you are. At least to me.

[JoshuaKadmon]

Konami has dropped the ball on marketing countless times, whether it's Castlevania, Silent Hill, or Suikoden.  Most of us feel like they should just change their company name to The Metal Gear Developer at this point, since that's the only series they seem to care about these days, but I think they should leave the Castlevania title alone.  Yes, it's Castlevania in the West and Akumajo Dracula in Japan, but considering the series sells several times more copies in the West than back home, the Castlevania monicker is far more recognizable.

Even though there has been some deviation over the years, many of the greatest Castlevania games still follow the same naming conventions:

[Castlevania or Akumajo Dracula]: [Orchestral Terminology] [preposition, usually "of"] [Noun w/ Depressing Connotation]